Introduction
Welcome to the homepage of team ‘It Takes Two’. We designed a ‘Fully Differential’ Class D Audio Amplifier with Tone Control’ for the VLSI Design Lab course during the Spring of 2023. In the project, we designed, simulated, verified, taped-out and tested a custom class-D audio amplifier chip using TSMC 65nm technology. The whole project is spread across two semesters with design and tapeout in the spring and testing in the fall semester.
Class D amplifiers have gained widespread popularity in various audio applications, ranging from professional sound systems and home theaters to automotive audio systems. The key advantage lies in their ability to deliver high power output while generating significantly less heat compared to traditional Class A or Class AB amplifiers. This efficiency not only enhances performance but also allows for more compact and lightweight designs, addressing the demand for space-saving solutions in modern audio equipment.
A Class D amplifier utilizing a fully differential amplifier architecture represents a sophisticated approach to achieving high-quality audio amplification with improved performance characteristics. This configuration offers advantages such as common-mode noise rejection and improved linearity, making it well-suited for audio applications. The use of fully differential amplifiers allows for enhanced signal fidelity, reduced distortion, and improved noise rejection, making these amplifiers ideal for demanding audio applications.
Fig: Die snapshot
Fig: Oscilloscope waveforms of Input and output Audio
Signals - Input Audio, Output PWM, Differential Audio outs, Speaker Input respectively