Stmicroelectronics S.r.l.

Stmicroelectronics (shenzhen) R&d Co. Ltd.

Xian Feng Xiong

Mei Yang

Cristiano Meroni

XiangSheng Li

Kelvin Jian Wen

Zheng Hua Song

A circuit can be used in a speaker system. The circuit includes an amplifier with an output configured to be coupled to a speaker. An offset comparator has an input coupled the output of the amplifier and is configured to provide an offset control signal. A digital circuit has a first input coupled to an output of the offset comparator, a second input configured to receive an amplifier control signal, a third input configured to receive a play control signal, and an output configured to provide a forced mute signal that can be used to control the amplifier.

Embedded speaker protection for automotive audio power amplifier

A digital circuit can be used in a speaker system. An intermediate node provides a speaker protection control signal. A first latch for receives an offset control signal. A first logic gate receives a play control signal, the offset control signal, and the speaker protection control signal. A second logic gate is coupled to the first latch for receiving the play control signal and the speaker protection control signal. A second latch is coupled to the first logic gate for providing a forced mute signal. A third latch is coupled to the second logic gate and to the intermediate node.

A power amplifier includes a clamping circuit configured to provide a clamped voltage from a power supply; an amplifier pair having first inputs coupled to the clamping circuit, second inputs and an output for providing an amplified signal; and a biasing circuit coupled between the clamping circuit and the second inputs. The biasing circuit is configured to adjust input bias voltages of the amplifier pair such that the output of the amplifier pair varies proportionally to a change of the power supply.

Power amplifier

A method of operating a speaker system including a speaker coupled to an amplifier, and a dedicated digital speaker protection circuit includes turning on the amplifier in a mute mode, after a first delay period, issuing a play command to the amplifier to place the amplifier in a play mode, but without an input signal during a second delay period, and performing a speaker offset detection during the second delay period, wherein, if there is an offset, then the amplifier is forced back into the mute mode, and if there is no offset, then the amplifier is allowed to continue to operate in the play mode. The method also includes issuing a speaker protection control signal or command if an offset is detected.

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Shenzhen, China

Xian Feng Xiong