High efficiency low voltage class D CMOS audio power amplifier

Abstract

Most modern devices and utilities that incorporate some form of audio input and audio, require and audio driver in order to create some sort of tune for the application-user. These audio drivers come in a variety of configurations and topologies, however the most widely used and commonly found in many applications are the Class-D Audio Power Amplifiers (CDA) due to the advantageous effects that they offer when compared to other types of consumer related audio amplifiers. this project shall comprise of both the design and implementation of a CDA using a CMOS 0.18 𝜇𝑚 process parameter and shall be modelled using the Cadence Virtuoso modelling suite. A Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) CDA will be taken into consideration, deconstructed and each sub-component will be analysed in order to maximise the total efficiency of the end model. Hence, throughout this report, various modelling and implementation techniques shall be discussed, and stating why one approach was taken when compared to another.