Dallas-based Texas Instruments has new amplifiers that extend playback time on your MP3 device

by PegNews wire

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If that's true, let's just hope that the maker of your MP3 device decides to install them in your MP3 device.

Users of music phones and MP3 players can benefit from dramatically extended music playback time enabled by two new 25-mW Class-G, DirectPath(TM) stereo headphone amplifiers from Texas Instruments, which adjust their voltage supplies to the audio signal to minimize power dissipation.

In a standalone Lithium-Ion battery test between TI's Class-G technology and a competing ground-referenced Class-AB device, the TPA6140A2 and TPA6141A2 reduced power consumption by 30%. The amplifiers improve system-level music playback time by 20 percent over Class-AB technology in the best-in-class music phones shipping today. (For more information on this product, see www.ti.com/tpa6140a2-pr)

"Consumers traveling from Dallas to Delhi or from San Francisco to Shanghai want to listen to their MP3s for the duration of the flight without worrying whether they have enough battery life left to make a call when they land," said Art George, senior vice president of TI's High-Performance Analog business unit. "Devices like the TPA6140A2 and TPA6141A2 save critical battery life to make this scenario a reality."

Other key features significantly improve sound quality. The amplifiers feature TI's field-proven DirectPath technology, which eliminates the need for large DC-blocking capacitors at the amplifier outputs to give designers additional board space and allow consumers to enjoy greater low-frequency audio fidelity. In addition, the TPA6140A2 and TPA6141A2 include built-in pop suppression circuitry, which completely eliminates disturbing pop noise when the amplifier powers on, to enable a seamless audio experience. Power supply rejection of greater than 100 dB and differential inputs improve noise rejection, while 100-dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improves the signal quality to deliver crystal clear audio.

Additional features and benefits of the TPA6140A2 and TPA6141A2

-- These amplifiers consume only 0.6 mA/channel quiescent current and deliver 5 mW/channel into a 32-ohm load, while keeping the total supply current below 5 mA, to extend battery life

-- The TPA6140A2 and TPA6141A2 enable an energy-efficient system when coupled with TI's low-power audio converters, speaker amplifiers, OMAPTM 3 processors and TMS320C550x and TMS320C540x devices

-- The TPA6140A2 provides a variable gain range of -59 dB to +4 dB programmable via a 32-step I2C volume control to maximize design flexibility. The TPA6141A2 offers two fixed gain settings of 0 dB and +6 dB for customers who require less flexibility

-- Separate SGND pin reduces ground loop noise when interfacing with a non-headphone accessory

Availability and pricing

The TPA6140A2 is available in volume now from TI and its authorized distributors in a space-saving 1.6 mm x 1.6 mm WCSP package. Suggested resale pricing is $0.95 in 1,000-unit quantities. The TPA6141A2 will be available in 2009.

Source: Texas Instruments