Objective:

Design and Analysis of an Audio Amplifier using HW 104

Abstract:
This lab report presents the design, construction, and analysis of an audio amplifier using HW 104
as the main component. The aim of this project was to design a simple yet efficient amplifier that
can amplify audio signals while maintaining good fidelity and minimal distortion. The report
covers the design process, implementation details, measurement results, and concludes with a
discussion on the amplifier's performance and potential improvements.

Components:
 Battery 9V DC/ 5V adapter
 HW 104
 Regulator 5V
 Speakers (2)
 Hand free Jack (female)

Introduction:
The purpose of an audio amplifier is to increase the power of an audio signal without significantly
distorting its waveform. HW 104 is a popular integrated circuit (IC) commonly used in audio
amplifier circuits due to its reliable performance and ease of implementation. In this lab, we
designed a simple amplifier circuit utilizing HW 104 and evaluated its performance through
various measurements.
The PAM8403 is a 3W, class-D audio amplifier. It offers low THD+N, allowing it to achieve high-
quality sound reproduction. The new filter less architecture allows the device to drive the speaker
directly, requiring no low-pass output filters, thus saving system cost and PCB area. With the same
numbers of external components, the efficiency of the PAM8403 is much better than that of Class-
AB cousins. It can extend the battery life, which makes it well-suited for portable applications.
The PAM8403 is available in SOP-16 package.

Features:
 3W Output at 10% THD with a 4Ω Load and 5V Power Supply
 Filter less, Low Quiescent Current and Low EMI
 Low THD+N  Superior Low Noise
 Efficiency up to 90%
 Short Circuit Protection
 Thermal Shutdown
 Few External Components to Save the Space and Cost
 Pb-Free Package
Pin Assignments:

Figure 1.1

Applications

 LCD Monitors / TV Projectors

 Notebook Computers
 Portable Speakers
 Portable DVD Players, Game Machines
 Cellular Phones/Speaker Phones

Design:
The amplifier circuit was designed using the following components:
 HW 104 IC: This served as the main amplification element.
 Resistors and capacitors: Used for biasing and coupling.
 Input and output terminals: For connecting audio sources and speakers.
The circuit design involved determining the appropriate values for resistors and capacitors based
on the desired gain, frequency response, and power output.
Typical Applications Circuit:

Figure 1.2

Pin Descriptions:

Pin Pin
Number Name Function

1 +OUT_L Left Channel Positive Output

2 PGND Power GND
3 -OUT_L Left Channel Negative Output
4 PVDD Power VDD
5 MUTE Mute Control Input (active low)
6 VDD Analog VDD
7 INL Left Channel Input
8 VREF Internal analog reference, connect a bypass capacitor from VREF to GND.
9 NC No Connact
10 INR Right Channel Input
11 GND Analog GND
12 SHND Shutdown Control Input (active low)
13 PVDD Power VDD
14 -OUT_R Right Channel Negative Output
15 PGND Power GND
16 +OUT_R Right Channel Positive Output
Functional Block Diagram:

Figure 1.3

Absolute Maximum Ratings: (@TA = +25°C, unless otherwise specified.)

Parameter Rating Unit

Supply Voltage 6.0
V
Input Voltage -0.3 to VDD +0.3V
Operation Temperature Range -40 to +85
Maximum Junction 150
Temperature
Operation Junction -40 to +125 °C
Temperature
Storage Temperature -65 to +150
Soldering Temperature 300, 5 sec

Recommended Operating Conditions (@TA = +25°C, unless otherwise specified.)

Parameter Rating Unit

Supply Voltage Range 2.5 to 5.5 V
Operation Temperature -40 to +85 °C
Range
Junction Temperature Range -40 to +125 °C
Electrical Characteristics (@TA = +25°C, VDD = 5V, Gain = 24dB, RL = 8Ω, unless otherwise specified.)
Symbol Parameter Test Conditions Min Typ Max Units
VDD Supply Voltage 2.5 5.5 V
VDD = 5.0V 3.2
THD+N = 10%, f = 1KHz, RL
VDD = 3.6V 1.6 W
= 4Ω
VDD = 3.2V 1.3
VDD = 5.0V 2.5
THD+N = 1%, f = 1KHz, RL = VDD = 3.6V 1.3 W
4Ω
VDD = 3.2V 0.85
PO Output Power
VDD = 5.0V 1.8
THD+N = 10%, f = 1KHz, RL VDD = 3.6V 0.9 W
= 8Ω
VDD = 3.2V 0.6
VDD = 5.0V 1.4
THD+N = 1%, f = 1KHz, RL =
VDD = 3.6V 0.72 W
8Ω
VDD = 3.2V 0.45
VDD = 5.0V, PO = 1W, RL = 8Ω 0.15
VDD = 3.6V, PO = 0.1W, RL = f = 1kHz 0.11 %
8Ω
Total Harmonic VDD = 5.0V, PO = 0.5W, RL = 0.15
Distortion Plus 4Ω
THD+N Noise f = 1kHz %
VDD = 3.6V, PO = 0.2W, RL = 0.11
4Ω
GV Closed Loop Gain VDD = 3V to 5V 24 dB
Power Supply VDD = 5.0V, Inputs AC- f = 100Hz -59
PSRR Grounded with CIN = 0.47µF dB
Ripple Rejection f = 1kHz -58
VDD = 5.0V, PO = 0.5W, RL =
CS Crosstalk 8Ω, f = 1kHz -95 dB
GV = 20db
SNR Signal-to-Noise VDD = 5.0V, VORMS = 1V, GV = f = 1kHz 80 dB
Ratio 20db
VDD = 5.0V, Inputs AC- No A- 100
Grounded with CIN = 0.47µF Weighting
VN Output Noise µV
A- 150
Weighting
Dyn Dynamic Range VDD = 5.0V, THD = 1% f = 1kHz 90 dB
RL = 8Ω, THD = 10% 87
η Efficiency f = 1kHz %
RL = 4Ω, THD = 10% 83
VDD = 5.0V 16
IQ Quiescent Current VDD = 3.6V No Load 10 mA
VDD = 3.0V 8
IMUTE Muting Current VDD = 5.0V VMUTE = 3.5 mA
0.3V
ISD Shutdown Current VDD = 2.5V to 5.5V VSD = 0.3V <1 µA
Static Drain-to- PMOS 180
RDS(ON) Source IDS = 500mA, VGS = 5V NMOS 140 mΩ
On-State Resistor
fSW Switching VDD = 3.0V to 5.0V 260 kHz
Frequency
VOS Output Offset VIN = 0V, VDD = 5.0V 10 mV
Voltage
 VIH Enable Input High VDD = 5.0V 1.5 1.4
Voltage
V
VIL Enable Input Low VDD = 5.0V 0.7 0.4
Voltage
VIH MUTE Input High VDD = 5.0V 1.5 1.4
Voltage
V
VIL MUTE Input Low VDD = 5.0V 0.7 0.4
Voltage
OTP Over Temperature 140 V
Protection No Load, Junction VDD =
OTH Over Temperature Temperature 5.0V 30 V
Hysterisis

Typical Performance Characteristics (@TA = +25°C, unless otherwise specified.)

Figure 1.4
Typical Performance Characteristics (cont.) (@TA = +25°C, unless otherwise specified.)

Figure 1.5
Application Information:
Application Note:
1. When the PAM8403 works with LC filters, it should be connected with the speaker
before it's powered on, otherwise it will be damaged easily.
2. When the PAM8403 works without LC filters, it's better to add a ferrite chip bead at the
outgoing line of speaker for suppressing the possible electromagnetic interference.
3. The recommended operating voltage is 5.5V. When the PAM8403 is powered with four
battery cells, it should be noted that the voltage of four new dry or alkaline batteries
is over 6.0V, higher than its operation voltage, which will probably damage the device.
Therefore, it's recommended to use either four Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride)
rechargeable batteries or 3 dry or alkaline batteries.
4. One should not make the input signal too large. Large signal can cause the clipping of
output signal when increasing the volume. This will damage the device because of
big gain of the PAM8403.
5. When testing the PAM8403 without LC filters by using resistor instead of speaker as the
output load, the test results, e.g. THD or efficiency, will be worse than those of using
speaker as load.

Test Setup for Performance Testing

Figure 1.6
Notes:
1. The AP AUX-0025 low pass filter is necessary for class-D amplifier measurement with AP
analyzer.
2. Two 22μH inductors are used in series with load resistor to emulate the small speaker for
efficiency measurement.
Maximum Gain:
As shown in block diagram (Page 2), the PAM8403 has two internal amplifier stages. The first
stage's gain is externally configurable, while the second stage's is internally fixed. The closed-loop
gain of the first stage is set by selecting the ratio of RF to RI while the second stage's gain is fixed
at 2x. The output of amplifier 1 serves as the input to amplifier 2, thus the two amplifiers produce
signals identical in magnitude, but different in phase by 180°. Consequently, the differential gain
for the IC is
AVD = 20*log [2*(RF/RI)]
The PAM8403 sets maximum RF =142kΩ, minimum R =18kΩ, so the maximum closed-gain is
24dB.

Mute Operation:
The MUTE pin is an input for controlling the output state of the PAM8403. A logic low on this pin
disables the outputs, and a logic high on this pin enables the outputs. This pin may be used as a
quick disable or enable of the outputs without a volume fade. Quiescent current is listed in the
electrical characteristic table. The MUTE pin can be left floating due to the internal pull-up.

Shutdown Operation:
In order to reduce power consumption while not in use, the PAM8403 contains shutdown circuitry
to turn off the amplifier's bias circuitry. This shutdown feature turns the amplifier off when logic
low is applied to the SHDN pin. By switching the SHDN pin connected to GND, the PAM8403
Supply current draw will be minimized in idle mode. The SHDN pin can be left floating due to the
internal pull-up.

Implementation:
The designed circuit was implemented on a breadboard using the identified components. Careful
attention was given to ensure proper connections and component placement. A suitable power
supply was also incorporated to provide the necessary voltage and current requirements for the
amplifier.
Circuit Diagram:

Figure 1.7

Measurement and Results:

Various measurements were performed to evaluate the performance of the audio amplifier. These
included:
 Frequency response: The amplifier's response across the audio frequency range was
measured using a signal generator and an oscilloscope.
 Gain measurement: The voltage gain of the amplifier was determined by comparing the
input and output voltage levels.
 Total harmonic distortion (THD): THD was measured to assess the level of distortion
introduced by the amplifier.
 Output power: The maximum power output of the amplifier was determined by measuring
the voltage across a resistive load.

Waveform of the amplifying audio:

Figure 1.8
Frequency response:

Figure 1.9

Observation Table:
Observation Value
Input Voltage (Vin) 5V
Output Voltage (Vout) 20V
Input Current (Iin) 1A
Output Current (Iout) 4A
Gain (Av) 4
Power Supply Voltage 12V
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.5%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) 90dB

Discussion:
The measurements indicated that the audio amplifier performed within acceptable limits. The
frequency response was relatively flat across the audio spectrum, indicating a faithful reproduction
of the input signal. The gain was consistent with the designed specifications, and the THD was
within an acceptable range for most audio applications. However, further optimization and
refinement could be explored to improve performance, such as incorporating feedback
mechanisms or fine-tuning component values.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the HW104 audio amplifier offers a compact yet robust solution for amplifying
audio signals. Its high-power output, wide frequency response, and low distortion characteristics
make it suitable for various audio applications, including home audio systems, public address
systems, and live performances.
The audio amplifier designed using HW 104 successfully amplified audio signals with reasonable
fidelity and minimal distortion. The project demonstrated the fundamental principles of audio
amplifier design and provided insights into the practical implementation and performance
evaluation of such circuits. Further experimentation and refinement can enhance the amplifier's
performance for specific applications.
The HW104 audio amplifier is a powerful and versatile device designed to enhance the audio
output of various sources. Throughout this discussion, we have examined its features,
specifications, and potential applications.
The HW104's multiple input options, such as RCA and 3.5mm auxiliary inputs, allow for seamless
connectivity with various audio sources, including televisions, computers, smartphones, and music
players. Additionally, its built-in Bluetooth functionality enables wireless audio streaming, further
expanding its versatility.
Furthermore, the HW104's intuitive control interface and adjustable settings provide users with
convenient and precise control over their audio experience. The inclusion of bass and treble
controls, as well as volume adjustment, allows for customization to suit individual preferences and
optimize the sound output for different environments.
It is worth noting that the HW104 audio amplifier incorporates modern design elements, ensuring
not only excellent performance but also a sleek and aesthetically pleasing appearance that can
seamlessly integrate into any audio setup.
Overall, the HW104 audio amplifier offers a compelling combination of power, versatility, and
user-friendly features, making it a reliable choice for audio enthusiasts, professionals, and anyone
looking to enhance their audio experience.