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Ci
IN
Zi
Zf
Input
Signal
f=
1
2
Z C
p
i
(1)
INPUT CAPACITOR, C
I
f
=
c
1
2
Z C
p
i
-3dB
fc
(2)
C =
i
1
2
Z f
p
i
c
(3)
Power Supply Decoupling, CS
SLOS469E – OCTOBER 2005 – REVISED MAY 2007
The -3-dB frequency can be calculated using Equation 1. Use the ZI values given in Table 1. In the typical application, an input capacitor (CI) is required to allow the amplifier to bias the input signal to the
proper dc level for optimum operation. In this case, CI and the input impedance of the amplifier (ZI) form a
high-pass filter with the corner frequency determined in
Equation 2.The value of CI is important, as it directly affects the bass (low-frequency) performance of the circuit. Consider
the example where ZI is 20 k and the specification calls for a flat bass response down to 20 Hz. Equation 2 is In this example, CI is 0.4 F; so, one would likely choose a value of 0.47 F as this value is commonly used. If
the gain is known and is constant, use ZI from Table 1 to calculate CI. A further consideration for this capacitor is the leakage path from the input source through the input network (CI) and the feedback network to the load. This
leakage current creates a dc offset voltage at the input to the amplifier that reduces useful headroom, especially
in high gain applications. For this reason, a low-leakage tantalum or ceramic capacitor is the best choice. When
polarized capacitors are used, the positive side of the capacitor should face the amplifier input in most
applications as the dc level there is held at 2 V, which is likely higher than the source dc level. Note that it is
important to confirm the capacitor polarity in the application. Additionally, lead-free solder can create dc offset
voltages and it is important to ensure that boards are cleaned properly.
The TPA3100D2 is a high-performance CMOS audio amplifier that requires adequate power supply decoupling
to ensure that the output total harmonic distortion (THD) is as low as possible. Power supply decoupling also
prevents oscillations for long lead lengths between the amplifier and the speaker. The optimum decoupling is
achieved by using two capacitors of different types that target different types of noise on the power supply leads.
For higher frequency transients, spikes, or digital hash on the line, a good low equivalent-series-resistance
(ESR) ceramic capacitor, typically 0.1
F to 1 F placed as close as possible to the device V
CC lead works best.
For filtering lower frequency noise signals, a larger aluminum electrolytic capacitor of 220
F or greater placed
near the audio power amplifier is recommended. The 220
F capacitor also serves as local storage capacitor for
supplying current during large signal transients on the amplifier outputs. The PVCC terminals provide the power
to the output transistors, so a 220 F or larger capacitor should be placed on each PVCC terminal. A 10 F
capacitor on the AVCC terminal is adequate.
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