New Application Note From THAT Helps Power Speaker Designs
| Milford , MA – Because the amplifier always drives a known load, powered speakers present unique design opportunities not available in separate components. THAT Corporation’s new application note AN104, “Improving Loudspeaker Signal Handling Capability” shows how to design a single-chip, frequency-dependent compressor/limiter circuitry into next-generation powered speaker products. This processor is suitable for most types of powered speakers, and along with providing driver protection, allows the system to be driven to higher levels without audible clipping or distortion.
The circuit requires only one integrated circuit, the THAT 4301 Analog Engine®, and a handful of passive components to implement its “intelligent” signal handling capability. At normal signal levels, the processor is essentially a unity gain buffer. However, as the levels increase to near the overload point of either the driver or the amplifier, the processor begins compressing, and ultimately limiting, the low-frequency portion of the signal (where distortion and clipping are most likely to occur). With its use of rms-level detection (to minimize the “drop out” effect that often occurs with peak limiters), judicious choice of time constants, and a high-performance VCA, the circuit can extend the headroom of the speaker system without noticeable degradation in sonic performance. AN104, along with other analog signal processing application notes, is available in .pdf format on our Design Notes page. THAT’s application engineers are also available for Technical Support to help meet particular design requirements. About THAT Corporation For more information, contact: Editorial Contact: |