Systems and methods for load detection and correction in a digital amplifier

1. A method implemented in a digital amplifier comprising:

(a) generating a digital test signal;

(b) converting the digital test signal to an analog signal;

(c) driving a load with the analog signal;

(d) detecting a threshold level of current through the load;

(e) identifying a value of the digital test signal that generated the threshold level of current through the load; and

(f) calculating an impedance of the load based on the threshold level of current through the load and the corresponding value of the digital test signal.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting a threshold level of current through the load comprises comparing a measured analog signal corresponding to the level of current through the load to an analog reference signal corresponding to the threshold level of current and generating a binary signal that indicates whether the measured analog signal exceeds the analog reference signal.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating (a)-(f) with multiple digital test signals having different frequencies and one or more threshold levels of current through the load, and calculating an impedance profile of the load based on the threshold levels of current through the load and the corresponding values of the digital test signals.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising comparing the calculated impedance profile of the load to a library of impedance profiles and selecting one of the impedance profiles in the library that matches the calculated impedance profile of the load.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising implementing a set of operating parameters in the digital amplifier that is associated with the selected one of the impedance profiles in the library.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digital test signal comprises a pulse code modulated (PCM) signal and converting the digital test signal to the analog signal comprises converting the PCM signal to a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal and converting the PWM signal to the analog signal.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein detecting the threshold level of current through the load comprises comparing a voltage across a sense resistor that is in series with the load to a reference voltage that is equal to a resistance of the sense resistor times the threshold level of current.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising asserting a binary signal when the voltage across the sense resistor exceeds the reference voltage.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising asserting an interrupt when the voltage across the sense resistor exceeds the reference voltage.

10. A method comprising:

in a test mode,

generating a digital test signal,

converting the digital test signal to an analog test signal,

applying the analog test signal across a load and a sense resistor,

comparing a voltage across the sense resistor to a first reference voltage, wherein the first reference voltage is equal to a resistance of the sense resistor times a first threshold level of current,

generating a binary signal indicating whether the voltage across the sense resistor exceeds the first reference voltage,

identifying a value of the digital test signal that causes the binary signal to transition between high and low states, and

calculating an impedance of the load based on the first threshold level of current and the identified value of the digital test signal;

in an operational mode,

converting a digital audio digital test signal to an analog audio signal,

applying the analog signal across a load and a sense resistor,

comparing a voltage across the sense resistor to a second reference voltage, wherein the second reference voltage is equal to a resistance of the sense resistor times a second threshold level of current which is higher than the first threshold level of current,

generating a binary signal indicating whether the voltage across the sense resistor exceeds the second reference voltage, and

taking a protective action to limit the load current when the binary signal indicates that the voltage across the sense resistor exceeds the second reference voltage.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the protective action comprises at least temporarily shutting down the amplifier.

12. A digital amplifier comprising:

a digital test signal generator configured to generate a digital test signal;

an engine configured to convert the digital test signal to an analog signal;

an output stage configured to receive the analog signal and to drive a load and a sense resistor in series with the load with the analog signal;

a reference voltage generator configured to generate a reference voltage equal to a resistance of the sense resistor times a threshold level of current;

a comparator configured to compare a voltage across the sense resistor to the reference voltage and to generate a binary signal indicating whether the voltage across the sense resistor exceeds the reference voltage;

a processor configured to identify a value of the digital test signal corresponding to a transition in the binary signal and to calculate an impedance of the load based on the threshold level of current and the value of the digital test signal corresponding to the transition in the binary signal.

13. The digital amplifier of claim 12 , wherein the voltage across the sense resistor and the reference voltage comprise analog signals.

14. The digital amplifier of claim 12 , wherein the digital test signal generator is configured to generate digital test signals of different frequencies for multiple tests; and wherein the processor is configured to identify values of each digital test signal corresponding to transitions in the binary signal and to calculate impedances of the load for each test signal frequency based on the threshold level of current and the value of each digital test signal corresponding to transitions in the binary signal.

15. The digital amplifier of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to compare the calculated impedances for each test signal frequency to a library of impedance profiles and to select one of the impedance profiles in the library that matches the calculated impedances of the load.

16. The digital amplifier of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to implement a set of operating parameters in the digital amplifier that is associated with the selected one of the impedance profiles in the library.

17. The digital amplifier of claim 12 , wherein the digital test signal generator is configured to generate a pulse code modulated (PCM) signal and the engine configured to convert the digital test signal to an analog signal comprises a pulse width modulated (PWM) engine.

18. The digital amplifier of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to assert an interrupt when the binary signal transitions from low to high.

19. The digital amplifier of claim 18 , further comprising an accumulator configured to receive the binary signal and to assert an output signal to the processor only if the binary signal is asserted for a predetermined interval.

20. The digital amplifier of claim 12 , wherein:

in a test mode,

the reference voltage generator is configured to generate a first reference voltage equal to a resistance of the sense resistor times a first threshold level of current below a maximum current level, and the processor is configured to calculate the impedance of the load based on the threshold level of current and the value of the digital test signal corresponding to the transition in the binary signal; and

in an operational mode,

the reference voltage generator is configured to generate a second reference voltage equal to a resistance of the sense resistor times a second threshold level of current which is higher than the first threshold level of current; and

the processor is configured to take action to limit the current through the load when the binary signal is asserted.