Group aware current-limited amplifier and system
A group-aware, current limited amplifier system including a group brownout control bus and a number of current-limited amplification channels coupled to the group brownout control bus. In an example embodiment, each current-limited amplification channel includes an amplifier, an amplifier power supply developing a current level signal that represents the amount of current being drawn by the amplifier, a brownout controller responsive to a digital audio input, the group brownout control bus, and the current level signal, and operative to develop a control signal; and an audio digital-to-analog (D/A) converter responsive to the digital audio input and to the control signal and operative to develop an analog audio output that is coupled to an input of the amplifier.
1. A current-limited amplification device comprising:
an amplifier having an analog audio input and an amplified analog audio output;
an amplifier power supply coupled to the amplifier and developing a current level signal that represents the amount of current being drawn by the amplifier;
a brownout controller responsive to a digital audio input and the current level signal, the brownout controller being operative to develop a control signal; and
an audio digital-to-analog (D/A) converter responsive to the digital audio input and to the control signal, the D/A converter being operative to develop an analog audio output that is coupled to the analog audio input of the amplifier.
2. A current-limited amplification device as recited in claim 1 wherein the brownout controller is further responsive to a group brownout control bus.
3. A current-limited amplification device as recited in claim 2 further comprising an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter coupling the current level signal to the brownout controller.
4. A current-limited amplification device as recited in claim 3 further comprising a buffer coupling the digital audio input to the D/A converter.
5. A current-limited amplification device as recited in claim 4 wherein the A/D converter includes a temperature input.
6. A current-limited amplification device as recited in claim 5 wherein the amplifier power supply has a system power input.
7. A current-limited amplification device as recited in claim 6 wherein the amplifier, the amplifier power supply, the brownout controller, the D/A converter, the A/D converter, and the buffer comprise a packaged integrated circuit (IC) device including a plurality of leads.
8. A current-limited amplification device as recited in claim 7 wherein the digital audio input, the amplified audio output and the system power input are coupled to the plurality of leads of the IC device.
9. A group-aware, current limited amplifier system comprising:
a group brownout control bus; and
a plurality of current-limited amplification channels coupled to the group brownout control bus, each including
(a) an amplifier having an analog audio input and an amplified analog audio output;
(b) an amplifier power supply coupled to the amplifier and developing a current level signal that represents the amount of current being drawn by the amplifier;
(c) a brownout controller responsive to a digital audio input, the group brownout control bus, and the current level signal, the brownout controller being operative to develop a control signal; and
(d) an audio digital-to-analog (D/A) converter responsive to the digital audio input and to the control signal, the D/A converter being operative to develop an analog audio output that is coupled to the analog audio input of the amplifier.
10. A group-aware, current limited amplifier system as recited in claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of current-limited amplification channels further includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter coupling the current level signal to the brownout controller.
11. A group-aware, current limited amplifier system as recited in claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of current-limited amplification channels further includes an a buffer coupling the digital audio input to the D/A converter.
12. A group-aware, current limited amplifier system as recited in claim 11 wherein the A/D converter includes a temperature input.
13. A group-aware, current limited amplifier system as recited in claim 12 wherein the amplifier power supply has a system power input.