With the MAX98357 and MAX98358 Class D digital input audio power amplifiers from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., designers can achieve maximum efficiency in a compact and cost-effective plug-and-play solution. Despite their ultra-small form factors, these efficient Class D amplifiers deliver 3.2W of Class AB audio performance for superior audio quality and are ideal for a wide variety of applications.The MAX98357 Pulse Modulation (PCM) and MAX98358 Pulse-Density Modulation (PDM) speaker amplifiers reduce the overall size of the solution by leveraging Maxim's ingenious pinout and minimizing the number of components required compared to typical analog amplifier designs. Since most customers control their volume digitally, these features allow them to take advantage of Maxim's Wafer-Level Packaging (WLP) technology without the need for costly Vertical Interconnect Access (VIA) cables. For superior audio quality, they feature a digital input for noise immunity, along with the highest jitter tolerance (at least 8dB better than competing solutions). They also offer excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance and allow for longer speaker traces without an added external filter. Furthermore, they deliver the highest Class D efficiency in the industry.
To simplify design, the plug-and-play functionality only requires users to connect a single power supply and power the BCLK (bit clock) and LRCLK (left-right clock) of the MAX98357 and MAX98358, eliminating the need for a master clock (MCLK). These amplifiers further simplify designs by automatically configuring up to 35 different clock settings and 128 different digital audio formats. This automatic configuration eliminates complicated I²C programming, as it is no longer necessary to rewrite the base code to configure a design just to add audio functionality. As more applications (such as smart speakers) begin to require multi-channel/multidirectional audio, the need for amplifiers like the MAX98357 and MAX98358 will grow, as they can be daisy-chained to support speaker arrays (up to 8 channels compatible with time-division multiplexing or TDM).
Key Advantages
• Superior Audio Quality: Highest dynamic range in its product category (103.5dB), best-in-class total harmonic distortion (THD) (0.013%), and excellent click-pop performance (-66dBV off) via a comprehensive click-pop reduction circuit.
• Cost-Effective: Utilizes WLP without the need for expensive PCB VIAs; only one external component (shunt capacitor) and one supply voltage are required for most applications; competing solutions require at least two external components, as well as internal VIAs and two supply voltages.
• Plug-and-Play Simplicity: No programming required. Requires only one power supply and automatic configurations for 35 different clock settings and 128 digital audio formats.
• Compact: Available in a small solution size (1.93 mm² WLP); allows for three gain levels with easy connection.
• Highest Class D Efficiency: Offers the highest efficiency of 92% compared to competing solutions.
