STMicroelectronics releases highly integrated automotive audio amplifier with high-definition sound quality and Class-G energy efficiency

China, April 20, 2022 – STMicroelectronics’ TDA7901 automotive-grade power amplifier integrates a Class G power amplifier switching tube buck controller on a single chip and supports high-definition audio. This market-leading feature combination brings an excellent auditory experience and high energy efficiency.

In Class G amplification, the TDA7901 buck controller automatically optimizes the supply voltage of the bridge-tied load (BTL) power stage according to the audio signal level, and the final smooth analog audio has energy efficiency close to that of a Class D amplifier at normal volume. Because the power dissipation is much lower than that of traditional Class A/B amplifiers, the requirements for heat sinks are reduced. Monolithic integrated buck controllers help reduce system weight and can also reduce bill of materials costs, simplify circuit design, and eliminate the need to develop voltage rail control firmware.

The TDA7901 is suitable for many in-vehicle information (IVI) systems, such as head units, smart cockpit systems, external amplifiers, etc. The amplifier can issue a full range of real-time diagnostic signals, including real-time monitoring of load current through I2S or I2C interfaces , enabling safety-related applications such as tone generators and electric vehicle low-speed tone systems (AVAS) to pass ASIL-A certification. The amplifier chip also provides a digital impedance meter to ensure that audio systems using the TDA7901 can meet the most demanding requirements of automotive OEMs.

The TDA7901 is equipped with I2S digital inputs and intelligent quad-bridge BTL outputs, which can provide 4x 43W audio power output (saturated output voltage 14.4V when driving a 4Ω load). The amplifier processes high-definition audio with an 80kHz bandwidth. The wide supply voltage of 4.5V-18.5V prevents audio interruption during engine start-stop and other common voltage transients.

The TDA7901 will be available in the second half of 2022 in a Power-SO36 package.