Infineon CoolGaN power transistors enable SounDigital to reach higher fidelity in smaller amplifier systems
Manufacturers of cutting-edge audio equipment constantly seek to enhance sound quality while also meeting the growing demand for compact, lightweight, more integrated, and energy-efficient designs. At the same time, they must ensure seamless connectivity, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly functionality, making audio product development more complex than ever. To overcome these challenges, SounDigital has integrated CoolGaN transistors from Infineon into its new 1500 W Class D amplifier, featuring an 800 kHz switching frequency and five channels. Infineon’s GaN technology has improved the energy efficiency of the amplifier by five percent and reduced energy loss by 60 percent.
For its 1500 W Class D amplifier, SounDigital selected Infineon’s 100 V normally-off E-mode transistors: IGC033S101 in a PQFN-3×5 package and IGB110S101 in a PQFN-3×3 package. With their low on-resistance, the transistors are ideal for demanding high-current applications, enabling significant improvements in both sound quality and efficiency of SounDigital’s amplifier. The GaN-based amplifier also delivers high performance while reducing power dissipation by 75 W, allowing for a 50 percent smaller heat sink. Additionally, the overall system size has been reduced by 40 percent without compromising performance. The audio quality has been further improved by the CoolGaN transistors, with total harmonic distortion (THD) reduced by 70 percent, enabling a more precise and detailed sound experience. At the same time, the idle current has been reduced by 40 percent, significantly improving energy efficiency.
