Maxim Integrated Products has introduced the MAX9768 highly efficient, 10W, mono, single-supply, Class D speaker amplifier with versatile, analogue/digital volume control. Class D architecture enables this device to operate over a wide, 4.5V to 14V supply-voltage range. This wide voltage range allows direct battery operation in portable applications, thus eliminating the need for a DC-DC converter between the battery and speaker amplifier. Additionally, the amplifier's high 87% efficiency eliminates the need for heatsinking. To further reduce BOM cost, the MAX9768 utilises Maxim's filterless, spread-spectrum modulation technique, which minimises EMI-radiated emissions and eliminates the need for the bulky, costly inductor-capacitor filters typically required to achieve acceptable EMI performance. The MAX9768 significantly reduces overall solution size and cost, thus making it suitable for battery-operated equipment, TVs, PCs, GPS, and personal/security radios.

The MAX9768 integrates flexible, dual-mode volume control, which enables either analogue or digital control of a 64-step volume-control circuit. Analogue control can be achieved using a DC voltage, potentiometer, filtered microcontroller PWM signal, or other analogue signal. Digital control is possible using the on-board I2C-compatible interface.

The MAX9768 delivers up to 10W of output power into an 8 ohm speaker with a 14V supply, and features high 77dB PSRR, low 0.08% THD+N, and SNR up to 97dB. Additionally, it provides robust short-circuit and thermal-overload protection, comprehensive click-and-pop suppression, and a low-power shutdown mode. Fully specified over the -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius extended temperature range, the MAX9768 is available in a small, 4mm x 4mm, 28-pin TQFN package.