Amplifier circuit and method of signal amplification

• US 8,279,011 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Modiotek Co. Ltd. (Macronix International Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Modiotek Co. Ltd. (Macronix International Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yang, Yuan-Han, Cheng, Chun-Yuan, Chang, Che-Ya
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PATRICIA T
• Application Number:
  US12/487,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20100150357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 330/297, 330/127, 330/124.R, 327/536, 327/537
• US Class Current: 330/297
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/45138 Two or more differential amplifiers in IC-block form are combined, e.g. measuring amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/45528 the FBC comprising one or more passive resistors and being coupled between the LC and the IC
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/187 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/45475 using IC blocks as the active amplifying circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/68 Combinations of amplifiers, e.g. multi-channel amplifiers for stereophonics power amplifiers using a combination of several semiconductor amplifiers H03F3/211; combinations of amplifiers using coupling networks with distributed constants H03F3/602
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

An amplifier circuit and a method of signal amplification are provided. The amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier and a charge pump. The first amplifier includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The first terminal is coupled to a first external voltage. The second terminal is coupled to a negative voltage. The third terminal is coupled to a ground reference voltage. The charge pump is coupled to the first amplifier for providing the negative voltage transformed from a second external voltage.

Claims

1. An amplifier circuit, comprising:

a first amplifier, comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to a first external voltage, the second terminal is coupled to a negative voltage, the third terminal is coupled to a ground reference voltage, the fourth terminal is coupled to a first input signal, the fifth terminal is coupled to a first speaker;

a second amplifier, comprising a sixth terminal, a seventh terminal, an eighth terminal, a ninth terminal, and a tenth terminal, wherein the sixth terminal is coupled to the first external voltage, the seventh terminal is coupled to the negative voltage, the eighth terminal is coupled to the ground reference voltage, the ninth terminal is coupled to a second input signal, the tenth terminal is coupled to a second speaker; and

a charge pump, coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier, providing the negative voltage transformed from a second external voltage.

2. The amplifier circuit of claim 1, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are both coupled to the ground reference voltage.

3. The amplifier circuit of claim 1, wherein the first amplifier amplifies the first input signal and outputs the amplified first input signal to the first speaker, the second amplifier amplifies the second input signal and outputs the amplified second input signal to the second speaker.

4. The amplifier circuit of claim 1, wherein an absolute value of the negative voltage is substantially equal to an absolute value of the second external voltage.

5. The amplifier circuit of claim 1, wherein an absolute value of the negative voltage and an absolute value of the second external voltage are substantially in a predetermined ratio.

6. The amplifier circuit of claim 1, wherein the first external voltage and the second external voltage are not equal.

7. The amplifier circuit of claim 1, further comprising:

a filter, coupled between the charge pump, the first amplifier and the second amplifier, filtering out noises in the negative voltage and then providing the filtered negative voltage to the first amplifier and the second amplifier.

8. The amplifier circuit of claim 7, wherein the filter is a low drop output circuit.

9. A method of signal amplification for an amplifier circuit which has a first amplifier and a second amplifier, comprising:

providing a first external voltage and a second external voltage to the amplifier circuit;

providing a negative voltage transformed from the second external voltage to the first amplifier and the second amplifier;

providing a ground reference voltage to the first amplifier and the second amplifier;

amplifying a first input signal received by the first amplifier and outputting the amplified first input signal; and

amplifying a second input signal received by the second amplifier and outputting the amplified second input signal.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

outputting the amplified first input signal to a first speaker and outputting the amplified second input signal to a second speaker.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are both coupled to the ground reference voltage.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein an absolute value of the negative voltage is substantially equal to an absolute value of the second external voltage.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein an absolute value of the negative voltage and an absolute value of the second external voltage are substantially in a predetermined ratio.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first external voltage and the second external voltage are not equal.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

filtering out noises in the negative voltage and then providing the filtered negative voltage to the first amplifier and the second amplifier.