SiliconInterventions Touts Fractal-D as Superior Audio Amplifier

IP licensor SiliconIntervention Inc. has recently unveiled the groundbreaking Fractal-D audio amplifier, touting its superior performance due to enhanced efficiency at low power levels. The company claims that Fractal-D is 60 to 70 percent more efficient at 1 percent of maximum power output, a range where music and speech signals often operate without compromising efficiency at higher power levels.

The announcement also included news of SiliconIntervention Inc. securing a US patent for the innovative architecture. Patent No. 12,021,491 specifically covers the integration of a Class-D driver and Buck Regulator using the same components, a design that sets Fractal-D apart in the audio amplifier market.

One of the key features of Fractal-D is the utilization of two control loops that operate in parallel, enabling the simultaneous creation of audio output and an intermediate voltage level. This unique approach allows the system to recycle the charge flowing through the speaker for future cycles, enhancing overall efficiency and performance.

According to Allan Cox, CEO of SiliconIntervention Inc. based in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, "Increasing operating efficiency and extending battery lifetime is crucial for the development of future wearable products. The patented Fractal-D amplifier family represents a significant step towards achieving this goal."

CTO and founder Martin Mallinson further elaborated on the technology, stating, "While traditional H-Bridge Class-D amplifiers can achieve efficiencies of 80 to 90 percent at 1W output levels, they often suffer from lower efficiency, around 30 to 40 percent, at 10mW output levels. Fractal-D addresses this issue by delivering improved efficiency at 10mW while maintaining a remarkable 90 percent efficiency at 1W, resulting in extended battery life for wearable audio devices like earbuds and earphones."

The Fractal-D architecture is designed to be compatible with standard CMOS processes, eliminating the need for special processing steps and simplifying integration into existing manufacturing workflows. SiliconIntervention Inc. also announced the availability of design services for chip development and implementation support, offering assistance in mapping the technology to preferred process nodes.