GB2465695A

GB2465695A - A load discriminator for an audio amplifier, the discriminator not using a test signal

Info

Publication number: GB2465695A
Application number: GB1000039A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Paul Lesso
Original assignee: Wolfson Microelectronics PLC
Current assignee: Cirrus Logic International UK Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-28
Filing date: 2007-12-28
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-28
Also published as: GB2465695B; GB201000039D0

Abstract

A charge pump power supply 102 provides a supply voltage to an amplifier 16 driving a load 18, the nature of which (for example whether it is a line-out or headphones) is determined from the time taken for the charge pump output voltage to fall by a predefined amount or from the voltage drop during a predefined interval (figure 2) or from the rate of voltage droop. These parameters indicate the discharge rate of the charge pump reservoir capacitor 14 and thus provide an indication of the impedance of the load 18. Alternatively, the net charging rate of the capacitor 14 may be measured. A test signal generator is not required because the envelope detector 106 enables the decision circuit 104 to assess the impedance of the load by reference to the amplitude of the audio input signal. If the output load is determined to be a line output the signal amplitude may be raised, but if a headphone load is detected the signal amplitude may be reduced to protect the amplifier and the listener.

Description

AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT

The present invention relates to amplifiers, and in particular to an amplifier and a method for detecting the output device connected to the amplifier.

BACKGROUND

Portable audio systems have become hugely popular over the last twenty years. MP3 players are the latest product in a line of portable music players that has included cassette players, CD players, minidisc players, etc. Further, mini TVs and DVD players integrated with a flat screen are now available so that users can watch films whilst travelling. Such portable systems usually make use of headphones to output audio, so that the sound is confined to the user operating the system.

However, in addition to listening to audio whilst on the move, many users wish to use their portable audio systems in the home. For example, a user may keep his entire MP3 collection stored on the hard drive of his portable MP3 player which may be integrated as part of a mobile communication apparatus, and therefore the MP3 player should also be suitable for connecting to an external sound system.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional amplifier circuit 10. A charge pump 12 charges a capacitor 14, which in turn provides a supply voltage to a power amplifier 16. The voltage of the capacitor 14 is VCP. An audio signal is input to the power amplifier 16, amplified, and output in a load 18 with impedance R[.

If the load 18 is a "line-out", i.e. a signal sent to an external sound system (not shown), the impedance R[ is relatively high, typically ikO -lOkO. In this case it is advantageous for the audio signal output from the power amplifier 16 to have the maximum amplitude possible so that the input to the external sound system is as accurate as possible. That is, the external sound system will have its own amplifier and therefore in order to achieve the best range of amplification, the signal input to the external sound system should be as large as possible.

If the load 18 is a set of passive speakers, e.g. headphones, the impedance R[ is relatively low, typically 4 0 -16 0. In this case, the audio signal output from the power amplifier 16 must be much lower for user/apparatus safety.

Therefore it is very important to determine the "nature" of the load 18 coupled to the amplifier circuit 10, i.e. whether the load is a line-out or a set of headphones, i.e. high impedance or low impedance.

A known technique for detecting the load 18 is to measure the current drawn in the load 18 when a test signal is driven through the amplifier circuit 10. As the test signal is predetermined, the expected amounts of current for a line-out or headphones will also be known, and this can be used to determine the impedance of the load 18.

However, there are a number of drawbacks to this approach. For example, the circuitry required to detect the current drawn in the load 18 is complicated, and may cause distortion to the audio signal. Further, it is not clear when to drive the test signal through the system. One method is to test the load when the audio system is first switched on, generating a "beep" before outputting the true audio signal. Both of these disadvantages affect the end-user's experience, and are therefore to be avoided.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an amplifier circuit comprising an amplifier for amplifying an input signal and outputting the amplified signal to an external device, means for determining a characteristic of the external device using a reference signal, and an envelope detector for detecting an envelope of the input signal, and for providing a control signal to said means for determining a characteristic of the external device such that the input signal may be used as the reference signal.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of determining a characteristic of an external device in an amplifier circuit comprising an amplifier for amplifying an input signal and outputting the amplified signal to the external device.

The method comprises the steps of determining a characteristic of the external device using a reference signal, and detecting an envelope of the input signal, and using the detected envelope of the input signal in the step of determining the characteristic of the external device such that the input signal may be used as the reference signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an amplifier circuit comprising an amplifier for amplifying an input signal and outputting the amplified signal to an external device, a power supply for providing a supply voltage to the amplifier, and means for measuring a parameter related to the supply voltage, and for determining a characteristic of the external device based on the measured parameter.

According to one embodiment, the parameter may be the time taken for the supply voltage to drop to a predetermined threshold.

According to another embodiment, the parameter may be the voltage drop of the supply voltage over a predetermined period of time.

According to another embodiment, the parameter may be the time taken for the supply voltage to rise to a predetermined threshold.

According to another embodiment, the parameter may be the voltage rise of the supply voltage over a predetermined period of time.

According to another embodiment, the parameter may be a rate of change of the supply voltage with time.

A look-up table may be provided, wherein the parameter is input to the look-up table to determine the characteristic of the external device.

The characteristic may be the impedance of the external device, such as the type of the external device. According to one embodiment the type of the external device is a line-out or a set of passive speakers.

According to one embodiment an envelope detector is provided for detecting the envelope of the input signal. In such an embodiment the means for determining a characteristic of the external device is adapted to further determine the characteristic of the external device based on the detected envelope of the input signal. When the parameter is the time taken for the supply voltage to drop or rise to a predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold is adapted based on the detected envelope of the input signal. When the parameter is the voltage drop or voltage rise of the supply voltage over a predetermined period of time, the predetermined period of time is adapted based on the detected envelope of the input signal.

According to one embodiment the amplifier circuit further comprises a capacitor, wherein said supply voltage is provided to the amplifier via the capacitor, and wherein said supply voltage is measured based on the voltage of the capacitor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining a characteristic of an external device in an amplifier circuit comprising an amplifier for amplifying an input signal and outputting the amplified signal to the external device, the amplifier being powered by a supply voltage. The method comprises the steps of measuring a parameter related to the supply voltage; and determining a characteristic of the external device based on the measured parameter.

According to one embodiment the parameter may be the time taken for the supply voltage to drop or rise to a predetermined threshold.

According to one embodiment the parameter may be the voltage drop or voltage rise of the supply voltage over a predetermined period of time.

According to one embodiment the parameter may be a rate of change of the supply voltage with time.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of using the parameter to access a look-up table in order to determine the characteristic of the external device. The characteristic may be the impedance of the external device. The characteristic may be the type of the external device. In such an embodiment, the type of the external device is a line-out or a passive speaker.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of detecting the envelope of the input signal. The step of determining a characteristic of the external device may comprise the step of determining the characteristic of the external device based on the detected envelope of the input signal. The parameter may be the time taken for the supply voltage to drop or rise to a predetermined threshold, with the method further comprising the step of adapting the predetermined threshold based on the detected envelope of the input signal. Alternatively, the parameter may be the voltage drop or voltage rise of the supply voltage over a predetermined period of time, with the method further comprising the step of adapting the predetermined period of time based on the detected envelope of the input signal.

According to one embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of providing a capacitor, wherein said supply voltage is provided to the amplifier via the capacitor, and wherein said supply voltage is measured based on the voltage of the capacitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a conventional amplifier circuit; Figure 2 shows variation of supply voltage over time; Figure 3 shows an amplifier circuit according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows one example of decision circuitry for use in the amplifier circuit according to the present invention; and Figure 5 shows another example of decision circuitry for use in the amplifier circuit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 2 is a schematic graph showing the variation of voltage Vp of the capacitor 14 in the amplifier circuit 10. The dashed line shows the variation of Vp when the load is a set of headphones, or similar. The solid line shows the variation of Vp when the load is a line-out. For clarity, the graph shows substantially straight voltage-time profiles for charging and discharging. However, as would be understood by one skilled in the art, such profiles will actually be exponential functions.

The charge pump 12 switches on and off at a frequency At time to, the charge pump 12 is switched off and the voltage across the capacitor has a value of V0. After t0, Vcp drops as the capacitor 14 discharges. For a load 18 with a relatively high impedance (e.g. line-out) Vp drops relatively slowly, as less power is dissipated in the load 18 (i.e. P = V2/R). Conversely, for a load 18 with a relatively low impedance, (for example headphones), Vp drops relatively quickly.

At time t1, the charge pump 12 switches on and Vcp is charged back to a value of V0.

At time t2, the charge pump 12 switches off again and the process repeats Figure 3 shows an amplifier circuit 100 according to the present invention.

The amplifier circuit 100 described with reference to Figure 3 has many features in common with the amplifier circuit 10 described with reference to Figure 1. Such common features are marked with the same numerals for ease of reference.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the amplifier circuit 100 as drawn in Figure 3 does not include numerous features usually present in an amplifier circuit. Only those features important to an understanding of the invention are shown for clarity.

An audio signal is input to the amplifier circuit 100 to be amplified. The signal is passed to an amplifier, for example a power amplifier 16, where it is amplified, and the amplified signal is output in a load 18, as before. The audio signal may be digital, in which case the playback path of the amplifier circuit 100 would further comprise a digital-to-analogue converter (not shown) prior to the power amplifier 16, or analogue.

A power supply 102 provides at least one supply voltage to the power amplifier 16, via a capacitor 14. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the power supply 102 may provide more than one supply voltage to the power amplifier 16, without substantially affecting the operation of the invention. For example, dual-supply, i.e. bipolar, power amplifiers are well known. It will also be appreciated that the invention may be used with any form of power supply unit, for example derived from a mains power supply, a battery, a buck converter, a boost converter, and so forth.

According to the present invention, the voltage Vcp is also output to decision circuitry 104. The decision circuitry 104 may be used to measure a parameter related to Vcp and therefore to determine a characteristic of the load 18, for example, whether the load is a line-out or headphones.

One possible parameter related to Vp is the time taken for Vp to fall a predefined threshold value. Alternatively, the measured parameter may be a voltage drop over a predetermined period of time. Both of these parameters give an indication as to the rate of change of Vp with time. Further still, the measured parameter may be the rate of change of Vcp directly. One skilled in the art may think of many possible parameters or combinations without departing from the scope of the invention.

Alternatively, instead of determining a parameter relating to time taken for Vcp to fall a predefined threshold value, or for the voltage to drop over a predetermined period of time, the invention may also determine a parameter relating to the time taken for Vcp to rise a predefined threshold value during a charging phase, or for the voltage to rise over a predetermined period of time.

However, without a test signal it is difficult to determine how quickly the voltage Vcp should decay or rise. That is, when playing normally, the input signal to the power amplifier 16 will vary. If the signal has a relatively large amplitude, the load 18 will naturally dissipate more power than if the signal has a relatively small amplitude, and therefore there is uncertainty in whether the relative rate of change of Vcp is due to the signal amplitude or the impedance of the load.

As described previously, one possible method is to play a known test signal through the amplifier circuit 100. As the amplitude of the test signal is known, the expected drop in Vp, or the rate of change in Vcp, is also known for different loads. In this embodiment, the decision circuitry 104 may comprise a look-up table (LUT) to compare the measured drop in voltage, or time taken to fall to a threshold voltage, with previously calibrated values. In this way, the nature of the load 18 can be determined.

However, this method may create an audible noise that is unpleasant for the user.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment the amplifier circuit 100 comprises an envelope detector 106 to detect the envelope of the input signal. The envelope detector 106 provides a signal to the decision circuitry 104 so the rate of decay of Vp can be correctly calibrated. For example, the control signal may be input to the LUT as well as the Vcp decay rate. As previously indicated, the input signal may be analogue or digital, and therefore the envelope detector 106 may be an analogue or digital envelope detector, as appropriate. In addition, as previously indicated, the invention may utilise the rate of rise of Vp in conjunction with the signal from the envelope detector to determine the nature of the load.

By measuring the envelope of the input signal, the ordinary audio signal of the system may be used to calibrate the voltage detection aspect of the amplifier circuit, without utilizing a so-called "test signal", i.e. a signal of predetermined amplitude, frequency etc. Figure 4 shows one example of the decision circuitry 104. The playback path of the amplifier circuit 100, i.e. the power amplifier 16, input signal and load 18, is not shown for clarity.

The power supply 102 charges the capacitor 14 as described previously. The voltage Vcp across the capacitor 14 is input to a comparator 108 that compares Vp with (V0 -LV), where V0 is the value of Vp at time to or t2, i.e. when the power supply 102 switches off, and V is some change in the voltage level. A counter 110 receives a clock signal with frequency fcIock. The comparator 108 outputs a control signal to the counter 110 when Vcp falls below (V0 -LV), so that the count value is latched. The count value then represents the time taken for the voltage across the capacitor, Vp, to fall by an amount V. This value is input to a look-up table (LUT) 112. In this embodiment, the measured envelope of the input signal is also input to the LUT 112, which can then determine the characteristic of the load 18, i.e. the impedance, or whether the load is a line-out or headphones, etc. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous ways in which the count value from the counter 110 and the measured envelope (Env) of the input signal may be used by the LUT to map the count value and measured envelope to a given load.

Figures shows an alternative embodiment of the decision circuitry 104. Again, the decision circuitry 104 comprises a comparator 114, a counter 116 operated at a frequency fcIock, and a LUT 118. The comparator 114 compares the supply voltage with a threshold value (V0 -AVe), as before. However, in this embodiment, the value of Ve is controlled as a function of the detected input signal envelope. For example, if the signal envelope is relatively high, the value ofVe may be increased, so that the time taken for the voltage to fall by the voltage Ve is approximately the same, regardless of the signal envelope. Similarly, if the signal envelope is relatively low, the value of Ve may be decreased. Therefore in this embodiment there is no need for the envelope detect block to output a control signal separately to the LUT 118.

Alternative solutions are possible to detect the rate of fall of For example, an ADC could be used to sample the voltage, and this used as an input to the decision circuitry.

A person skilled in the art will be able to think of alternative solutions or combinations without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Also, as indicated above, the embodiments of Figures 3, 4 and 5 may also utilise the rate of rise of the supply voltage for determining the nature of the load, i.e. during a charging phase of the capacitor 14.

Once the characteristic of the load 18 has been detected there are a number of possible responses. The decision circuitry 104 may set a flag in a register so that other systems within or coupled to the amplifier can adjust their operation accordingly. The decision circuitry 104 may limit the volume if headphones are detected, or automatically use the full volume setting if a line-out is detected. There are numerous examples and the invention is not limited to any one in particular.

The amplifiers described herein are preferably incorporated in an integrated circuit. For example, the integrated circuit may be part of an audio and/or video system, such as an MP3 player, a mobile phone, a camera ora satellite navigation system, and the system can be portable (such as a battery-powered handheld system) or can be mains-powered (such as a hi-fi system or a television receiver) or can be an in-car, in-train, or in-plane entertainment system. Further to the signals identified above, the signals amplified in the amplifier may represent ambient noise for use in a noise cancellation process.

Although the invention has been described in relation to detecting a load connected to a portable audio system, the invention is also applicable in the reverse situation, whereby a user wishes to attach headphones to a "fixed" audio system.

Furthermore, although the embodiments have been described in relation to a power supply providing one supply voltage, the invention is equally applicable to a power supply providing two or more supply voltages, for example a dual-supply providing �VIN and �VIN/2. In such embodiments, it will be appreciated that the decision circuitry will be adapted to deal with determining a characteristic of the load for each respective supply voltage, for example by having different threshold levels depending on which of the supply voltages is being used at a particular moment in time, and/or by the LUT being adapted in an appropriate manner.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the nature of the load may be determined by measuring the current drawn in the load when a reference signal drives the load, wherein the ordinary input signal is used as the reference signal. According to this aspect of the invention, an envelope detector is provided for detecting an envelope of the input signal, the envelope detector providing a control signal to the means for measuring the current drawn in the load. A look-up table (LUT) may be used to map different current levels in association with different levels of input signal, thus enabling the nature of the load to be determined using the ordinary input signal (i.e. an input signal that varies in a random manner rather than a predetermined test signal having known characteristics).

The skilled person will recognise that some of the above-described apparatus and methods may be embodied as processor control code, for example on a carrier medium such as a disk, CD-or DVD-ROM, programmed memory such as read only memory (firmware), or on a data carrier such as an optical or electrical signal carrier.

For many applications, embodiments of the invention will be implemented on a DSP (digital signal processor), ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array). Thus the code may comprise conventional program code or microcode or, for example code for setting up or controlling an ASIC or FPGA. The code may also comprise code for dynamically configuring re-configurable apparatus such as re-programmable logic gate arrays. Similarly the code may comprise code for a hardware description language such as Verilog TM or VHDL (very high speed integrated circuit hardware description language). As the skilled person will appreciate, the code may be distributed between a plurality of coupled components in communication with one another. Where appropriate, the embodiments may also be implemented using code running on a field-(re-)programmable analogue array or similar device in order to configure analogue/digital hardware.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim, "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, and a single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several units recited in the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed so as to limit their scope.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An amplifier circuit, comprising: an amplifier for amplifying an input signal and outputting the amplified signal to an external device; means for determining a characteristic of the external device using a reference signal; and an envelope detector for detecting an envelope of the input signal, and for providing a control signal to said means for determining a characteristic of the external device such that the input signal may be used as the reference signal.
2. An amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for determining a characteristic of the external device using a reference signal further comprises means for determining a current drawn in the external device when the input signal is used as a reference signal for driving the external device, the current drawn in the external device being indicative of the characteristic of the external device.
3. An amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the characteristic of the external device is determined according to the current drawn in the external device and the control signal from the envelope detector.
4. An amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a look-up table for determining the characteristic of the external device based on the current drawn in the external device and the control signal from the envelope detector.
5. A method of determining a characteristic of an external device in an amplifier circuit comprising an amplifier for amplifying an input signal and outputting the amplified signal to the external device, the method comprising the steps of; determining a characteristic of the external device using a reference signal; and detecting an envelope of the input signal, and using the detected envelope of the input signal in the step of determining the characteristic of the external device such that the input signal may be used as the reference signal.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of determining a characteristic of the external device using a reference signal further comprises the step of measuring a current drawn in the external device when the input signal is used as a reference signal for driving the external device, the current drawn in the external device being indicative of the characteristic of the external device.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the characteristic of the external device is determined according to the current drawn in the external device and the control signal from the envelope detector.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a look-up table for determining the characteristic of the external device based on the current drawn in the external device and the control signal from the envelope detector.
9. An integrated circuit, comprising an amplifier circuit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4.
10. An audio system, comprising an integrated circuit as claimed in claim 9.
11. An audio system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the audio system is a portable device.
12. An audio system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the audio system is a mains-powered device.
13. An audio system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the audio system is an in-car, in-train, or in-plane entertainment system.
14. A video system, comprising an integrated circuit as claimed in claim 9.
15. A video system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the video system is a portable device.
16. A video system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the video system is a mains-powered device.
17. A video system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the video system is an in-car, in-train, or in-plane entertainment system.