Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may be utilized in a digital-to-analog converter. The amplifier circuit may comprise a first operational amplifier with a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit may comprise an inverting amplifier circuit.

Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may be utilized in a digital-to-analog converter. The amplifier circuit may comprise a first operational amplifier with a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit may comprise an inverting amplifier circuit.

A system for driving a loudspeaker having a plurality of coils, the system comprising: a modulator configured to receive an input signal and to output a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal representative of the received input signal; a delay element for receiving and applying a delay to the PWM output signal to generate a first delayed signal; a first output configured to be coupled to a first coil of the plurality of coils of the loudspeaker, wherein the first output is coupled to the output of the modulator; and a second output configured to be coupled to a second coil of the plurality of coils of the loudspeaker, wherein the second output is coupled to the output of the delay.

A system for driving a loudspeaker having a plurality of coils, the system comprising: a modulator configured to receive an input signal and to output a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal representative of the received input signal; a delay element for receiving and applying a delay to the PWM output signal to generate a first delayed signal; a first output configured to be coupled to a first coil of the plurality of coils of the loudspeaker, wherein the first output is coupled to the output of the modulator; and a second output configured to be coupled to a second coil of the plurality of coils of the loudspeaker, wherein the second output is coupled to the output of the delay.

Systems and methods are provided for improved noise performance of audio amplifiers. In one example, a system includes a multistage amplifier comprising at least a first stage amplifier and a second stage amplifier. The system further includes a plurality of switches disposed within the multistage amplifier to configure the multistage amplifier. The system further includes a control signal configured to control the multistage amplifier to a normal amplification mode or a mute state, wherein the multistage amplifier is adapted to amplify an input signal in the normal amplification mode, the multistage amplifier is adapted to output a zero signal in the mute state, and internal amplification stages of the multistage amplifier are disabled in the mute state, and output stages of each of the at least first stage amplifier and the second stage amplifier are electrically shorted and/or shorted to a fixed bias voltage in the mute state.

Systems and methods are provided for improved noise performance of audio amplifiers. In one example, a system includes a multistage amplifier comprising at least a first stage amplifier and a second stage amplifier. The system further includes a plurality of switches disposed within the multistage amplifier to configure the multistage amplifier. The system further includes a control signal configured to control the multistage amplifier to a normal amplification mode or a mute state, wherein the multistage amplifier is adapted to amplify an input signal in the normal amplification mode, the multistage amplifier is adapted to output a zero signal in the mute state, and internal amplification stages of the multistage amplifier are disabled in the mute state, and output stages of each of the at least first stage amplifier and the second stage amplifier are electrically shorted and/or shorted to a fixed bias voltage in the mute state.

An audio system includes an H-bridge. The audio system implements one or more techniques for ensuring a transistor within the H-bridge does not turn on in the event of the detection of a short-circuit on the output of the H-bridge. Other transistors within the H-bridge can turn and thus audio can still be played to a speaker.

A semiconductor device includes: a first buffer at which a predetermined signal is input and that outputs a first output signal; a second buffer at which an inverted signal of the predetermined signal is input and that outputs a second output signal; and a short circuit detection circuit that, in accordance with a potential difference between the first output signal and the second output signal, outputs a short circuit evaluation signal evaluating whether or not there is a ground fault in at least one of a first terminal at an output side of the first buffer or a second terminal at an output side of the second buffer or evaluating whether or not there is a short circuit between the first terminal and the second terminal.

A semiconductor device includes: a first buffer at which a predetermined signal is input and that outputs a first output signal; a second buffer at which an inverted signal of the predetermined signal is input and that outputs a second output signal; and a short circuit detection circuit that, in accordance with a potential difference between the first output signal and the second output signal, outputs a short circuit evaluation signal evaluating whether or not there is a ground fault in at least one of a first terminal at an output side of the first buffer or a second terminal at an output side of the second buffer or evaluating whether or not there is a short circuit between the first terminal and the second terminal.

An audio amplifier has an analog current source amplifier and a class D amplifier. The analog current source amplifier is active in a first mode to drive a speaker when an audio signal has smaller amplitude. The class D amplifier is active in a second mode to drive the speaker when the audio signal has larger amplitude. Other aspects are also described and claimed.