This power transmission apparatus transmits power to a power reception apparatus by means of a magnetic field resonance system by supplying an output AC voltage (V.sub.E) of a class E amplifier to a power-transmission side resonance circuit (TT). Before the transmission of power, the output AC voltage (V.sub.E) of the class E amplifier is divided, and a voltage obtained by the division is supplied to the power-transmission side resonance circuit (TT). A current amplitude detection value of a power-transmission side coil (T.sub.L) at this time is obtained as an evaluation value, and whether to permit execution of power transmission is controlled on the basis of the evaluation value, through determination as to whether a foreign object is present or not.

The invention relates to a method for operating a class-D amplifier (2) for an audio signal (4), which class-D amplifier contains an output stage (10) and a signal-processing unit (12) in a signal path (6), wherein a voltage (U) of at least two magnitudes (U1, U2) is provided for the output stage (10), a voltage requirement (B) of the output stage (10) for the audio signal (4) is predictively determined from the audio signal (4) at a measurement location (14) before the signal-processing unit (12), a magnitude (U1, U2) that is minimally sufficient for the voltage requirement (B) is selected on the basis of the voltage requirement (B) and said magnitude is applied to the output stage (10) before the amplification. A class-D amplifier (2) for an audio signal (4), having a signal path (6), which has an output stage (10) and a signal-processing unit (12), contains a voltage source (16) for the output stage (10) having a voltage (U) of at least two magnitudes (U1, U2), a measurement location (14) before the signal-processing unit (12), and a control and evaluation unit (18) for predictively determining a voltage requirement (B) for the output stage (10) for the proper amplification of the audio signal (4) from the audio signal (4) at the measurement location (14), wherein the control and evaluation unit (18) selects a magnitude (U1, U2) that is minimally sufficient for the voltage requirement (B) on the basis of the voltage requirement (B) and applies said magnitude to the output stage (10) before the amplification.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for an improved body tie construction are described. The improved body tie construction is configured to have a lower resistance body tie exists when the transistor is “off” (Vg approximately 0 volts). When the transistor is “on” (Vg>Vt), the resistance to the body tie is much higher, reducing the loss of performance associated with presence of body tie. Space efficient Body tie constructions adapted for cascode configurations are also described.

Audio amplification used in security systems need to be robust and have failsafe capability, they also need to be compact and energy efficient. A means of providing this by combining class D amplifiers in series is provided along with means to disconnect the amplifiers in a failure mode so as to provide ongoing operation should 1 of the amplifiers malfunction or another part of the system associated one of the amplifiers malfunction. The invention comprises an audio output stage which may be further integrated into an audio system having a supervisory controller to manage the transition from normal operation to failure state operation.

This application relates to amplifier circuitry, in particular class-D amplifiers, operable in open-loop and closed-loop modes. An amplifier (300) has a forward signal path for receiving an input signal (S.sub.IN) and outputting an output signal (S.sub.OUT) and a feedback path operable to provide a feedback signal (S.sub.FB) from the output. A feedforward path provide a feedforward signal (S.sub.FF) from the input and a combiner (105) is operable to determine an error signal (ε) based on a difference between the feedback signal and the feedforward signal. The feedforward comprises a compensation module (201) configured to apply a controlled transfer function to the feedforward signal in the closed-loop mode of operation, such that an overall transfer function for the amplifier is substantially the same in the closed-loop mode of operation and the open-loop mode of operation.

This application relates to amplifier circuitry, in particular class-D amplifiers, operable in open-loop and closed-loop modes. An amplifier (300) has a forward signal path for receiving an input signal (S.sub.IN) and outputting an output signal (S.sub.OUT) and a feedback path operable to provide a feedback signal (S.sub.FB) from the output. A feedforward path provide a feedforward signal (S.sub.FF) from the input and a combiner (105) is operable to determine an error signal (ε) based on a difference between the feedback signal and the feedforward signal. The feedforward comprises a compensation module (201) configured to apply a controlled transfer function to the feedforward signal in the closed-loop mode of operation, such that an overall transfer function for the amplifier is substantially the same in the closed-loop mode of operation and the open-loop mode of operation.

A transformer-based antenna switching network includes a transformer having a secondary winding that extends between a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal couples to ground through a first switch and connects to a first antenna. The second terminal couples to ground through a second switch and connects to a second antenna.

An RF signal generation device includes an RF signal generation unit 102 that pulse-modulates a prescribed signal to generate an output signal in which four or more-level discrete output levels appear and that a lowest level and any other level appear alternately; a code converter 91 that converts the output signal from the RF signal generation unit 102 into an RF signal in which a smaller number of levels than the number of levels in the output signal; a driver unit 203 that converts the RF signal from the code converter 91 into a binary signal comprising plural bits in which bits corresponding to signal levels in the RF signal are significant; and a digital amplifier 303 that outputs a voltage corresponding to levels in the RF signal outputted from the code converter 91, on the basis of an output signal from the driver unit 203.

An RF signal generation device includes an RF signal generation unit 102 that pulse-modulates a prescribed signal to generate an output signal in which four or more-level discrete output levels appear and that a lowest level and any other level appear alternately; a code converter 91 that converts the output signal from the RF signal generation unit 102 into an RF signal in which a smaller number of levels than the number of levels in the output signal; a driver unit 203 that converts the RF signal from the code converter 91 into a binary signal comprising plural bits in which bits corresponding to signal levels in the RF signal are significant; and a digital amplifier 303 that outputs a voltage corresponding to levels in the RF signal outputted from the code converter 91, on the basis of an output signal from the driver unit 203.

A switching amplifier system with a power supply, a pulse modulator configured to modulate an input signal into a pulse width modulation signal, a switching stage configured to generate an amplified output signal, and an error feedback signal configured to correct errors in the amplified output signal, where the input signal is comprised of at least one of an analog signal and a digital signal. A method of signal amplification comprising generating, by a pulse width modulator, a pulse width modulation signal, combining, by a switching stage, the input signal and the pulse width modulation signal to form an amplified output signal, and generating, by the switching stage, an error feedback signal, where the error feedback signal is configured to correct errors in the amplified output signal, and where the input signal is comprised of at least one of an analog signal and a digital signal.