A power amplifier with supply switching is provided. The power amplifier detects a magnitude of an outgoing broadband communication signal and determines whether the magnitude exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold. The power amplifier applies a first gain to the outgoing broadband communication signal using a first voltage supply rail when it is determined that the magnitude exceeds the predetermined voltage threshold and a second gain using a second voltage supply rail that is smaller than the first voltage supply rail when it is determined that the magnitude does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold. The power amplifier produces an output signal from the outgoing broadband communication signal with the applied first gain or the applied second gain, wherein a current of the outgoing broadband communication signal is switched between the first voltage supply rail and the second voltage supply rail in response to the magnitude being detected.

This application relates to amplifier circuits for amplifying an audio signal. An amplifier circuit (100) has a voltage regulator (201) for outputting a supply voltage to an amplifier (104). An output capacitor (103) coupled to an output node of the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is operable in a voltage-control mode to maintain the output voltage (V.sub.S) at a nominal output voltage and in current-control mode to limit the input current drawn to exceed a defined limit. A controller (301) is operable in a first mode to define the nominal output voltage so as not to exceed a first voltage magnitude and in a second mode to define the nominal output voltage to be equal to a second, higher, voltage magnitude. The controller (301) monitors the audio signal for a high-amplitude part of the audio signal, that could result in the voltage regulator operating in the current-control mode to apply current limiting and, on such detection swaps from the first to the second mode until such a high-amplitude part of the audio signal has been amplified. The second voltage magnitude is greater than required for voltage headroom for amplifying the high-amplitude part of the audio signal so as to allow for a voltage droop of the output voltage over a plurality of switching cycles of the voltage regulator when operating in the current-control mode.

A boosted amplifier system may include a boost stage configured to boost an input voltage of the boost stage to an output voltage greater than the input voltage and an amplifier stage powered by the output voltage of the charge pump and configured to amplify an input signal to generate an output signal. The boost stage may have input current limiting circuitry for ensuring that an input current of the boost stage is maintained below a current limit and the amplifier stage may have an input for receiving an indication of whether the current-limiting circuitry of the boost stage is activated to maintain the input current of the boost stage below the current limit.

A DC-DC converter and corresponding method for transitioning between a discontinuous conduction mode, DCM, and a continuous conduction mode, CCM, wherein the DC-DC converter is configured to power a signal processing system within an integrated circuit, is provided. The method comprises receiving input data, wherein the input data is for inputting into the signal processing system; determining an amplitude of the input data; and transitioning between DCM and CCM based on the amplitude of the input data. A DC-DC converter and respective method for transitioning from CCM to DCM comprising determining an estimated current representative of an inductor current through an inductor of the DC-DC converter; and transitioning from CCM to DCM based on the estimated current, is provided. A DC-DC converter and respective method for transitioning from DCM to CCM comprising determining either an output voltage of the DC-DC converter or a duty cycle of the DC-DC converter; and transitioning from DCM to CCM based on the determined output voltage or duty cycle of the DC-DC converter, is provided.

A charge pump controller for controlling a charge pump adapted to convert an input voltage into an output voltage with a conversion ratio is presented. The charge pump is operable in a plurality of modes corresponding to different conversion ratios. The controller includes a first selector for selecting a mode of operation of the charge pump. The first selector comprises a first input for coupling to a voltage supply; and a second input for coupling to a source signal. The first selector identifies a target value of the output voltage. The selector calculates a product of the conversion ratio and the input voltage. The selector compares the product with the target value and selects a mode of operation of the charge pump by increasing or decreasing the conversion ratio based on the comparison. The selector maintains the conversion ratio for a length of time before decreasing the conversion ratio.

A boosted audio amplifier system includes a first digital interpolation filter configured to oversample an audio input signal at a first oversampling rate and includes a signal level detector having an input coupled to receive the oversampled audio input signal and configured to produce an audio input level signal. The system further includes a programmable delay buffer having inputs coupled to receive the oversampled audio input signal and a first delay signal. The programmable delay buffer adds a first delay to the oversampled audio input signal to produce a delayed input signal. The system also includes a first processor having inputs coupled to receive a battery voltage level signal, the audio input level signal and the first delay signal. The first processor is configured to produce boost control signals to regulate a boost voltage.

A boosted audio amplifier system includes a first digital interpolation filter configured to oversample an audio input signal at a first oversampling rate and includes a signal level detector having an input coupled to receive the oversampled audio input signal and configured to produce an audio input level signal. The system further includes a programmable delay buffer having inputs coupled to receive the oversampled audio input signal and a first delay signal. The programmable delay buffer adds a first delay to the oversampled audio input signal to produce a delayed input signal. The system also includes a first processor having inputs coupled to receive a battery voltage level signal, the audio input level signal and the first delay signal. The first processor is configured to produce boost control signals to regulate a boost voltage.

Apparatus and methods for envelope tracking systems with automatic mode selection are provided herein. In certain configurations, a power amplifier system includes a power amplifier configured to provide amplification to a radio frequency signal and to receive power from a power amplifier supply voltage, and an envelope tracker including a signal bandwidth detection circuit configured to generate a detected bandwidth signal based on processing an envelope signal corresponding to an envelope of the radio frequency signal. The envelope tracker further includes a switch bank configured to receive a plurality of regulated voltages, a filter configured to filter an output of the switch bank to generate the power amplifier supply voltage, and a mode control circuit configured to control a filtering characteristic of the filter based on the detected bandwidth signal.

A dynamic boost audio system includes a booster circuit having a dynamically sliding power supply unit (PSU) capable of outputting power among a plurality of different power levels. The booster circuit is configured to identify a real-time audio level of an audio signal, and automatically adjust the power to the power level such that the audio signal is output in response to the real-time audio level.

A charge pump controller for controlling a charge pump adapted to convert an input voltage into an output voltage with a conversion ratio is presented. The charge pump is operable in a plurality of modes corresponding to different conversion ratios. The controller includes a first selector for selecting a mode of operation of the charge pump. The first selector comprises a first input for coupling to a voltage supply; and a second input for coupling to a source signal. The first selector identifies a target value of the output voltage. The selector calculates a product of the conversion ratio and the input voltage. The selector compares the product with the target value and selects a mode of operation of the charge pump by increasing or decreasing the conversion ratio based on the comparison. The selector maintains the conversion ratio for a length of time before decreasing the conversion ratio.