New Reference Design from Power Integrations Meets Latest ENERGY STAR Standby Power Specification for Audio-Amplifier Power Supplies

RDK-203 is based on Power Integrations’ PKS607YN, a member of the PeakSwitch product family. With a response time of 40 microseconds, amplifiers powered by PeakSwitch-based power supplies can keep up with high-crest-factor, high-frequency audio signals common in high quality digital music and DVD movie soundtracks. By actively managing power delivery as required by the audio amplifier, PeakSwitch prevents the power rail voltage from falling during sustained high-energy segments without requiring a large bank of output capacitors. This ensures that the listener experiences very low audio distortion due to clipping or dynamic range compression caused by a reduction in the amplifier’s power supply voltage. Independent rail regulation eliminates any coupling between the positive and negative supplies, further reducing distortion and increasing audio quality.

The RDK circuit consumes less than 0.9 watts at 240 Vrms input, easily beating the stringent power efficiency regulations established by ENERGY STAR, CEC (California Energy Commission), EISA (U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act), EC EuP (European Commission Energy-using Products Eco-design Directive), and EC CoC (European Commission Code of Conduct).

Comments Andrew Smith, product marketing manager for Power Integrations: “Designers have traditionally used large, inefficient linear power supplies in audio amplifiers. This practice is rapidly changing with the emergence of strict standby power usage standards. The current ENERGY STAR specification for audio products (1) allows a standby power maximum of just one watt.” Continues Smith: “The new PeakSwitch reference design from Power Integrations makes it easy for developers to achieve superior audio amplifier performance with a switch-mode power supply while meeting all energy-efficiency specifications.”

PeakSwitch ICs are available now in a wide variety of package options and power levels, making the product family scalable for audio applications ranging from MP3 docking stations up to large amplifiers requiring hundreds of watts of peak power.