A class AD audio
amplifier system (10) with reduced
noise capability in muting and unmuting events is disclosed. The
amplifier system (10) includes multiple audio channels (20), each of which can be constructed to include a pulse-width-modulator (PWM) (24). The
PWM modulator (24) includes a pair of comparators (39A, 39B; 52+, 52−) that generate complementary PWM output signals based upon the comparison between a filtered difference
signal and a reference waveform. When the
system is muted, a common mode
voltage (CM_RAMP) is applied to the inputs of the comparators (39A, 39B; 52+ 52−) to suppress the
duty cycle at the
amplifier output, preferably to a zero
duty cycle. In the transition from a muted state to an unmuted state, the common mode
voltage (CM_RAMP) is ramped from the suppressing
voltage to zero common mode voltage, permitting the
duty cycle of the complementary
PWM signals to gradually increase, thus reducing clicks and pops. The converse operation is performed in the transition from unmuted to muted. Pulse-width-modulation
control logic (26) is also included to ensure that that the PWM “on” and “off” pulses are of at least a minimum duration, and also to generate compensating pulses on the complementary PWM line at low duty cycles.