Power amplifier, audio signal output device and vehicle-mounted sound system

Abstract

The utility model provides a power amplifier, an audio signal output device and a vehicle-mounted sound system, the power amplifier comprises an audio decoding unit, a boost unit and a power amplifier unit, the audio decoding unit is configured to receive an audio signal and a control signal and decode the audio signal; the boosting unit is connected to the audio decoding unit, the boosting unit is configured to acquire a control signal from the audio decoding unit, and the control signal is at least used for controlling the output voltage of the boosting unit; and the power amplifier unit is connected to the boosting unit and the audio decoding unit, and the power amplifier unit is configured to obtain the decoded audio signal from the audio decoding unit so as to amplify the audio signal. According to the scheme, the boost unit can be controlled by using the externally input control signal, so that when the voltage required by the power amplifier unit is relatively low, the boost unit can generate relatively low voltage, and one of the effects of reducing the power waste of the power amplifier, improving the performance of the power amplifier and prolonging the service life of the power amplifier can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of audio data processing, and more specifically, to a power amplifier, an audio signal output device, and a vehicle-mounted audio system. Background Art

[0002] In cars, a power amplifier is usually required to output music using speakers.

[0003] Some low-cost power amplifier products can only continuously output a relatively high voltage because they do not have control components. If a relatively high voltage is still output when it is not needed, it will lead to a waste of power and affect the performance and service life of the power amplifier.

[0004] Therefore, how to reduce the power waste of the power amplifier and improve the performance and life of the power amplifier has become an urgent problem to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0005] According to the embodiments of the present application, the present application proposes a power amplifier, an audio signal output device and a vehicle audio system to at least achieve one of the effects of reducing power waste of the power amplifier and improving the performance and life of the power amplifier.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present application, an exemplary power amplifier is disclosed, including: an audio decoding unit, a boost unit and a power amplifier unit, the audio decoding unit being configured to receive an audio signal and a control signal, and to decode the audio signal; a boost unit connected to the audio decoding unit, the boost unit being configured to obtain the control signal from the audio decoding unit, the control signal being used at least to control the output voltage of the boost unit; a power amplifier unit connected to the boost unit and the audio decoding unit, the power amplifier unit being configured to obtain the decoded audio signal from the audio decoding unit to amplify the audio signal.

[0007] In the above scheme, the control signal is transmitted to the boost unit through the audio decoding unit to control the output voltage of the boost unit using the control signal. When the power amplifier does not have a control component and cannot control the output voltage of the boost unit, the boost unit can be controlled by using an external input control signal so that when the voltage required by the power amplifier unit is lower, the boost unit can generate a lower voltage, thereby achieving the effect of reducing the power waste of the power amplifier and improving the performance and life of the power amplifier.

[0008] Among them, the control signal includes a boost control signal and a power amplifier configuration signal; the boost control signal is configured to control the output voltage of the boost unit; the power amplifier unit obtains the power amplifier configuration signal through the audio decoding unit.

[0009] The above scheme controls the boost unit and the power amplifier unit respectively by transparently transmitting the boost control signal and the power amplifier configuration signal through the audio decoding unit, which can save data transmission lines, thereby reducing line complexity and saving costs.

[0010] The boost unit is connected to the audio decoding unit via a serial bus.

[0011] The above solution can improve the communication rate and further reduce the cost.

[0012] The power amplifier may further include a power supply connected to the boost unit.

[0013] In the above solution, the power supply provides electric energy to the boost unit, so that the boost unit can output a stable voltage.

[0014] A second aspect of the present application provides an audio signal output device, which is configured to be connected to any power amplifier of the first aspect to output an audio signal and a control signal to the power amplifier. The audio signal output device includes a signal processing unit and a power control unit. The signal processing unit receives an external audio signal, encodes the external audio signal, and outputs the encoded audio signal and the control signal; the power control unit is connected to the signal processing unit to provide power to the signal processing unit.

[0015] The above scheme outputs a control signal through an audio signal output device and provides it to the power amplifier to control the output voltage of the boost unit of the power amplifier. When the power amplifier does not have a control component and cannot control the output voltage of the boost unit, the boost unit can be controlled by using an externally input control signal so that when the voltage required by the power amplifier unit is lower, the boost unit can generate a lower voltage, thereby achieving the effect of reducing power waste of the power amplifier and improving the performance and life of the power amplifier.

[0016] The control signal includes a boost control signal and a power amplifier configuration signal; the boost control signal is configured to control the output voltage of the boost unit; and the power amplifier configuration signal is used to configure the power amplifier.

[0017] The above scheme controls the boost unit and the power amplifier unit respectively by transparently transmitting the boost control signal and the power amplifier configuration signal through the audio decoding unit, which can save data transmission lines, thereby reducing line complexity and saving costs.

[0018] The signal processing unit may include a controller for outputting a control signal.

[0019] The signal processing unit may further include a digital signal processor for converting the external audio signal into an audio time division multiplexing signal.

[0020] Among them, the signal processing unit may also include an audio signal encoder, connected to the digital signal processor, the controller and the audio decoding unit, for encoding the audio time-division multiplexing signal and outputting it to the audio decoding unit, and transparently transmitting the control signal output by the controller to the audio decoding unit.

[0021] A third aspect of the present application provides a vehicle-mounted audio system, comprising the power amplifier of the first aspect and any audio signal output device of the second aspect.

[0022] The control signal is transmitted to the boost unit through the audio decoding unit of the power amplifier, so that the output voltage of the boost unit can be controlled by using the control signal. When the power amplifier does not have a control component and cannot control the output voltage of the boost unit, the boost unit can be controlled by using an external input control signal, so that when the voltage required by the power amplifier unit is lower, the boost unit can generate a lower voltage, thereby achieving one of the effects of reducing power waste of the power amplifier and improving the performance and life of the power amplifier, thereby reducing the power consumption of the vehicle audio system and improving the performance and life of the vehicle audio system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present application will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and implementation methods, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a framework of an embodiment of a power amplifier of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the framework of an embodiment of the audio signal output device of the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a framework of another embodiment of the audio signal output device of the present application;

[0027] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the framework of an embodiment of the vehicle audio system of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the technical solution of the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0029] In some audio systems, power amplifiers help provide better music enjoyment. However, some low-cost power amplifiers do not have control components, such as microcontroller units (MCUs) and digital signal processors (DSPs), and are unable to control the output voltage of the power amplifier's boost circuit, causing the boost circuit to continuously output a higher voltage, resulting in higher power consumption and affecting the service life of the power amplifier.

[0030] It should be noted that the boost circuit needs to output different voltages in different scenarios. For example, when the audio system does not need to play music or the playback volume is low, the boost circuit only needs to output a smaller voltage; when the audio system plays a louder volume, the boost circuit needs to output a higher voltage than when it does not need to play music or the playback volume is low. Therefore, in order to control the output voltage of the boost circuit, this application is proposed.

[0031] The first aspect of the present application provides a power amplifier 100, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 It is a framework diagram of an embodiment of a power amplifier of the present application; specifically, the power amplifier 100 includes an audio decoding unit 110, a boost unit 120 and a power amplifier unit 130, the audio decoding unit 110 is configured to receive an audio signal and a control signal, and decode the audio signal; the boost unit 120 is connected to the audio decoding unit 110, the boost unit 120 is configured to obtain a control signal from the audio decoding unit 110, and the control signal is at least used to control the output voltage of the boost unit 120; the power amplifier unit 130 is connected to the boost unit 120 and the audio decoding unit 110, the power amplifier unit 130 is configured to obtain a decoded audio signal from the audio decoding unit 110 to amplify the audio signal.

[0032] In the above scheme, the control signal is transmitted to the boost unit 120 through the audio decoding unit 110, so as to use the control signal to control the output voltage of the boost unit 120. When the power amplifier 100 does not have a control component and cannot control the output voltage of the boost unit 120, the boost unit 120 can be controlled by using an externally input control signal, so that when the voltage required by the power amplifier unit 130 is lower, the boost unit 120 can generate a lower voltage, thereby achieving one of the effects of reducing the power waste of the power amplifier 100 and improving the performance and life of the power amplifier 100.

[0033] In some embodiments, the control signal may include a boost control signal and a power amplifier configuration signal. The boost control signal is configured to control the output voltage of the boost unit 120, and the power amplifier unit 130 is connected to the audio decoding unit 110 to obtain the power amplifier configuration signal, and the power amplifier configuration signal is used to determine the configuration of the power amplifier unit 130, such as input configuration, output configuration, clock configuration, etc.

[0034] In some embodiments, the boost unit 120 may be connected to the audio decoding unit 110 via a serial bus. Specifically, the boost unit 120 may be connected to the audio decoding unit 110 via a bus protocol such as I2C or SPI to obtain a control signal from the audio decoding unit 110.

[0035] In some embodiments, the power amplifier 100 may further include a power supply, which is at least connected to the boost unit 120. In this embodiment, the power amplifier 100 may have an independent power supply, which may provide power for the boost unit 120, the audio decoding unit 110, and the power amplifier unit 130 of the power amplifier 100. In other embodiments, the power amplifier 100 may not include an independent power supply. For example, when the power amplifier 100 is provided in a vehicle audio system, the power amplifier 100 may be connected to the main power supply of the vehicle audio system 400 to obtain electrical energy. In addition to providing electrical energy for the power amplifier 100, the main power supply may also provide power for other components in the system to reduce costs and improve the compactness of the circuit structure of the audio system.

[0036] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 After receiving the audio signal and the control signal, the audio decoding unit 110 may not process the control signal, and use the transparent transmission function of the audio decoding unit 110 to transparently transmit the control signal to the boost unit 120 and the power amplifier unit 130. After decoding the audio signal, the audio decoding unit 110 sends the decoded audio signal to the power amplifier unit 130, and sends the power amplifier configuration signal to the power amplifier unit 130, and the power amplifier unit 130 uses the decoded audio signal as the sound source. The decoded audio signal can be an audio time division multiplexing signal (TDM signal). The audio decoding unit 110 also transparently transmits the boost control signal to the boost unit 120, and controls the output voltage of the boost unit 120 through the boost control signal, so as to provide a suitable voltage before the power amplifier unit 130 outputs music. When there is no music or the volume needs to be played at a low level, the boost unit 120 does not need to output a large voltage. The output voltage of the boost unit 120 is reduced in advance through the control signal. When a high power output is required, the voltage of the boost unit 120 is increased in advance to achieve voltage following.

[0037] The above scheme achieves the effect of controllable output voltage of the boost unit by utilizing the audio encoding unit to transparently transmit the control signal to the boost unit and the power amplifier unit, without using an analog-to-digital converter and an operational amplifier, thereby further reducing costs.

[0038] The second aspect of the present application discloses an audio signal output device 200, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2It is a schematic diagram of the framework of an embodiment of the audio signal output device of the present application; specifically, the audio signal output device 200 is configured to be connected to any power amplifier 100 of the first aspect to output an audio signal and a control signal to the power amplifier 100, and the audio signal output device 200 includes a signal processing unit 220 and a power control unit 210, the signal processing unit 220 receives an external audio signal, encodes the external audio signal, and outputs the encoded audio signal and the control signal; the power control unit 210 is connected to the signal processing unit 220 to provide power to the signal processing unit 220.

[0039] In the above scheme, a control signal is outputted through the audio signal output device 200 and provided to the power amplifier 100 to control the output voltage of the boost unit 120 of the power amplifier 100. When the power amplifier 100 does not have a control component and cannot control the output voltage of the boost unit 120, the boost unit 120 can be controlled by using an externally input control signal, so that when the voltage required by the power amplifier unit 130 is lower, the boost unit 120 can generate a lower voltage, thereby achieving one of the effects of reducing the power waste of the power amplifier 100 and improving the performance and life of the power amplifier 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, the control signal may include a boost control signal and a power amplifier configuration signal; the boost control signal is configured to control the output voltage of the boost unit 120 ; and the power amplifier configuration signal is used to configure the power amplifier 100 .

[0041] The above solution controls the boost unit 120 and the power amplifier unit 130 respectively by transparently transmitting the boost control signal and the power amplifier configuration signal through the audio decoding unit 110, which can save data transmission lines, thereby reducing line complexity and saving costs.

[0042] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 2 is a schematic diagram of a framework of another embodiment of the audio signal output device of the present application; the signal processing unit 220 may include a controller 221 for outputting a control signal.

[0043] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 The signal processing unit 220 may further include a digital signal processor 223 for converting the external audio signal into an audio time division multiplexed signal.

[0044] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3The signal processing unit 220 may further include an audio signal encoder 222, which is connected to the digital signal processor 223, the controller 221 and the audio decoding unit 110, and is used to encode the audio time-division multiplexing signal and output it to the audio decoding unit 110, and transparently transmit the control signal output by the controller 221 to the audio decoding unit 110. Specifically, the audio signal encoder 222 can convert the digital audio parallel signal into a digital serial signal for remote transmission, and has a transparent transmission function. Exemplarily, the audio signal encoder 222 can be an audio signal encoding chip, etc.

[0045] A third aspect of the present application provides a vehicle audio system 400, Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the framework of an embodiment of the vehicle audio system of the present application. Specifically, the vehicle audio system 400 includes the power amplifier 100 of the first aspect and any audio signal output device 200 of the second aspect.

[0046] In some embodiments, the vehicle audio system 400 may further include a speaker, a power supply, etc.

[0047] The control signal is transmitted to the boost unit 120 through the audio decoding unit 110 of the power amplifier 100, so as to use the control signal to control the output voltage of the boost unit 120. When the power amplifier 100 does not have a control component and cannot control the output voltage of the boost unit 120, the boost unit 120 can be controlled by using an externally input control signal, so that when the voltage required by the power amplifier unit 130 is lower, the boost unit 120 can generate a lower voltage, thereby achieving one of the effects of reducing power waste of the power amplifier 100 and improving the performance and life of the power amplifier 100, thereby reducing the power consumption of the vehicle audio system 400 and improving the performance and life of the vehicle audio system 400.

[0048] It is easy for a person skilled in the art to know that many modifications and changes can be made to the device and method while maintaining the teaching content of the present application. Therefore, the above disclosure should be considered as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power amplifier, characterized in that: include: an audio decoding unit, the audio decoding unit being configured to receive an audio signal and a control signal, and to decode the audio signal; A boost unit connected to the audio decoding unit, the boost unit being configured to obtain the control signal from the audio decoding unit, the control signal being used at least to control an output voltage of the boost unit; A power amplifier unit is connected to the boost unit and the audio decoding unit, and is configured to obtain the decoded audio signal from the audio decoding unit to amplify the audio signal.

2. The power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control signal includes a boost control signal and a power amplifier configuration signal; The boost control signal is configured to control the output voltage of the boost unit; The power amplifier unit obtains the power amplifier configuration signal through the audio decoding unit.

3. The power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The voltage boost unit is connected to the audio decoding unit via a serial bus.

4. The power amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: A power source is also included, connected to the voltage boosting unit.

5. An audio signal output device, configured to be connected to a power amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, to output an audio signal and a control signal to the power amplifier, characterized in that: include: A signal processing unit receives an external audio signal, encodes the external audio signal, and outputs the encoded audio signal and a control signal; A power control unit is connected to the signal processing unit and provides power to the signal processing unit.

6. The audio signal output device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control signal includes a boost control signal and a power amplifier configuration signal; The boost control signal is configured to control the output voltage of the boost unit; and the power amplifier configuration signal is used to configure the power amplifier.

7. The audio signal output device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The signal processing unit comprises: A controller is used to output the control signal.

8. The audio signal output device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The signal processing unit further includes: A digital signal processor is used to convert the external audio signal into an audio time-division multiplexed signal.

9. The audio signal output device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The signal processing unit further includes: The audio signal encoder is connected to the digital signal processor, the controller and the audio decoding unit, and is used to encode the audio time-division multiplexing signal and output it to the audio decoding unit, and to transparently transmit the control signal output by the controller to the audio decoding unit.

10. A vehicle audio system, characterized in that: The invention comprises the power amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the audio signal output device according to any one of claims 5 to 9.

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