Earphone Power Amplifier Ground Isolation for Crosstalk Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing earphone configurations for FM devices suffer from crosstalk between left and right sound channels due to the serial connection of the ground wire with the FM ferrite bead, leading to a poor stereo effect.

Innovation Solution

An earphone power amplifier is introduced with positive feedback from the input end of the ferrite bead connected to the ground, serving as a reference for both sound channels, and a low-pass filter is added to prevent self-oscillation, reducing crosstalk and maintaining signal integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the ground wire is serially connected to the FM ferrite bead to isolate the FM signal, then the FM signal sensitivity is improved, but crosstalk is generated between left and right sound channels

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFM signal sensitivityVSAvoidcrosstalk between sound channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ground connection by introducing a dedicated ground contact on the audio connector that is electrically isolated from the FM ferrite bead circuit. This separation divides the ground path into independent segments for audio signals and FM signals, preventing the crosstalk that occurs when both share the same ground return path through the ferrite bead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dedicated ground contact as an intermediary element between the audio connector and the circuit ground. This intermediary provides a clean, separate reference potential for audio signals that does not carry FM signal interference, thereby eliminating the crosstalk mechanism while maintaining proper grounding for both functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a dedicated ground contact is introduced to reduce crosstalk, then the stereo effect is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosstalk between sound channelsVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dedicated ground contact serves multiple functions: it provides a clean ground reference for audio signals, isolates audio ground from FM ferrite bead ground, and maintains compatibility with standard audio connector configurations. This multi-functionality achieves crosstalk reduction without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains homogeneity in the connector design by using the same ground contact configuration for both left and right audio channels. This uniform approach simplifies the overall design while effectively reducing crosstalk, as both channels benefit equally from the isolated ground reference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution effectively reduces crosstalk between sound channels, improving the stereo crosstalk index and preventing self-oscillation, thereby enhancing the audio reproduction quality.

Implementation Method 1

an FM ferrite bead (Ferrite Bead, FB for short) needs to be serially connected to left and right sound channels and a ground wire of the earphone, so as to isolate the FM signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Implementation Method 2

A positive feedback is imported to the left and the right sound channel power amplifiers of the earphone power amplifier, where the positive feedback is exported from the input end of the first ferrite bead

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3139629B1Earphone power amplifier, working method, and mobile terminal equipment
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP3139629B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3139629B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3139629B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention provides an earphone power amplifier, including a ground contact connected to a ground wire of an earphone, a left sound channel power amplifying circuit connected to a left sound channel of the earphone, and a right sound channel power amplifying circuit connected to a right sound channel of the earphone. The left sound channel power amplifying circuit includes a first operational amplifier and a first positive feedback exported from an input end of the first ferrite bead to an in-phase input end of the first operational amplifier, the right sound channel power amplifying circuit includes a second operational amplifier and a second positive feedback exported from the input end of the first ferrite bead to an in-phase input end of the second operational amplifier.