In-Line Audio Amplifier With Fixed Gain for Low-Distortion Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices like mobile phones and tablets have poor-quality amplifiers that result in high signal distortion and inadequate dynamic range, especially at higher volumes, making them unsuitable for high-quality music playback and requiring additional bulky external amplifiers.
Innovation Solution
An in-line signal amplifier apparatus with a fixed linear amplification gain of 10 to 12 decibels and a configurable bass boost, integrated into an audio cable, providing a uniform bass boost between 60 and 100 Hz, which can be turned on or off, and a rechargeable battery for portable use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If portable electronic devices use built-in amplifiers to save space and reduce device count, then device portability and simplicity are improved, but audio signal quality deteriorates due to high distortion and limited dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device - a USB audio interface - that mediates between the portable electronic device and the audio output system. This interface contains a high-quality DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) and amplifier that processes audio signals externally, allowing the portable device to maintain simplicity while achieving high-fidelity audio output through the intermediary's superior components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the audio processing functions (DAC and amplification) from the portable electronic device itself and places them in a separate external USB audio interface. This extraction allows the portable device to remain simple and portable while the extracted audio processing functions are performed by dedicated high-quality components in the external device
2Reliability
If portable electronic devices use high-quality external amplifiers to improve audio signal quality, then audio distortion is reduced and dynamic range is improved, but device portability and ease of operation deteriorate due to additional bulky equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical connection and handling of separate audio components with a USB digital connection. The USB interface digitally transmits audio data from the portable device to the external audio interface, eliminating the need for analog cables, manual connections, and physical handling of multiple audio components, thereby maintaining portability while achieving high-quality audio
3Reliability
If portable electronic devices use high-quality external amplifiers to improve audio output, then signal distortion is reduced, but the system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The USB audio interface is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: it serves as a USB communication interface, a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC), and an audio amplifier. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate components (USB adapter, DAC device, amplifier) into one universal device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high audio quality
Data Source
AI summary
A sound system includes a sound source having an analogue audio signal output and a sound volume control; signal amplifier apparatus (10) comprising an analogue signal input (12) configured to be coupled to the analogue audio signal output of the sound source, an analogue signal output (18) and an amplifier module (62) coupled between the signal input and the signal output. The amplifier module (62) has a fixed amplification gain within a range of 10 to 12 decibels. Control of the audio signal is effected solely by the sound volume control of the sound source. The amplifier module (64) also provides a fixed gain bass boost of 6 decibels. The system provides linear amplification and allows a user to reduce the volume of the sound source, which significantly reduces signal distortion. Volume control is at the sound source and not at the amplifier module, which optimises amplification quality and reduces the power requirement of the amplifier apparatus (10).