US Patent 7965141 Class D audio amplifier

A class D amplifier (1) comprises an input unit (11) for receiving a digital input signal (Vin), a pulse shaping unit (12) for producing pulse shaped signals in dependence of the input signal (Vin), a comparator unit (13) for comparing the pulse shaped signals and producing a comparator signal, a driver unit (14) for producing driver signals in dependence of the comparator signal, a switching output unit (15) for producing a pulse width modulated output signal (Vout) in dependence of the driver signals, and a feedback unit (16) for feeding the output signal (Vout) back to the pulse shaping unit (12). The input unit (11) comprises a clipping control unit (10) for controlling the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated output signal (Vout).