MAX9723
the headphone. The MAX9723A and MAX9723B have a
maximum amplifier gain of 0dB while the MAX9723C
and MAX9723D have a maximum gain of +6dB.
Amplifier volume is digitally programmable to any one
of 32 levels.
DirectDrive
Traditional single-supply headphone amplifiers have
their outputs biased at a nominal DC voltage, typically
half the supply, for maximum dynamic range. Large cou-
pling capacitors are needed to block this DC bias from
the headphone. Without these capacitors, a significant
amount of DC current flows to the headphone, resulting
in unnecessary power dissipation and possible damage
to both headphone and headphone amplifier.
Maxim’s patented DirectDrive architecture uses a charge
pump to create an internal negative supply voltage. This
allows the MAX9723 headphone amplifier outputs to be
biased at 0V, almost doubling the dynamic range while
operating from a single supply. With no DC component,
there is no need for the large DC-blocking capacitors.
Instead of two large (typically 220µF) tantalum capaci-
tors, the MAX9723 charge pump requires only two small
1µF ceramic capacitors, thereby conserving board
space, reducing cost, and improving the low-frequency
response of the headphone amplifier. See the Output
Power vs. Charge-Pump Capacitance and Load
Resistance graph in the Typical Operating Characteris-
tics for details of the possible capacitor sizes.
In addition to the cost and size disadvantages, the DC-
blocking capacitors required by conventional head-
phone amplifiers limit low-frequency response and can
distort the audio signal.
Previous attempts at eliminating the output-coupling
capacitors involved biasing the headphone return
(sleeve) to the DC bias voltage of the headphone
amplifiers. This method raises some issues:
1) The sleeve is typically grounded to the chassis.
Using the midrail biasing approach, the sleeve must
be isolated from system ground, complicating prod-
uct design. The DirectDrive output biasing scheme
allows the sleeve to be grounded.
2) During an ESD strike, the amplifier’s ESD structure is
the only path to system ground. The amplifier must
be able to withstand the full ESD strike. The
MAX9723 headphone outputs can withstand an
±8kV ESD strike (HBM).
3) When using the headphone jack as a line out to
other equipment, the bias voltage on the sleeve may
conflict with the ground potential from other equip-
ment, resulting in possible damage to the amplifiers.
The DirectDrive outputs of the MAX9723 can be
directly coupled to other ground-biased equipment.
Charge Pump
The MAX9723 features a low-noise charge pump. The
600kHz switching frequency is well beyond the audio
range, and does not interfere with the audio signals.
This enables the MAX9723 to achieve a 99dB SNR. The
switch drivers feature a controlled switching speed that
minimizes noise generated by turn-on and turn-off tran-
sients. Limiting the switching speed of the charge
pump minimizes di/dt noise caused by the parasitic
bond wire and trace inductance. Although not typically
required, additional high-frequency noise attenuation
can be achieved by increasing the size of C2 (see the
Functional Diagram/Typical Operating Circuit).
Shutdown
The MAX9723 features a 5µA, low-power shutdown
mode that reduces quiescent current consumption and
extends battery life. Shutdown is controlled by a hard-
ware or software interface. Driving SHDN low disables
the drive amplifiers, bias circuitry, charge pump, and
sets the headphone amplifier output impedance to
20kΩ. Similarly, the MAX9723 enters shutdown when bit
seven (B7) in the control register is reset. SHDN and B7
must be high to enable the MAX9723. The I2C interface
is active and the contents of the command register are
not affected when in shutdown. This allows the master
to write to the MAX9723 while in shutdown.
Stereo DirectDrive Headphone Amplifier with
BassMax, Volume Control, and I2C
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