HOW DOES IT WORK?

AudioAMP 9 Click is based on the PAM8124, a stereo class-D audio power amplifier from Diodes Incorporated. Besides an excellent quantity performance, such as high efficiency, the PAM8124 is also characterized by high output power, low quiescent current, and eliminates the need for heat sinks. It can drive 8Ω stereo speakers in a single-ended configuration with 10W of output power per channel from the externally brought supply voltage. Furthermore, the PAM8124 has several protection features like thermal overload, short circuit, and over/under-voltage protection allowing a reliable operation.

This GPIO configurable audio amplifier provides configurable features such as Mute, Shutdown, and selectable gain of the amplifier. The gain of the amplifier is controlled by two selectable gain pins, G1 and G2 pins of the mikroBUS™ socket, offering 20dB, 26dB, 32dB, and 36dB gain selections. The MUT pin of the mikroBUS™ socket controls the output state of the PAM8124 (quick disable or enable of the outputs). A logic low state on this pin causes the outputs to run at a constant 50% duty cycle. A logic high state on this pin enables the outputs.

The PAM8124 also employs a Shutdown operation mode to reduce supply current to the absolute minimum level during periods of non-use to save power. The SHD pin should be pulled low during normal operation when the amplifier is in use. Pulling the SHD pin high causes the outputs to mute and the amplifier to enter a low-current state. The amplifier should be set in Shutdown mode for the best power-off pop performance before removing the power supply voltage. For the best start-up pop performance, the amplifier should be put in Mute mode before restarting the amplifier.

This Click board™ supports an external power supply for the amplifier, which can be connected to the input terminal labeled as VIN and should be within the range of 12V to 24V, while the input audio can be brought to the input jack labeled as AUDIO IN and after specific processing reproduced on the speakers of the desired L/R channel. In addition, this board has an additional red LED indicator marked with VIN, which can visually detect the presence of an external power supply.

This Click board™ can only be operated with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

SPECIFICATIONS