19-4436; Rev 0; 2/09
Stereo Class D Audio Subsystem
with DirectDrive Headphone Amplifier
MAX879
General Description
Features
The MAX9879 combines a high-efficiency stereo Class D
audio power amplifier with a stereo capacitor-less
DirectDrive® headphone amplifier. Maxim’s filterless class
D amplifiers with active emissions limiting technology pro-
vide Class AB performance with Class D efficiency.
♦ Better than 9dB Margin Under EN 55022 Class B
Limits with No Filter Components
♦ Low RF Susceptibility Design Rejects TDMA
Noise from GSM Radios
♦ Input Mixer with User Defined Input Mode
The Class D power amplifier delivers up to 715mW from
a 3.7V supply into an 8Ω load with 88% efficiency to
extend battery life. The filterless modulation scheme
combined with active emission limiting circuitry and
spread-spectrum modulation greatly reduces EMI while
eliminating the need for output filtering used in tradition-
al Class D devices.
The headphone amplifier delivers up to 58mW from a
3.7V supply into a 16Ω load. Maxim’s patented
DirectDrive architecture produces a ground-referenced
output from a single supply, eliminating the need for
large DC-blocking capacitors, saving cost, space and
component height.
The device utilizes a user-defined input architecture,
three preamplifier gain settings, an input mixer, volume
control, comprehensive click-and-pop suppression, and
I2C control. A bypass mode feature disables the integrat-
ed Class D amplifier and utilizes an internal DPST switch
to allow an external amplifier to drive the speaker that is
connected at the outputs of the MAX9879.
♦ Stereo 715mW Speaker Output (R = 8Ω,
L
V
DD
= 3.7V)
♦ Stereo 58mW Headphone Output (16Ω,
V
= 3.7V)
DD
♦ Low 0.04% THD+N at 1kHz (Class D Power
Amplifier)
♦ Low 0.018% THD+N at 1kHz (Headphone
Amplifier)
♦ 88% Efficiency (R = 8Ω, P
= 750mW)
L
OUT
♦ 1.6Ω Analog Switch for Speaker Amplifier Bypass
♦ High Speaker Amplifier PSRR (72dB at 217Hz)
♦ High Headphone Amplifier PSRR (84dB at 217Hz)
♦ I2C Control
♦ Hardware and Software Shutdown Mode
♦ Ultra-Low Click and Pop
♦ Robust Design with Current and Thermal
Protection
♦ Available in Space-Saving Package
5x6 UCSP (2.5mm x 3mm)
The MAX9879 is available in a thermally efficient,
space-saving 30-bump UCSP™ package.
Ordering Information
Applications
Portable Multimedia Players
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
Cell Phones
MAX9879ERV+
-40°C to +85°C
30 UCSP (5x6)
DirectDrive is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated
Products, Inc.
+Denotes a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
UCSP is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
Pin Configuration
Simplified Block Diagram
TOP VIEW
(BUMP SIDE DOWN)
SINGLE SUPPLY
2.7V TO 5.5V
2
3
4
1
5
6
A
VOLUME
PREAMPLIFIER
CONTROL
C1P
C1N
OUTL- PVDDL
OUTL+
RXIN+
PGNDR OUTR-
PGNDR PVDDR
MIXER
B
RXIN-
PGNDL
VOLUME
2
I C
CONTROL
INTERFACE
C
D
E
V
GND
BIAS
GND
INB1
INB2
GND
INA1
INA2
GND
SCL
OUTR+
SDA
SS
HPL
HPR
BYPASS
V
SHDN
V
DD
CCIO
MAX9879
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
1
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at 1-888-629-4642,
or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.