| Highly desired power amplifier topologies are those which can achieve high performances with simple and efficient implementations. As such, this thesis presents a novel multi-level half-bridge switching topology which is based on using a series-connected coupled-winding inductor as an alternative to the basic topology. It is experimentally implemented as a class-D audio amplifier featuring a low complexity, and the design process demonstrated includes the new magnetic component, the coupled-winding inductor. The results show that the topology produces a multilevel unipolar output PWM waveform without any additional active devices and with dead-time free operation, to significantly improve the quality of the output voltage with improved THD+N. Furthermore, the topology demonstrates better behaviour under closed-loop control and achieves a higher maximum power capability resulting from less dead-time associated voltage loss. Throughout, unique design tradeoffs to this topology are explored to allow optimized designs for electrical performance, magnetic component sizing, and system losses. |
