Patent ID: 7342448

Claim:
A class D power output stage for switching a supply voltage, comprising: a limiting transistor comprising a controllable path and a control terminal; a complementary limiting transistor comprising a controllable path and a control terminal, wherein a switched output signal between said controllable paths of said limiting and complementary limiting transistors can be taped off; a switching transistor comprising a controllable path and a control terminal; a complementary switching transistor comprising a controllable path and a control terminal; said controllable paths of said limiting and said complementary limiting transistors being connected together and connected to a first and a second supply terminal via said controllable paths of said switching and complementary switching transistors and said switching and said complementary switching transistors having a lower electrical strength than said limiting and complementary limiting transistors; and a level matching device for generating control signals in response to an input switching signal; said matching device being connected to said supply voltage and said control signals being fed to said control terminals.