Patent ID: 7816985

Claim:
A switching amplifier driver and output stage system comprising: a half bridge power stage having two power output switches configured to drive a load; a driver stage configured to drive the power output switches, wherein the driver stage has a fast switching time, a low propagation delay, and a low input capacitance; and a transformer configured to drive the driver stage, wherein the transformer is configured to prevent resonances within an audio band of frequencies from 20 Hz to 40 kHz and at a switching frequency of the power output switches, wherein the transformer has a low free leakage inductance, wherein the transformer is configured to prevent resonance within the audio band and at a switching frequency of the power output switches when coupled to external circuitry, wherein the transformer has sufficient magnetizing inductance to keep transformer currents low in proportion to the total driver stage current drain, wherein the transformer has low core losses at the switching frequency, and wherein the transformer is configured to remain below a characteristic saturation point under all operating conditions.