Schaltungsverstärker

A Schaltungsverstärker, or switching amplifier, is a type of amplifier that operates by rapidly switching a power stage between different states, typically on and off, to amplify an input signal. Unlike linear amplifiers that amplify a signal by continuously varying the output current or voltage in proportion to the input, switching amplifiers use pulse-width modulation (PWM) or similar techniques to represent the analog signal in a series of discrete pulses. The width or duty cycle of these pulses is varied according to the instantaneous amplitude of the input signal.

This switching action is then filtered by an output stage, usually a low-pass filter, to reconstruct the amplified analog signal. The primary advantage of Schaltungsverstärker is their high efficiency. Because the power transistors in the switching stage are either fully on or fully off, they dissipate very little power as heat, leading to significantly reduced energy consumption and smaller heatsink requirements compared to linear amplifiers. This makes them ideal for power-hungry applications where efficiency is critical, such as in audio amplifiers, motor control, and power supplies.

However, Schaltungsverstärker can introduce switching noise and harmonic distortion into the output signal, which requires careful design and filtering to minimize. The complexity of the control circuitry and the potential for electromagnetic interference are also considerations. Despite these challenges, the efficiency benefits have led to their widespread adoption in many modern electronic systems.