A
class-D amplifier or
switching amplifier is an
electronic amplifier in which the amplifying devices (transistors, usually
MOSFETs) operate as electronic switches, instead of as linear gain devices as in other amplifiers. The signal to be amplified is a train of constant amplitude pulses, so the active devices switch rapidly back and forth between a fully conductive and nonconductive state. The
analog signal to be amplified is converted to a series of pulses by
pulse width modulation,
pulse density modulation or other method before being applied to the amplifier. After amplification, the output pulse train can be converted back to an analog signal by passing through a passive
low pass filter consisting of inductors and capacitors. The major advantage of a class-D amplifier is that it can be more efficient than analog amplifiers, with less power dissipated as heat in the active devices.