Analog Devices Inc. MAX98415A/MAX98425A Evaluation Systems
Analog Devices MAX98415A / MAX98425A Evaluation Systems are fully assembled and tested systems that evaluate the MAX98415A or MAX98425A stereo Class-D audio amplifiers. These EV systems consist of the MAX98415A or MAX98425A Development Board (DEV board), the Analog Devices’ Audio Interface Board III (AUDINT3), and a USB cable. To streamline the evaluation process, the MAX98415A / MAX98425A DEV board can be paired with the AUDINT3 board and two external power supplies for PVDD and VBAT. The AUDINT3 board supplies 1.8V for AVDD and DVDD, and features a plug-and-play USB-to-I2S interface, enabling any computer to serve as a 48kHz digital audio source. This setup offers a quick and convenient way to test the device’s core capabilities without requiring additional audio equipment.
The AUDINT3 board automatically detects the MAX98415A / MAX98425A DEV board and configures the onboard LDO regulators to power AVDD and DVDD via connector J1. The board converts USB audio streams from a connected computer into I2S format, allowing playback through the MAX98415A / MAX98425A device. When using external audio test equipment to drive the DEV board’s PCM interface directly, the AUDINT3 board should not be used for audio input. The Digital Audio Interface (DAI) pins on the DEV board and the AUDINT3’s digital outputs share the J1 header, which can cause signal conflicts. In such cases, disable all DAI signals using the AUDINT3 software. However, the AUDINT3 board can still supply AVDD and DVDD if external sources are unavailable.
For maximum flexibility, the MAX98415A / MAX98425A DEV board also operates as a stand-alone unit using two external power supplies for PVDD and VBAT. Digital audio signals can be driven directly by specialized audio test equipment (e.g., Audio Precision). AVDD and DVDD can be supplied externally or via the onboard LDO regulator (U2) located on the bottom of the DEV board. To enable this regulator and provide 1.8V to AVDD and DVDD, populate resistors R33, R34, and R35 with 0Ω values.
Features
- Fully assembled and tested
- EV system provides a stand-alone evaluation solution
- Multiple EV systems can be connected to evaluate a multi-channel audio solution
- Mono or stereo operation on a single board
- Extensive connection points and test posts
- Designed-in amplifier output filter options
Applications
- Soundbars
- Mobile speakers and smart speakers
- Tablets, laptops, and desktop computers
- Smart Internet of Things (IoT) devices
Required Equipment
- MAX98415A/MAX98425A EV system
- MAX98415A/MAX98425A development board (DEV board)
- Audio Interface Board III (AUDINT3 board)
- Micro-USB cable
- 2.1V to 5.5V, 1A DC power supply
- 3V to 22V, 5A DC power supply
- 4Ω or 8Ω speaker (typical)
- PC with Windows® 10 (or similar) with an available USB port
- USB audio source (e.g., Windows Media Player® or iTunes®)
Resources
Related Amplifiers
Analog Devices Inc. MAX98415A/MAX98425A Stereo Class-D Amplifiers
High-efficiency, stereo Class-D speaker amplifier with industry-leading quiescent power features.