New Balanced-Input Integrated Circuit Achieves Very High Dynamic Range In Real- World Systems

Limited Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) in balanced interfaces often limits dynamic range in real-world audio systems. Conventional differential amplifier input circuits suffer serious CMRR degradation when driven by real system signal sources instead of laboratory generators. An ideal audio transformer, because of its extremely high common-mode impedances, is virtually immune to this degradation. A new Integrated Circuit (IC) is described that uses a patented topology to achieve common-mode impedances comparable to those of an ideal transformer. As a result, the IC enables signals with very high dynamic range to be transported without contamination by system ground-voltage differences or other sources of common-mode interference. Other features of the IC, which relate to audio signal quality, are also detailed.