10.2.1.3 Decoupling Capacitor Recommendations

In order to design an amplifier that has robust performance, passes regulatory requirements, and exhibits good audio performance, good quality decoupling capacitors should be used. In practice, X7R should be used in this application.

The voltage of the decoupling capacitors should be selected in accordance with good design practices. Temperature, ripple current, and voltage overshoot must be considered. This fact is particularly true in the selection of the ceramic capacitors that are placed on the power supply to each full-bridge. They must withstand the voltage overshoot of the PWM switching, the heat generated by the amplifier during high power output, and the ripple current created by high power output. A minimum voltage rating of 16 V is required for use with a 12-V power supply.