Car Audio Power Amplifier TDA7388: Equivalents, Features, TPA3116D2 vs TDA7388

30 October 2023


Ⅰ. Overview of TDA7388 amplifier

Ⅱ. TDA7388 symbol, footprint and pin configuration

Ⅲ. Technical parameters of TDA7388 amplifier

Ⅳ. What are the features of TDA7388 amplifier?

Ⅴ. Differences between TPA3116D2 and TDA7388

Ⅵ. How does the TDA7388 amplifier work?

Ⅶ. What are the applications of TDA7388 amplifier?

Ⅷ. Precautions for using TDA7388 amplifier

Ⅸ. How is the mute function of TDA7388 implemented?



An audio amplifier is an electronic device that is mainly used to amplify low-power audio signals to high enough power to drive speakers, headphones and other output devices. This article will mainly introduce the definition, technical parameters, features, working principle, application and usage precautions of the automotive audio power amplifier TDA7388. In addition, we will also compare and analyze the differences between TPA3116D and TDA7388.



Ⅰ. Overview of TDA7388 amplifier


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TDA7388 is a Class AB audio amplifier manufactured by STMicroelectronics. It is suitable for four-channel audio amplification and has a total output power of up to 164 watts. This circuit has very few peripheral components, but can provide high-quality sound to meet the requirements of various applications. Its package is 25-pin dual in-line type, and the power supply voltage is 8V to 18V. It has the advantages of small distortion, low noise, strong anti-interference ability, and can drive high impedance loads.


Replacements and equivalents:

E-TDA7386

E-TDA7566

• LM3886

• LM4949TL/NOPB

TDA7388A

TDA7850

TDA7854



Ⅱ. TDA7388 symbol, footprint and pin configuration


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TDA7388 has a total of 25 pins. Among them, pins 1 and 15 are positive power supply and negative power supply respectively; pins 4 and 12 are input terminals; pin 10 is the remote control port; pins 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14 are output terminal.



Ⅲ. Technical parameters of TDA7388 amplifier


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Ⅳ. What are the features of TDA7388 amplifier?


• Easy to assemble and use


• Based on fully complementary PNP/NPN configuration


• It has standby and silent functions for easy control and improved power efficiency.


• It allows rail-to-rail output voltage swing without the need for bootstrap capacitors.


• It has four output channels and can power up to four speakers, making it ideal for multi-channel audio setups such as car audio systems.


• It has lower output noise. In the process of amplifying audio signals, it can reduce noise interference and bring a clear listening experience.


• It has thermal protection, overvoltage protection and short circuit protection functions to ensure that when abnormal conditions occur, the equipment can be protected in time to avoid damage caused by overheating, overvoltage or short circuit.


• It has a maximum output power of 4×41W/4Ω, which can provide enough volume to meet the needs of car audio systems.



Ⅴ. Differences between TPA3116D2 and TDA7388


TPA3116D2 and TDA7388 differ in terms of configuration and power.


1. Configuration


The TDA7388 has a fully complementary PNP/NPN output configuration, which makes its rail-to-rail output voltage stable without a bootstrap capacitor. Due to the reduced number of components, this series is extremely compact. However, the TPA3116D2 requires some synchronization components to function properly.


2. Power


TPA3116D2 is a basic audio power amplifier that can be widely used in various audio systems. However, the TDA7388 is a new class AB audio power amplifier, suitable for high-end car radios. This chip uses the latest technology, bringing better performance and lower distortion rate, allowing us to experience a clearer music experience.



Ⅵ. How does the TDA7388 amplifier work?


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The above is the circuit diagram of the TDA7388 power amplifier, which is capable of accommodating four output speakers at the same time. Its working steps are as follows.


1. Input stage


The TDA7388 has four input channels (usually for front, rear and left channels respectively), each with a differential input. The audio signal enters the chip through these differential inputs and may go through some preamplification or audio processing circuitry at this stage to suit the chip's operating range.


2. Amplification stage


The TDA7388 features four independent amplifier channels, each of which can independently amplify audio signals. It adopts an AB-like amplifier design, which not only provides higher efficiency, but also ensures good sound quality.


3. Output stage


The amplified audio signal is sent to the loudspeaker through the output stage. Each channel can drive one speaker, usually the vehicle's front, rear, and left speakers.


4. Protection and control


The TDA7388 also contains some internal protection mechanisms to prevent overheating, overload and short circuit conditions. It can also be controlled via external circuits such as input switching, tone adjustment and volume control.



Ⅶ. What are the applications of TDA7388 amplifier?


• Car audio system: It provides immersive in-car sound effects to multiple speakers.


• Multimedia devices: It boosts the audio output of TVs, DVD players, etc.


• Home audio system: TDA7388 can also be used in home audio systems, especially multi-channel audio systems. It drives front speakers, center speakers, rear speakers and subwoofers for high-fidelity audio.



Ⅷ. Precautions for using TDA7388 amplifier


1. We should pay attention to the positive and negative poles of the battery. Once connected reversely, it may cause circuit failure or even damage the equipment. At the same time, in order to ensure the stable operation of the equipment, it is recommended to use a regulated power supply.


2. In order to obtain the best sound quality, it is best to use a speaker with an impedance of 4 ohms.


3. The audio input terminal is equipped with four channels, corresponding to front, rear, left, and right, and has a mute control function. In addition, the power ground and audio ground should be separated independently, which can effectively prevent the problem of muddy sound quality caused by confusing ground wires.


4. The DC power supply voltage should be 12V and the current should not be less than 3A. It is recommended to use a power supply with a current of 10A or more to meet the power supply needs of most electronic devices.


5. Some sound sources with relatively low signal levels require a preamplifier to be effective.



Ⅸ. How is the mute function of TDA7388 implemented?


The mute function of TDA7388 is achieved by controlling the amplifier inside the chip. Specifically, when silence is required, the control circuit will reduce the gain of the amplifier, thereby reducing the output sound and achieving silence. In addition, TDA7388 also has a minimum automatic mute function. When the level of the input signal is lower than the preset threshold, it automatically enters a mute state to avoid noise caused by signal fluctuations. In order to achieve this function, we need to set an appropriate threshold in the circuit. When the input signal level is lower than this threshold, the control circuit activates the mute function to ensure stable audio output.




Frequently Asked Questions


1. What is TDA7388?


The TDA7388 is an AB class audio power amplifier, packaged in Flexiwatt 25 and designed for high end car radio applications.


2. How many channels does the TDA7388 support?


The TDA7388 is a quad (four-channel) audio amplifier IC.


3. What are some common applications for the TDA7388 besides car audio systems?


While car audio is a primary application, the TDA7388 can also be used in other audio amplification applications, such as home audio systems, portable speakers, and other devices requiring multiple audio channels.


4. Can I bridge TDA7388?


So the TDA7388 is already a bridged amplifier. There's no way to "double bridge" it.


5. What is pin 25 of TDA7388 used for?


Pin 25 of TDA7388 is used for chip temperature detection. It can feed back the temperature signal of the chip to the control system to realize functions such as chip protection and fault diagnosis. When the chip temperature is too high, the control system will adjust the working status of the power amplifier chip by controlling the voltage of the input pin to avoid chip overheating and damage.