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As we continue our Amplifier Diagnostic Series, we will be discussing clip detection. Before we discuss clip detections, we really need to know what amplifier clipping is. Basically, it is when an amplifier output signal amplitude exceeds the ability of the amplifier.

As we see here, I'm showing an unclipped sinusoidal waveform. So if I change the gain, I increase the gain. And now, the amplifier signal is exceeding the voltage. And we have to clip off the top and clip off the bottom.

So why is this important? Well, first of all, it sounds bad. And also, it can damage speakers although it won't damage your amplifier since we have protection. We will discuss this in our Video Protection Series.

Now, with clip detection, the signal can be sent back to the microcontroller or to DSP to equalize the signal or turn down the gain or what we call an "audio volume" or perform some tasks that the amplifier no longer clips. There are multiple ways to provide this information to our devices.

We have just clip detection only, where we provide a signal during the clip. Or we can supply a signal where the THD value is based on a sinusoidal THD value. Or we can play provided clipped signal that will have some delays so it does not report on a short peak or burst. The clip detect signal is provided so that the system designer can use it as they see fit to protect their system.

Well, I'll see you in our next video in the Amplifier Diagnostic Series. And we will discuss thermal warnings.

This video is part of a series