Planar Magnetic Technology for Headphones
Planar magnetic technology is being revived by a handful of specialized HiFi audio companies. These companies create headphones with old-school planar drivers that deliver an impressive sound quality.
This paper examines the intrinsic properties of a planar magnet device by looking at winding conduction loss, leakage inductance and winding capacitance. A method is also suggested to reduce the parasitic elements.
Low profile or low vertical height
As compared to traditional wire-wound magnets, planar magnetic technology provides lower profile and higher efficiency. It also reduces leakage and parasitic capacitance. This technique also allows the use of a smaller core, which lowers the overall cost of the device. Additionally, it does not require any clamping of the magnets. This makes it ideal for use in power electronics devices.
Planar magnetic technology has the advantage of being lighter and smaller than traditional headphones. It also can handle higher frequencies without distortion. This is because the flat diaphragm used in these devices is typically constructed from a thin layer with a conductor trace. This film can react quickly to audio signals, and can produce high pressure levels.
The sound produced by these devices will be more acoustic and more detailed. This is the reason why it is highly favored by audiophiles, especially those who prefer listening to music at home or office. It is important to remember that a planar magnet driver requires a powered amplifier and digital audio converters in order to function effectively.
The sound that is produced is more natural and precise when compared to dynamic drivers.
planar magnetic earbuds magnetic drivers are also capable of reacting to changes in audio signals faster, making them ideal for listening fast music.
Despite their benefits however, planar magnet drivers do have a few drawbacks. One of them is their price which is due to the massive amount of magnetic material needed to run. Their size and weight could be a challenge, especially when they are being used as portable devices.
Wide band gap (WBG), devices
Wide band gap (WBG), semiconductors are a group of materials that have better electrical properties than traditional silicon-based devices. They are able to withstand higher current densities and higher voltages, as well as lower switching losses. This makes them ideal for
planar driver power electronics and optoelectronics applications. Wide band gap semiconductors, such as gallium nitride or silicon carbide, can offer significant improvements in performance and size. They are also more environmentally sustainable than conventional silicon-based products. These features make them attractive to satellite and aerospace manufacturers.
Planar magnetic drivers operate in the same way as dynamic drivers. An electrical conductor moves between two magnets fixed when audio signals pass through them. Planar magnetic drivers, however, use an array of conductors encased or attached to an elongated diaphragm that resembles a thin film instead of a coil. The conductors comprise made up of coils that sit on the diaphragm and sit directly between two magnets. This creates the push/pull phenomenon that triggers the diaphragm's movement.
This technology produces distortion-free music and has a unique, pleasing sound. The uniform distribution of the magnetic force over the entire surface of the driver and the absence of a coil behind the diaphragm cause it to move uniformly and swiftly, creating an extremely precise, detailed sound. The resulting sound is known as isodynamic, orthodynamic, or magnetically-incident.
Generally, headphones with magnetic drivers with planar design cost more than other technologies due to their complexity and higher price. There are some good and affordable choices, such as the Rinko from Seeaudio or S12 /Z12 by LETSHUOER which were recently released.
Power electronics
Planar magnetics are able to disperse heat more effectively than traditional wire wound components. This allows them handle more power without causing excessive strain or audible strain. This makes them perfect for headphones. In addition to their improved efficiency, planar magnets also permit higher power density. The technology is ideally suited to applications such as electric vehicle charging, battery management and military systems.
As opposed to dynamic driver headphones which use a diaphragm that's suspended by a voice coil
planar magnetic drivers operate on a much different principle. A flat array of conductors sits directly on the diaphragm,
planar Driver and when an electromagnetic signal flows through the array, it triggers a push-pull interaction with the magnets on both sides of the diaphragm. This creates sound waves that move the diaphragm, producing audio.
Planar magnetic devices are more efficient than conventional magnetics because they have a greater surface-to-volume ratio. This means they are able to disperse more heat and allow them to operate at higher frequencies of switching without exceeding their maximum temperature ratings. They have lower thermal sensitivity compared to wire-wound devices. This allows them to be employed in smaller power electronic circuits.
To maximize the performance of a planar boost inductor, designers should be aware of several aspects, such as core design, winding configuration, losses estimation and thermal modeling. Ideal characteristics of an inductor include low winding capacitance, minimal leakage inductance, and simple integration into the PCB. Moreover it must be able to handle high currents and have a tiny size.
The inductor also needs to be compatible with multilayer PCBs using through-hole or SMD packages. Moreover the copper thickness has be sufficiently thin to reduce eddy currents within the layers and also prevent thermal coupling between conductors.
Flexible circuit-based planar Winding
In planar magnetic technology the flex circuit-based windings are utilized to create a high-efficiency inductor. They utilize a single-patterned conductor layer on a flexible dielectric film. They can be constructed with a variety foils. The most popular choice is copper foil, which has superior electrical properties and is processed to permit termination features on both sides. The conductors on a flex circuit are connected by thin lines that extend beyond the edges of the substrate, thereby providing the flexibility required for tape automated bonding (TAB). Single-sided flexes are available in a variety of thicknesses as well as conductive finishes.
In typical headphones, the diaphragm will be set between two permanent magnets which vibrate in response to the electric signals sent by your audio device. The magnetic fields create the soundwave that runs across the entire surface of diaphragm. This piston-like motion stops distortion and breaks.
One of the main benefits of
Planar Driver magnetic headphones is their capacity to reproduce a greater frequency range, specifically in the lower frequencies. This is because they can produce a larger surface area than conventional cone-type drivers, allowing them to move more air. Furthermore, they are able to reproduce bass sounds with a higher clarity and detail.
However the headphones that are planar magnetic are expensive to make and require a powered amplifier and DAC to function correctly. They are also heavier and bulkier than standard drivers, making them difficult to transport or to fit into smaller spaces. Their low impedance also requires more power to drive, which can quickly increase when you listen to music at a high volume.
Stamped copper winding
Stamped copper windings can be used in planar magnet technology to improve the window utilization and reduce manufacturing costs.