What is full power mode, 3/4 power mode, & 1/2 power mode?

[Julia2013]

Hi All:

When reading the datasheet of EL8108，
https://www.intersil.com/content/dam/Intersil/documents/fn74/fn7417.pdf

In page 4, typical performance curves,
there are diagrams for full power mode, 3/4 power mode, & 1/2 power mode.


What is the definition for xx power mode?

Are they something related with the power efficiency , like different efficency for Class A, class D amplifiers?

 

[betwixt]

The data sheet doesn't say but I would assume it refers to the amount of load placed on the output. This to some degree changes the internal feedback and hence gain/phase response of the amplifier. Full power I would guess is the measurement under maximim load, 1/2 power at half the maximum load and so on.

You can't program the power and the amplifier can't change it's mode of operation so it must be a reference to how hard you are loading it.

Brian.