Digital Pulse Modulation

The continuing expansion of digital techniques in the field of audio rises a question – is it possible to convert the digital encoded signals (PCM) directly to a pulse modulated signal for subsequent power amplification? The motivation is of course the topological simplification in both the digital to analog conversion stage and the subsequent power amplification stage. Intuitively, it is advantageous to keep the signal digital “as long as possible” with the accuracy and rigidity that generally follows. However, fundamental problems have persisted within digital PMAs although the field has attracted significant attention within the last decade.