2. Definitions
Definitions
In small-signal amplifiers the main factors are:
โข Amplification
โข Linearity
โข Gain
Since large-signal, or power, amplifiers handle relatively large
voltage signals and current levels, the main factors are:
โข Efficiency
โข Maximum power capability
I d t hi t th t t d i
โข Impedance matching to the output device
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky
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2
3. Amplifier Types
Amplifier Types
Class A
Class A
The amplifier conducts through the full 360ยฐ of the input. The Q-point is
t th iddl f th l d li
set near the middle of the load line.
Class B
Class B
The amplifier conducts through 180ยฐ of the input The Q point is set at
The amplifier conducts through 180 of the input. The Q-point is set at
the cutoff point.
Class AB
Class AB
Class AB
Class AB
This is a compromise between the class A and B amplifiers. The
amplifier conducts somewhere between 180ยฐ and 360ยฐ . The Q-point is
located between the mid-point and cutoff.
moreโฆ
moreโฆ
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3
4. Amplifier Types
Amplifier Types
Class C
Class C
Class C
Class C
The amplifier conducts less than 180 of the input. The Q-point is located
below the cutoff level.
Class D
Class D
This is an amplifier that is biased especially for digital signals.
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Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky
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4
5. Class AAmplifier
Class AAmplifier
The output of a class A amplifier
conducts for the full 360ยฐ of the
cycle.
The Q-point is set at the middle of
th l d li th t th AC i l
the load line so that the AC signal
can swing a full cycle.
Remember that the DC load line
indicates the maximum and minimum
limits set by the DC power supply.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky
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5
6. Class B Amplifier
Class B Amplifier
A class B amplifier output
only conducts for 180ยฐ or
one-half of the AC input
signal.
The Q-point is at 0V on the
load line so that the AC
load line, so that the AC
signal can only swing for
one-half cycle.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky
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6
7. Class AB Amplifier
Class AB Amplifier
This amplifier is a compromise between the
class A and class B amplifierโthe Q-point
is above that of the Class B but below the
is above that of the Class B but below the
class A.
The output conducts between 180ยฐ and
360ยฐ f th AC i t i l
360ยฐ of the AC input signal.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky
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7
8. Class C
Class C
The output of the class C
conducts for less than 180ยฐ of the
conducts for less than 180 of the
AC cycle. The Q-point is below
cutoff.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky
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8
9. Amplifier Efficiency
Amplifier Efficiency
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to the ratio of output to input power. The lower the amount
f d ti f th lifi th hi h th ffi i
of conduction of the amplifier the higher the efficiency.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky
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9
10. Series
Series-
-Fed Class AAmplifier
Fed Class AAmplifier
This is similar to the
small-signal amplifier
except that it will handle
higher voltages. The
transistor used is a high-
i
power transistor.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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10
11. Series
Series-
-Fed Class AAmplifier
Fed Class AAmplifier
A small input signal
causes the output voltage
to swing to a maximum of
to swing to a maximum of
Vcc and a minimum of 0V.
The current can also
swing from 0mA to ICSAT
g CSAT
(VCC/RC)
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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11
12. Series
Series-
-Fed Class AAmplifier
Fed Class AAmplifier
The power into the amplifier is from the DC supply. With no input
signal, the DC current drawn is the collector bias current, ICQ.
Input Power
Input Power
g CQ
CQ
CC
i(dc) I
V
P =
Output Power
Output Power
C(rms)
2
o(ac)
V
P =
p)
-
CE(p
2
o(ac)
8R
V
P =
or
C
o(ac)
R C
o(ac)
8R
Efficiency
Efficiency
100
P
P
%ฮท
i(ac)
o(ac)
ร
=
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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12
13. Transformer
Transformer-
-Coupled Class AAmplifier
Coupled Class AAmplifier
This circuit uses a
transformer to couple to
the load. This improves
the efficiency of the Class
A 0%
A to 50%.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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13
14. Transformer Action
Transformer Action
A transformer improves the efficiency because it is able to transform
the voltage, current, and impedance
Voltage Ratio
Voltage Ratio
1
2
1
2
N
N
V
V
=
Current Ratio
Current Ratio
1
1
1
2 N
I
Impedance Ratio
Impedance Ratio
2
1
1
2
N
N
I
I
=
Impedance Ratio
Impedance Ratio
2
2
2
1
2
1
L
L
a
N
N
R
R
R
R
=
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
=
=
โฒ
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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14
15. Transformer
Transformer-
-Coupled Class AAmplifier
Coupled Class AAmplifier
DC Load Line
DC Load Line
As in all class A amplifiers
th Q i t i t bli h d
the Q-point is established
close to the midpoint of the
DC load line.
AC Load Line
AC Load Line
The saturation point (ICmax)
is at V /Rโฒ and the cutoff
is at Vcc/R L and the cutoff
point is at V2 (the secondary
voltage of the transformer).
This increases the maximum
output swing because the
minimum and maximum
values of IC and VCE are
spread further apart
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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spread further apart.
15
15
16. Transformer
Transformer-
-Coupled Class AAmplifier
Coupled Class AAmplifier
Signal Swing and Output AC Power
Signal Swing and Output AC Power
The voltage swing:
min
CE
max
CE
)
p
p
(
CE V
V
V โ
=
โ
The current swing:
min
C
max
C I
I โ
8
)
I
)(I
V
(V
P Cmin
Cmax
CEmin
CEmax
o(ac)
โ
โ
=
The AC power:
8
( )
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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16
17. Transformer
Transformer-
-Coupled Class AAmplifier
Coupled Class AAmplifier
Efficiency
Efficiency
Power input from the DC source:
Power input from the DC source:
CQ
CC
i(dc) I
V
P =
o(ac)
i(dc)
Q P
P
P โ
=
Power dissipated as heat across the transistor:
Power dissipated as heat across the transistor:
Note: The larger the input and output signal, the
lower the heat dissipation.
2
V
V โ
โ
Maximum efficiency
Maximum efficiency:
:
Note: The larger V and smaller V the
CEmin
CEmax
CEmin
CEmax
V
V
V
V
50
%ฮท โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
+
โ
=
Note: The larger VCEmax and smaller VCEmin, the
closer the efficiency approaches the theoretical
maximum of 50%.
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17
18. Class B Amplifier
Class B Amplifier
In class B, the transistor is
biased just off. The AC signal
turns the transistor on
turns the transistor on.
The transistor only conducts
when it is turned on by one-
half of the AC cycle.
In order to get a full AC cycle
out of a class B amplifier you
out of a class B amplifier, you
need two transistors:
โข An npn transistor that provides the
negative half of the AC cycle
โข A pnp transistor that provides the
positive half.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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19. Class B Amplifier: Efficiency
Class B Amplifier: Efficiency
The maximum efficiency of a class B is 78.5%..
100
P
)
P
%
)
dc
(
i
ac
(
o
ร
=
ฮท
i
L
2
CC
o(dc)
2R
V
P
maximum =
For maximum power, VL=VCC
CC
2
CC
CC
dc
CC
i(dc)
2V
2V
V
)
I
(maximum
V
P
maximum =
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
โ
=
=
L
L
CC
dc
CC
i(dc)
R
ฯ
R
ฯ
)
( โ
โ
โ
โ
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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19
20. Transformer
Transformer-
-Coupled Push
Coupled Push-
-Pull
Pull
Cl B A lifi
Cl B A lifi
Class B Amplifier
Class B Amplifier
The center-tapped
The center tapped
transformer on the input
produces opposite
polarity signals to the
two transistor inputs.
The center-tapped
transformer on the
output combines the two
halves of the AC
f t th
waveform together.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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20
21. Class B Amplifier Push
Class B Amplifier Push-
-Pull Operation
Pull Operation
โข During the positive
half-cycle of the AC
half-cycle of the AC
input, transistor Q1
(npn) is conducting
and Q2 (pnp) is off.
โข During the negative
half-cycle of the AC
input, transistor Q2
input, transistor Q2
(pnp) is conducting
and Q1 (npn) is off.
Each transistor produces one-half of an AC cycle. The transformer combines the
two outputs to form a full AC cycle.
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22. Crossover Distortion
Crossover Distortion
If the transistors Q1 and Q2 do
t t d ff t tl
not turn on and off at exactly
the same time, then there is a
gap in the output voltage.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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22
23. Quasi
Quasi-
-Complementary Push
Complementary Push-
-Pull Amplifier
Pull Amplifier
A Darlington pair and a feedback
A Darlington pair and a feedback
pair combination perform the
push-pull operation. This
increases the output power
capability.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e
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23
24. Amplifier Distortion
Amplifier Distortion
If the output of an amplifier is not a complete AC sine wave,
then it is distorting the output. The amplifier is non-linear.
This distortion can be analyzed using Fourier analysis. In
Fourier analysis, any distorted periodic waveform can be
broken down into frequency components. These
components are harmonics of the fundamental frequency.
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25. Harmonics
Harmonics
Harmonics are integer multiples of a fundamental frequency.
If the fundamental frequency is 5kHz:
1st harmonic 1 x 5kHz
2nd harmonic 2 x 5kHz
3rd harmonic 3 x 5kHz
4th harmonic 4 x 5kHz
etc.
Note that the 1st and 3rd harmonics are called odd harmonics
odd harmonics and the
2nd and 4th are called even harmonics
even harmonics
2nd and 4th are called even harmonics
even harmonics.
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26. Harmonic Distortion
Harmonic Distortion
According to Fourier
According to Fourier
analysis, if a signal is not
purely sinusoidal, then it
contains harmonics.
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27. Harmonic Distortion Calculations
Harmonic Distortion Calculations
Harmonic distortion (D) can be calculated:
100
A
A
%D
distortion
harmonic
nth
%
1
n
n ร
=
=
where
An is the amplitude of the fundamental frequency
An is the amplitude of the highest harmonic
The total harmonic distortion (THD) is determined by:
100
D
D
D
THD
% 2
3
2
3
2
2 ร
+
+
+
= L
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28. Power Transistor Derating Curve
Power Transistor Derating Curve
Power transistors dissipate
a lot of power in heat. This
can be destructive to the
amplifier as well as to
surrounding components.
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29. Class C Amplifiers
Class C Amplifiers
A class C amplifier conducts for less
p
than 180ยฐ. In order to produce a full
sine wave output, the class C uses a
tuned circuit (LC tank) to provide
the full AC sine wave.
Class C amplifiers are used
i i i i i
extensively in radio communications
circuits.
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30. Class D Amplifier
Class D Amplifier
A class D amplifier amplifies
l d i l d
pulses, and requires a pulsed
input.
There are many circuits that
There are many circuits that
can convert a sinusoidal
waveform to a pulse, as well
as circuits that convert a
as circuits that convert a
pulse to a sine wave. This
circuit has applications in
digital circuitry.
g y
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