UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND INFORMATION
ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE: FEE 560

COURSE TITLE: ENGINEERING PROJECT

PROJECT NUMBER: PRJ061

PROJECT TITLE: IMPLEMENTATION OF A 1000 WATTS
CLASS H AMPLIFIER FOR PUBLIC ADDRESS APPLICATIONS
Presented By: KIILU MATTHEW NDOLO
Admission Number: F17 / 2101 / 2004
Supervisor: Mr. C. OMBURA
Examiner: Dr. WILFRED N. MWEMA

This project report is submitted impartial fulfillment of the requirement

for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical And
Electronics Engineering of The University of Nairobi

Date of submission: 20 th May 2009

 DECLARATION

I, Kiilu Matthew Ndolo do hereby declare that this project in its form and content is
my original work and to the best of my knowledge has not been published as a
patented paper or submitted for any degree award in any other University or
Institution of higher learning.

Signed: _____________________________ Date: ______________________

Kiilu Matthew Ndolo
F17 / 2101 / 2004

CERTIFICATION

This project has been submitted with the approval of the supervisor

Signed: _____________________________ Date: ______________________

Mr. C. Ombura (Project supervisor)

I
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this project to my father, Eng. Bernard K. Kyengo, whose mentorship,

constant encouragement, material support and steadfast belief in my abilities have
gone a long way in making me the person I am.

And to God Almighty, without whom, none of this would have been possible.

II
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor Mr. C. Ombura for his

patience, support and much needed guidance without which the successful completion
and realization of this project would not have become a reality.

Special thanks also go out to the lecturers of the department of Electrical and
Information Engineering (University of Nairobi) for the knowledge and skills they
have imparted on me in my five year pursuit of a Bachelors of Science degree in
Electrical and Information Engineering.

To friends and family for continued love and support in times when things got tough.

Above all I thank God Almighty for blessings received and for taking me this far.

III
 ABSTRACT

The large dynamic range of signals demands high peak power. Classical class AB
amplifiers with high peak power, however, have very poor efficiency at moderate
signal levels. At the same time, demands for power efficient amplifiers have become
the norm, leading to an increasing conflict between manageable power dissipation and
market demands for high output power. To meet these demands power efficient audio
amplifiers are essential.

The main objectives of this project were to design and implement a single channel of
a 1000 Watts Class H amplifier that would be suitable for public address applications.
An audio amplifier with this kind of power output requires high voltages and currents
which are quite dangerous and requires extreme care in its design and
implementation.

This report goes on to introduce the various amplifier classes available for high power
audio amplification and dwells mainly on the high efficiency Class H Amplifiers. It
carries a detailed overview on their design, operation principles, implementation and
protection. Special attention is given to its efficiency, which is the reason why the
Class H Amplifier is at the cutting edge of audio amplifier technology.

For most of this article the following assumptions have been made.

1. The power amplifier considered has power supply rails that do not sag with
load.
2. Speaker loads are treated as purely resistive.

IV
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Number
DECLARATION I

DEDICATION II

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS III

ABSTRACT IV

CHAPTER ONE - Introduction To The Project

1.0 Project Background 2

1.1 Statement Of The Problem 2
1.2 Justification Of The Project 2
1.4 Objectives Of The Project 3
1.5 Scope And Limitations Of The Project 3

CHAPTER TWO - Theory And Background

2.0 Power Amplifiers 4

2.1 Power Amplifier Classes 4
2.1.1 Class A 5
2.1.2 Class B 5
2.1.3 Class AB 5
2.2 Multi-Rail Amplifiers 6
2.2.1 Class G 6
2.2.2 Class H 7
2.3 How The Class H Amplifier Circuit Works: 8
Class-H Principle
2.4 Problems Associated With The Class H Design: 9
2.4.1 Power Supply 9
2.4.2 Output Topology 9
2.5 Amplifier Limits 10

V
2.5.1 Clipping 10
2.5.2 Why Clipping Is Bad For an Amplifier 11
2.5.3 Why Clipping Is Bad For Speakers 12

3.0 CHAPTER THREE - Amplifier Efficiency and Justification of

the class H design

3.1 Power Dissipation: 13

3.2 Dissipation model for a Class H vs. Class AB amplifier: 13
3.2.1 The class AB amplifier: 13
3.2.2 The class H amplifier: 15
3.3 Comparison of the Efficiencies of Class AB Vs Class H Amplifier: 19
3.3.1 Efficiency of the class AB amplifier 19
3.3.2 Efficiency of the class H amplifier 21

4.0 CHAPTER FOUR - Project implementation

4.1 Power requirements analysis 27
4.2 Design of the driver and output stages 30
4.3 Power dissipation of the output devices 33
4.4 Balanced input stage 34
4.5 Preamplifier 36
4.6 Amplifier Protection circuits 37
4.6.1 Thermal protection 37
4.7 System testing 40
4.8 Results and analysis 41
4.9 Discussion and comparison with theory 45

CHAPTER FIVE - Conclusions and recommendations

VI
INTRODUCTION
For years, engineers have been improving the efficiency of audio power amplifiers,
and their efforts can be traced back to the first vacuum tube amplifiers. New
technology has brought down the size and price of high power amplifiers while
improving performance and efficiency. The main circuit configuration most
commonly used for audio amplifiers is class AB which is not exceptionally power
efficient with a wide dynamic range of signals as is the case with audio signals. This
has led to the emergence of a relatively new class of audio amplifiers that is taking the
market by storm. This is the high efficiency class H.

This report is intended to give an overall perspective of the design, testing and
implementation approach used to design and implement a 1000 Watts high power
class H audio amplifier that would be sited for public address applications. It begins
by introducing the various classes of amplifiers that form a foundation on which the
class H amplifier is built. Justification of the project is done through theoretical
analysis carried out to show how this amplifier topology reduces heat dissipation in its
output semiconductors, thus increasing in its efficiency.

Problems inherent in this design are briefly discussed along with measures taken to
counter them. Since the losses in any amplifier occur mainly as heat dissipated as the
unit works, the issue of amplifier protection against thermal runaway is also covered,
with designs created to counter the problem. The currents and voltages described in
this report are high and pose a great danger in the case of any faults. Some test
procedures such as driving the amplifier to its limits in order to observe clipping were
thus not covered.

On the overall, it emerged that the modest gains in efficiency warranted for the
complexity of this amplifier design.

1
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction To The Project

2.0 Project Background

For years, manufacturers have been improving the efficiency of audio power
amplifiers. Power amplifiers are categorized by circuitry into class A, B, AB, C, D, E,
F, G and H. The class of an amplifier refers to the method in which the components
within operate and determine the level of distortion, efficiency, heat dissipation, etc.

The main circuit configuration most commonly used for audio amplifiers is class AB.
However, it is not exceptionally power efficient with a wide dynamic range of signals
as is the case with music.

The class H amplifier is a composite amplifier equipped to electronically switch

between multiple power supplies in response to signal amplitude while using the class
AB type as a power-output stage. It has higher efficiency across a wide amplitude
range than the class AB amplifier and is especially suitable for with a wide dynamic
range.

2.1 Statement Of The Problem

To design and implement a 1000 watts class H amplifier for public address
applications.

2.2 Justification Of The Project

Many audio amplifiers use the classical Class AB amplifier in the output stage. These
have a high efficiency when operating at full power. However since audio playback
rarely reaches the peak power output of an amplifier, this class of amplifiers suffers
from great heat dissipation which makes it very inefficient. A class H topology
reduces dissipation across the output devices connected to multiple bipolar supply
rails and allows the amplifier to operate with optimized class AB efficiency regardless
of output power level.

2
1.3 Objectives Of The Project

a. To study and demystify the operation principles of various classes of amplifier

topology
b. To design, simulate and implement a single channel of class H amplifier that is
suitable for public address applications

1.6 Scope And Limitations Of The Project

The project scope was limited mainly to studying the operation principles, design and
implementation of the Class H amplifier. Computer simulations were carried out in
Multisim Version 10.0.1 and MATLAB 7.0 to analyze the operation of the design.
Verification of results obtained would require the use of the same or similar software.

3
CHAPTER TWO
Theory And Background

2.0 Power Amplifiers

A power amplifier takes a line-level signal and reproduces it in a form that will drive
a loudspeaker. It converts a low-voltage, high-impedance waveform into a high-
voltage, low-impedance waveform. Its main purpose is to reproduce a low-power
signal at high power.

An ideal amplifier does nothing to the input signal other than make it stronger.
However, real world amplifiers are not perfect. There are undesired characteristics
that appear in the output signal such as noise and distortion. In the very best
amplifiers these undesired characteristics are quite small but never zero.

An audio amplifier is a normal electronic voltage amplifier optimized for the

amplification of low-power audio signals to a level suitable for driving loudspeakers
and is the final stage in a typical audio playback chain. While the input signal to an
audio amplifier may measure only a few hundred microwatts, its output may be tens,
hundreds, or thousands of watts.

In practical amplifiers, the actual maximum output voltage to the speakers is slightly
less than the value of voltage present on the rails. The voltage and the speaker
impedance determines how much power (wattage) will be delivered to the speaker

2.1 Power Amplifier Classes

Power amplifier output stage circuits are classified based upon the conduction angle
or angle of flow, θ, of the input signal through the amplifying device, i.e. the portion
of the input signal cycle during which the amplifying device conducts. The angle of
flow is closely related to the amplifier power efficiency and leads to the following
classes which are discussed briefly:

4
2.1.1 Class A

Class A amplifying devices operate over the whole of the input cycle such that the
output signal is an exact scaled-up replica of the input and are the usual means of
implementing small-signal amplifiers. However, they are not very efficient because
the device is always conducting, and power is drawn from the power supply even if
there is no input at all. For this amplifier class, a theoretical maximum efficiency of
50% is obtainable with inductive output coupling and only 25% with capacitive
coupling. Thus if high output powers are needed from a Class A circuit, the dissipated
power and the accompanying heat will become quite significant.

2.1.2 Class B

Class B amplifiers have a conduction angle of 180o and only amplify half of the input
wave cycle. As such they create a large amount of distortion, but their efficiency is
greatly improved and is much better than Class A since the amplifying element is
switched off altogether half of the time, and so cannot dissipate power.

Class B has a maximum theoretical efficiency of 78.5% (i.e., π/4), but can suffer from
the drawback of crossover distortion if the handoff from one active element to the
other is not perfect. An improvement is to bias the devices so they are not completely
off when they're not in use. This approach is called Class AB operation.

2.1.3 Class AB

In Class AB operation, each device operates the same way as in Class B over half the
waveform, but also conducts a small amount on the other half. As a result, the dead
zone is reduced resulting in a minimized crossover distortion when the waveforms
from the two devices are combined.

Class AB sacrifices some efficiency over class B in favor of linearity, and will always
have an efficiency that is below 78.5%. Class B or AB push–pull circuits are the most
common design type found in audio power amplifiers.

5
2.2 Multi-Rail Amplifiers

These have more than one rail voltage or pairs of rail voltages in the bipolar supply
case. The two main classes involved here are the Class-G and Class-H amplifiers.
Multiple rail amplifiers typically use only two voltage rails, which amounts to more
than 80 percent theoretical efficiency at maximum power. There are many particulars
to this type of design, but the main idea is to minimize the voltage across the output
transistors and approach 100 percent efficiency at the output stage.

2.2.1 Class G

Class G amplifiers are a more efficient version of class AB amplifiers, which use rail
switching to decrease power consumption and increase efficiency. This high-
efficiency technique uses cascaded Class AB output stages, each connected to a
different power supply voltage, with the magnitude of the input signal determining the
transistors to be used. Its operation involves changing the power supply voltage from
a lower level to a higher level when larger output swings are required.

Figure 2.1: Switching Rails of a class G amplifier

It can be:

Series type - with two output devices connected in series for push and pull,
with either switching on and off to make the higher rail accessible and the
other acting as the output device. This arrangement is not common, but is used

6
 to improve the safe operating area for the output transistors by limiting the
voltage across each transistor pair and spreading the wasted power across
more transistors.

Parallel type - with two parallel push-pull stages connected to the two rails.

2.2.2 Class H

Class H is similar to class G, except in this case, the rail voltage is modulated by the
input signal to create an infinite number of supply rails which are only a few volts
larger than the output signal at any given time. This allows the power supply to track
the audio input and provide just enough voltage for optimum operation of the output
devices thus the nickname “rail-tracker” or “tracking” power amplifier. Switched
mode power supplies can be used to create the tracking rails.

The class H design keeps the voltage across the transistors small and the output
transistors cool thus significant efficiency gains can be achieved but with the
drawback of a more complicated supply design and reduced thermal heat dissipation
performance.

Figure 2.2: Rail modulation of a class H amplifier

7
2.3 How The Class H Amplifier Circuit Works:
Class-H Principle

The class-H amplifier consists of a BTL (Bipolar Transistor Logic) class-B amplifier
and a circuit which lifts the internal supply voltage. Since an audio amplifier only
operates in the extended voltage area for short periods, the average dissipated power
is only slightly higher than that for an amplifier without the supply voltage lifting
circuit, although the peak output power is substantially increased. However, a circuit
for re-charging the capacitors is needed.

Figure 2.3: Illustration of the class H principle.

Figure 2.3 shows the configuration of the class-H amplifier. Transistors T1and T2 are
the output power transistors of the class-B BTL amplifier, and R1 is the load resistor.
Controlled current source T7 charges C1 to:

VC1max = E1 – VD1 – VCEsatT7

which is about equal to the supply voltages El. When voltage V1 rises and T1
approaches the saturation area, this is detected by the lift control circuit. Lift transistor
T5 then conducts and the charged capacitor is switched between the collector of T1
and supply voltage El.
V1 can increase to about twice the supply voltage. Precautions must be taken in the
lift/recharge control circuit to prevent T5 and T7 from conducting simultaneously.

8
Because the quiescent level of V1 is half the supply voltage, V1 can increase to twice
the supply voltage, but can only decrease by half the supply voltage. This results in a
voltage swing which is symmetrical with respect to ground at the amplifier output.

2.4 Problems Associated With The Class H Design:

The primary advantage to this type of arrangement is that higher voltages can be
delivered to the load with a higher efficiency than could be delivered using a
conventional class AB design. It does, however, have several disadvantages.

2.4.1 Power Supply

Transistor technology limits supply voltage. To get around this in class H amplifiers,
the output transistors are placed in series and multiple supplies are used. For a
transformer to operate efficiently, primary and secondary windings must be as
physically close as possible. This is a problem when there are four secondaries on a
core common to one primary. No supply will be used more than 1/2 of any audio
cycle.

2.4.2 Output Topology

When a transistor is turned on fully and is conducting at its maximum level, it is said
to be saturated. In a class H topology, before the second transistor can turn on, the
first transistor must reach maximum conduction and go into saturation. Saturation is
bad because transistors near, entering, or leaving saturation act non-linearly. In other
words, distortion occurs as the audio level goes above and below the saturation point
of the lower transistor. This leads to distortion in the output waveform.

9
 Figure 2.4: Distortion found in a Class H amplifier output signal

The amount of distortion is fixed. Raising and lowering audio level will affect the
signal to noise ratio any time the output exceeds 1/4 power. Because signal to noise is
actually measured by finding the noise floor with no signal then comparing it to rated
output, the additional noise is not accounted for in class “H” specifications!

2.5 Amplifier Limits

2.5.1 Clipping

Any real life amplifier is an imperfect realization of an ideal amplifier. One important
limitation of a real life amplifier is that the output it can generate is ultimately limited
by the power available from the power supply. An amplifier will saturate and clip the
output if the input signal becomes too large for the amplifier to reproduce or if
operational limits for a device are exceeded.

10
 100

75

50

25

-25

-50

-75

-100

Figure 2.5 : Plot of output signal with an input signal of 3 volts and a gain of 50

Figure 2.5 shows that the output signal is no longer a clean sine wave because the
peaks of the waveform have been chopped off or "clipped".

If the signal illustrated in the figure above is applied to a speaker, the sound would
take on a "harsh" or "raspy" sound. The sound quality will deteriorate further the more
the signal is clipped. In extreme cases, a sine wave will approach the shape of a
square wave when clipped.
Clipping introduces a large number of harmonic components to a signal and it also
increases the RMS level of the signal, something that can lead to blown speakers.

2.5.2 Why Clipping Is Bad For an Amplifier

Effects of clipping on the amplifier really depend a lot on how well the amplifier is
designed. On the overall, some minor or occasional clipping is no big deal, but
excessive clipping can stress things out. Operating an amplifier in extreme clipping
might be more likely to stress out or damage the power supply as compared to the
output semiconductors. When extreme clipping occurs, the output transistors may

11
actually have an easier time because when extreme clipping occurs they are operating
more like a switch, either being fully ON or fully OFF. This means that the output
transistors have to deal with less heat dissipation. By being fully ON, they are sending
the vast majority of the power supply's power to the speakers. Relatively less heat will
be dissipated in the transistor in cases of extreme clipping.
However, the power supply has to give out a lot more power than it was likely
designed to do, and if the electronic components used with it were marginally
designed or rated, they could fail.
Amplifiers used for public address systems should be designed to be very rugged in
this regard.

2.5.3 Why Clipping Is Bad For Speakers

The risk of damage to the speakers depends on the characteristic of the music, to what
degree clipping is occurring and how conservatively the speakers are rated. There are
two major reasons why speakers driven by an amplifier operating in clipping can be
bad:

• Signal compression occurs, and

• More energy is generated in the high frequency range due to increased
harmonic distortion.

This can lead to premature failure of the speakers.

12
3.0 CHAPTER THREE
Amplifier Efficiency and Justification of the class H design

3.1 Power Dissipation:

The dissipation of an amplifier in relation to the output power Po and the efficiency η
is given by:

The main dissipation in linear amplifiers is caused by the output current that has to
flow from the supply voltage to the output voltage. The voltage drop times the output
current gives the dissipated power.

Given a certain amplitude distribution, there is an optimum which strongly depends

on the load. Since most loudspeakers are more or less reactive, the current is out of
phase with the voltage. This could lead to large currents when the full supply voltage
is across the output transistors and thus influences the power dissipation.

3.2 Dissipation model for a Class H vs. Class AB amplifier:

3.2.1 The class AB amplifier:
For a single amplifier with a symmetrical power supply +/- VS, the dissipation
calculation is the same for positive or negative signals. Therefore, the absolute value
of the output voltage Vo, abs is taken and the loudspeaker current ILS is calculated as:

And

The dissipated energy for the sample is a result of the voltage drop across the output
transistors. Therefore:

Where: fs is the sampling frequency and

13
 VS is half the total supply voltage.

In a practical amplifier, the output voltage range does not fully extend to the supply
voltage VS, but only to the clipping point, Vclip. With PQ the quiescent power
dissipation, the average power dissipation during one audio fragment of length Tfrag
is:

Figure 3.1: Simulation of the operation and dissipation waveform of a class AB

amplifier

Figure 3.2: Simulation of the operation and dissipation waveform of a class AB

amplifier when amplifying an audio waveform

As seen in the figure above, the class AB amplifier wastes a lot of energy as heat
when amplifying audio waveforms.

14
3.2.2 The class H amplifier:

The class H amplifier benefits from the elimination of wasted heat in the case of
class-AB by splitting the power rails into 2 or more TIERS, and switching to the
appropriate Rail according to the Voltage Swing at output. This vastly improves
output stage heat dissipation by providing low voltage when the signal level is low so
that the output transistor has less VCE across it to do the job with less wastage.

Taking the absolute value of the output voltage Vo, abs

Loudspeaker current is calculated as

Where RLS is the loud speaker current.

Modeling the class H amplifier with two power supply rails, VS,high and VS,low, small
signals use VS,low . A signal is small if Vo is smaller than a certain threshold voltage
Vswitch, which will lie slightly below VS,low. The dissipated energy per sample due to
the voltage drop across the output transistors is given as:

When Vo is less than the threshold voltage Vswitch

And

When Vo is greater than the threshold voltage

Vswitch
The class H amplifier also dissipates due to the fact that it has to charge and lift the
electrolytic capacitor. With PQ the quiescent power dissipation and Elift the voltage
required to charge and lift the capacitor, the average power dissipation during one
audio fragment of length Tfrag is:

15
 Figure 3.3: Simulation of the operation and dissipation waveform of a class H
amplifier

Figure 3.4: Simulation of the operation and dissipation waveform of a class H

amplifier when amplifying an audio waveform

As seen from the diagram above, the class H amplifier leads to significant savings
since the output transistors always "see" the rail voltage, and have to dissipate the
difference between the rail voltage and the voltage across the speakers multiplied by
the current, which equals watts of heat. Class H is therefore efficient and not much
heat from the amplifier is generated. Its drawback is that there is finite time to switch
between one rail voltage and the others, so in the mid volume level, there can be
distortion when the rails are moving back and forth.

16
The figures below show plots comparing the theoretical dissipation of the
1000 Watts class H amplifier topology to that of a classical class AB
amplifier with a similar power output.

Figure 3.5: Comparison of the dissipation of a class AB and a class H amplifiers.

[ Harry Perros Computer Science Department NC State University ]

Figure 3.6: comparison of the output stage power loss for class AB and class H
amplifiers
[Katsuhiko Higashiyama - Matsarshita Electric Industrial corporation ]

17
 300

200

100

20 40 60 80 100

Figure 3.7: average power dissipation as a function of RMS output voltage.

Curve A: class AB amplifier

Curve B: class H amplifier
Curve C: Gaussian
Curve D: Exponential
[ Philips Semiconductors, Nijmegen, The Netherlands ]

18
 1500

(Class AB) ( Class H )

1000

500

0 0

Figure 3.8: average power consumption for class H vs. class AB amplifiers
[Yamaha Power Amplifier White Paper August 2008]

3.3 Comparison of the Efficiencies of Class AB Vs Class H Amplifier:

The electrical efficiency of an amplifier is defined as the ratio of the power developed
in the load to the power drawn from the DC supply. Using simple linear analysis the
efficiency of amplifier output stages can be determined.

3.3.1 Efficiency of the class AB amplifier

Class AB technology is the foundation of audio amplifier design. A simple Class-AB
output stage is shown in

19
3.9. When the pair of complementary output devices is operated in the linear region
there will be current flowing through them whilst there is a voltage across them. This
will give rise to power dissipation, and hence reduce efficiency. The devices also need
a quiescent bias to reduce crossover distortion as one device takes over from the
other.

Figure 3.9: A simple Class AB output stage

The efficiency of a single ended class AB amplifier driving a resistive load can be
derived by comparing the power taken from the supply and that developed in the load.
Ignoring power loss due to quiescent bias, and assuming a sine wave output, the
efficiency over any number of periods is equal to the efficiency over a quarter of a
period. The efficiency is defined as:
η = Power output,Po / Power input ,Pi.
Where

Where RL is load resistance.

Over a quarter of a period:
And

Which yields
η = ¼p

20
 = 78.5%.
A practical amplifier can not drive its load to the power supply lines. The voltage
difference between the power supply and the maximum output voltage lowers the
efficiency. Apart from that, a normal audio amplifier signal is not a sine wave, but
music or speech. The average output power of audio signals is at most half the
maximum sine wave power. Since an audio signal waveform is complicated and not
standardized a calculation of the efficiency in the same way as above is not possible.

3.3.2 Efficiency of the class H amplifier

A class H topology reduces dissipation across the output devices connected to

multiple bipolar supply rails and allows the amplifier to operate with optimized class
AB efficiency regardless of output power level. Below is a brief analysis showing the
theoretical efficiency of a class H amplifier topology.

Demonstration of the theoretical efficiency of a Class H amplifier

Case 1: With supply switch at Vs sin α

21
 Figure 3.10:Class H with supply switch at Vs sin α

Assuming a maximum output and an ideal BJT,

Instantaneous load power is:
;
;

Mean load power is

Instantaneous supply power before switch is

;
;

Instantaneous supply power after switch is

;
;

Mean supply power is

22
To find the maximum of the function;

Determine the first derivative and equate to zero

This equation is satisfied for;

Where only is a point of maxima

23
Case 2: With supply switch at Vs.

Figure 3.11 : Class H with supply switch at Vs sin √2 / 2

Assuming a maximum output and an ideal BJT,

Instantaneous load power

; the load voltage
; the load current

Mean load power is

24
Instantaneous supply power before switch is

Instantaneous supply power after switch is

;
;

Mean supply power is

Now since

And
.

Then

Or

This shows that 85.9 % of power consumption from the supply is converted to power
in the load in the case of a purely resistive load. This implies that the power dissipated
by the output stage semiconductors is less than in the case of the class AB amplifier.

25
 Figure 3.12 : comparison of the efficiency of class AB and class H amplifiers
[Katsuhiko Higashiyama - Matsarshita Electric Industrial corporation ]

Class H eliminates the draw of excess power that would be converted into heat in a
typical amplifier design, instead running at a cool temperature during all stages of
operation. Even when sitting idle, the power draw is minimal compared to
conventional class AB amplifiers. However, as the signal level increases, the system
functions in the same way as a Class AB system, and its advantage in efficiency is
lost.

Class-H reduces the current consumption from as much as 30% in comparison to

same wattage amp in Class-AB, while, making the heat sinking requirements far
much less than those of a class-AB amplifier. The class H amplifier is thus more
efficient across a wider dynamic amplitude range than the class AB amplifier.
However, at full power, class H amplifier is slightly less efficient than class AB, but
since majority of the time the amplifier is not at full power, the efficiency advantages
of the class H amplifier still carry the day through the reduce amount of dissipated
heat.

26
4.0 CHAPTER FOUR
Project implementation

Based on the preceding analysis and theory, the implementation of the 1000 watts
class H amplifier was done, keeping in mind to provide some flexibility, but also
being very careful to make sure that transistor safe operating area (SOA) is not
exceeded. There is also a maximum voltage for any semiconductor, and devices must
be selected to ensure they are used within their ratings.

This project describes an amplifier, power supply and tests procedures that are all
inherently dangerous since the DC currents and voltages involved are quite high.

4.1 Power requirements analysis

To get 1000 W into 4 ohms, the current needed is:

I2R = 1000

But R = 4 Ohms

Thus I2R = 1000Watts / 4 Ohms

I = √ (250)

=15.811 Amperes

This gives the full power current.

But

VI = I2R

V = IR

=15.811 Amperes X 4 Ohms

27
 =63.2456 Volts (RMS)

This occurs across the load, but needs to have a bit more, because the supply voltage
might collapse under the load, and there will always be some voltage lost across the
transistors, emitter resistors, etc. The supply voltage needs to be:

VDC = VRMS * 1.414

VDC = 63.2456 * 1.414

= ±89.4292Volts DC

Since losses have not been allowed for yet, there is need to allow around 3-5V for the
amplifier, and an additional 10V or so to allow for the supply voltage falling when the
amp is loaded. The higher the current, the greater the resistive (I²R) losses, so 5V was
used in this design

Thus the peak supply voltage required was:

Vsupply = 90 +10 +5

=105 Volts

The high rails were chosen to operate at ±110 Volts in order to allow for a small
output voltage swing’s headroom incase the amplifier is driven into clipping, whereas
the low voltage rails were chosen to be half that amount i.e. ± 55 Volts.

The power supply Transformer was calculated to be rated at:

0.707x = 110 Volts

Thus x = 110Volts / 0.707

=155.586

Therefore with a transformer rated at 2 x 80Volts, this gives an unloaded supply of:

160*0.707 = 113.12 Volts

28
 = ±115V DC (230 Volts DC total)

So the supply has to be treated with extreme care - it is very dangerous indeed.

With a peak voltage of 90 Volts (i.e. the requirement to drive the speaker minus the
losses), the peak current will be:

From

V = IR

90 Volts = 4I

Therefore I = 90 Volts / 4 Ohms

To give a current of 22.5 Amperes into a 4 Ohm load

The RMS current is given as:

IRMS = √ (1000 / 4)

= √ 250

=15.811 Amperes at full power.

The final supply voltage will be around ±100V, because even with the biggest
transformer and filter capacitors, voltage losses occur.

The current demand is also prodigious. With a peak voltage of 90V, the peak supply
current is 22.5 A into a 4 ohm load. RMS speaker current is just under 15.811 at full
power.

PCB tracks cannot be used for these current levels, because the extra resistance will
cause current balancing problems with the power transistors. All wiring needs to be
extremely robust, and must absolutely not allow any possibility of contact or short
circuits which might kill the class H amplifier. The supply is also quite capable of
vaporizing thin wires and PCB tracks.

29
While lateral MOSFETs offer some real advantages, they are relatively expensive,
and difficult to obtain with voltage ratings above 200V. Vertical MOSFETs (e.g.
HEXFETs and the like) are a possibility, but suffer gross non-linearity at very low
currents. Therefore, a relatively high quiescent current is needed, and this makes heat
removal that much more difficult.

Because of the issues discussed above, A bipolar junction Transistor approach was
thus settled upon as most appropriate for the output stage. This was primarily dictated
by the supply voltage, which exceeds that allowed for any affordable lateral
MOSFET. It was even a challenge to get affordable BJTs, but the 2SA1302 and
2SC3281 complementary pair was within ratings, so these were chosen.

4.2 Design of the driver and output stages

While most books would normally specify a compound (Sziklai) pair for the output
stage, in this case it is a triple stage, and the Sziklai can be prone to oscillation,
primarily on the negative side. This is highly undesirable for an amplifier with the
power described here.

Therefore, to obtain a clean output of a class AB with the high thermal efficiency of
the class B, a Deep Darlington configuration was chosen. It was found that by using a
three-deep Darlington, the individual devices could be biased separately. The first
device in the chain is the pre-driver, and second is the driver. Together these two
devices were biased to operate as class AB. In other words, they are biased a little bit
on, even without signal. Since they are small devices (compared to the third part of
the Darlington) they do not generate a lot of heat, but provide a smooth output to the
load even through the zero-crossing region.

30
 Figure 4.1 : Deep Darlington configuration

The last part of the Darlington is the output transistor devices (the 2SA1302 and
2SC3281 complementary pair). These were biased so that they are completely off
when no signal is applied, but requires only a small signal to begin conduction.

The output is designed to switch between two bipolar voltage rails of ±55 Volts and
±110 Volts, according to the amplifier’s output requirements. This reduces the
amount of heat dissipation that would have occurred if a traditional class AB output
stage had been used. As may be noticed, the output stage has many paralleled output
transistors. The reason of doing so is to reduce the thermal stress and dissipation
incurred by each, thus reducing the threshold for thermal runaway of the output
semiconductors.
Another reason for paralleling the output transistors is to increase the current to the
load for higher power. The output transistor devices i.e. the 2SA1302 and 2SC3281
complementary pair are rated to carry a maximum voltage of 200Volta and were thus
suited for the application.

The illustration below shows the implementation of the deep Darlington configuration
used in this design. A detailed schematic of the output topology can be found in the
servicing diagrams contained in the appendix.

31
 Output Switching
Driver Stage Transistors Circuit

+ High Rail

+ Low Rail

Input from
preamplifier Class H
amplifierOutput

Ground

- Low Rail

-High Rail

Figure 4.2: output stage of the Class H amplifier (unlabelled parts connect to the preamplifier stage of the amplifier directly

32
4.3 Power dissipation of the output devices

Next, looking closely at the power dissipation of the devices, worst case resistive load
dissipation occurs when ½ the supply voltage is across both load and transistors. Had
this been a Class AB, worst case occurs at a voltage of 55V across the load, and gives
a peak (instantaneous) power in both load and output stage of :

P = V² / R
= 55² / 4
= 756.25W

However, For the Class H amplifier, Worst case dissipation gives:

P = V² / R
= 27.5² / 4
= 189.0625W

When operating on the low rails. However, dissipation is higher when the amplifier
switches to the high rails, but somewhat better than in the case of a class AB. Worst
case dissipation when the high rails are loaded occurs at 82.5 Volts.This gives a
dissipation of:

[(1 – efficiency,η) *maximum available output from the low rails ] + Worst case
dissipation at the high rails

Since the high rail has a potential that is twice hat of the low rail, the additional power
dissipated when switching occurs will be similar to the worst case dissipation when
only the low rail is loaded.
Thus, worst case dissipation for the Class H amplifier will be

[(1-η)*Po, low rail] + Pdiss low rail

This gives
Pdiss, Class H = [(1 – 0.85)*(552/4)] + (27.5² / 4)
= (0.15 * 756.25) + 189.0625

33
 = 113.4375 + 189.0625
= 302.5 Watts

The output stage has eight output transistors and the heat dissipation is evenly spread
across them. Thus each transistor dissipates 37.8125 Watts as heat. The peak
dissipation into a reactive load with a 45° phase angle is almost double that calculated
above, about 604.5 W.

The 2SA1302 and 2SC3281 transistors are TO-246 packages, and are specified for
150W dissipation at 25°C. It is worth noting that the driver in this arrangement
contributes some of the output, but it only reduces the main transistor's peak
dissipation by about 5W. The 2SA1006 and 2SC2336 pre-drivers reduce the loading
on the voltage amplification stage (VAS) and ensure good linearity with acceptably
low dissipation of the VAS transistor and its current source.

Nevertheless, this heat dissipation is a problem since it might cause thermal runaway
in the output transistors. Thus measures had to be taken to ensure hat the output
transistors remained within their safe operating area. Since it is not likely to maintain
the output transistors at 25°C and there is need to allow for elevated temperature.
Cooling is vitally important in this amplifier and substantial heat sinks were required
whose temperature increase with dissipated heat is 0.06 °C/ Watt. However, since
these were impossible to find, an alternative heat sink design with cooling fins was
used along with forced cooling using fans.

4.4 Balanced input stage

Balanced audio is a method of interconnecting audio equipment using impedance-

balanced lines. This type of connection is very important in sound production because
it allows for the use of long cables while reducing susceptibility to external noise. The
TRS jack was chosen in this case since it is easily available and is found in most
mixer inputs and outputs because of its smaller profile.

The main reason for using a balanced input stage is that many microphones operate at
low voltage levels and some with high output impedance, which makes long
microphone cables especially susceptible to electromagnetic interference. The input

34
stage of this amplifier was therefore a perfect application for a balanced
interconnection, which cancels out most of this induced outside noise. With the idea
in mind that this power amplifier of a public address system might be located at any
distance from the mixing console, it was imperative to use balanced lines for the
signal paths from the mixer to this amplifier.

This was done by connecting each wire to identical impedances at source and load.
This means that much of the electromagnetic interference will induce an equal noise
voltage in each wire. Since the preamplifier at the next stage is implemented using a
differential amplifier which measures the difference in voltage between the two signal
lines, noise that is identical on both wires is rejected.

The wires into the amplifier were also twisted together in order to reduce interference
from electromagnetic induction. A twisted pair makes the loop area between the
conductors as small as possible, and ensures that a magnetic field that passes equally
through adjacent loops will induce equal levels of noise on both lines, which is
canceled out by the differential amplifier.

Gain Set Jumper

6
Capacitor removes
7 DC element from
R20 the output signal
1kΩ R24
-VE V in 1kΩ
R21 R22
38
5kΩ 10Ω
4
R16 R19 U1A
28 33 2 C6
20kΩ 15kΩ 1 1 5
39 3 100nF Output to
GND Preamplifier
8 IC=200V
NE5532IP

GND R18 R15 R17

32 37 R23
20kΩ 15kΩ 5kΩ 10kΩ GND

GND

+VE V in

Figure 4.3 : Balanced input stage

35
4.5 Preamplifier

The implementation of the preamplifier stage required the use of a differential

amplifier. The circuit is completely conventional, using a long tailed pair input stage,
directly coupled to the Voltage Amplification Stage. A current mirror was used for the
long tailed pair, as this increases open loop gain but has the disadvantage that it may
give rise to stability issues. In a very high power amp, stability is paramount and the
amplifier must never oscillate under any normal load condition because the heat
created can cause almost instant transistor failure. Owing to this important
consideration, carefully matched transistor pairs were chosen i.e. the MPQ6700
matched transistor pair.

The figure below shows the schematics of the preamplifier circuit. To establish the
gain, each differential amplifier was treated separately as a long tail pair and basic
principles of differential amplifiers used to determine the gain. A detailed derivation
of this can be found in the Appendix, along with a short code for simulating its
operation in SPICE.

The output of this stage is coupled through a capacitor that eliminates the DC
component of the input signal while allowing the AC component to pass before going
to the output stage of the class H amplifier. A detailed schematic diagram of the
preamplifier can be found in the servicing diagrams contained in the appendix.

36
4.6 Amplifier Protection circuits
4.6.1 Thermal protection

Environmental hazards facing this amplifier design boil down to heat and moisture,
each of which poses its own challenges. Cooling is vitally important in prolonging the
life of any amplifier. This amplifier will need a very substantial heat sink, and fan
cooling is essential. In the case of heat, operation in high ambient temperatures will
expose limitations in this system's heat dissipation strategy.

Cooling primarily relies on a massive heat sink on which the output transistors are
mounted, but high ambient temperatures - caused by weather, limited space or
restricted airflow - can reduce the cooling potential of the heat sink. This brings out
the need to use forced cooling. This is supposed to keep the power transformer from
overheating and burning up as well as keep the output transistors and other solid state
devices from overheating and being destroyed. In general, the cooler the amp runs, the
longer it will last.

This amplifier was designed to ensure a dedicated air path across the electronics
which exceeds peak cooling needs. Only one fan is to be used under most operating
conditions, but if temperatures within the unit rise above 45° Celsius, the second fan
kicks in increasing airflow through the system in order to minimize thermal runaway
of the output semiconductors and the contaminate deposition on sensitive amplifier
and control componentry.

The primary fan which is a lower speed fan that kicks in immediately the amplifier is
powered. However, the second fan involves quite a bit of complicated circuitry that
also serves to indicate the ambient temperature of the amplifier unit. It should kick in
when the threshold voltage of 45 degrees Celsius is reached, and it runs at high speed.

Circuit operation:
The temperature sensor element LM35DZ detects the ambient temperature of the
amplifier and produces an analogue (voltage) signal which is passed through the
LM3914 bargraph display driver which then drives the LEDs depending on how
calibration is set.

37
For the amplifier, the temperature range is set for the optimum operation range of the
transistors an other circuit elements i.e. between 25 degrees centigrade (optimum
operation temperature) and 45 degrees centigrade(maximum operation temperature).
The outputs corresponding to these temperatures are tapped from the LM3914 bar
graph display driver and used as inputs to the AND gate.

When the Upper temperature threshold (limit) is reached i.e. 45 degrees centigrade,
the AND gate input tapped from the 45 degrees centigrade input will be HIGH
whereas the AND gate input tapped from the 25 degrees centigrade input will also be
HIGH. This means that the Transistor and Relay will be turned ON. Thus the cooling
fan system will be switched ON and the ambient amplifier temperature will be
maintained within a safe operating region.

On the other hand, when the lower temperature threshold (limit) is reached i.e. 25
degrees centigrade, the AND gate input tapped from the 25 degrees centigrade input
will be HIGH whereas the AND gate input tapped from the 60 degrees centigrade
input will be LOW. This means that the Transistor will remain OFF, cutting power to
the second cooling fan system since the ambient temperature is at optimum.

This circuit also provides a visual display of the ambient amplifier temperature
through the use of LEDs in decade steps. This has the advantage that one the
temperature can be monitored by the user of the amplifier unit.

38
V1
R5 RL1
12V
100R
12V
L1
1 U2 D10 12V

D9 FAN
150.0 LED-RED
U1

3
D8
LED-RED
2 5 10

V+
VOUT RV1 SIG 10
11
9 D7
R1 7
VRO 8
12
D6 LED-RED
U3:A
6 13
3
0R22 RHI 7 D5
LM35 4
RLO 6
14
D4 1 Q1
R4 8
ADJ 5
15 LED-RED 3 MPS6531
16 LED-RED 2
0R22
9
4
17
D3
MODE 3 LED-RED
1k 18 LED-RED 74S03
2
1
D2

V-
1
LED-RED V2
2 LM3914
D1 1V
LED-RED

R2
0R22 LED-RED
R3 RV2
0R22 C1
1u

C2
10u

1k

RV3
1k

Figure 4.4 : The cooling circuit.

39
Many professional power amps and loudspeaker systems provide some of protection,
either to protect the speakers from an amp fault, and/or vice versa. Some of these are
implemented at a very basic level - for example the use of a poly-switch which is a
non-linear resistor, having a low resistance at normal temperatures and a much higher
resistance at some designated temperature. Unlike ordinary thermistors whose
characteristics are more or less linear, the poly switch has a rapid transition once the
limit has been reached.

However, the introduction of a non-linear element is going to add some degree of

distortion, and because of a finite resistance, will degrade damping. The basic
requirement of a speaker protector requires that any potentially dangerous DC flow to
the speakers should be interrupted as quickly as possible. There are a few issues that
need to be solved to ensure that this will happen fast enough to stop the loudspeaker
drivers from being damaged, and this becomes more critical if a biamped (and even
more so with triamped) system is being used.

Naturally, one can simply rely on fuses. Although these also have finite resistance, it
is small and use of fast blow fuses can be quite effective. The rating becomes quite
critical, and fast blow types are essential. The problem with this approach is that if the
fuse is of a suitable value to provide good protection, it will be subjected to
considerable thermal stress since it is operating at close to its limits. Metal fatigue will
create the problem of nuisance blowing, where the fuse blows simply because it is
'tired' of the constant flexing caused by temperature variations.

4.7 System testing

A version of the amplifier was sumulated in National Instrument’s Multisim version
10.0.1 (a more modern version of Electronic Workbench) where a test signal was
applied into the input stage and the corresponding output recorded.
The test signals included:
a. A simple sine wave from a function generator with a frequency of 1 KHz and
an amplitude of 100mV.
b. A Voice input captured as a Wave file format through the computers Sound
Card.

40
The output from the amplifier’s output stage was captured on a virtual oscilloscope
found in Multisim version 10.0.1 and the output traces were plotted as a function of
time.

4.8 Results and analysis

When the balanced input stage was fed with a 100 mV sine wave input, the
configuration produced an output whose amplitude was 750 mV. Thus its gain was
found to be 7.5. A plot of the output waveform shows that the input stage faithfully
reproduces the input signal, only at a larger magnitude, thus its linearity ensures that a
stronger version of the original signal is sent to the preamplifier

The preamplifier stage was fed with the 750 mV sine wave input from the input stage
configuration and it amplified the difference, producing an output whose amplitude
was 1.475 V. Thus its gain was found to be 1.98. A plot of the output waveforms is
shown bellow.

Figure4.5: plot of the sine wave input signal and the corresponding output of the
preamplifier stage.

41
The result obtained when the signal reached the output stage was similar, only that
this time it had a gain of 73.77. this means that the output voltage was a mere 7.37
Volts which implied that the output was drawn from the amplifier’s Low Rails.
An input of 100 mV is quite small and was mainly used to test the operation of the
basic class AB amplifier output stage before switching occurred.

The output response of the class H output stage was also measured with a small
output signal applied to the input stage. The results obtained are shown in the plots
below:

Figure4.6: plot of the sine wave input signal and the corresponding output of the
Class H amplifier stage.

The output from the amplifier’s output stage was fed to the oscilloscope’s channel B,
whose vertical scale was at 20 Volts/ division whereas the output from the balanced
input stage was fed to the oscilloscope’s channel A whose vertical scale was at 5
Volts/ division. From the above plot, output from the amplifier is seen to be 44Volts.
Calculating overall system gain:

42
Gain = output / input
= 44V / 100mV
=440 for an input signal of 100 mVolts.

In this case, The instantaneous amplifier output current at this stage was calculated to
be 11 amperes and the RMS current was found to be 7.777 amperes. Thus the
instantaneous output power was calculated as 240.93 Watts.
Calculating the efficiency at this stage:
Since the output was drawn from the low voltage supply rail, the power input will be
given by (55 * 0.707)2 / 4 = 378 Watts
Thus efficiency = 240.93 / 378
=0.6359
=63.59%
At this point, the class H output stage is operating as an optimized class AB output
stage.

However, when subjected to an input signal with a wider dynamic range (Voice input
in the form of a wave sound captured through the computer sound card), the result
looked as shown below:

43
 Figure 4.7: Output of the Input stage when fed with a voice input

Figure 4.8 : Output of the Class H stage when fed with a voice input

44
From figure 4.8, an arbitrary point was chosen at random and the magnitude of the
input signal was calculated by working in reverse:
Gain = output / input
7.5 = 2.7 / input

Thus input = 2.7 / 7.5

=360 mV
Which is well within the excitation range obtainable when someone speaks into a
microphone.

Thus the overall system gain will be:

Gain = output / input
=65.544 V / 360mV
=182.066
The instantaneous amplifier output current at this stage was calculated to be 16.386
amperes and the RMS current was found to be 11.584 amperes. The instantaneous
output power was calculated as 536.84 Watts.

The output at this stage was being drawn from the High Voltage rails. This is
proof that the switching circuit of this amplifier design actually works.

4.9 Discussion and comparison with theory

From the simulations carried out on the system design, the class H amplifier was seen
to modulate the voltage supply rails in accordance to the input signal. The analysis
carried out on the simulation results showed that the class H amplifier switched
between the voltage supply rails according to the power output requirements of its
output stage. The efficiencies calculated using these results, however, were slightly
lower than the theoretical efficiencies quoted previously but on overall, much better
than those of class AB amplifiers with similar power ratings.

45
CHAPTER FIVE
Conclusions and recommendations

From the analysis and design carried out in this report, a single channel of a class H
amplifier was built. Test procedures that push the amplifier to its limits were not
carried out because of the dangerous current and voltage levels involved. However,
voltage amplification of input signals was successful albeit with a bit of distortion.

The modest gains in efficiency warrant the additional complexity when viewed in
perspective of long term energy savings. The benefits were seen as worthwhile and
the apparent limitations i.e. marginal dissipation improvement and distortion of little
concern. The objectives of the project were thus achieved successfully.

46
List of Symbols/Abbreviations Used
AC- Alternating Current
VO - Output voltage
Vs - Supply rail voltage
RL - Load resistance
Ibias - Class AB quiescent bias current
Ø - Load phase angle
Zlood Load impedance
η - Efficiency
Po - Output power
Pomax - Maximum sinewave output power
Pi - Input power
Pinst - Instantaneous power
Pavg - Average power
Pd, Pdiss - Dissipated power
Vi - Input Voltage
Vo - Output voltage
VS - Positive or negative supply voltage (equal)
VDD - Positive supply voltage
VSS - Negative supply voltage
Vthr - Threshold voltage
PDF - Probability Density Function
f - Frequency
fsw,fswitch - Switching frequency
fsin - Frequency of a sinewave
Z - Impedance
a - Amplitude as fraction of the power supply
Ro - Output resistance
Ron - On-resistance of a MOS transistor
Lo - Output inductance
A - Gain
t - Time
Tsw - Switching time
Io - Output current
Ithr - Threshold current
E - Energy

47
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1: Switching Rails of a class G amplifier
Figure 2.2: Rail modulation of a class H amplifier
Figure 3.5: Comparison of the dissipation of a class AB and a class H amplifiers.
[ Harry Perros Computer Science Department NC State University ]

Figure 3.6: comparison of the output stage power loss for class AB and class H
amplifiers
[Katsuhiko Higashiyama - Matsarshita Electric Industrial corporation ]

Figure 3.7: average power dissipation as a function of RMS output voltage.

Curve A: class AB amplifier
Curve B: class H amplifier
Curve C: Gaussian
Curve D: Exponential
[ Philips Semiconductors, Nijmegen, The Netherlands ]

Figure 3.8: average power consumption for class H vs. class AB amplifiers
Figure 3.9: A simple Class AB output stage
Figure 3.10:Class H with supply switch at Vs sin α
Figure 3.11 : Class H with supply switch at Vs sin √2 / 2
Figure 3.12 : comparison of the efficiency of class AB and class H amplifiers
Figure 4.1 : Deep Darlington configuration
Figure 4.2: output stage of the Class H amplifier
Figure 4.3 : Balanced input stage
Figure 4.4 : The cooling circuit.
Figure4.5: plot of the sine wave input signal and the corresponding output of the
preamplifier stage.
Figure4.6: plot of the sine wave input signal and the corresponding output of the Class
H amplifier stage.
Figure 4.7: Output of the Input stage when fed with a voice input
Figure 4.8 : Output of the Class H stage when fed with a voice input

48
APPENDIX

SPICE File For A Differential Amplifier

SPICE FILE
BJT_DIFFAMP1.CIR - BJT DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER
*
* SIGNAL SOURCE
VS 1 2 AC 1 SIN(0 100MVPEAK 1KHZ)
VCM 2 0 SIN(0 0MVPEAK 5KHZ)
*
* POWER SUPPLIES
VCC 11 0 DC +15V
VDD 12 0 DC -15V
*
Q1 3 1 5 Q2N5551
Q2 4 2 5 Q2N5551
RC1 11 3 1000
RC2 11 4 1000
RE 5 12 8.25K
*
*
.model Q2N2222 NPN(Is=3.108f Xti=3 Eg=1.11 Vaf=131.5 Bf=217.5
Ne=1.541
+ Ise=190.7f Ikf=1.296 Xtb=1.5 Br=6.18 Nc=2 Isc=0
Ikr=0 Rc=1
+ Cjc=14.57p Vjc=.75 Mjc=.3333 Fc=.5 Cje=26.08p
Vje=.75
+ Mje=.3333 Tr=51.35n Tf=451p Itf=.1 Vtf=10 Xtf=2
Rb=10)
*
*
* CHECK DISTORTION WITH FOURIER SERIES ANALYSIS
.FOUR 10KHZ V(3,4)
*
* ANALYSIS
.TRAN 5US 200US
.AC DEC 5 1K 100MEG
*
* VIEW RESULTS
.PRINT TRAN V(3)
.PRINT AC V(3)
.PROBE
.END

Servicing diagrams:

49
This section contains the schematics of the amplifier.

50
 1000 Watts Class H Amplifier Circuit

V2
20 V
GND
GND V1
36 V
7
GND
D2 D3
GND

1N5353B 1 1N5353B
C3

U5
100nF 116
R95 D21 V5
57
C4 C12 C32 20_AMP 110 V
113 4.7Ω 22uF 1uF
Q34 C11 SD41 GND
Q23 Q22 Q33
470nF Q24 150pF
R3 R94 89 R44 0 GND
511Ω 51Ω 56
C5 Q7
C22 75 2SC3733
8 2SC3733 2SC3733 2SC3733 1kΩ
111 47nF 2SC3733
470uF R76 R74 R73 76 52 53 54 55
Q17 10Ω 24kΩ 10Ω 0
2N5551 D15 D20 R46
C6 R1 112 R62 R36 R37 R39 R40 R41 R42 R43 390Ω
200mΩ 200mΩ 200mΩ 10Ω 20kΩ 100Ω 390Ω SD41 2.2kΩ
FMMD914
500Ω D9 93 D24 61 U2
100nF Q3 Q8 2SA1015 51 59 117
V6
SD41 Q4 D19 MR2402 15_AMP 55 V
R9 60
R87 1N4004 GND
2N5551 2N5551
2 3 47Ω 51Ω 103 GND
R90 Q13
22Ω C27 2SC2240
R75 C16 C17
Q2 Q5 88 220uF 2.2uF
R13 C29 C28 Q14 Q19 Q20 Q21 D14 D17
11 R93 108 330pF
D6 C30 10Ω FMMD914 1N5928B C13
13 220Ω 2SC3733
100Ω 100nF 100uF R77 92 47uF
MPS6601 10
MPS6601 330pF GND C15
HFA04TB60 90 2SC3733 45 2SC3733 46 2SC3733 79 2SC3733 R45
4 5 104 13kΩ
110 GND
XSC2 R92 C23 51Ω R38 2.2nF
R4 R5 R12 R11 GND 94 47 R63 R31 R32 R65 3.9kΩ
68.1Ω 68.1Ω 100Ω 27kΩ C31 2.2Ω 2.2Ω 2.2Ω 2.2Ω XSC1
V9 Ext Tri g
R91 77 49 48 78
+ 10Ω 1.2nF 4.7nF
-12 V 6 Ext Tri g
R28 GND
_
R10 C7 50% +
2.2kΩ 37 A B
12 R82 D10 D12 _
GND +
_
+
_
0 250Ω 150Ω
R25 R29 R6 R7 2.7kΩ SD41 1N4148 A B
39 8.25kΩ 8.25kΩ 30pF Key=A R72 R33 R34 R35 R64 + _ + _

22Ω 330mΩ 330mΩ 330mΩ 330mΩ 58

5kΩ 10Ω GND GND
4 D5 R14 91
R26 R24 U1A GND
34 3641 26 96 50
2 GND 11kΩ
20kΩ 15kΩ 1
16 1N4148 GND 95
D1 18
40 R15
3 R48 R49 R50 R66
GND 8
R71 R70 330mΩ 330mΩ 330mΩ 330mΩ
NE5532IP 576Ω Q15 R78 D13 22Ω 22Ω
1N4148 15 R81 100Ω C14
XMM3 115 1N4148
150Ω 47uF
GND R27 R2 R8 R30 Q18 D16 D18 0
35 38 C24 R47
R18 R17 R16 R20 109 2SA1627 R67 FMMD914 1N5928B
20kΩ 15kΩ 5kΩ 10kΩ GND 68.1Ω 68.1Ω 1kΩ 1kΩ R68 83 R55 63 R56 64
2.2Ω
80 73 3.9kΩ
GND 82 2.2Ω 2.2Ω 2.2Ω C20 C21
GND 4.7nF 220uF 2.2uF
XLV1 2SA1627 GND R79 97
V10 20 19 D7
GND 81
Output
12 V 25 84 Q26 62 Q27 65 Q28 Q29 74
GND Q10 Q9 GND 13kΩ Q25
HFA04TB60 C26 D23
GND R19 23 R88 330pF 98 R80 99 1N4004
510Ω
100Ω 27 R21 102 Q6 10Ω 2SA1460 2SA1460 2SA1460 2SA1460
MPS6651 MPS6651 105 R86 2SA1460
22 21 47Ω 71 D25 U4
51Ω 118
Q12 Q11 R22 V7
2SA1015
Q16 D11 D27 R59 MR2402 15_AMP -55 V
500Ω 66 R53 R54 R57 R58 1kΩ R60
107 R51 10Ω 20kΩ 100Ω 390Ω SD41 390Ω GND
R69 200mΩ R52 D22
2N5401 2N5401 SD41 101 200mΩ 200mΩ
R84 FMMD914 GND
2SC2240 10Ω
C1
Q1 67
106 86 68
28 R85 R83 100
100nF 10Ω 24kΩ 72
C8 C25 Q30 Q31 Q32 70
R23 2N5401 R89 47nF R61
511Ω 51Ω Q35 87 Q36 85
470uF 114 0 C2 1kΩ 0
C9 2SA1460 2SA1460 2SA1460 150pF C18
R96 2SA1460 2SA1460 D26
69 22uF C19
470nF
4.7Ω 1uF
1N1206C U3
119
D8 D4 V8
24 20_AMP -110 V
GND
1N5353B 1N5353B
GND
C10 V3
-36 V
100nF 30 GND
GND
V4 GND
-20 V
GND
GND

51
 1000 Watts Class H Amplifier Circuit – Output Stage

U1
17
R65 D14 V1
73 13
C12 C1 20_AMP 110 V
4.7Ω Q20 C11 SD41 22uF 1uF
Q13 Q14 Q19 GND
Q1 150pF
R64 52 R43 0 GND
51Ω 12
C3 35 2SC3733
2SC3733 2SC3733 2SC3733 1kΩ
71 47nF 2SC3733
R15 R13 R12 36 8 9 10 11
Q17 10Ω 24kΩ 10Ω 0
D11 D13 R45
72 R1 R34 R35 R38 R39 R40 R41 R42 390Ω
200mΩ 200mΩ 200mΩ 10Ω 20kΩ 100Ω 390Ω SD41 2.2kΩ
FMMD914
D1 55 D19 18 U2
2SA1015 7 15 19
V2
SD41 Q7 D18 MR2402 15_AMP 55 V
16
65 R26 1N4004 GND
51Ω 63 GND
R36 Q6
22Ω C9 2SC2240
R14 C16 C17
51 220uF 2.2uF
C18 C10 Q9 Q10 Q12 Q2 D12 D15
R63 69 330pF
C22 10Ω FMMD914 1N5928B C13
220Ω 2SC3733
100nF 100uF R16 37 47uF
330pF GND C15
54 2SC3733 1 2SC3733 2 2SC3733 42 2SC3733 R44
GND 13kΩ
70 GND
R62 C4 51Ω R37 2.2nF
GND 53 R2 R29 R30 R4 3.9kΩ
C23 2.2Ω 2.2Ω 2.2Ω 2.2Ω
R54 38 5 4 41
10Ω 1.2nF 4.7nF
50% R21 D3 D2 3
0 250Ω 150Ω SD41 1N4148
Key=A R11 R31 R32 R33 R3
22Ω 330mΩ 330mΩ 330mΩ 330mΩ 14
6
40
57
39
R47 R48 R49 R5
R10 R9 330mΩ 330mΩ 330mΩ 330mΩ
Q15 R17 D4 22Ω 22Ω
R20 100Ω C14
75 150Ω 1N4148 47uF 0
45
Q18 D16 D17
C5 R46
2SA1627 46 21 22 R6 43 FMMD914 1N5928B 3.9kΩ
R7 R55 R56 2.2Ω 31
77 2.2Ω 2.2Ω 2.2Ω C20 C21
4.7nF 220uF 2.2uF
66 2SA1627 GND R18 56
47 Q3 20 Q21 23 Q22 44 Q4
13kΩ 33
GND C8 Q8 D23
R27 330pF 64 R19 60 1N4004
510Ω
Q11 10Ω 2SA1460 2SA1460 2SA1460 2SA1460
24 2SA1460
R25
29 D25 U4
51Ω 34
2SA1015 V3
Q16 D5 D24 R59 MR2402 15_AMP -55 V
59 R52 R53 R57 R58 1kΩ R60
68 R50 10Ω 20kΩ 100Ω 390Ω SD41 390Ω GND
R8 200mΩ R51 D22
SD41 62 200mΩ 200mΩ
R23 FMMD914 GND
2SC2240 10Ω
49 25 26
67 R24 R22 61
10Ω 24kΩ 30
C7 Q5 Q23 Q24 28
R28 47nF R61
51Ω Q25 50 Q26 48
0 C6 1kΩ 0
2SA1460 2SA1460 2SA1460 150pF C2
R66 2SA1460 2SA1460 D26
74 27 22uF C19
4.7Ω 1uF
1N1206C U3
32
V4
20_AMP -110 V
GND
GND

52
1000 Watts Class H Amplifier Circuit – Input Stage preamplifier

V2
20 V
GND
GND V1
36 V
GND
D2 D3
4 GND

1N5353B 1N5353B
1
C3

100nF
C4
3

470nF
R3
C5 511Ω Q7

470uF
5 2N5551
C6 R1 19

100nF Q3 Q8 500Ω

R9 18
2N5551 2N5551
7 8 47Ω
Q2 Q5
R13 13
D6
100Ω 17
MPS6601 11
MPS6601
6 HFA04TB60
9 10

R4 R5 R12 R11
20 68.1Ω 68.1Ω 100Ω 27kΩ

12 R10 C7
15 16
R6 R7 2.7kΩ
8.25kΩ 8.25kΩ 30pF

D5 R14
30 14
1N4148 11kΩ
21
D1 R15

1N4148 576Ω
22
R18 R17 R16 R20
68.1Ω 68.1Ω 1kΩ 1kΩ

24 23 D7
29 2
Q10 Q9
R19 HFA04TB60
28
100Ω R21 35
MPS6651 MPS6651
26 25 47Ω
Q12 Q11 R22
31 36
500Ω
2N5401 2N5401

C1
Q1

100nF 32
C8
R23 2N5401
511Ω
470uF
C9
27

470nF

D8 D4
33

1N5353B 1N5353B
C10 V3
34
GND -36 V
100nF GND
GND
V4 GND
-20 V
GND
GND
53
References

1. Charles L. Alley and Kenneth W.Atwood , Electronics engineering third edition.

ISBN 085750024

2. John Everett (1992). Vsats: Very Small Aperture Terminals. IET. ISBN

0863412009.

3. A.P. Malvino, Electronic Principles (2nd Ed.1979. ISBN 0-07-039867-4) p.299.

4. Paul Horowitz, Winfield Hill (1989). The Art of Electronics. Cambridge University
Press.

5. www.National Semiconductor Corporation.com

6. Sachse, Herbert B. Semiconducting Temperature Sensors and their Applications.
JomoKenyatta Memorial Library (JKML) TK 7871.98 .S23.
7. William J. Tompkins and John G. Webster. Interfacing Sensors to IBM PC.
Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library (JKML) TK7887.5, 157.
8. www.Crownaudio.com
9. Wilfred Njoroge Mwema, Analogue Electronics, third year syllabus.

54