Chapter 10

Electronic Amplifier
10.1 Preliminary

10.2 Small Signal Amplifier

10.3 Large Signal Amplifier

10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier

Lucian Balut 1
 10.1 Preliminary

10.1.1 Definitions

10.1.2 Parameters

10.1.3 Structure; Coupling

10.1.4 Classifications

Lucian Balut 2
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.1 Definitions
Definition:
The electronic amplifier is usually defined by the block diagram presented below if two
conditions are met;
- output signal must reproduces the input signal shape variation
- output signal power must be greater than the input signal power

xi xo
a xo(t)=axi(t-)

where:
xI – instantaneous value of the input signal or excitation,
xo – the instantaneous output signal or response,
a – transfer factor of the amplifier (ideally a constant)

Lucian Balut 3
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.1 Definitions
Voltage Amplifier xo(t)=axi(t-τ) vo(t)=avvi(t-)

vo(t) vi(t-τ)
Vo
Voltage gain – small signal regime – is defined as follows: Av 
Vi
R in   Ro  0
RS

Ei Vi A v Vi RL V
o

Voltage Amplifier - model

G v  dB  20 lg A v

Lucian Balut 4
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.1 Definitions
Current Amplifier xo(t)=axi(t-τ) io(t)=aiii(t-τ)

io(t) ii(t-τ)
Io
Current gain – small signal regime – is defined as follows: Ai 
Ii
Ii Io

Iin RS AiIi RL

R in  0 Ro  

Current Amplifier - model

Lucian Balut 5
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.1 Definitions
Transresistance (Transimpedance) xo(t)=axi(t-τ) vo(t)=azii(t-τ)
Amplifier
vo(t) ii(t-τ)
Vo
Transresistance gain – small signal regime – is defined as follows: Az 
Ii
Ii

Iin RS AzIi R L Vo

R in  0 Ro  0
Transresistance Amplifier - model
Vo  V 
A z   
Ii  A

Lucian Balut 6
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.1 Definitions
Transconductance (transadmittance) xo(t)=axi(t-τ) io(t)=ayvi(t-τ)
Amplifier
io(t) vi(t-τ)
Io
Transconductance gain – small signal regime – is defined as follows: Ay 
Vi
RS Io

Ein Vi Ay Vi RL

R in   Ro  

Transconductance Amplifier - model

Io  A
A y  S 
Vi  V 

Lucian Balut 7
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.2. Parameters

- Input Resistance;
- Output Resistance;
- Gain Factor;
- Bandwidth;
- Level of Distortion.
Comment:
Input resistance, output resistance and gain factor have been presented previously.
In the following, only frequency band and the level of distortion will be presented.

Lucian Balut 8
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.2. Parameters
a.) High-frequency and Low-frequency

Amplitude frequency diagram

B=fh-fl

Lucian Balut 9
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.2. Parameters
b) Level of Distortion

It was noted that in an amplifier is producing two types of distortions:

- nonlinear distortion due to nonlinearity of the static characteristics of active
elements;
- linear distortion due to lack of uniformity in amplitude-frequency characteristics,
and phase-frequency.

Linear distortion can also be divided into two categories:

- amplitude distortion due to uneven amplification of the input signal spectrum;
- phase distortions due to changes in phase relationship between the spectral
components of the signal applied to input.

Lucian Balut 10
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.2. Parameters
b) Level of Distortion

v in  Vin sin t

v o  Vo sin t  V 'o sin 2t  V ''o sin 3t  ...

2 2
V ' o  V '' o  ...
 100 %
Vo

Lucian Balut 11
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.3. Structure; Coupling
V’ V’’

Vin av1 av2 av3 Vo

Direct coupling
C’ C’’

Vin av1 av2 av3 Vo

Capacitive coupling
Tr1 Tr2

Vin av1 av2 av3 Vo

Inductive coupling

Lucian Balut 12
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.4. Classifications

Depending on the value of the processed signal amplifiers are divided into:
- small signal amplifier;
- large signal amplifier.

Depending on the frequency of the processed signal amplifiers are divided into:
- quasi-static amplifier;
- dynamic amplifier;

Observation: Combining the two criteria, one arrives at the following classifications:
- quasi-static small signal amplifier;
- quasi-static large signal amplifier;
- dynamic small signal amplifier;
- dynamic large signal amplifier.

Lucian Balut 13
 10.1 Preliminary
10.1.4. Classifications

Depending on the bandwidth of the processed signal amplifiers are divided into:

- broadband amplifiers;
- narrowband amplifiers.

Lucian Balut 14
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

a.) circuit
+EC

b.) parts duties; notations.

RC RC
vI1; vI2 input voltages (instantaneous values)
vO1;vO2 output voltages (instantaneous values) iC1
vO1 vO2
iC2
RC load resistors
IE; RE bias circuit (Norton equivalence) T1 T2

T1, T2 identical transistors vI1 vI2

IE RE

-EE

Lucian Balut 15
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

c.) Large signal analysis

+EC

vO1=vO1(vI1,vI2) vO1=EC-iC1RC
vO2=vO2(vI1,vI2) vO2=EC-iC2RC RC RC

iC1+iB1+iC2+iB2=IE+iRE iC1+iC2 ≈IE vO1 vO2

iC1 iC2

≈0 ≈0 ≈0
vBE1-vBE2=vI1-vI2 T1 T2
 v BE1 
i C1  IS exp  vI1 vI
 eT  i C1 v v 
 exp BE1 BE 2  IE RE
v  iC2  eT 
i C 2  IS exp BE 2 
 eT 
i C1  v  vI2 
 exp I1  -EE
iC2  eT 

Lucian Balut 16
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

c.) Large signal analysis

+EC

iC1+iC2 ≈IE

i C1  v  vI2  RC RC
 exp I1 
iC2  eT  vO1 vO2
iC1 iC2
IE
i C1 
 v I1  v I 2  T1 T2
1  exp   vI1 vI
 eT 
IE IE RE
iC2 
 v I1  v I 2 
1  exp 
 eT  -EE

Lucian Balut 17
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

c.) Large signal analysis

IE
i C1 
 v  vI2  IE
1  exp  I1  i C1 
 eT   v ID 
1  exp  
IE  eT 
iC2 
 v I1  v I 2 
1  exp 
 eT  IE
iC2 
 v ID 
vID=vI1-vI2 1  exp 
 eT 

Lucian Balut 18
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage
IE IE
c.) Large signal analysis i C1  iC2 
 v ID   v ID 
1  exp   1  exp 
 eT   eT 
iC1 iC2

IE

iC1
0.5IE
iC2

-3eT -2eT -eT eT 2eT 3eT vID

Lucian Balut 19
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage
iC1 iC2
c.) Large signal analysis
IE
1.) Both the upper limit and the
lower limit value (about zero) iC1
of the current collector (IE) is 0.5IE
provided that the transistors iC2
remain in the normal active
-3eT -2eT -eT eT 2eT 3eT vID
region
2.) Bias currents of the two transistors are equal to each other and equals IE / 2.
3.) Circuit behaves linearly for differences between input voltages below 50 mV

Lucian Balut 20
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

c.) Large signal analysis vOD=vO1-vO2=(iC1-iC2)RC

 v ID 
v OD  R E I E tanh  
 eT  vOD

IERE

vID

-3eT -2eT -eT eT 2eT 3eT

-IERE

The differential output voltage related to differential input voltage

Lucian Balut 21
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

d.) Small signal analysis – Differential mode

+EC

+EC
RC RC

vO1 vO2 RC RC
iC1 iC2

T1 T2
T1 T2
Vid Vid
vI1 vI2 
2 2
IE RE IE RE

-EE -EE

Lucian Balut 22
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

d.) Small signal analysis – Differential mode

+EC

RC RC

T1 T2

Vid Vid

2 2
IE RE

-EE

Lucian Balut 23
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

d.) Small signal analysis – Differential mode

B C

Vid/2 rπ1 Vbe1 Vod/2

E gmVbe1

Lucian Balut 24
 10.2. Small Signal Amplifier.
Differential Stage

d.) Small signal analysis – Differential mode

Vod
Differential amplification gain A dd 
Vid
Vod
 g m Vbe R C
2 B C
Vid
Vbe 
2id Vid/2 rπ1 Vbe1 Vod/2
Vod V
 g m R C id E gmVbe1
2 2

A dd  g m R C

Lucian Balut 25
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
Comment
Known also as final stages or power stages they are designed to transfer power to load.

10.3.1. Preliminary
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage
10.3.3. Class B and AB Power Stages

Lucian Balut 26
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.1. Preliminary - Classification
From the viewpoint of the topological structure:
-Asymmetrical stages (common emitter, common base, common collector, etc.)
-Symmetrical Stages (common emitter push-pull, common collector push pull)

In terms of operating principle;

- Class A stages;
- Class AB stages;
- Class B stages;
- Class C stages;
- Class D stages
- Other classes

Lucian Balut 27
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.1. Preliminary - Classification

A Class

Lucian Balut 28
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.1. Preliminary - Classification

B Class

C Class

Lucian Balut 29
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.1. Preliminary - Classification

AB Class

Lucian Balut 30
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage

a.) circuit.
b.) parts duties, notations. EC
RB1;RB2 bias devider;
RE thermal stability; Tr
C1 coupling capacitor; RB1 RL Vo
CE decoupling capacitor; C
Tr output transformer; T
RL load resistor;
vIN RB2 RE CE
vIN input voltage;
iIN input current.

Lucian Balut 31
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage
c.) large signal analysis

Issues of interest in this type of analysis are:

▪ selection bias point
▪ output power and efficiency;
▪ distortion.

Lucian Balut 32
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage

c.) large signal analysis – Quiescent Point Choice

▪ must be in safe area

▪ must provide maximum voltage excursion
▪ must provide maximum current excursion

Lucian Balut 33
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage

c.) large signal analysis – Quiescent Point Choice

Lucian Balut 34
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage

c.) large signal analysis – Quiescent Point Choice

Bias point must be positioned to meet the following two restrictions:

1. to be located on the maximum dissipation hyperbole (to ensure maximum power);

2. to be located on the load line so as to achieve the condition AM = MB in order to ensure
maximum current excursion (Ic = IC), or voltage (VCE = EC).

Lucian Balut 35
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage

c.) large signal analysis – Efficiency Calculation

pL pL average delivered power

pA pA average power absorbed from the source

The expressions of current and voltage across the transistor (instantaneous value):
iC=IC-Icsin(t)
vCE=VCE+Vcesin(t)
iC=IC-ICsin(t)
Ic=IC vCE=EC+ECsin(t)
Vce=VCE=EC

Lucian Balut 36
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage

c.) large signal analysis – Efficiency Calculation

The expressions of current and voltage across the transformer (instantaneous value):
il=Ilsin(t)=Icsin(t)
vl=Vlsin(t)=Vcesin(t)
il=ICsin(t)
Ic=IC vl=ECsin(t)
Vce=VCE=EC

Lucian Balut 37
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.2. Class A Power Stage

c.) large signal analysis – Efficiency Calculation

average power absorbed from the source

2
1
pA 
2  E I
0
C C  I c sin  t  d (t )  EC I C

average delivered power

2
1 1
pL 
2 0 EC sin(T ) I C sin  t d (t )  2 EC I C
1

2
Lucian Balut 38
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.3. Class B Power Stage
a.) circuit.
b.) parts duties, notations.

RL load resistor;
vIN input voltage;
iIN input current;
c.) large signal analysis - transfer characteristic

Lucian Balut 39
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.3. Class AB Power Stage
a.) circuit.
b.) parts duties, notations.

RL load resistor;
vIN input voltage;
iIN input current;
c.) large signal analysis - transfer characteristic

Lucian Balut 40
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.3. Class B and AB Power Stages

c.) large signal analysis – efficiency calculation

Quiescent Point – Class B

Lucian Balut 41
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.3. Class B and AB Power Stages

c.) large signal analysis – efficiency calculation

The expressions of the instantaneous load current and of the instantaneous

voltage across the load
iC(t)=Icsin(t)
v (t)=V sin(t) but Vc=EC
C c

The current source

IS(t)=Icsin(t)
The average power absorbed from the source is:
2
1 2
pA   E C I c sin  t  d (t )  E C I c
2 0 
Lucian Balut 42
 10.3 Large Signal Amplifier
Power Stages
10.3.3. Class B and AB Power Stages

c.) large signal analysis – efficiency calculation

The average load power is:

2
1 1
pL   E C sin(T)I C sin  t d (t )  E C I c
2 0 2
Efficiency calculation


4

Lucian Balut 43
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier

Advantages:

• increase the stability of the amplifier gain against:

- ageing;
- scattering of the parameters;
- temperature.
• conveniently change of the input or output impedance;
• increase linearity attenuation of non-linear distortions (attenuation of non-linear
distortions );
• increase bandwidth;
• reduce the signal to noise ratio.

Lucian Balut 44
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier

Disadvantages:

• gain reduction;
• oscillation tendency.

Observation
Feedback amplifiers are bilateral, signal is transmitted in both directions: input-output
and output-input.

Lucian Balut 45
10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier

10.4.1. Ideal Feedback Equation

10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits

Lucian Balut 46
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.1. Ideal Feedback Equation
Xi X Xo

+
 a
Xf -

Block diagram for a Feedback Amplifier

Xi input signal
X0 output signal
X error signal
Xf feedback signal

Lucian Balut 47
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.1. Ideal Feedback Equation
Ideal Feedback Equation develops the function: A=A(a,f)

Xo
A Transfer function of the
Xi feedback amplifier Xi X Xo
Xo
a Transfer function of the basic
+
X amplifier  a
Xf -
Xf
f Transfer function of the
Xi feedback network (feedback
constant) f

Lucian Balut 48
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.1. Ideal Feedback Equation

Xi X Xo
X=Xi-Xf
X Xi Xf +
 a
 
Xo Xo Xo Xf -

1 1 f
f
a A
a
1 1 A
 f 1  fa
a A

Lucian Balut 49
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.1. Ideal Feedback Equation

Aa or 1  af  1 Positive feedback

Aa or 1  af  1 Negative feedback

T  af Loop gain
a
A
1  fa 1
A
T>>1 f

Lucian Balut 50
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.1. Ideal Feedback Equation
1
A
f

Conclusion:

The gain of the feedback amplifier is given by the feedback constant (“f”).
Taking into account “f” dispersion is very low (because, generally, feedback
network is made of passive components), “A” dispersion is also very low.

Lucian Balut 51
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits
Shunt-Shunt Feedback

amplificator
Ii rs Vo RL
de bazã

reţea de
reacţie

Block diagram

Lucian Balut 52
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits
Shunt-Shunt Feedback
RF

T3
T2 1
T1 A z   R F
IS RS RC1 RC2 RL fy

Circuit

Lucian Balut 53
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits
Series-Series Feedback

rs
Io

+
amplificator
RL
Vi de bazã
-

reţea de
reacţie

Block diagram

Lucian Balut 54
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits
Series-Series Feedback

T3
RS
T2
T1
R C1 R C2 RL
1 RF
+
Ay   
ES
fz R E1R E 2
- RF
R E1 R E2

Circuit

Lucian Balut 55
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits
Series-Shunt Feedback

rs

+
amplificator
Vo RL
Vi de bazã
-

retea de
reactie

Block diagram

Lucian Balut 56
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits
Series-Shunt Feedback

RS
T2
T1
RC

+ 1 RE  RF
ES Av   
- RF
fv RE
RL
RE

Circuit

Lucian Balut 57
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits
Shunt-Series Feedback

Rs
Io

amplificator
RL
Ii de bazã

reţea de
reacţie

Block diagram

Lucian Balut 58
 10.4. Negative Feedback Amplifier
10.4.2. Basic Types of Feedback Circuits
Shunt-Series Feedback

RF

T2
T1 1 RE  RF
Ai   
IS
RS RC RE RL fi RE

Circuit

Lucian Balut 59