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Chapter 6
Power Amplifier

Final chapter

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Learning Outcomes
At the end of this topic, you should be able to:
Analyse Class A, B and AB power amplifier and find the
respective efficiency
Categorise the power amplifier based on its class and
discuss the importance of transistors power rating

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Introduction
Power amplifiers are usually the output stages in an
amplifier system.

Figure 1. Audio
amplifier system

Power amplifiers are also known as large-signal

amplifiers because the input signal to the power
amplifier is a large signal (as the small-signal amplifiers
have amplified it already see Figure 1).
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Main function:
to provide the needed power and deliver it efficiently to
the output transducer.

Important feature:
Very low output resistance

The power transistors must be able to handle large

amount of power with minimal power dissipation in
the transistor itself else the transistor will be
damaged.
Transistor
Efficiency

Po (max)
100 0 0
Pin ( dc )
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Classification
The class of operation is defined by the angle of conduction of the
power transistor in one cycle of the input signal.
Class A: conducts 360 of each cycle of the input signal
Class AB: conducts slightly more than 180 of each cycle
Class B: conducts only for 180 of each cycle
AC load line

Figure 2. Classification of amplifiers

based on the Q-points position.

The Q-point may not

necessarily be in the middle of
the load line.
Depending upon the Q-points
position, we could classify the
amplifiers as Class A, B or AB as
indicated in Figure 2.

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Class A large signal amplifiers

So far, you have done small-signal analysis of CE
transistor (in Chapter 3).
Now, for large signal operation, you just need to
determine the power delivered to the load by this
amplifier circuit.
DC* bias operation
is same as that in
Chapter 3.

*to calculate the input power

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The large signal analysis (AC) is different because you

need to perform graphical analysis using IV output
characteristic of the transistor.
Output power

Pout(ac) = vC(rms) iC(rms)

= iC(rms)2 RL
= vC(rms)2/RL
where
iC(rms) = Im/2 = (Imax-Imin)/22
and
vC(rms) = Vm/2 = (Vmax-Vmin)/22

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An amplifier is converting dc power supplied into ac

power (i.e. amplified signal at the load).
The power conversion efficiency, is measured as
AC signal power delivered to load
100 0 0
DC power supplied to the circuit
P
= out ( ac ) 100 0 0
Pin (dc )

Maximum efficiency of class A is obtained by selecting the Q-point at

the middle of the load line and applying the input signal that will give
the maximum swing of the output (i.e. iC(pk) = IC(sat)/2 = VCC/2RC and
vC(pk) = VCC/2)
max = 25 %

Power dissipated by transistor is

P = Pin ( dc ) Pout ( ac )
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Example A1
Determine the efficiency of Class A amplifier circuit
depicted in Figure A1 if:
(a) VCC = 12 V and vo = 10 V(p-p)
(b) VCC = 15 V and vo = 10 V(p-p)

Figure A1

Answer : (a) 17.36 %

(b) 11.11 %

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Solution : Example A1
Part (a) i.e. VCC = 12 V and vo = 10 V(p-p)
2

v
v
v
102
The output power, Pout (ac ) = o ( rms ) = o ( pk ) = o ( pk pk ) =
RL
2 RL
8RL
8 RL
2

The input power,

V
V
122
Pin ( dc ) = VCC I C = VCC CC = CC =
2 RL 2 RL 2 RL

102
P
102 2 RL
8R
Efficiency, = out ( ac ) % = 2L % =

% = 17.36%
12
8 RL 122
Pin ( dc )
2 RL
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Example A2

Answer :
Pin(dc) = 8.28 W,
Pout(ac) = 0.64 W,
= 7.7 %

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Solution :
Example A2

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Example A3
Calculate the input dc power that is drawn from the supply by the
amplifier shown in Figure A3. Assume = 100.

Answer :
ICQ = 1 mA,
ICC = 1.82 mA,
Pin(dc) = 18.2 mW

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Solution : Example A3
Two steps have been skipped, i.e. VTH and RTH calculations...

VTH VBE
= 9.8A
RTH + ( + 1)RE
= I B = 0.98 mA
VCC
= I CQ + I1 = I CQ +
R1 + R2

IB =

I CQ
I CC

= 0.98m + 0.82m
= 1.8 mA
Pin ( dc ) = VCC I CC = 10 1.8m
= 18 mW
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Class B
The main disadvantage of class A is low efficiency (maximum
efficiency is only 25 % (see slide no.9)).
Therefore Class B is more widely used (i.e. the push-pull
amplifier) as to amplify large signal as it provides greater
efficiency (78.5%).
Achievable by letting the transistor conducts only at half of the
input cycle (180) 2 transistors are used in push-pull
amplifier.

Figure 7.12: Blok representation of push-pull amplifier

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Push-pull (Complementary Symmetry)

amplifier
During
positive
cycle

During
negative
cycle

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The main disadvantage of the push-pull amplifier is

that the output waveform get distorted due to the
non-linearity of the input characteristics (vBE vs iB). iB
will flow only after the base-emitter junction is
forward-biased.
This distortion is known as cross-over distortion (see
figure).

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Efficiency of Class B Push-Pull amplifier

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Example B1

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Solution : Example B1 (part 1)

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Solution : Example B1 (part 2)

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Example B2

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Solution:
Example B2

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Solution:
Example B2

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Class AB
The cross-over distortion in class B can be eliminated
by providing just enough bias to the complementary
symmetry transistor pair to overcome the barrier
potential losses
i.e. shifting the operating point from lower edge to
slightly above the load line (i.e. allowing small current
to flow at zero signal condition) class AB.
However the efficiency will be reduced due to wastage
of power.

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Class AB Push-pull amplifier

+Vcc = 12V

11 k

11 k

11 k

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DC operation
VCC = VR1 + VR 2 + VD1 + VD 2
I1

ICC
IC1(ave)

Use voltage divider

VR 2 =

R2
[VCC (VD1 + VD 2 )] = VB (Q 2 )
R1 + R2
*VD1=VD2 = 0.7 V

The current I1 is

I1 =

VR 2 [VCC (0.7 + 0.7 )] VCC 1.4

=
=
R2
R1 + R2
R1 + R2

Therefore, total dc current

I CC = I1 + I C ( ave )
where

I C ( ave ) =

ip

vp
RL

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Q1 will conduct as long as its base voltage is more positive than

6V. The value of VB drops to 6V at t1 and t3 since the -0.7V value
of Vin subtracts from the 6.7V value of VB(Q1). Thus, it can be
assumed that Q1 conducts for the entire time between t1 and t3.
The same principle applies to Q2. At t2 and t4, Q2 will turn off,
sine the +0.7V value of Vin adds to the value of VB(Q2), causing VB
and VE to be equal. Thus, Q2 conducts for the entire time
between t2 and t4.

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Example AB1

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Solution : Example AB1

From equation obtained previously (slide no. 29)
V 2VD
V 2VD
I REF = I1 = CC
R1 + R2 = CC
R1 + R2
I1
Assume R1 = R2,
V 2VD 25 1.4
R1 = CC
=
= 573
2 I1
2 20m
Therefore R1 = R2 = 573

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Example AB2

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Solution : Example AB2 (pg1)

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Solution : Example AB2 (pg2)

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Solution : Example AB2 (pg3)

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Solution : Example AB2 (pg4)

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References
Balbir Kumar & Shail B. Jain, Electronic Devices and
Circuits, PHI Learning Private Limited, 2012
Denton J. Dailey, Electronic Devices and Circuits:
Discrete and Integrated, Prentice-Hall, 2001
Ali Aminian & Marian Kazimierczuk, Electronic Devices:
A Design Approach, Prentice-Hall, 2004
Masnani Mohamed, Siti Hawa Ruslan & Nabiah Zinal,
Learning Module: BEL 10203 Analogue Electronics, 2nd
Printing, Penerbit UTHM, 2014

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