Third Semester (Second Year) I-scheme
Course
Applied Electronics
(22329)
Total Cre
Subject Subject Teaching Scheme Examination Scheme Mar dits
ks
Code
Theory Practical
TOTA ESE PA TOT
Lectur Tutor Practic ESE PA L AL
e ial al
Applied
22329 Electronic 4 4 100 200 8
s 70 30 100 #50 50
UNIT II: High Power Amplifiers
2.1 Comparison between small signal amplifier and
power amplifier, performance parameters of
Power Amplifier: bandwidth, gain, frequency band
efficiency
2.2 Classification: class A, class B, class AB & class
C.
2.3 Circuit operation, input output waveforms.
Efficiency & power equations of Single stage class
A power amplifier, class B, class AB & class C.
power amplifier
What is Power Amplifier?
The function of a power amplifier is to raise
(Increase) the power level of input signal.
It is required to deliver a large amount of power
and has to handle large current.
OR
An Amplifier which transfers maximum power to
the Load or output device is known as Power
Amplifier.
Need of Power Amplifier
The voltage amplifier raises the voltage level of the signal,
the power amplifier raises the power level of the signal.
Besides raising the power level, it can also be said that a
power amplifier is a device which converts DC power to AC
power and whose action is controlled by the input signal.
The DC power is distributed according to the relation,
DC power input = AC power output + losses
Voltage Amplifier
The function of a voltage amplifier is to raise
(Increase) the voltage level of the signal.
A voltage amplifier is designed to achieve
maximum voltage amplification.
The voltage gain of an amplifier is given by
Av=β(Rc *Rin)
characteristics of a voltage amplifier
The base of the transistor should be thin and hence the
value of β >100.
The resistance of the input resistor Rin should be low
when compared to collector load RC.
The collector load RC should be relatively high. To permit
high collector load, the voltage amplifiers are always
operated at low collector current.
The voltage amplifiers are used for small signal voltages.
Power Amplifier
The function of a power amplifier is to raise
the power level of input signal. It is required to
deliver a large amount of power and has to
handle large current.
characteristics of a power amplifier
The base of transistor is made thicken to handle
large currents. Β <100.
The size of the transistor is made larger, in order to
dissipate more heat, which is produced during
transistor operation.
Transformer coupling is used for impedance
matching.
Collector resistance is made low.
comparison between voltage and power
amplifiers
S.No Particular Voltage Power
Amplifier Amplifier
1 β High (>100) Low (5 to 20)
2 RC High (4-10 KΩ) Low (5 to 20 Ω)
Usually R-C Transformer
3 Coupling coupling coupling
4 Input voltage Low (a few m V) High (2-4 V)
5 Collector Low (≈ 1 mA) High (> 100
current mA)
6 Power output Low High
7 Output
Classification of power Amplifier
Classification of Power Amplifiers
Based on the frequencies they handle.
Audio Power Amplifiers −
The audio power amplifiers raise the power level of signals
that have audio frequency range (20 Hz to 20 KHz). They are
also known as Small signal power amplifiers.
Radio Power Amplifiers −
Radio Power Amplifiers or tuned power amplifiers raise the
power level of signals that have radio frequency range (3
KHz to 300 GHz). They are also known as large signal power
amplifiers.
Based on Mode of Operation(position of Q-
Point)
Class A Power amplifier − When the collector
current flows at all times during the full cycle of
input signal, the power amplifier is known as class
A power amplifier.
The output current flows for overall i.e. 360 ﮲of the
input cycle.
The maximum Collector efficiency is of 50%.
Class B Power amplifier
When the collector current flows only during
the positive half cycle of the input signal, the
power amplifier is known as class B power
amplifier.
The output current flows for overall i.e. 180 ﮲of
the input cycle.
The maximum Collector efficiency is of 70 to 80
%. (78.5%)
Class C Power amplifier
When the collector current flows for less
than half cycle of the input signal, the power
amplifier is known as class C power amplifier.
The output current flows for overall i.e.less
than 180 ﮲of the input cycle.
The maximum Collector efficiency is Higher
than 80 %
Class AB Power amplifier
It is a combination of class A and class B type of
power amplifiers.
When the collector current flows for more than
180 ﮲but less than 360 ﮲of the input signal, the
power amplifier is known as class C power
amplifier.
In this type, the angle of conduction lies
somewhere between 180 ﮲to 360﮲.
Comparision of Power Amplifiers
Class A Power Amplifier
A Class A power amplifier is one in which the
output current (Collector current)flows for the
entire cycle of the AC input supply. Hence the
complete signal present at the input is amplified
at the output.
Graphical Representation of Class -A
power Amplifier
Transformer Coupled Class A Power Amplifier
Construction of class A power amplifier
This is similar to the normal amplifier circuit but connected with a
transformer in the collector load.
Here R1 and R2 provide potential divider arrangement.
The resistor Re provides stabilization.
Ce is the bypass capacitor and Re to prevent a.c. voltage.
The transformer used here is a step-down transformer.
The high impedance primary of the transformer is connected to
the high impedance collector circuit.
The low impedance secondary is connected to the load
(generally loud speaker).
Circuit Operation
If the peak value of the collector current due to signal
is equal to zero signal collector current, then the
maximum a.c. power output is obtained. So, in order
to achieve complete amplification, the operating
point should lie at the center of the load line.
The operating point obviously varies when the signal
is applied. The collector voltage varies in opposite
phase to the collector current. The variation of
collector voltage appears across the primary of the
transformer.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
1. No loss of signal power in the base or collector
resistors.
2. Excellent impedance matching is achieved.
3. Gain is high.
4. DC isolation is provided.
Disadvantages
1. Low frequency signals are less amplified
comparatively.
2. Hum noise is introduced by transformers.
3. Transformers are bulky and costly.
4. Poor frequency response.
Applications
1. This circuit is used where impedance
matching is the main criterion.
2. These are used as driver amplifiers and
sometimes as output amplifiers.
Class A Push-Pull Power Amplifier
So far, we have seen class A power amplifier. The
main problems that should be dealt with are low
power output and efficiency.
It is possible to obtain greater power output and
efficiency than that of the Class A amplifier by using
a combinational transistor pair called as Push-
Pull configuration.
Class A Push-Pull Power Amplifier
In this circuit, we use two transistors are used in
the output stage being an NPN or PNP type
connected in order to operate them like PUSH a
transistor to ON and PULL another transistor to
OFF at the same time.
This push-pull configuration can be made in class
A, class B, class C or class AB amplifiers.
Construction of Push-Pull Class A Power Amplifier
Construction
In Push-pull arrangement, the two identical
transistors T1 and T2 have their emitter terminals
shorted.
The input signal is applied to the transistors
through the transformer Tr1 which provides
opposite polarity signals to both the transistor
bases.
The collectors of both the transistors are connected
to the primary of output transformer Tr2.
Construction
Both the transformers are center tapped.
The VCC supply is provided to the collectors of
both the transistors through the primary of the
output transformer.
The resistors R1 and R2 provide the biasing
arrangement.
The load is generally a loudspeaker which is
connected across the secondary of the output
The turns ratio of the output transformer is chosen in
such a way that the load is well matched with the
output impedance of the transistor. So maximum
power is delivered to the load by the amplifier.
Circuit Operation
The output is collected from the output transformer Tr2.
The primary of this transformer Tr2 has practically no dc
component through it.
The transistors T1 and T2 have their collectors
connected to the primary of transformer Tr2 so that
their currents are equal in magnitude and flow in
opposite directions through the primary of transformer
Tr2.
Circuit Operation
When the a.c. input signal is applied, during
positive half cycle the base of transistor T1 is
more positive while the base of transistor T2 is
less positive.
Hence the collector current ic1 of transistor
T1 increases while the collector current ic2 of
transistor T2 decreases.
Circuit Operation
These currents flow in opposite directions in two
halves of the primary of output transformer.
Moreover, the flux produced by these currents will
also be in opposite directions.
Hence, the voltage across the load will be induced
voltage whose magnitude will be proportional to
the difference of collector currents i.e.(ic1−ic2)
Circuit Operation
Similarly, for the negative input signal, the
collector current ic2 will be more than ic1.
In this case, the voltage developed across the load
will again be due to the difference (ic1−ic2)) As
ic2>ic1
The polarity of voltage induced across load will be
reversed.i.e. ic1−ic2
Circuit Operation
The overall operation results in an a.c. voltage induced
in the secondary of output transformer and hence a.c.
power is delivered to that load.
It is understood that, during any given half cycle of input
signal, one transistor is being driven (or pushed) deep
into conduction while the other being non-conducting
(pulled out). Hence the name Push-pull amplifier.
The harmonic distortion in Push-pull amplifier is
minimized such that all the even harmonics are
eliminated.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
1. High a.c. output is obtained.
2. The output is free from even harmonics.
3. The effect of ripple voltages are balanced out..
Disadvantages
1. The transistors are to be identical, to produce
equal amplification.
2. Center-tapping is required for the transformers.
3. The transformers are bulky and costly.
Class B Power Amplifier
When the collector current flows only during the
positive half cycle of the input signal, the power
amplifier is known as class B power amplifier.
The biasing of the transistor in class B operation is
in such a way that at zero signal condition, there
will be no collector current.
The operating point is selected to be at collector
cut off voltage. So, when the signal is applied, only
the positive half cycle is amplified at the output.
Graphical Representation of Class -B
power Amplifier
When the signal is applied, the circuit is forward
biased for the positive half cycle of the input and
hence the collector current flows.
But during the negative half cycle of the input, the
circuit is reverse biased and the collector current
will be absent. Hence only the positive half cycle is
amplified at the output.
As the negative half cycle is completely absent, the
signal distortion will be high. Also, when the
applied signal increases, the power dissipation will
be more. But when compared to class A power
amplifier, the output efficiency is increased.
Well, in order to minimize the disadvantages and
achieve low distortion, high efficiency and high
output power, the push-pull configuration is used
in class B power amplifier
Class –B Push-pull Amplifier Circuit
Diagram
Though the efficiency of class B power amplifier is
higher than class A, as only one half cycle of the input
is used, the distortion is high.
Also, the input power is not completely utilized. In
order to compensate these problems, the push-pull
configuration is introduced in class B amplifier.
The circuit of a push-pull class B power amplifier
consists of two identical transistors T1 and T2 whose
bases are connected to the secondary of the center-
tapped input transformer Tr1.
Construction
The emitters are shorted and the collectors are
given the VCC supply through the primary winding
of the output transformer Tr2.
The circuit arrangement of class B push-pull
amplifier, is same as that of class A push-pull
amplifier except that the transistors are biased at
cut off, instead of using the biasing resistors.
Operation
The circuit of class B push-pull amplifier shown in the
above figure clears that both the transformers are
center-tapped.
When no signal is applied at the input, the transistors
T1 and T2 are in cut off condition and hence no collector
currents flow. As no current is drawn from VCC, no
power is wasted.
When input signal is given, it is applied to the input
transformer Tr1 which splits the signal into two signals
o
Operation
These two signals are given to the two identical
transistors T1 and T2. For the positive half cycle, the
base of the transistor T1 becomes positive and
collector current flows.
At the same time, the transistor T2 has negative half
cycle, therefore the transistor T2 into cutoff condition
and hence no collector current flows. The waveform
is produced as shown in the following figure.
Complementary Symmetry Push-Pull Class B Amplifier
The push pull amplifier which was just discussed
improves efficiency but the usage of center-
tapped transformers makes the circuit bulky,
heavy and costly.
To make the circuit simple and to improve the
efficiency, the transistors used can be
complemented, as shown in the following circuit
Circuit Diagram
OPERATION
The above circuit employs a NPN transistor and a
PNP transistor connected in push pull
configuration.
When the input signal is applied, during the
positive half cycle of the input signal, the NPN
transistor conducts and the PNP transistor cuts off.
During the negative half cycle, the NPN transistor
cuts off and the PNP transistor conducts.
OPERATION
In this way, the NPN transistor amplifies during
positive half cycle of the input, while PNP
transistor amplifies during negative half cycle of
the input.
As the transistors are both complement to each
other, yet act symmetrically while being connected
in push pull configuration of class B, this circuit is
termed as Complementary symmetry push pull
class B amplifier.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
1. As there is no need of center tapped transformers,
the weight and cost are reduced.
2. Equal and opposite input signal voltages are not
required.
Disadvantages
1. It is difficult to get a pair of transistors (NPN and
PNP) that have similar characteristics.
2. We require both positive and negative supply
Class AB Power Amplifiers
The class A and class B amplifier so far discussed has
got few limitations.
Let us now try to combine these two to get a new
circuit which would have all the advantages of both
class A and class B amplifier without their
inefficiencies.
Before that, let us also go through another
important problem, called as Cross over distortion,
the output of class B encounters with.
Cross-over Distortion
In the push-pull configuration, the two identical
transistors get into conduction, one after the
other and the output produced will be the
combination of both.
When the signal changes or crosses over from one
transistor to the other at the zero voltage point, it
produces an amount of distortion to the output
wave shape.
For a transistor in order to conduct, the base emitter
junction should cross 0.7v, the cut off voltage.
The time taken for a transistor to get ON from OFF or
to get OFF from ON state is called the transition
period.
At the zero voltage point, the transition period of
switching over the transistors from one to the other,
has its effect which leads to the instances where both
the transistors are OFF at a time.
Such instances can be called as Flat spot or Dead
band on the output wave shape.
The above figure clearly shows the cross over
distortion which is prominent in the output
waveform. This is the main disadvantage.
This cross over distortion effect also reduces the
overall peak to peak value of the output waveform
which in turn reduces the maximum power output.
This cross over distortion can be eliminated if the
conduction of the amplifier is more than one half
cycle, so that both the transistors won’t be OFF at
the same time.
This idea leads to the invention of class AB
amplifier, which is the combination of both class A
and class B amplifiers, as discussed below.
Class AB Power Amplifier
As the name implies, class AB is a combination of
class A and class B type of amplifiers.
As class A has the problem of low efficiency and
class B has distortion problem, this class AB is
emerged to eliminate these two problems, by
utilizing the advantages of both the classes.
The cross over distortion is the problem that occurs
when both the transistors are OFF at the same
instant, during the transition period
In order to eliminate this, the condition has to be
chosen for more than one half cycle. Hence, the
other transistor gets into conduction, before the
operating transistor switches to cut off state.
This is achieved only by using class AB
configuration, as shown in the following circuit
diagram.
Circuit Diagram
Class AB Power Amplifier
Therefore, in class AB amplifier design, each of the
push-pull transistors is conducting for slightly more
than the half cycle of conduction in class B, but
much less than the full cycle of conduction of class
A.
The conduction angle of class AB amplifier is
somewhere between 180o to 360o depending upon
the operating point selected.
The small bias voltage given using diodes D1 and
D2, as shown in the above figure, helps the
operating point to be above the cutoff point.
Hence the output waveform of class AB results as
seen in the above figure. The crossover distortion
created by class B is overcome by this class AB, as
well the inefficiencies of class A and B don’t affect
the circuit.
Class AB Power Amplifier
So, the class AB is a good compromise between
class A and class B in terms of efficiency and
linearity having the efficiency reaching about
50% to 60%.
The class A, B and AB amplifiers are called
as linear amplifiers because the output signal
amplitude and phase are linearly related to the
input signal amplitude and phase.
Class C Power Amplifier
Class C Power Amplifier
When the collector current flows for less than half cycle
of the input signal, the power amplifier is known as class
C power amplifier.
The efficiency of class C amplifier is high while linearity is
poor. The conduction angle for class C is less than 180 o. It
is generally around 90o, which means the transistor
remains idle for more than half of the input signal. So,
the output current will be delivered for less time
Parameters of Power
Amplifiers
Collector Efficiency:
Efficiency is basically measured
by the ability to convert dc power
into ac power at the output.
It is the ratio of ac output power
to the dc power from the supply.
Parameters of Power
Amplifiers
Power dissipation capacity:
It is defined as the ability to dissipate
the heat generated by the device
during operation.
As power transistors are designed to
handle the large current, it gets heated
up at a rapid rate. So, it is necessary to
dissipate the heat generated in it.
Parameters of Power
Amplifiers
Power dissipation capacity:
It is defined as the ability to dissipate
the heat generated by the device
during operation.
As power transistors are designed to
handle the large current, it gets heated
up at a rapid rate. So, it is necessary to
dissipate the heat generated in it.
