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Amplifier Classfication

Amplifiers are classified based on their construction and operating characteristics, including the number of stages, output type, input signals, and biasing conditions. The main classes are Class A (conducts continuously), Class B (conducts for half a cycle), Class C (conducts for less than half a cycle), and Class AB (combines characteristics of A and B). Each class has different advantages and disadvantages in terms of linearity, efficiency, distortion, and power output. Proper classification allows engineers to select the optimal amplifier design for a given application.

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29 views

Amplifier Classfication

Amplifiers are classified based on their construction and operating characteristics, including the number of stages, output type, input signals, and biasing conditions. The main classes are Class A (conducts continuously), Class B (conducts for half a cycle), Class C (conducts for less than half a cycle), and Class AB (combines characteristics of A and B). Each class has different advantages and disadvantages in terms of linearity, efficiency, distortion, and power output. Proper classification allows engineers to select the optimal amplifier design for a given application.

Uploaded by

islammuddin
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Standardization in Amplifiers by Classification

Engineering Standards and Ethics


Dr Syed Misbahuddin
Introduction
• An Amplifier circuit is one which strengthens the signal.
• Not all amplifiers are the same and there is a clear distinction made between the way their
output stages are configured and operate
• The main operating characteristics of an ideal amplifier are linearity, signal gain, efficiency and
power output but in real world amplifiers there is always a trade off between these different
characteristics
• Amplifiers are classified into classes according to their construction and operating
characteristics
• Amplifiers are classified according to:
• Based on number of stages (Single stage or Multiple stages)
• Based on its output (Voltage or Power)
• Based on the input signals (Small signal or large signal)
• Based upon Biasing conditions
Amplifier Classification on Biasing conditions

• Class A amplifier − The biasing conditions in class A power amplifier are


such that the collector current flows for the entire AC signal applied.
• Class B amplifier − The biasing conditions in class B power amplifier are
such that the collector current flows for half-cycle of input AC signal
applied.
• Class C amplifier − The biasing conditions in class C power amplifier are
such that the collector current flows for less than half cycle of input AC
signal applied.
• Class AB amplifier − The class AB power amplifier is one which is created
by combining both class A and class B in order to have all the advantages of
both the classes and to minimize the problems they have.
Class A Amplifier
• Class A Amplifiers are the most common type of amplifier topology as they use just one output switching
transistor (Bipolar, FET, IGBT( insulated gate bipolar transistor ) , etc) within their amplifier design
• Class A amplifier is a high gain amplifier with high linearity. The conduction angle is 360 degree
• Q-point of the transistor is the operating point of the transistor (ICQ,VCEQ) at which it is biased. Or simply, it is
an operating point where a transistor works.
• The single output transistor is biased around the Q-point within the middle of its load line and so is never driven
into its cut-off or saturation regions thus allowing it to conduct current over the full 360 degrees of the input
cycle.
• Then the output transistor of a class-A topology never turns “OFF” which is one of its main disadvantages.
• Class “A” amplifiers are considered the best class of amplifier design mainly due to their excellent linearity, high
gain and low signal distortion levels when designed correctly
Class A Amplifier contd..
• To achieve high linearity and gain, the output stage of a class A amplifier is biased
“ON” (conducting) all the time.
• As a class A amplifier operates in the linear portion of its characteristic curves,
the single output device conducts through a full 360 degrees of the output
waveform. Then the class A amplifier is equivalent to a current source.
• Since a class A amplifier operates in the linear region, the transistors base (or
gate) DC biasing voltage should by chosen properly to ensure correct operation
and low distortion. However, as the output device is “ON” at all times, it is
constantly carrying current, which represents a continuous loss of power in the
amplifier.
Class B Amplifier
• Class B amplifiers were invented as a solution to the efficiency and heating problems associated with the
previous class A amplifier.
• It is created using two active devices which conduct half of the actual cycle, ie 180 degrees of the cycle.
• The basic class B amplifier uses two complimentary transistors either bipolar of FET for each half of the
waveform with its output stage configured in a “push-pull” type arrangement, so that each transistor device
amplifies only half of the output waveform
• 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.
• The emitters are shorted and the collectors are given the VCC supply through the primary of the output
transformer Tr2.
• In the class B amplifier, there is no DC base bias current as its quiescent current is zero, so that the dc power
is small and therefore its efficiency is much higher than that of the class A amplifier.
Operation
• The circuit of class B push-pull amplifier 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 that
are 180o out of phase with each other.
• 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, which throws the transistor T2 into cutoff condition and
hence no collector current flows. The waveform is produced as shown in the following figure.

For the next half cycle, the transistor T1 gets into cut off condition and the transistor T2 gets into conduction, to
contribute the output. Hence for both the cycles, each transistor conducts alternately. The output transformer Tr3 serves
to join the two currents producing an almost undistorted output waveform.
Class AB Amplifier
• The Class AB Amplifier is a combination of the “Class A” and the “Class B”
• 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 small bias voltage given using diodes D1 and D2, as shown in the 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 C Amplifier
• Class C is a traditional amplifier which works differently than the other amplifiers classes.
• Class C amplifier is tuned amplifier which works in two different operating modes, tuned or
untuned.
• The efficiency of Class C amplifier is much more than the A, B, and AB
Other classes of Amplifiers
• Class D amplifier or switching amplifier is an electronic amplifier in which the amplifying devices
(transistors, usually MOSFETs) operate as electronic switches, and not as linear gain devices as in
other amplifiers
• Class E amplifier is a highly efficient power amplifier which uses switching topologies and works in
radio frequencies. A single pole switching element and the tuned reactive network is the main
component to use with the class E amplifier.
• Class F is high impedance amplifier in respect of the harmonics. It can be driven using square
wave or sine wave. For the sinusoidal wave input, this amplifier can be tuned using an inductor
and can be used to increase the gain.
• Class G use rail switching to decrease the power consumption and to improve efficiency
performance.
• Class H is the further improved version of Class G.

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