Lab Report # 04

Electronic Circuits and Devices Lab

Submitted to:
Mr Mir Hamza

Submitted by:
Name Registration
M. Raza Madni 210401034
Batch-section: EE-20-A
 Lab#04 : To build and analyze class ‘C’ tuned power amplifier

Objectives:
1. Examine the performance of Class C amplifiers constructed with BJTs as the amplifying elements.
2. Demonstrate the method to observe the center frequency of tuned amplifier.
3. To demonstrate the AC characteristic of class-C power amplifier.
Equipment:
1. Function generator
2. Oscilloscope
3. Digital multimeter (DMM)
4. Transistors, Resistors, Power supply
5. Capacitors and inductors
Theory:

Class C power amplifier is a type of amplifier where the active element (transistor) conduct for less than one
half cycle of the input signal. Less than one half cycle means the conduction angle is less than 180° and its
typical value is 80° to 120°. The reduced conduction angle improves the efficiency to a great extend but causes
a lot of distortion. Theoretical maximum efficiency of a Class C amplifier is around 90%.

Due to the huge amounts of distortion, the Class C configurations are not used in audio applications. The most
common application of the Class C amplifier is the RF (radio frequency) circuits like RF oscillator, RF
amplifier etc where there are additional tuned circuits for retrieving the original input signal from the pulsed
output of the Class C amplifier and so the distortion caused by the amplifier has little effect on the final output.
Input and output waveforms of a typical Class C power amplifier is shown in the figure below.

From the above figure it is clear that more than half of the input signal is missing in the output and the output is
in the form of some sort of a pulse.
Output characteristics of Class C power amplifier.

In the above figure you can see that the operating point is placed some way below the cut-off point in the DC
load-line and so only a fraction of the input waveform is available at the output.

Class C power amplifier circuit diagram.

Biasing resistor Rb pulls the base of Q1 further downwards and the Q-point will be set some way below the cut-
off point in the DC load line. As a result the transistor will start conducting only after the input signal amplitude
has risen above the base emitter voltage (Vbe~0.7V) plus the downward bias voltage caused by Rb. That is the
reason why the major portion of the input signal is absent in the output signal.

Inductor L1 and capacitor C1 forms a tank circuit which aids in the extraction of the required signal from the
pulsed output of the transistor. Actual job of the active element (transistor) here is to produce a series of current
pulses according to the input and make it flow through the resonant circuit. Values of L1 and C1 are so selected
that the resonant circuit oscillates in the frequency of the input signal. Since the resonant circuit oscillates in one
frequency (generally the carrier frequency) all other frequencies are attenuated and the required frequency can
be squeezed out using a suitably tuned load. Harmonics or noise present in the output signal can be eliminated
using additional filters. A coupling transformer can be used for transferring the power to the load.
 Advantages of Class C power amplifier.

 High efficiency.
 Excellent in RF applications.
 Lowest physical size for a given power output.

Disadvantages of Class C power amplifier.

 Lowest linearity.
 Not suitable in audio applications.
 Creates a lot of RF interference.
 It is difficult to obtain ideal inductors and coupling transformers.
 Reduced dynamic range.

Applications of Class C power amplifier.

 RF oscillators.
 RF amplifier.
 FM transmitters.
 Booster amplifiers.
 High frequency repeaters.
 Tuned amplifiers etc.

Task# 01
Construct a C-type amplifier and write down its specifications.
Circuit diagram:

Procedure:
1. Construct the circuit in circuit diagram.
2. Apply DC power to the amplifier. Measure and record the following DC levels:
Note: AC source should be grounded. As shown below.
 C3(2)

L1
C3 22u
560p

C2
Q1(C)
V=10 104n

C1 Q1(B) Q1 R2
V=5.0025e-009
2N3904 100k
104n

Q1(E)
R1 V=0
1.5k

Voltage Values
VB 5.0025 nV
VE 0V
VC 10 V

3. Calculate and record the resonant frequency of the LC circuit (this is the center or mid frequency
of the amplifier)
Calculated fr = 1.433 MHz
4. Adjust the function generator to 2VP-P amplitude and operating frequency equal to the center
frequency calculated in step 3. Use the sinewave function.

5. Connect the oscilloscope to the output and change the function generator frequency until a
maximum output is obtained. Measure and record this frequency.
Measured fr = 1.4 MHz

6. Without changing the function generator frequency, adjust the amplitude of the generator to the
largest value that would not produce an output signal at the collector. Measure and record this
peak-to-peak minimum signal level.
Vin(P-P) = 1.10 v (with no output signal)

7. Increase the function generator level while observing the amplifier output. Adjust the function
generator signal level to the minimum value that just produces a complete sinusoidal output
signal. Measure and record the peak-to-peak input and output signal levels.

Vin(P-P) = 2 V (with output signal)

Vout(P-P) = 21.60 V
 Draw signal waveforms appearing at TP1, TP2, and TP3.

Application as frequency multiplier

1. Using your scope to measure the signal, set the input signal to 2Vp-p. Set the scope to monitor
the amplifier output, and decrease the function generator frequency to approximately one-half
the frequency measured in step 5. While monitoring the amplifier output, tune the function
generator frequency to obtain the maximum output of your output frequency.
 fin =1.32 MHz fout = 1.508 MHz

Note: Your amplifier should be capable of operation as a frequency doubler if the tank Q is
a reasonable value. You may find that the output amplitude is a bit less in frequency
doubling since the tank circuit is receiving a pulse input every other cycle.
2. From the corner frequencies measured in step 9, calculate the bank bandwidth (BW) Q. Record
these values.

BW= 1.28 KHz Q= 9.05

TABULATION:
Frequency Output voltage Vin (v) Gain

928 k 21 2 20.4
980 k 21.2 2 20.8
1.43 M 23.2 2 21.8
1.5 M 21 2 20.4
1.578 M 18.8 2 19.46

- Draw the graph of gain vs frequency.