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Introduction to Amplifiers

Amplifiers are electronic devices that increase signal power and are classified into different classes based on their operation mode: Class A, Class B, Class AB, Class C, and Class D. Each class has unique characteristics, efficiency levels, and applications, with Class A offering high linearity but low efficiency, while Class D provides very high efficiency suitable for high-power applications. The choice of amplifier class depends on the specific requirements of the application, including efficiency, linearity, and power handling.

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7 views6 pages

Introduction to Amplifiers

Amplifiers are electronic devices that increase signal power and are classified into different classes based on their operation mode: Class A, Class B, Class AB, Class C, and Class D. Each class has unique characteristics, efficiency levels, and applications, with Class A offering high linearity but low efficiency, while Class D provides very high efficiency suitable for high-power applications. The choice of amplifier class depends on the specific requirements of the application, including efficiency, linearity, and power handling.

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lydiaonyinyechi17
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Introduction to Amplifiers

An amplifier is an electronic device that increases the power of a signal. It achieves this by
taking in a small electrical signal and outputting a larger one without altering the original signal's
characteristics. Amplifiers are essential in various applications, including audio equipment,
broadcasting, and signal processing.

Amplifiers can be classified based on various criteria, including their configuration, operation
mode, and application. The primary classification, however, is based on the operation mode,
leading to different classes of amplifiers: Class A, Class B, Class AB, and Class D.

Class A Amplifiers

Description: Class A amplifiers conduct for the entire cycle (360 degrees) of the input signal.
This means the transistor is always on, operating in the linear region.

Characteristics:

 High linearity
 Low distortion
 Low efficiency (typically around 25-30%)

 High heat dissipation

Operation:

 The transistor remains active throughout the entire input signal cycle.
 It is biased in the linear region, ensuring the output is a faithful amplification of the input.
Class B Amplifiers

Description: Class B amplifiers conduct for exactly half the input signal cycle (180 degrees).
Two transistors (NPN and PNP) are used, each conducting for one half of the cycle.

Characteristics:

 Higher efficiency than Class A (typically around 70-80%)


 Moderate linearity

 Crossover distortion at the zero-crossing point of the signal

Operation:

 Each transistor conducts for 180 degrees of the input signal.


 One transistor handles the positive half, and the other handles the negative half.
Class AB Amplifiers

Description: Class AB amplifiers combine Class A and Class B advantages. Each transistor
conducts for slightly more than half the cycle (180 to 360 degrees), reducing crossover distortion
while maintaining better efficiency.

Characteristics:

 Better linearity than Class B


 Lower distortion than Class B
 Higher efficiency than Class A

Operation:

 Both transistors are biased to conduct slightly before and after the zero-crossing point of
the signal.
 This overlap reduces crossover distortion.

Class C Amplifiers
Principle of Operation
 Partial Conduction: The transistor conducts for less than half the cycle (typically less
than 180 degrees) of the input signal.
 High Efficiency: By conducting for a short portion of the cycle, Class C amplifiers
achieve very high efficiency.

Characteristics

 Very High Efficiency: Efficiency can be as high as 80-90% because the transistor is off for most of
the input cycle.
 High Distortion: Significant distortion in the output signal, which makes Class C unsuitable for
audio amplification.
 Tuned Circuits: Often used with resonant (LC) circuits that filter the output to produce a sine
wave, making them ideal for RF (radio frequency) applications.

Efficiency Calculation
Class D Amplifiers

Description: Class D amplifiers operate using pulse width modulation (PWM) to achieve high
efficiency. The transistors act as switches, rapidly turning on and off, resulting in low power
dissipation.

Characteristics:

 Very high efficiency (typically over 90%)


 Low heat dissipation
 Suitable for high-power applications

 Potential for electromagnetic interference (EMI)

Operation:

 Transistors switch on and off to modulate the output signal.


 Pulse width modulation (PWM) or other techniques encode the audio signal.
Summary

Class A

 Conduction Angle: 360 degrees


 Efficiency: Low (~25-30%)
 Linearity: High
 Applications: High-fidelity audio

Class B

 Conduction Angle: 180 degrees


 Efficiency: Moderate (~78.5%)
 Linearity: Moderate, with crossover distortion
 Applications: Audio, RF transmitters

Class AB

 Conduction Angle: >180 degrees but <360 degrees


 Efficiency: Moderate (~50-70%)
 Linearity: Better than Class B, reduced crossover distortion
 Applications: Audio power amplification

Class C

 Conduction Angle: <180 degrees


 Efficiency: High (~80-90%)
 Linearity: Low, high distortion
 Applications: RF transmitters, high-frequency oscillators

Class D

 Conduction Angle: Uses switching mode (PWM)


 Efficiency: Very high (>90%)
 Linearity: Dependent on design, but generally high for audio purposes
 Applications: Portable audio devices, high-power audio systems

Each amplifier class has its specific use cases, making it essential to choose the appropriate class
based on the application requirements for efficiency, linearity, and power handling.

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