Electronic Circuits

Chapter 5: Feedback

1
 Outline
General Feedback Structure

Properties of negative feedback

The four basic feedback topologies

Series-Shunt Feedback Amplifier

Series-Series Feedback Amplifier

Shunt-Shunt Feedback Amplifier

2
 General Feedback Structure

𝒙𝟎 𝑨
The gain of the feedback amplifier is: 𝑨𝒇 ≡ =
𝒙𝒔 𝟏 + 𝑨𝜷
𝟏
In the case of many circuits, the loop gain is large, 𝑨𝜷 ≫ 𝟏, then 𝑨𝒇 ≈ . The
𝜷
gain of the feedback amplifier is almost entirely determined by the feedback
network.
The advantage of negative feedback: obtaining accurate, predictable and stable
gain.

3
 General Feedback Structure
Example 1: The non-inverting op-amp configuration provides a direct
implementation of the feedback loop

a. Assume that the op-amp has infinite input resistance and zero output
resistance. Find the expression of the feedback factor 𝜷.
b. Find the condition under which the closed-loop gain 𝑨𝒇 is almost entirely
determined by the feedback network.
c. If the open-loop gain 𝑨 = 𝟏𝟎𝟒 . Find 𝑹𝟐+𝑹𝟏 to obtain a closed-loop gain 𝑨𝒇 of
10.
d. What is the amount of feedback in decibels?
e. If 𝑽𝒔 = 𝟏 𝑽 . Find 𝑽𝟎 , 𝑽𝒇 and 𝑽𝒊 .
f. If 𝑨 decreases by 20%. What is the corresponding decrease in 𝑨𝒇 ?
4
Properties of negative feedback
Desensitize the gain

Reduce nonlinear distortion

Reduce the effect of noise

Control terminal impedances

Increase the bandwidth

5
 Properties – Gain desensitivity
Assume that 𝜷 is constant. Taking differentials of both sides:
𝒅𝑨
𝒅𝑨𝒇 = 𝟐
𝟏 + 𝑨𝜷

Dividing both sides of equation by 𝑨𝒇 yields:

𝒅𝑨𝒇 𝟏 𝒅𝑨
=
𝑨𝒇 𝟏 + 𝑨𝜷 𝑨
The percentage change in 𝑨𝒇 (due to variations in some circuit parameter) is
smaller than the percentage change in 𝑨 by a factor equal to the amount of
feedback. 𝟏 + 𝑨𝜷 is also known as the desensitivity factor.

Example 2: An amplifier with a nominal gain 𝑨 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑽/𝑽 exhibits a gain

change of 𝟏𝟎% as the operating temperature changes from 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝑪 to 𝟕𝟓𝟎 𝑪. If it
is required to constrain the change to 𝟎. 𝟏% by applying negative feedback,
what is the largest closed-loop gain possible? If three of these feedback
amplifiers are placed in cascade, what overall gain and gain stability are
achieved?
6
Properties – Bandwidth extension
With a frequency-independent factor 𝜷, closed-loop gain 𝑨𝒇 (𝒔) is given by
𝑨(𝒔)
𝑨𝒇 (𝒔) =
𝟏 + 𝜷𝑨(𝒔)
Consider an amplifier whose high-frequency response is characterized by a
single pole
𝑨𝑴
𝑨(𝒔) =
𝟏 + 𝒔+𝝎𝑯
Substituting 𝑨(𝒔) into 𝑨𝒇 𝒔 :
𝑨𝑴
+𝟏 + 𝑨 𝜷
𝑴
𝑨𝒇 𝒔 =
𝟏 + 𝒔+𝝎𝑯 𝟏 + 𝑨𝑴 𝜷

Thus the feedback amplifier will have a mid-band gain of 𝑨𝑴+𝟏+𝑨𝑴𝜷 and an upper
3-dB frequency 𝝎𝑯𝒇 = 𝝎𝑯 𝟏 + 𝑨𝑴 𝜷 .
Similarly it can be shown that the feedback amplifier will have a lower 3-dB
frequency 𝝎𝑳𝒇 = 𝝎𝑳+ 𝟏+𝑨𝑴𝜷 .
7
Properties – Bandwidth extension

Figure 3: Application of
negative feedback
reduces the midband
gain, increase 𝑓0 and
reduce 𝑓1 .

Example 3: Consider the non-inverting op-amp circuit of Example 1. Let the

open-loop gain A have a low-frequency value of 104 and a uniform –6dB/octave
rolloff at high frequencies with a 3dB frequency of 100Hz. Find the low-
frequency gain and the upper 3-dB frequency of a closed-loop amplifier with
𝑅1 = 1 𝑘Ω and 𝑅2 = 9 𝑘Ω.
8
 Properties – Interference Reduction
Negative feedback can be employed to reduce the interference in an amplifier
or, more precisely, to increase the ratio of signal to interference. Consider the
following amplifier with gain 𝑨𝟏 , input signal 𝑽𝒔 and interference 𝑽𝒏 . The
signal to interference ratio for this amplifier is

𝑺+ = 𝑽𝒔
𝑰 𝑽𝒏

We assume that it is possible to

build another amplifier with gain
𝑨𝟐 as shown in Figure 4b. The
output voltage of the circuit can
be found by superposition:
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐 𝑨𝟏
𝑽𝟎 = 𝑽𝒔 + 𝑽𝒏
𝟏 + 𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐 𝜷 𝟏 + 𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐 𝜷
Thus the SNR at the output becomes
Figure 4a and 4b
𝑺+ = 𝑽𝒔 𝑨
𝑰 𝑽𝒏 𝟐
9
 The four basic feedback topologies
Voltage Amplifiers
Voltage amplifiers are
intended to amplify an input
voltage signal and provide an
output voltage signal.

The input resistance is

required to be high, and the
output resistance is
required to be low.

Because of the series

connection at the input and
the parallel or shunt Figure: Block diagram of a feedback voltage amplifier
connection at the output,
this feedback topology is
also known as series–shunt This topology not only stabilizes the voltage
feedback. gain but also results in a higher input
resistance.

10
 The four basic feedback topologies
Voltage Amplifiers
Examples of series-shunt feedback amplifiers:

Non-inverting op-amp Feedback voltage

configuration amplifier
11
 The four basic feedback topologies
Voltage Amplifiers
Example 4: Let 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 ≫ 𝑹𝑫 , using
small-signal analysis, find expressions for
the open-loop gain 𝑨 ≡ 𝑽𝟎+𝑽𝒊 , the feedback
𝑽
factor 𝜷 ≡ 𝒇+𝑽𝟎 and the closed loop gain
𝑨𝒇 ≡ 𝑽𝟎+𝑽𝒔 . For 𝑨𝜷 ≫ 𝟏 , find an
approximate expression for 𝑨𝒇 . Neglect 𝒓𝟎 .

Ans: 𝑨 = 𝒈𝒎 𝑹𝑫
𝑹𝟏
𝜷=𝑹
𝟏 +𝑹𝟐
𝒈𝒎 𝑹𝑫
𝑨𝒇 = 𝒈 𝑹 𝑹
7+ 𝒎 𝑫 𝟏8𝑹 -𝑹
𝟏 𝟐

Series-shunt feedback utilizes

a CG transistor Q
12
 The four basic feedback topologies
Current Amplifiers
The output quantity of
interest is current; hence the
feedback network should
sample the output current.

Because of the parallel (or

shunt) connection at the
input, and the series
connection at the output,
this feedback topology is
also known as shunt–series
feedback. Figure: Block diagram of a feedback voltage amplifier

13
 The four basic feedback topologies
Current Amplifiers
Example 5: For the feedback current
amplifier shown in following figure, find
expressions for the open-loop gain 𝑨 ≡
𝑰𝟎 𝑰
+𝑰𝒊, the feedback factor 𝜷 ≡ 𝒇+𝑰𝟎 and the
closed-loop gain 𝑨𝒇 ≡ 𝑰𝟎+𝑰𝒔. For simplicity,
neglect the Early effect in 𝑸𝟏 and 𝑸𝟐 .

Figure 4a and 4b
14
 The four basic feedback topologies
Transconductance Amplifiers
In transconductance amplifiers the input signal is a voltage and the output signal
is a current.

The presence of the series connection at both the input and the output gives this
feedback topology the alternative name series–series feedback.

15
 The four basic feedback topologies
Transconductance Amplifiers
Examples of feedback transconductance amplifiers:

Figure a Figure b
Example 6: For the circuit shown in figure a, let the differential amplifier 𝑨𝟏 have an
infinite input resistance. Use small-signal analysis to obtain expressions for the open-
𝑽
loop gain 𝑨 ≡ 𝑰𝟎+𝑽𝒊, the feedback factor 𝜷 ≡ 𝒇+𝑰𝟎 and the closed-loop gain 𝑨𝒇 ≡
𝑰𝟎
+𝑽𝒔. If the loop gain is much greater than unity, find an approximate expression for
𝑨𝒇 . Neglect 𝒓𝟎𝟐 .
16
 The four basic feedback topologies
Transresistance Amplifiers
In transresistance amplifiers the input
signal is current and the output signal is
voltage.

Figure: Block diagram of a feedback

transresistance amplifier

The presence of the parallel (or shunt)

connection at both the input and the
Example of a feedback transresistance output makes this feedback topology also
amplifier known as shunt–shunt feedback.

17
 The four basic feedback topologies
Transresistance Amplifiers
Examples of feedback trans-resistance amplifiers:

Figure a Figure b
Example 7: For the circuit shown in figure a, let the op amp have an open-loop gain
𝑨, a differential input resistance 𝑹𝒊𝒅 and a zero output resistance. Analyze the circuit
to determine 𝑨𝒇 ≡ 𝑽𝟎+𝑰𝒔. Under what condition does 𝑨𝒇 ≈ −𝑹𝑭 ?

18
 The feedback Voltage Amplifier
(Series - Shunt)
The ideal case:
Input resistance: 𝑅< .
Output resistance: 𝑅= .
Open-circuit gain: 𝐴.
b circuit does not load the A circuit. The
closed-loop gain is:
𝐴
𝐴> =
1 + 𝐴𝛽
Equivalent circuit:
Input resistance: 𝑅<> = 1 + 𝐴𝛽 𝑅< .
?.
Output resistance: 𝑅=> = .
7+@A

Negative feedback increases the input

resistance and decreases the output
resistance by a factor equal to the feedback.
19
 The feedback Voltage Amplifier
(Series - Shunt)
The actual case:
- The feedback network is usually resistive and hence will load the basic
amplifier and thus affect the values of 𝐴, 𝑅< , 𝑅= .
- The source and load resistances will affect these three parameters.
Example:

20
The feedback Voltage Amplifier
(Series - Shunt)

h parameters is the only

parameter set that represents
the feedback network by a
series network at port 1 and a
parallel network at port 2.

21
 The feedback Voltage Amplifier
(Series - Shunt)
𝒉𝟐𝟏 𝑰𝟏 represents the forward
transmission of the feedback
network.

The feedback network is usually

Figure a: Block diagram of a practical series– passive, its forward transmission can
shunt feedback amplifier be neglected in comparison to the
much larger forward transmission of
the basic amplifier:
𝒉𝟐𝟏 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 ≪ 𝒉𝟐𝟏 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒓

Figure b: The feedback network represented by

its h parameters
22
 The feedback Voltage Amplifier
(Series - Shunt)

The loading effect of the feedback

network on the basic amplifier is
represented by the components 𝒉𝟏𝟏
and 𝒉𝟐𝟐 .

β is equal to 𝒉𝟏𝟐 of the feedback network

𝑽𝟏
𝜷 = 𝒉𝟏𝟐 = M
𝑽𝟐 𝑰
𝟏 K𝟎

Figure c: The circuit in Figure b with ℎJ7

neglected.

23
 The feedback Voltage Amplifier
(Series - Shunt)
Summary:

24
 The feedback Voltage Amplifier
(Series - Shunt)
Example 8: Following figure shows an op-
amp connected in the non-inverting
configuration. The op-amp has an open-
loop gain μ, a differential input resistance
Rid, and an output resistance ro. Find
expressions for A, β, the closed-loop gain ,
the input resistance Rin, and the output
resistance Rout. Also find numerical values,
given 𝜇 = 104, 𝑅<L = 100𝑘Ω, 𝑟= = 1𝑘Ω,
𝑅1 = 2𝑘Ω , 𝑅7 = 1𝑘Ω , 𝑅J = 1 𝑀Ω , and
𝑅M = 10𝑘Ω.

25
 The feedback Voltage Amplifier
(Series - Shunt)

Example 9: consider the following circuit. It

is required to analyze this amplifier to
obtain its voltage gain N.+N/ , input
resistance 𝑅<O , and output resistance 𝑅=PQ .
Find numerical values for the case 𝑔R7 =
𝑔RJ = 4mA/V, 𝑅S7 = 𝑅SJ = 10kΩ, 𝑅7 =
1kΩ and 𝑅J = 9kΩ. For simplicity, neglect
𝑟= of each of 𝑄7 and 𝑄J .

26
 The feedback Transconductance
Amplifier (Series - Series)
The ideal case:
Input resistance: 𝑅< .
Output resistance: 𝑅= .
T0
Open-circuit gain: 𝐴 ≡ .
N1
b circuit does not load the A circuit. The
closed-loop gain is:
𝐼= 𝐴
𝐴> = =
𝑉M 1 + 𝐴𝛽
Equivalent circuit:
Input resistance: 𝑅<> = 1 + 𝐴𝛽 𝑅< .
Output resistance: 𝑅=> = 1 + 𝐴𝛽 𝑅= .

Negative feedback increases the input

resistance and increases the output resistance
by a factor equal to the feedback.
27
The feedback Transconductance
Amplifier (Series - Series)

z parameters is the only

parameter set that represents
the feedback network with a
series circuit at the input and a
series circuit at the output.

28
 The feedback Transconductance
Amplifier (Series - Series)
𝒛𝟐𝟏 𝑰𝟏 represents the forward
transmission of the feedback
network.

The feedback network is usually

Figure a: Block diagram of a practical series– passive, its forward transmission can
series feedback amplifier be neglected in comparison to the
much larger forward transmission of
the basic amplifier:
𝒛𝟐𝟏 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 ≪ 𝒛𝟐𝟏 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒓

Figure b: The feedback network represented by

its z parameters
29
 The feedback Transconductance
Amplifier (Series - Series)

The loading effect of the feedback

network on the basic amplifier is
represented by the components 𝒛𝟏𝟏
and 𝒛𝟐𝟐 .

β is equal to 𝒛𝟏𝟐 of the feedback network

𝑽𝟏
𝜷 = 𝒛𝟏𝟐 = M
𝑰𝟐 𝑰
𝟏 K𝟎

Figure c: The circuit in Figure b with ℎJ7

neglected.

30
 The feedback Transconductance
Amplifier (Series - Series)
Summary:

31
 The feedback Transresistance
Amplifier (Shunt - Shunt)
The ideal case:
Input resistance: 𝑅< .
Output resistance: 𝑅= .
N
Open-circuit gain: 𝐴 ≡ .
T1
b circuit does not load the A circuit. The
closed-loop gain is:
𝑉 𝐴
𝐴> = =
𝐼M 1 + 𝐴𝛽
Equivalent circuit:
Input resistance: 𝑅<> = ?1+7+@A.
Output resistance: 𝑅=> = ?0+7+@A.

Negative feedback decreases the input

resistance and decreases the output
resistance by a factor equal to the feedback.
32
The feedback Transresistance
Amplifier (Shunt - Shunt)

y parameters is the only

parameter set that represents
the feedback network with a
shunt circuit at the input and a
shunt circuit at the output.

33
 The feedback Transresistance
Amplifier (Shunt - Shunt)
Practical case:

34
 The feedback Current Amplifier
(Shunt - Series)
The ideal case:
Input resistance: 𝑅< .
Output resistance: 𝑅= .
T
Open-circuit gain: 𝐴 ≡ 0.
T1
b circuit does not load the A circuit. The
closed-loop gain is:
𝐼= 𝐴
𝐴> = =
𝐼M 1 + 𝐴𝛽
Equivalent circuit:
Input resistance: 𝑅<> = ?1+7+@A.
Output resistance: 𝑅=> = 1 + 𝐴𝛽 𝑅= .

Negative feedback decreases the input

resistance and increases the output resistance
by a factor equal to the feedback.
35
 The feedback Current Amplifier
(Shunt - Series)
Practical case:

36
 Examples
Example 10: Because negative feedback extends the amplifier bandwidth, it is commonly
used in the design of broadband amplifiers. One such amplifier is the MC1553 which is
shown in the following figure. Assume that the bias circuit, which is not shown,
establishes 𝐼U7 = 0.6𝑚𝐴, 𝐼UJ = 1𝑚𝐴 and 𝐼UV = 4𝑚𝐴. Also assume that for all three
transistors ℎ>W = 100 and 𝑟= = ∞.

a. Find an approximate
expression and value for the
T T N
closed-loop gain 𝐴> ≡ N0 , N2 , N0
/ / /

b. Use feedback analysis to find

N
𝐴, 𝛽, 𝐴> , 0.
N/

37
 Examples
Example 11: Determine the small-signal
voltage gain 𝑉= /𝑉M , the input resistance and
the output resistance 𝑅=PQ = 𝑅=> . The
transistor has 𝛽 = 100.

38
 Examples
Example 12: The following figure shows a trans-resistance amplifier.
a. Find an approximate expression for the closed-loop open-circuit amplifier.
b. Find the A circuit and expressions for A, Ri and Ro.
c. Find expressions for the loop gain Af, Rif, Rin, Rof and Rout.
d. Find the values of Ri, Ro, A, 𝛽, Af, Rif, Rin, Rof and Rout for the case 𝜇 = 10X V/V, 𝑅<L =
∞, 𝑟= = 100Ω, 𝑅Y = 10𝑘Ω and 𝑅Z = 𝑅1 = 10𝑘Ω

39
 Exercises
Exercise 10.41:
c. 𝑅Y = 1.2𝑘Ω
d. 𝑅U7 = 1.75𝑘Ω , 𝑅UJ = 628Ω
e. 𝐴Y = 23.8 𝑉/𝑉
f. 𝑅<> = 154𝑘Ω, 𝑅=> = 0.5Ω

Exercise 10.61:
b. N0+N/ = 99, 𝑅<O = 1.5𝑘Ω.

Exercise 10.69:
N0
+N/ = 3.5, 𝑅<O = 175Ω.

40
Q&A

41