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Class A Amplifiers

A Class A amplifier has a simple linear design where the output transistors are continuously conducting, even when no input signal is present. This results in very low distortion but also very poor efficiency, as much of the power supplied is dissipated as heat even during idle periods with no audio signal. Class A amplifiers are best suited for low power applications due to their inefficiency at higher power levels. They are commonly used for high fidelity "signal level" circuits where maintaining low distortion is important and power requirements are small.

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Daniel Bermodez
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199 views

Class A Amplifiers

A Class A amplifier has a simple linear design where the output transistors are continuously conducting, even when no input signal is present. This results in very low distortion but also very poor efficiency, as much of the power supplied is dissipated as heat even during idle periods with no audio signal. Class A amplifiers are best suited for low power applications due to their inefficiency at higher power levels. They are commonly used for high fidelity "signal level" circuits where maintaining low distortion is important and power requirements are small.

Uploaded by

Daniel Bermodez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Type a

amplifier
BY: IRENIA CARMINA
BTTE ETRO
Basics .

In mathematical terms, if the input signal is denoted as S, the output


of a perfect amplifier is X*S, where X is a constant (a fixed number).
The "*" symbol means
multiplied by".

No amplifier does exactly the ideal .


But many do a very good job if they are operated within their
advertised power ratings .

Output signal of all amplifiers contain additional (unwanted)


components that are not present in the input signal; these additional
characteristics may be lumped together and are generally known as
distortion.
Power amplifiers get the necessary energy for amplification of
input signals from the AC wall outlet to which they are
plugged into.

If you had a perfect amplifier, all of the energy the amplifier


took from the AC outlet would be converted to useful output
(to the speakers)
Contd .
Power is not really something that can be amplified. Voltage and
current can be amplified.

The term power amplifier although technically incorrect has


become understood to mean an amplifier that is intended to drive a
load (such as a speaker, a motor, etc).
Functional blocks of an amplifier
All power amplifiers have:

1.A Power supply

2.An input stage

3.An output stage


Amplifier Classes
The Class of an amplifier refers to the design of the circuitry within the
amp.

For audio amplifiers, the Class of amp refers to the output stage of
the amp.
Class A Output Stage

Class A output stage is a simple linear current amplifier.


It is also very inefficient, typical maximum efficiency between 10
and 20 %.
Only suitable for low power applications.
High power requires much better efficiency.
Transfer Characteristics
Basic class A amplifier operation. Output is shown 180 out of phase with the input (inverted).
Maximum class A output occurs when the Q-point is centered on the ac load line.
Q-point closer to cutoff.
Q-point closer to saturation.
FIGURE
FIGURE 9-30 Class A power amplifier with correct output voltage swing.
Why is class A so inefficient ?

Single transistor can only conduct in one direction.


D.C. bias current is needed to cope with negative going signals.
75 % (or more) of the supplied power is dissipated by d.c.
Solution : eliminate the bias current.
Class A
Class A amplifiers have very low distortion (lowest distortion occurs
when the volume is low)

They are very inefficient and are rarely used for high power designs.

The distortion is low because the transistors in the amp are biased
such that they are half "on" when the amp is idling
Class A
As a result of being half on at idle, a lot of power is dissipated in the
devices even when the amp has no music playing!
Class A amps are often used for "signal" level circuits (where power
requirements are small) because they maintain low distortion.
Class-A Benefits
The first is circuit simplicity.
The signal is subjected to comparatively little amplification, resulting in
an open loop gain which is generally fairly low.
This means that very little overall feedback is used, so stability and
phase should be excellent over the audio frequencies.
Do not require any frequency compensation.
Class-A Benefits
No cross over distortion
No switching distortion
Lower harmonic distortion in the voltage amplifier
Lower harmonic distortion in the current amplifier
No signal dependent distortion from the power
supply
Constant and low output impedance
Simpler design

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