Amplifiers

Engr. Aaron Don M. Africa

RF Amplifiers
RF power amplifier is the last active stage
before the transmitting antenna. It
provides the power amplification
necessary for the antenna to radiate RF
signals.

Class A The amount of the output signal flow varies for a full 360 degrees of the
cycle

-The Q point is usually set at the supply voltage so that the output signal can
have a maximum output swing
-The maximum efficiency is 25%
-50% efficiency can be obtained by transformer coupling

Class B The amount of the output signal is 180 degrees

-The Q point is set at the cut-off region

-The maximum efficiency is 78.5%
-In most practical amplifiers, the Q-point is set just a little above cut-off to eliminate
crossover distortion

Class AB The amount of the output signal flows for more that 180 degrees but less
than 360 degrees

-The Q point is set between class A and class B level

- Efficiency is less than 78.5%
-Is at the active region but near cut-off

Class C The output signal flows less than 180 degrees

-The Q point is set below cutoff region

- Efficiency is not an important factor for a class C amplifier, for it is not usually
designed to deliver large amount of power
-Used in HF oscillators

Class A

Class B

Class AB

Class C

Active
Region

Cuff-off
region

A little above
cutoff

Below cutoff

Conduction 360
Angle

180

180 -359

Less than
180

Distortion

low

high

moderate

Very high

Max
Efficiency

25% & 50%

for
transformer
coupled

78.5%

Between class
B and A

More than
90%

Q-point