Unit 57 assignment 1

1) Questions

A) Express gain as a ratio

Gain = output voltage/input voltage
10/5=2 the gain is 2

B) Convert the voltage gain (or loss) into decibels (dB)

Gain dB = 20log (Vout/Vin)

C) Definitions of decibels
The decibel is a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound or the power level of an electrical
signal by comparing it with a given level on a logarithmic scale.

D) Uses of decibels
The decibel (dB) is used to measure sound level, but it is also widely used in electronics, signals and
communication. The dB is a logarithmic way of describing a ratio. The ratio may be power, sound
pressure, voltage or intensity etc.

E) Benefits of using the logarithmic unit for voltage/power gain

The logarithmic allows you to use large scale numbers on a small line. It is usually defined as the
mean ratio of the signal amplitude or power at the output port to the amplitude or power at the
input port. It is often expressed using the logarithmic decibel (dB) units "dB gain".

F) Decibel reference to one milliwat (dBm)

One milliwat (1 mW) equals 1/1000 of a watt (0.001 W or 10 -3 W). For example, a 1-mW signal has a
level of 0 dBm.

G) Explain the types of noise in any electronic circuit (thermal, cross talk, shot)

Thermal noise: Thermal noise is generated as a result of thermal agitation of the charge carriers
which are typically electrons within an electrical conductor. This thermal noise actually occurs
regardless of the applied voltage because the charge carriers vibrate as a result of the temperature.

Cross talk noise: In electronics, crosstalk is any phenomenon by which a signal transmitted on one
circuit or channel of a transmission system creates an undesired effect in another circuit or channel.

Shot noise: Shot noise in electronic devices results from unavoidable random statistical fluctuations
of the electric current when the charge carriers (such as electrons) traverse a gap. The current is a
flow of discrete charges, and the fluctuation in the arrivals of those charges creates shot noise.

H) Describe the effects of noise on a given circuit

The noise will affect the signal thus changing the output.

I) Use this to determine the signal to noise ratio for a given input signal voltage
100dB/20noise
100/20=5
Unit 57 assignment 1

J) Ensuring that each learner is working with a slightly different amplifier could further
reinforce this

2) P2&M1
A) Describe any 2 classes of amplifier

Class A:
The efficiency of this type of circuit is very low (less than 30%) and delivers small power outputs for a
large drain on the DC power supply. A Class A amplifier stage passes the same load current even
when no input signal is applied so large heatsinks are needed for the output transistors.

Class B:
Class B amplifier is a type of power amplifier where the active device (transistor) conducts only for
one half cycle of the input signal. That means the conduction angle is 180° for a Class B amplifier
Unit 57 assignment 1

B) Describe practical performance of the above

Class A conducts all the time (because it is biased so). For example your "idle" current is 0.5mA and
peak is 0.35mA from idle. Then positive peak is 0.5+0.35=0.85mA, negative peak is 0.5-0.35=0.15mA
but in all of those cases current is greater than zero. So far we only mentioned biasing current but
keep in mind that this translates to some serious collector current. If the hfe = 100 then 0.5mA input
will mean 50mA idle current at the output. And actually the larger the amplifier, the bigger the idle
current (it could be amps). This is terrible for battery powered device because even if device is doing
nothing, significant current flows and drains the battery. The nice thing about class A is that there is
no switchover, you get smooth response. One huge downside of class A is power consumption.

Class B uses bias that keeps device (transistor) at the edge of conduction. This means that if the AC
signal comes in (think sinusoid), transistor will react only to positive part of the signal. Negative
would push transistor deeper in cutoff mode and no current would flow through it. So to get entire
signal amplified, we need two separate stages, one for positive signals, one for negative art of the
signal. Then they are combined into one. In this case idle current can be zero (or very close). The
problem is that there is quite noticeable step at the point where positive and negative portions of
output are supposedly stitched together. So class B saves power, but does not so well in maintaining
signal quality.

C) Merit

A) Class A

ADVANTAGES
It has a high fidelity because the output is an exact replica of an input signal produced. The design is
simple. It has improved high frequency responses because the device when active is on full time.
Meaning that no time is wasted in trying to turn up the device. There is no crossover distortion
because the active device conducts the entire cycle of the input signal. Single ended configuration
can be easily and practically realized in class an amplifier. Class A amplifier always uses one
transistor and that’s an NPN.

DISADVANTAGES
The transformers used in this amplifier are bulk and they are high cost. Its requirement of two
identical transistors. Man disadvantage is poor efficiency because the supply voltage is always
connected and being used. Steps for improving efficiency like transformer coupling effects the
frequency response. Powerful class a power amplifiers are costly and bulky due to the large power
supply heatsink meaning it’s harder to transport.

B) Class B

ADVANTAGES
The circuit efficiency of a class-B push-pull amplifier is much higher than class-A. Amplifier. The
reason for this is that no power is drawn from the D.C. power supply Vcc under no signal condition in
class-B push-pull amplifier. The use of push-pull system in the class-B amplifier eliminates even order
harmonics in A.C. output signal. For a given amount distortion the circuit provides more output per
device because of the absence of even harmonics. There is no D.C. component in the output signal.
It is because of the fact that D.C. components of two collector currents, through the two halves of
primary of the output transformer flow in opposite directions. As a result, there is no possibility of
Unit 57 assignment 1

core saturation of the output transformer, even at the peak value of the signals. Thus, we can use
smaller sized cores in the transformers, without affecting the circuit performances.

DISADVANTAGES
Harmonic distortion is high.

C) P3: Explain four different effects of feedback on the function of an amplifier

Positive - Positive feedback in a transistor amplifier. In a common-base transistor amplifier, it is

simple to provide positive feedback. Since the input and output signals are in phase, you need only
couple part of the output signal back to the input.

Negative - A negative-feedback amplifier is an electronic amplifier that subtracts a fraction of its

output from its input, so that negative feedback opposes the original signal. The applied negative
feedback improves performance and reduces sensitivity to parameter variations due to
manufacturing or environment. Because of these advantages, many amplifiers and control systems
use negative feedback.

Voltage - The current-feedback operational amplifier is a type of current controlled voltage source
(CCVS). The transimpedance amplifier is a pure current controlled voltage source (CCVS). The
operational transconductance amplifier and Norton amplifier are voltage controlled current sources
(VCCS).

Current - The current feedback operational amplifier is a type of electronic amplifier whose inverting
input is sensitive to current, rather than to voltage as in a conventional voltage-feedback operational
amplifier.