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CHAPTER 1 FEEDBACK AMPLIFIERS

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1.1 INTRODUCTION

In electronics I, we have seen small-signal voltage gain and other characteristics of transistors
are function of transistor parameters. In general, these parameters vary with temperature and they
have range of values for a given type of transistor. This means that the Q-point, voltage gain, and
other circuit properties can vary from one circuit to another, and can be function of temperature.
Such transistor circuit characteristics can be made essentially independent of the individual
transistor parameters by using feedback.

Feedback is the process whereby a portion of the output is returned to the input to form part of
the system excitation. There are two basic types of feedback: negative feedback & positive
feedback.

Negative feedback: In this case the feedback signal is out of phase with the input signal. The
amplifier introduces a 1800 phase shift into the circuit, while the feedback network does not.

Positive feedback: In this case the feedback signal is in phase with the amplifier input signal.
Both the amplifier and the feedback signal introduce a 1800 phase shift. The result is a 3600
phase shift around the loop, causing the feedback signal to be in phase with the original signal.
The positive feedback is used in oscillator circuits. In this chapter, we will concentrate on
negative feedback.

Negative feedback circuits bring a number of improvements with some reduction of the gain,
among them being:

1 Better stabilized voltage gain: variations in the gain as a result of change in transistor
parameter are reduced by feedback. This reduction in sensitivity of gain is one of the most
attractive features of negative feedback.

2. Increase in bandwidth: the bandwidth of the circuit that incorporates negative feedback is
larger than the basic amplifier.

3. Reduction of non-linear distortion: negative feedback reduces the large signal distortion that
could arise due to the non-linear response of the transistor.

4. Minimize noise sensitivity: negative feedback may increase signal to noise ratio if noise is
generated with the feedback loop.

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5. Control of impedance level: the input and output impedances can be increased or decreased
using the appropriate type of negative feedback circuit.

On the other hand, negative feedback circuits have disadvantages like reduction in the overall
gain (the price required to improve circuit performance), and instability (oscillation) at high
frequencies.

1.2 Basic representation of feedback amplifiers

In feedback representation we may sample the output voltage or current by means of a suitable
sampling network and apply this signal to the input through the feedback two port networks as
shown below.

At the input the feedback signal is combined with the signal through the mixer network and is
feed into the amplifier. The signal source of the feedback amplifier is either a signal voltage or a
signal current.

The feedback network is usually a passive two port network which may contain resistors,
capacitors, and inductors. Most often it is simply a resistive configuration. The output voltage is
sampled by connecting the feedback network in shunt across the output for voltage sampling
and for current sampling the feedback network is connected in series with the output.

Figure 1.1: Representation of any single-loop feedback amplifier

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1.3 Basic Topologies of feedback amplifiers:

There are four basic ways of connecting the feedback signal. Both voltage and current can be
feedback to the input either in series or parallel. Specifically, there can be:

1. Voltage-series feedback (Fig. 1.2a).

2. Current-series feedback (Fig. 1.2b).
3. Current-shunt feedback (Fig. 1.2c).
4. Voltage-shunt feedback (Fig. 1.2d).

Figure 1.2 feedback-amplifier topologies.

The source resistance Rs is considered to be part of the amplifier, and the transfer gain A (Av,
Gm, Ai, Rm) includes the effect of the loading of the β network upon the amplifier.

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Voltage amplifiers:

If the amplifier input resistance Ri is large compared with the source resistance Rs then Vi ≈ Vs. If
the external load resistance R L is large compared with the output resistance Ro of the amplifier,
then Vo ≈Av Vi ≈ Av Vs. This amplifier provides a voltage output proportional to the voltage
input, and the proportionality factor is independent of the magnitude of the source and load
resistances. Such a circuit is called a voltage amplifier. An ideal voltage amplifier must have
infinite input resistance and zero output resistance.

Figure 1.3 voltage amplifier

Current amplifiers:

If the amplifier input resistance Ri is low/ zero compared with the source resistance Rs then Ii ≈Is
and if Ro >> RL, I L ≈Ai Ii ≈Ai Is. A current amplifier is an amplifier which provides an output
current proportional to the signal current, and the proportionality factor is independent of R s and
RL. Hence the output current is proportional to the signal current. An ideal current amplifier must
have zero input resistance and infinite output resistance.

Figure 1.4 current amplifier

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Transconductance amplifier

This amplifier supplies an output current which is proportional to the signal voltage,
independently of the magnitude of Rs and RL. It has an infinite input resistance Ri and infinite
output resistance Ro. Since it has large input resistance, it must be driven by a low resistance
source. It presents a high output resistance and hence drives a low resistance load.

Vi ≈ Vs for Ri >> Rs and Io ≈ GM Vi ≈ GM Vs , if Ro>>RL Note that GM =Io / Vi

Figure 1.5 Transconductance amplifier

Transresistance amplifier

This amplifier provides an output voltage Vo in proportion to the signal current Is independently
of Rs and RL. In this case Ri << Rs and Ro << RL. Hence the input and output resistances are low
relative to the source and load resistance.

If Rs >> Ri , Ii ≈ Is, and if Ro << RL, Vo ≈ Rm Ii, where Rm=Vo / Ii

Figure1.6 transresistance amplifier

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1.4 EFFECTS OF NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

Generally, we can model all types of feedback amplifiers using the following block diagram. Ss is any
input signal (voltage or current) that is supplied by a source. Sf is a sample of the output feedback to the
input through the mixer. Si is the net input (error) signal given to the amplifier.

Ss Si So
Source + A Load
_

Sf

Figure 1.2: Negative feedback amplifier model

1. Gain reduction

The ration of the output and the input without feedback is given as,

The portion of the output feed to the input is,

Thus, the net signal given to the amplifier is therefore,

Hence, the gain of the feedback circuit is given by

Where ( is the feedback factor.

The effect of negative feedback is that for the price of gain reduction, many desirable
characteristics are obtained.

2. Change in Input and output impedance

Consider the voltage-series feedback circuit shown in the figure 1.3.

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 Is Zo
+ + +
Vs Vi Zi AVi Vo
_ Zif _ _
Zof

+
Vf β
_

Figure 1.3: Voltage-Series feedback

The input impedance of the feedback circuit can be evaluated as,

The output impedance is determined by Appling a voltage V, resulting a current I, and shorting
the input terminal, Vs=0 in the fig. 1.3.

The voltage V is then,

For, Vs=0,

So that

Rearranging terms we have

Therefore, the output impedance with feedback:

Note: similar approach can be followed to determine the input and output impedance of the
remaining feedback circuits. However, it is very important to note that A and are different for
different types of feedback amplifiers.

Summary of effects of feedback on the input and output impedance is provided in the table
below and the derivation is left for the students as exercise.

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 Voltage-series Voltage-shunt Current-series Current-shunt

increased decreased increased decreased

decreased decreased increased increased

From the table above, voltage (shunt) feedback tends to decrease impedance, and current (series)
feedback tends to increase impedance.

3. Gain Stability

In addition to the factor setting a precise gain value, we are also interested in how stable the
feedback amplifier is compared to an amplifier without feedback.

Differentiating Eq. (1.1) leads to

This shows that magnitude of the relative change in gain is reduced by the factor of
compared to that without feedback.

4. Reduction in frequency distortion

For a negative-feedback amplifier having , the gain with feedback is . It follows

that if the feedback network is purely resistive, the gain with feedback is not dependent on
frequency even though the basic amplifier gain is frequency dependent. Practically, the
frequency distortion arising because of varying amplifier gain with frequency and it is considerably
reduced in a negative-voltage feedback amplifier circuit.

5. Bandwidth extension

It is interesting to note that the product of gain and frequency remains the same so that the gain
bandwidth product of the basic amplifier is the same value for the feedback amplifier. Since the
feedback amplifier has lower gain, the net operation was to trade gain for bandwidth so that it
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 increases for any decrease in gain. See fig. 1.4.
Mathematically, it can be expressed as

Figure 1.4 Effect of feedback on bandwidth.

SUMMARY OF EFFECT OF NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

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1.5 ANALYSIS OF FEEDBACK AMPLIFIER

To find Af, Rif, and Rof the following steps are carried out:

1. Identify the topology as indicated below. Tests for the type of sampling are the following:

 Set VO = 0 (that is, set RL = 0). If Xf becomes zero, the original system
exhibited voltage sampling.
 Set Io= 0 (that is set RL = ∞). If Xf becomes zero, current sampling was
present in the original amplifier.
2. Draw the basic amplifier circuit without feedback.

To find the input circuit:

 Set VO = 0 for voltage sampling. In other words, short circuit the

output node.
 Set IO = 0 for current sampling. In other words open circuit the output
loop.

To find the output circuit:

 Set Vi = 0 for shunt comparison. In other words, short circuit the input
node (so that none of the feedback current enters the amplifier input).
 Set Ii= 0 for series comparison. In other words, open circuit the input
loop. (So that none of the feedback voltage reaches the amplifier
input).

3. Use a Thevenin’s source if Xf is a voltage and a Norton’s source if Xf is a current.

4. Replace the active device by the proper model.
5. Indicate Xf and Xo on the circuit obtained by carrying out steps 2, 3, and 4.
Evaluate
6. Evaluate A by applying KVL and KCL to the equivalent circuit obtained after step 4.
7. From A and β, Find D, Af, Rif, Rof

We will illustrate the approximate analysis procedure in the following examples.

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Example 1: For the following emitter-follower amplifier, determine the type of feedback, gain,
input and output impedance.

VCC

RC RC
RB Vs
Vs
+
V_i
Vs B
Vf RE
_
Vo
Vf RE

(a) (b)

Feedback type:

Looking at the second figure (fig. b), the output voltage is sampled and feedback to the circuit in
the form of voltage. Such type of feedback is called voltage-series feedback.

Equivalent circuit without feedback:

Input circuit: setting (shorting the output), E terminal appears at the ground.

Output circuit: setting (opening the input), , and the current source appears in series
with the output circuit.

Therefore, the equivalent circuit without feedback resembles the one shown here.

Zi Zo
Is Ii RC
Vi
+
Vs RB hie hfe Ii Vo =Vf RE
_

The gain of the amplifier without feedback; _

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The feedback parameter

Thus, the gain of the feedback amplifier is

Input impedance

Output impedance

Example 2: For the following amplifier, determine the type of feedback, voltage gain, input and
output impedance.

VCC

Io

RC RC Vo
RB Vs
Vs
Vo

Vs RB +
Vf RE
_

Vf RE

(a) (b)

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Type of topology:

The output current is sampled and fed back to the input in the form of voltage. Therefore, it is
current-series feedback amplifier.
Equivalent circuit without feedback:

Input circuit: setting (opening the output), appears in series with the input circuit.

Output circuit: setting (opening the input), appears in series with the output circuit

Therefore, the equivalent circuit without feedback resembles the one shown here.

Zi Zo
Is V Ii Io
i
+ +
Vs RB hie hfe Ii Vo
_ _ Vf + _

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 RE RE

The gain of the amplifier without feedback is

The feedback parameter

Thus, the gain of the feedback amplifier is

The voltage gain then is calculated as

Input impedance

Output impedance looking back to the circuit just before is

Hence, the output impedance looking back to the circuit after is

Example 3: For the following amplifier, determine the type of feedback and voltage gain.
VDD

RD s
RF r
V Vo s
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 RS RF
Source
transfromation IF +
RD Vo
(a) _
Ii

Is rs

(b)

Type of feedback: the output voltage is sampled and fed back to the input in the form of current,
hence, voltage-shunt feedback.

Equivalent circuit without feedback:

Input circuit: is determined by setting Vo=0,

Output circuit: is determined by setting Vi=0 or shorting the input terminal

+
+
rs RF vgs gm vgs RF RD Vo
Is _ _

The gain of the amplifier without feedback is

If , then the gain will be simplified as

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The feedback parameter

Thus, the gain of the feedback amplifier is

The voltage gain then is calculated as

References:
1 ROBERT BOYLESTAD AND LOUIS NASHELSKY, ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUIT THEORY,7th EDITION

2 JACOB MILLMAN ,MICROELECTRONICS, 2ND EDITION

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