COMPLEMENTARY SYMMETRY PUSH PULL CLASS B AMPLIFIER

The push pull class B power amplifier improves efficiency but the usage of
center-tapped transformers in its design makes the circuit bulky, heavy and
expensive to construct.
However, this limitation can be overcome by another type of class B push-pull
amplifier called a Complementary-Symmetry Class B Amplifier shown in
figure (1). It does not use transformers in its design therefore, it is transformerless
using instead complementary pairs of transistors and hence referred to as
Transformerless Class B Push Pull Amplifier.
As transformers are not needed, this makes the amplifier circuit much smaller and
simpler for the same amount of output, also there are no stray magnetic effects or
transformer distortion to effect the quality of the output signal.

Fig. (1). Complementary symmetry push pull amplifier

CIRCUIT EXPLANATION

The circuit shown in figure (1) employs a NPN transistor and a PNP transistor
connected in push pull configuration. This means that the arrangement uses two
transistors having complementary symmetry. The term complementary arises
from the fact that one transistor is NPN type and the other is PNP type. They have

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symmetry as they are made with the same material and technology and are of
same maximum rating. Here, Cin is the input signal coupling capacitor and
couples the input signal to the base of both the transistors Q1 and Q2. The resistors
R1 and R2 provide the voltage divider bias to forward bias the Emitter-Base
Junction of transistor Q1 and similarly Resistors R3 and R4 provide the voltage
divider bias for Emitter-Base junction of transistor Q2. The Resistors are so
selected that under zero signal condition, the operating point is cut-off (class B)
due to which no collector current flows under no signal condition.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

The signal applied at the input is fed to the base of both the transistors. The two
transistors conduct in the opposite half cycle of the input signal. During the
positive half cycle, only the NPN transistor Q1 is forward biased and conducts
while the PNP transistor Q2 is reverse biased and so does not conduct. This results
in a half cycle of output voltage across the load resistor RL. Similarly during the
negative half cycle, only the PNP transistor Q2 is forward biased and conducts
while the NPN transistor Q1 being reverse biased and does not conduct which
develops second half cycle of the output voltage across the load resistor RL. Thus
during a complete cycle of the input, a complete cycle of output will be
developed. As the transistors are both complement to each other, yet act
symmetrically while being connected in push pull configuration of class B, this
circuit is termed as Complementary symmetry push pull class B amplifier.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages of Complementary symmetry push pull class B amplifier are as

follows:
 As there is no need of center tapped transformers, the weight and cost are
reduced and the circuit becomes compact also.
 Equal and opposite input signal voltages are not required.
 It can be easily fabricated in an IC form.
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DISADVANTAGES

The disadvantages of Complementary symmetry push pull class B amplifier are

as follows:
 It is quite difficult to get a pair of transistors (NPN and PNP) that have
similar characteristics (or, matched transistors).
 The harmonics will be developed if there is any unbalance in the two
transistors which results in the increase of distortion.

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