Feedback amplifiers

 A black box is often used to represent an amplifier.

 Signals can be voltage or current. I stands for input and o

stands for output.

Models of amplifiers

Basic feedback configuration

The basic feedback amplifier consists of a basic amplifier and a feedback network.

A = basic amplifier gain

f = feedback network
The input is subtracted by a
feedback signal which is part of the
output, before it is amplified by the
basic amplifier.

Vo A(Vi Vf )
But, since Vf = f xVo, we get
So A(Vi fVo )

Hence, the overall gain is

1
 ; If Af is much greater than 1,

Terminologies
 Basic amplifier gain or open loop gain = A
 Feedback gain = f (also represents feedback network or feedback factor)
 Overall gain (closed-loop gain) =
 Loop gain (roundtrip gain) = Af

Advantages of Feedback

 If the feedback network is constructed from passive elements having stable characteristics, the
overall gain becomes very steady and unaffected by variation of the basic amplifier gain.
 Suppose the basic amplifier is distortive. So, the output does not give a sine wave for a sine wave
input. But, with feedback, we see that the gain is about 1/f anyway, regardless of what A is (or as
long as Af is large enough). This gives a very good property of feedback amplifier in terms of
eliminating distortion.
 Improve input and output resistances
 Widening of bandwidth of amplifier
 Enhance noise rejection capability.

Disadvantages of Feedback

 Feedback comes with reduced gain, and hence you may need to add a preamplifier to boost the
gain.
 Also, wherever you have a loop, there is hazard of oscillation, if you don’t want it. This property
is to create oscillators.

Feedback amplifier configurations

There are four possible feedback amplifier configurations as detailed below. This
depends on how the feedback is applied at the input and also how the feedback is taken
from the output (is it in series or parallel (shunt)?).

Case 1: Series shunt feedback amplifier (voltage series amplifier)

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The series and shunt situation is elaborated by the figure below:

Case 2: Shunt - shunt feedback amplifier (Transresistance amplifier or voltage shunt

amplifier)

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Case 3: Series-series feedback (for transconductance amplifier or current series feedback)

Case 4: Shunt-series feedback (for current amplifier or current shunt)

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