Vignana Bharathi Institute of Technology UNIT 2 ECA

UNIT - II
Tuned Amplifiers: Introduction, single
Tuned Amplifiers – Q-factor, frequency
response, Double Tuned Amplifiers – Q-
factor, frequency response, Concept of
stagger tuning and synchronous tuning

VIDYA SAGAR P
ECA

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TUNED AMPLIFIERS :
Tuned amplifiers are the amplifiers that are employed for the purpose of tuning. Tuning means
selecting. Among a set of frequencies available, if there occurs a need to select a particular frequency,
while rejecting all other frequencies, such a process is called Selection. This selection is done by using
a circuit called as Tuned circuit.
When an amplifier circuit has its load replaced by a tuned circuit, such an amplifier can be called as a
Tuned amplifier circuit. The basic tuned amplifier circuit looks as shown below.
The tuner circuit is nothing but a LC circuit which is also called as resonant or tank circuit. It selects
the frequency. A tuned circuit is capable of amplifying a signal over a narrow band of frequencies that
are centered at resonant frequency.
When the reactance of the inductor balances the reactance of the capacitor, in the tuned circuit at some
frequency, such a frequency can be called as resonant frequency. It is denoted by fr.
Need for Tuned amplifiers:
It is already known that audio amplifiers can amplify high or radio frequency, then what is the need for
a radio frequency amplifier?
An audio amplifier is unable to select a particular frequency signal. As it provides a mixture of
frequency that lies in the range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz. Thus an audio amplifier is not used for radio
frequency signal amplification.
Types of Tuned Circuits:
A tuned circuit can be Series tuned circuit (Series resonant circuit) or Parallel tuned circuit (parallel
resonant circuit) according to the type of its connection to the main circuit.
Series Tuned Circuit
The inductor and capacitor connected in series make a series tuned circuit, as shown in the following
circuit diagram.

Let ω = 2*π*f, where f is frequency in Hz. And π = 3.14159…

The inductor impedance is jωL; The capacitor impedance is 1/(jωC)
The series impedance is Z = R + jωL + 1/(jωC)
Where XL =ωL and XC=1/ωC
You can write Z = R + j(ωL-1/(ωC))= R + j(XL - XC))
At resonant frequency, a series resonant circuit offers low impedance which allows high current
through it. A series resonant circuit offers increasingly high impedance to the frequencies far from the
resonant frequency.
Parallel Tuned Circuit
The inductor and capacitor connected in parallel make a parallel tuned circuit, as shown in the above
figure. At resonant frequency, a parallel resonant circuit offers high impedance which does not allow
high current through it. A parallel resonant circuit offers increasingly low impedance to the frequencies
far from the resonant frequency.

Classification :

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Single Tuned Amplifier: Uses one parallel tuned circuit as the load |Z| in each stage and all these
tuned circuits in different stages are tuned to the same frequency. To get large Av or Ap, multistage
amplifiers are used. But each stage is tuned to the same frequency, one tuned circuit in ~me stage.
Double Tuned Amplifier : It uses two inductively coupled tuned circuits, for each stage of the
amplifier. BotQ the tuned circuits are tuned to the same frequency, two tuned circuits in one stage, to
get sharp response.
Stagger Tuned Amplifier : This circuit uses number of single tuned stages in cascade. The successive
tuned circuits are tuned
to slightly different frequencies.
Single Tuned Capacitive Coupled Amplifier: L, C tuned circuit is not connected between collector
and ground because, the transistor will be short circuited at some frequency other than resonant
frequency.
The output of the tuned circuit is coupled to the next stage or output device, through capacitor Cb. So
this circuit is called single tuned capacitbe coupled amplifier. RI, R2, RE, CE are biasing resistors and
capacitors. The tuned circuit formed by Inductance (L) and capacitor (C) resonates at the frequency of
operation. Transistor hybrid π equivalent circuit must be used since the transistor is operated at high
frequencies. Tuned circuits are high frequency circuits.
Ri = input resistance of the next stage.

Modified equivalent circuit using Miller's Theorem.

According to Miller's theorem, the feedback capacitance Cc is Cc (1 - A) on the input side
and Cc (A-1/A) on the output side. But where as resistance is rb’c/(1-A) on the input side rb’c/(A-1/A)
on the output side.

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Inductance Coupled Single Tuned Amplifiers:
In single tuned amplifiers, LC circuit is used for frequency tuning.

If the output is taken across an inductor, then the tuned circuit is called inductively coupled tuned
circuit. It is otherwise called as transformer coupled tuned circuit. Fig.3.31 shows the circuit diagram of
an inductively coupled single tuned circuit.
Gain and Frequency Response
The voltage gain depends upon current gain (β), input impedance Rf and ac load resistance. The voltage
gain is given by,

AC load resistance of parallel resonant circuit is given by

Substitute (2) in (1)

Thus voltage gain of a tuned amplifier is very high at resonant frequency and decreases as the
frequency changes above or below the resonant frequency.
The plot of voltage gain versus frequency is called frequency response.
The bandwidth of a tuned amplifier is equal to difference in frequency between the points A and B. At
resonant frequency, the voltage gain drops to 1/√2 of its maximum value.
Where
QO - Q-factor of tuned circuit

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Drawbacks of Single Tuned Amplifier:

The tuned amplifier should be highly frequency selective to select the desired carrier frequency
selective to select the desired carrier frequency. For high selectivity, the Q factor should be high.
The high Q-factor leads to reduced bandwidth. This narrow bandwidth inturn result in poor
reproduction of audio signal. This is the main drawback of single tuned amplifier.
Selectivity ↑ Q factor ↑ BW↓ Recovery of signal-poor.

Double-tuned voltage amplifier:

To overcome the drawback of single tuned amplifier, double tuned amplifiers are used. In this method,
two tuned circuits are inductively coupled to each other. Fig.3.33 shows the circuit of a double tuned
voltage amplifier.
L1 C1 is used as collector load and L2 C2 is used as output circuit. R1, R2 RE provide dc current and voltage
for the transistor.
This circuit provides high impedance to the input signal and a large output appears across the tuned circuit
L1 C1. This output is inductively coupled to L2 C2 tuned circuit.
This is used in radio and television receiver. The Fig. 3.34 shows the frequency response of double tuned
amplifier.

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Synchronously tuned amplifier : When the tuned amplifiers are in the cascading phase and when all
these amplifier stages are analogous to the frequency f0, then it is termed as the synchronously tuned
amplifier. This connection allows for bandwidth decreasing and gains enhancement.

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Stagger Tuned Amplifier: In order to increase bandwidth, double tuned amplifiers are preferred, but their
alignment is difficult. A much better overall response can be had by stagger tuning. If two or more tuned
circuits are cascaded and tuned to the same frequency, it is called the synchronous tuning. The overall
bandwidth is reduced. On the other hand, if the tuned circuits are cascaded and they are tuned to different
frequencies, it is possible to have increased bandwidth with more desirable characteristics (i.e., flat
passband with steeper sides). This technique is called the stagger tuning.
Operation:

A two-stage stagger tuned voltage amplifier is shown in Fig.. In stagger tuned circuits, two single tuned
cascaded amplifiers having a certain bandwidth are taken and the resonant frequencies of the two tuned
circuits are so adjusted that they are separated by an amount equal to the bandwidth of each stage. Stagger
tuned amplifiers are usually designed so that the overall response exhibits maximum flatness around the
center frequency f0.
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It needs a number of tuned circuits operating in union. If more number of stages are employed flatter will
be the passband and steeper will be the gain fall of outside the passband. Because of stagger tuning there is
a loss of voltage gain. The overall frequency response of a stagger tuned amplifier is obtained by adding
individual response together. Since the resonant frequencies of different tuned circuits are displaced or
staggered, they are referred to as stagger tuned amplifier.
Analysis:
The gain of the single tuned amplifier is given as

where x = 2Qeδ
As bandwidth is given as B = f0/Qe and under 3-dB frequency condition δ = 1/2Qe, the equation for
bandwidth can be written as B = 2δf0.

Multiplying the relative gains of the two amplifiers, we have the overall gain function as

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stagger tuned amplifier Frequency response:

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Advantages & Disadvantages:

The stagger tuned amplifier advantages are
1. The tuning of this amplifier is very easy
2. It has better flat wideband characteristics
3. The bandwidth is increased √2 times when compared to a single tuned amplifier
4. The overall gain is increased due to the cascading of two single tuned amplifiers
5. Enhanced stability of the circuit
The stagger tuned amplifier disadvantages are
1. The alignment of stagger-tuned amplifiers is difficult. Hence, two single-tuned amplifiers are
cascaded.
2. The selectivity is reduced and the tuning of tank circuits is critical.
Applications :
The stagger tuned amplifier applications are given below,
1. These type of tuned amplifiers are employed in wideband applications for the amplification of videos
2. Used as an IF amplifiers in the superheterodyne receiver, TV receiver, and satellite transponder
3. Easy to implement and spread component values in various integrated circuits
4. Used in wireless local area networks (WLANs)
5. Used in RF amplifier for radio applications like radio receivers
6. Used for Y- amplifiers for oscilloscope working
7. Used in various industrial applications
8. Used as a narrow-band IF amplifier within the spectrum analyzer
9. Used in radio UHF relay systems

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Problem 2.1:A parallel resonant circuit has an inductance of 150 μH and a capacitor of 100 pF. Find the
resonant frequency.
Given:
L = 150 μH, C = 100 pF
Solution:

We know that, Resonant frequency,

Problem 2.2:Calculate the bandwidth between the half-power points of circuit which resonates at 1 MHz
frequency and has Q of 100.
Given:
fO = 1 MHz, QO = 100
Solution:

Problem 2.3:A tuned amplifier has its maximum gain at a frequency 2 MHz and bandwidth of 50 KHz.
Find the Q-factor.
Given:
fO = 2 MHz, BW = 50 KHz
Solution:
We know that

Problem 2.4;The Q of a tuned amplifier is 60. If the resonant frequency for the amplifier is 1200
kHz, find (i) bandwidth and (ii) cut-off frequencies.

Problem 2.5:A tuned amplifier has maximum voltage gain at a frequency of 2 MHz and the
bandwidth is 50 kHz. Find the Q factor.

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Problem 2.6: It is desired to obtain a bandwidth of 200 kHz at an operating frequency of 10 MHz
using a double tuned circuit. What value of co-efficient of coupling should be used ?

Problem 2.7: In the circuit shown in Fig.1, C = 500 pF and the coil has L = 50.7 μH and R = 10Ω and
RL = 1 MΩ. Find (i) the resonant frequency (ii) d.c. load and a.c. load.

Fig.1

Fig.2
The equivalent circuit is shown in Fig.2 (i). This further reduces to the circuit shown in Fig. 2 (ii).

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