Power

Amplifiers

Chapter 10
 Topics Covered in Chapter 10
• Types of Coupling
• Load Lines
• Transistor Power Rating
• Class-A Amplifier
• Class-B Amplifier
• Class-AB
• Class-C Amplifier

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 Types of Coupling
• Direct (dc amplifier)
• Capacitive (ac amplifier)
• Untuned transformer (wideband ac
amplifier)
• Tuned transformer (narrowband ac
amplifier)
 Types of Coupling
• Direct
 Types of coupling
• Capacitive
 Types of Coupling
• Transformer
 Types of Coupling
• Tuned Transformer
 Transistor Power Rating
• The power rating of a transistor decreases
as temperature rises.
• Data sheets typically list either the derating
factor or show this information in graphs.
• Heat sinks can be used to dissipate heat
from the transistor and produce a higher
power rating.
 Transistor Power Rating
• PD(max) rating given for 25 oC (room temp)
• Decrease in rating = DP
• Derating factor = D (W/ C)
o

• TA = ambient temperature (oC)

DP = D(TA - 25 oC)
 Transistor Power Rating
• Example: 2N3904 operating at 35°.
• For every °C above 25°C, the max power
dissipation decreases by 5mW.

5 mW
10C x  50 mW decrease
C
 Two Load Lines
• Every amplifier has a dc and an ac load
line.
• The location of the Q point for a small
signal amplifier is not critical.
• The location of the Q point for a large
signal amplifier must be at the center of the
ac load line to get maximum output without
clipping.
Two Load Lines
IC

VCC
RC  RE
Q

VCE
VCC
Two Load Lines
IC
VCEQ
i c (sat )  I CQ 
rc

VCE
VCC
v ce (cutoff ) VCEQ  I CQ rc
Two Load Lines
VR 2  4.0V
VRE  3.3V
IE  1.5 mA
IC  1.5 mA
VRC  3.3V
VCE  5.4V
rc  1.8 k 
 VCC
DC Load Line
IC sat  
RC  RE
12V
IC sat  
2.2 k   2.2 k 
IC sat   2.73 mA

VCE cutoff  VCC

VCE cutoff   12V
 AC Load Line
VCEQ
iC sat   ICQ 
rc
5.4 V
iC sat   2.73 mA 
1. 8 k 
iC sat   5.73 mA

v CE ( cutoff ) VCEQ  ICQ x rC 

v CE ( cutoff )  10.3V
 DC & AC Load Line
DC
IC sat   2.73 mA
VCE cutoff   12V

AC Q
iC sat   5.73 mA
vCE ( cutoff )  10.3V
 Class-A Amplifier
• The dc power supplied to an amplifier is
Pdc = VCCIdc.
• Efficiency = h = pout/Pdc x 100%.
• The maximum efficiency for Class-A
amplifiers with a dc collector resistance and
a separate load resistance is 25 percent.
• Class-A is usually not acceptable when
large amounts of power are required.
 Class-A Amplifier
Pout
• Power Gain: AP 
Pin
• The power rating of a transistor must be
greater than the quiescent power
dissipation.

• Efficiency of the amplifier equals ac output

power divided by dc input power times 100
percent.
 Class-A Amplifier
• In Class-A amplifiers, the transistor
o
collector current flows for 360 of the ac
cycle.
 Class-B Amplifier
• The collector current flows for 180° of the
ac cycle.
• The Q point is located at V(cutoff) on both the
dc and ac load lines.
• Typically used in a “Push-Pull”
configuration.
 Class-B Amplifier
• In Class-B amplifiers, the transistor
o
collector current flows for 180 of the ac
cycle.
 Class-B Push-Pull Amplifier
• In the Push-Pull configuration, each
transistor conducts for half the cycle.
• Since there is no bias, each transistor is at
cutoff with no input signal.
• The maximum efficiency is 78.5 percent.
• Transformers typically are not used. They
tend to be bulky and expensive. A Class-B
Push-Pull Emitter Follower configuration
can be used instead.
Class-B Push-Pull Amplifier
Class-B Push-Pull Amplifier

Crossover
Distortion

Note: Emitter Follower Configuration

 Class-AB Amplifier
• In Class-AB amplifiers, the transistor
o
collector current flows for <360 but >180 of
the ac cycle.
 Class-AB Amplifier
• The transistor is biased slightly above cutoff.
• The collector current flows for >180° but
<360 ° of the ac cycle.
• Crossover distortion is reduced by setting
the Q point slightly above cutoff in Class-
AB.
• Diode bias is preferred.
 Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier
• The diode biasing cause both transistors to
slightly conduct at all times.
• A small collector current will flow when the
transistor is off.
• Any input signal causes the transistors to
operate normally, without any lag time.
• Crossover distortion is greatly reduced.
Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier

Note: Emitter Follower Configuration

Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier
Solve for the bias current
through the diodes.

VCC  2(VBE )
Ibias 
R1  R2
20V  2(0.7V )
Ibias 
3.9 k   3.9 k 
Ibias  2.38 mA
Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier
Solve for the collector saturation
current. Ibias  2.38 mA

VCEQ
IC ( sat ) 
RL
10V
IC ( sat ) 
10 
IC ( sat )  1A
Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier
Solve for the collector saturation
current. Ibias  2.38 mA
IC (sat)  1A

IC ( sat )
Iav 

1A
Iav 

Iav  318 mA
Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier
Solve for the total current drain.
Ibias  2.38 mA
IC (sat)  1A
Iav  318 mA

Idc  Ibias  IC ( sat )

Idc  2.38 mA  318 mA
Idc  320 mA
Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier
Solve for the dc input power.
Ibias  2.38 mA
IC (sat)  1A
Iav  318 mA
Idc  320 mA

Pdc VCC x Idc

Pdc  20V x 320 mA
Pdc  6.4 W
Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier
Solve for the maximum ac output power.
Ibias  2.38 mA
IC (sat)  1A Pdc  6.4 W
Iav  318 mA
Idc  320 mA
MPP 2
pout (max) 
8RL
 20V 
2

pout (max) 
8 10  
pout (max)  5 W
Class-AB Push-Pull Amplifier
Solve for the efficiency of the stage.
Ibias  2.38 mA
IC (sat)  1A Pdc  6.4 W
Iav  318 mA pout (max)  5 W
Idc  320 mA
pout
 x 100%
Pdc
5W
 x 100%
6.4 W
  78.1%
 Class-C Amplifier
• In Class-C amplifiers, the transistor
o
collector current flows for <180 of the ac
cycle.
 Class-C Amplifier
• Typically are tuned RF amplifiers.
• The input signal is negatively clamped,
producing narrow collector current pulses.
• LC circuit is resonant at the fundamental
frequency of the amplifier.

1
fr 
2 LC
Class-C Amplifier
AV

fr
1
fr 
2 LC
 Class-C Amplifier
• BW = f2 - f1 = fr/Q
• QL = XL/RS (inductor only)
• RP = QLXL (equiv. parallel resistance)
• rc = RP || RL (ac resistance)
• Q = rc/XL (overall circuit)
• PD = MPP2/40rc
 Class-C Amplifier

DC load line
VCC
rC
AC
IC loa
dl
in e
Q
VCE VCC
 Class-C Amplifier
The capacitor charges to 2Vp, causing negative
clamping at the base. This in turn causes the
collector current to flow in brief pulses.