Multistage amplifier

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Simplified diagram of a 2-stage cascaded amplifier

For many applications, the performance obtainable from a single-stage amplifier is often

insufficient, hence several stages may be combined forming a multistage amplifier.
These stages are connected in cascade, i.e. output of the first stage is connected to the
input of second stage, whose output becomes input of third stage, and so on.
In this way the desirable characteristics (e.g. high voltage gain, high input resistance,
low output resistance) of different single-transistor amplifiers (e.g. common-
source, common-emitter, common-collector) can be combined to create an amplifier
whose characteristics exceed those of a single-stage. [1]
A cascade amplifier is any two-port network constructed from a series of amplifiers,
where each amplifier sends its output to the input of the next amplifier in a daisy chain.[2]
The complication in calculating the gain of cascaded stages is the non-ideal coupling
between stages due to loading. Two cascaded common emitter stages are shown.
Because the input resistance of the second stage forms a voltage divider with the output
resistance of the first stage, the total gain is not the product of the individual (separated)
stages.

Overall gain[edit]
The overall gain of a multistage amplifier is the product of the gains of the individual
stages (ignoring potential loading effects):
Gain (A) = A1* A2*A3 *A4 *... *An.
 Alternately, if the gain of each amplifier stage is expressed
in decibels (dB), the total gain is the sum of the gains of the
individual stages:
Gain in dB (A) = A1 + A2 + A3 + A4 + ... An

Inter-stage coupling[edit]
Depending on the manner in which the different
amplifier stages are connected, one of the following
amplifiers may result:

 R-C coupled amplifier
 R-L coupled amplifier
 L-C coupled amplifier
 Transformer coupled amplifier
 Direct-coupled amplifier
 Optically coupled amplifier
Transformer coupled amplifiers are often also tuned
amplifiers. The inductance of the transformer windings
serves as the inductor of a LC tuned circuit. If both
sides of the transformer are tuned it is called a double-
tuned amplifier. Staggered tuning is where each stage
is tuned to a different frequency in order to
improve bandwidth at the expense of gain.

References[edit]
1. ^ Jaeger, Richard C. (2015). Microelectronic circuit design.
Travis N. Blalock (Fifth ed.). New York, NY. ISBN 978-0-07-
352960-8. OCLC 893721562.
2. ^ Innovatia: amplifier circuits

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Cascade Amplifier Working and

Its Applications
A system which has a single transistor amplifier does not give adequate
bandwidth otherwise gain and also they will not include the accurate
impedance matching for input otherwise output. To overcome this problem
here is a solution like by combining several amplification stages. When the
product of gain-bandwidth is stable, then we have to exchange bandwidth
intended for high-gain within a single-stage amplifier. The cascade amplifier
theory is used for high gain as well as high bandwidth. This amplifier is the
best solution.
What is a Cascade Amplifier?
A cascade amplifier is a two-port network designed with amplifiers which are
connected in series when every amplifier transmits its o/p to the second
amplifiers input in a daisy chain. The problem in measuring the gain of the
cascaded stage is the non-perfect coupling among two stages because of
loading. The two stages of cascaded CE (common-emitter) are shown in the
following circuit. Here the voltage divider can be formed by using the input and
output resistances of the first and next stage. The complete gain cannot be
the result of the individual stages.

cascade-amplifier
This amplifier is used to enhance the strength of a signal in a TV receiver. In
this amplifier, the primary stage of the amplifier can be connected to the
secondary stage of the amplifier. To build a practical electronic system, a
single-stage amplifier is not enough.

Even though the amplifier’s gain mainly depends on parameters of the device
as well as components of the circuit, there exists a higher limit of gain which
can be attained from a single-stage amplifier. Therefore, the gain of this
amplifier cannot be sufficient in practical application.
To conquer this trouble, we require this amplifier’s two or more stages to
amplify the overall amplifier’s voltage gain. As above one stage is used within
series it is named as a multi-stage amplifier. The main drawback of the
cascade amplifier is when several stages increases then the bandwidth will
decrease.

Cascade Amplifier Circuit

The circuit diagram of cascade amplifier is shown below. The circuit can be
designed with two configurations of a transistor namely CE (common-emitter)
and CB (common base). The CB (common base) configuration provides a good
high-frequency operation.

cascade-
amplifier-circuit
The current gain, as well as the i/p resistance of the cascade arrangement, is
equivalent to the related value of a common emitter single-stage amplifier.
The o/p resistance can be equivalent to the common base configuration. The
miller’s capacitor shunting the common emitter input stage is extremely small.

Applications
The applications of the cascade amplifier include the following.
  This amplifier is used in tuned RF amplifiers within television circuits.
 This amplifier can also be used as a wideband amplifier.
 The isolation offered among input & output with these amplifiers is
extremely high.
Thus, this is all about the cascade amplifier analysis. The configuration of this
amplifier mainly include some advantages like less input resistance, moderate
to high current gain, voltage as well as high o/p resistance. The main
drawback of the cascade amplifier is when several stages increases then the
bandwidth will decrease. Here is a question for you, what is the main function
of the cascade amplifier?

Abstract
In many applications, for example audio or radio-frequency amplifiers, it is
unlikely that sufficient voltage gain can be achieved with a single transistor
amplifier. In order to obtain additional gain, two or more amplifier stages may
be ‘cascaded’ together, as shown in figure 2.1.

What is Cascade Amplifier : Circuit & Its

Working
October 9, 2020 By Wat Electrical Leave a Comment

One of the most crucial devices in the history of the electronics domain is Amplifier. It is
the device that acts in response to a minimal amount of current, voltage, or power and
generated a larger output signal. This scenario is called amplification and it can be
delivered by various devices such as generators, vacuum tubes, transformers. But
these, people also utilize solid-state microcircuits in the place of amplifiers. In most
situations, the output delivered by a single amplifier is not adequate and in these
scenarios, the cascade amplifier is used. So, this article clearly explains the concept of
Cascade Amplifier, its theory, the detailed analysis behind the device and its
applications.

What is Cascade Amplifier?

Cascade amplifier is also termed as a multistage amplifier. It is the two-port network that
is designed through a chain of amplifiers. Here, the output of one stage is fed as input to
the next stage in a chain format. Because of the purpose of loading in between two
stages, it is somewhat intricate to calculate the gain and it has imperfect coupling.
Cascade Amplifier Theory

Cascading amplification is mostly preferred in the situations of long-distance, electronic

controlling, radar, television, and in many calculating instruments. To cascade
amplifiers, there exist multiple types of schemes and it is based on the signal behavior
in the amplification procedure. When compared with vacuum tubes amplification, solid-
state of microelectronics holds more benefits for directly coupling multiple amplifiers.
Even transformers are also implemented for cascade amplification, but they have heavy
constructional design and expensive too.

In correspondence to the input signal, an electronic amplifier delivers an amplified

output signal and this is termed to be linear kind of amplification. When there happens
any modification in the shape of the signal, in the process of amplification, then
amplitude distortion takes place. Or else when all the frequency ranges are not equally
amplified by the amplifier, it is termed as frequency distortion.

Based on the type of connection of amplifier phases, there are various kinds of
cascading amplifiers and those are as below:

 RC cascaded amplifier (Resistor – Capacitor)

 LC cascaded amplifier (Inductor – Capacitance)
 RL cascaded amplifier (Resistor – Inductor)
 Transformer cascaded
 Direct cascaded
 Optical cascaded

Transformer cascaded amplifiers are probably termed as tuned amplifiers. Staggered

tuning is the one cascaded amplifier where every individual phase frequency is tuned to
a certain range so as to enhance the gain and bandwidth of the amplifier.

Gain

As there are multiple stages in a cascade amplifier, the gain of the whole amplifier is
known by multiplying the gain of each individual stage.

Gain = G1 * G2 * G3*……..*Gn

Where G1, G2,  G3, and Gn are the gains of individual amplifiers. When the gain of the
cascaded amplifier is calculated in decibels, then the overall amplifier gain is given by

Gain (dB) = G1 + G2 + G3+ ……+Gn

Cascade Amplifier Analysis

To design complicated systems, there are mainly three fundamental configurations in

the cascade design. Through the cascading of amplifiers, the circuits deliver enhanced
performance and greater efficiency. The basic analysis of the cascade amplifier can be
known through the below.

In the two-phase cascading amplifier, the required consideration is what is the condition
when the non-ideal amplifiers are placed in a series position. From the below figure it is
known that both the input and output resistances comes into operation by minimizing
the circuit gain. When the input and output resistance values are 0 and infinity and the
amplifiers have A1 and A2 gains, then the entire gain of the circuit is A1*A2. Let us now
analyze that the gain thinking nothing regarding the input and output resistances of
each individual phase, considering those as voltage dividers in between the two phases
and in between the last stage and the load at the output.

Basic Two Stage Cascade Amplifier

The voltage between the two stages is

Input V1 = A1 * Input V1 (Input R2/(input R2 + output R1))

While the Vout in between output R and load resistance is

Output V = A2 * Input V2 (RL/( RL + output R2))

So, the entire gain of the circuit is given by

Vout/Vin = A1 * A2 [(Input R2/(input R2 + output R1))] * [(RL/( RL + output R2))]

With the above overall gain equation, it minimizes to Av = A1* A2 when we consider the
input and output resistance values as zero and infinity. In most of the cascaded
amplifier stages, when the input resistance is either in Mega or Giga Ohms and output
resistance is in the range of 10 -100Ω, then the circuit gain is the product of A1 and A2.

For instance: when input resistance = 1MΩ and output resistance = 100Ω and load
resistance is 1MΩ, then the gain is
Vout/Vin = A1 * A2 [(1M Ω /(1M Ω + 100 Ω)] * [(1M Ω /(1M Ω + 100 Ω)]

= 0.9998A1*A2 ~ A1*A2

CE/CC Cascading Method

With the cascading method of common emitter which is followed up with a common
collector, the stage delivers a better voltage amplifier. The CE resistance is
correspondingly high whereas the CC (output resistance) is correspondingly low.
The transistor Q2 stage provides no increase in the gain of the voltage but offers a
close minimal resistance output so the gain is almost not dependent on load resistance
values. While the maximized resistance at the Q1  stage shows that the CE voltage is
not dependent on input source resistance values. Many CE stages might be cascaded
with that of emitter follower phases so that this cascading procedure lessens attenuation
that happens because of interphase loading.

CE Cascade Amplifier Circuit

Advantages

The cascade amplifier advantages are:

 Enhanced performance and efficiency

 Maximum flatness levels
 Minimal noise figure in the range of 1-10GHz
 Increased gain
 Increased bandwidth allows the devices to be widely employed for high-voltage
amplifier purposes
  Hight input and output impedances
 Used for the better amplification of signals

So, this is all about the concept of the cascade amplifier. Used in applications such as
television systems, wideband amplifiers, and in good isolation purposes, these
amplifiers hold more prominence in the electronics industry. But the only disadvantage
is that when numerous stages are cascaded, the bandwidth will get reduced. The
question that arises here is to know what are the other configurations in the cascade
amplifier and how they are functioned?

How Cascaded Amplifier Gain

Is Essential to Functionality in
Various Applications
CADENCE PCB SOLUTIONS

Key Takeaways
●     Learn about the use of cascaded amplifiers.

●     Gain a greater understanding of when a cascaded amplifier is

needed.

●     Learn more about calculating cascaded amplifier gains.

  

Single amplifier forming a section of the cascaded amplifier circuit.

During the height of car audio, many considered the increasing size of
subwoofers as the next breakthrough in sound output (SPL). But, like
nearly all things in the field of electronics, advancements are
staggered due to current ancillary limitations.

The increase in driver size created the need for an increase in

amplifier power. However, the amplifier technology at the time did
not match the pace of the advancement and subsequent increase in
subwoofer size. This introduced the car audio world to daisy-chaining
(cascading) to accommodate the need for increased amplifier output.

What Is a Cascade Amplifier?

Daisy-chaining (cascading) amplifiers in the field of car audio is no
longer necessary due to the advancement in amplifier technology, i.e.,
increased SNR, efficiency, stability down to ½ ohm, and output power.
In other areas within the field of electronics, cascading is still a
requirement.

As you may know, a cascade amplifier is a two-port network

comprised of a series of amplifiers in which each amplifier connects
(sends) its output to the input of the next amplifier in the chain. This
complicates gain calculations for these cascaded stages due to the
loading between the stages or.

The performance requirement of many applications is unobtainable

from a single-stage amplifier, thus the need for multiple-stage
amplification. These cascaded amplifiers produce increased gains
over the gains possible by the individual amplifiers. In general, the
overall gain of a cascade amplifier is the result of the gains of the
individual stages, ignoring the potential loading effects.

The Purpose for Cascading Amplifiers

The overall reason for cascading amplifiers is the need for an increase
in amplifier output to meet a specific requirement, e.g., to increase the
signal strength in a Television or radio receiver.

Using a cascade, or multistage, amplifier can provide your design with

a higher current gain or voltage gain. Typically, we utilize cascading
amplifier stages to increase our overall amplifier gain, but in other
instances, it is for achieving a necessary input or output impedance.

Below is a simplified view of a cascade amplifier with two stages in

series.
Here we have a simplified diagram of the same two-stage cascaded
amplifier in circuit-level view.

Cascaded Amplifier Gain

We briefly referenced that calculating the overall gain of a cascaded
amplifier is more complicated due to the loading between the amplifier
stages. Keep in mind that these are still amplifiers, and therefore,
individual output gains will fall under the purview of amplifier gain
characteristics.

Amplifier gain correlates to the relationship between the measure of

the input signal to the ratio of its output signal. There are three types
of amplifier gain in which we can measure: current gain (Ai =
Iout/Iin), power gain (Ap = Av * Ai), and voltage gain (Av = Vout/Vin). This
depends on the quantity we measure, but in any case, A
(amplification) is the representation of gain.

Av = Voutput/Vinput

or

Av = (40 volts RMS)/(10 volts RMS)

or

Av = 4

With this in mind, the gain of a cascade amplifier is the product of the
gains of its individual amplifier stages, aside from possible loading
effects. However, the gain of each stage or amplifier individually relies
on its configuration, i.e., its components. The formula for a cascaded
amplifier gain is as follows:

A (Gain) = A1 * A2 * A3

When the gain of each stage uses the decibel expression (dB), the
sum of the gains of the individual amplifiers is its total gain:

A (Gain in dBs) = A1 + A2 + A3

Benefits and Advantages of Cascaded

Amplifiers
When we cascade an amplifier, there is a requirement to utilize a
coupling network amongst the amplifiers. We call this type of coupling
interstage coupling. With cascaded amplifiers, there are three
cascaded amplifier types: direct coupling, transformer coupling, and
RC coupling.
 RC coupling: affords the lowest cost for implementation and provides
an acceptable frequency response.
 Transformer coupling: affords enhanced total gain and level matching
impedance. Functionally, it expands its signal across the primary
transformer winding and performs as a load. However, this method
can be costly if utilizing a wide frequency response transformer.
 Direct coupling: the coupling of the output of one stage of the amplifier
to the input of the next stage. This permits signals with zero frequency
(direct current) to pass from input to output. This is ideal for
applications requiring zero or low-frequency amplification.

There are two primary advantages of cascade amplifiers: increased

gain and input, and output impedance flexibility. The need for the
gains provided by cascade amplifiers is paramount to the functionality
of various applications.

Amplifier circuit.

Whether you are designing a custom multistage amplifier for a

specialized signal chain or you need to simulate cascaded amplifier
gain and efficiency, you will need the right set of PCB layout and
design software. Allegro PCB Designer, and Cadence's full suite of
design tools, can help you create your cascaded amplifier from
verified component models and then analyze all aspects of its
functionality. You'll also have access to a set of tools for MCAD design
and preparing for manufacturing.

If you're looking to learn more about how Cadence has the solution for
you, talk to us and our team of experts.

What is Cascading of Amplifier Stages?

A single stage of amplifier can provide only a limited current gain or voltage gain. Most of
the applications require much higher gain. Hence, we usually use several amplifier stages
connected in cascade i.e. connected such that the output of one stage becomes the input to
the next stage. Thus, a multistage amplifier or cascade amplifier may provide a higher
voltage gain or current gain.

Cascading of amplifier stages is usually done to increase the total gain of the amplifier.
However, sometimes cascading is done to get the desired output and input impedance for
specific applications. Figure 1 gives the block diagram of two-stage amplifier. The first stage
is driven by a voltage source Vs having series source resistance Rs. Alternatively, the driving
source may be current source Is with shunt resistance Rs. the output of the first stage is fed
to the input of the second stage while the output of the second stage feeds the load
impedance ZL.

Actual voltage available at the input of the first stage is V i while V0 is the output voltage of

the second stage. Then the ratio   forms the voltage gain of the two stage cascade
amplifier. Instead of two stages as shown in figure 3, we may have three or more stages
connected in cascade amplifier, it becomes possible to amplify a weak input voltage V i of
just a few microvolts to get an output voltage V 0 of several volts.

Cascading of Amplifier Stage using Transistor

Transistor amplifier may be connected in any of the three configurations namely common
emitter (CE), common base (CB) and common collector (CC). However, in cascade
amplifier meant for providing high gain, only CE amplifier stage are connected in cascade.
CB and CC configurations can not be used for this purpose.

Figure 2 gives the circuit of a two stage CE audio amplifier. The circuit gives the typical
biasing arrangement and use of coupling capacitors C b1 and Cb2. Typical values of circuit
components are also given. The load impedance is a resistor while coupling is through a
capacitor. Hence this cascade amplifier forms the so-called resistance – Capacitance
coupled or RC coupled amplifier. Other circuit arrangement is also popular for specific uses.
However, we here take up R.C. coupled amplifier since this is the one most popularly used
for audio frequency amplification. Circuit of figure 2 is given here just to give an impression
as to what a typical 2-stage CE audio amplifier looks like.

Analysis | Cascading of Amplifier Stages

For the purpose of analysis we take up a general n-stage CE cascade amplifier. Figure 3
gives the block diagram of the same giving the various voltages, currents and resistances
involved. In Figure 3, the biasing arrangement and coupling elements have not been shown
for the sake of celerity. We now proceed to derive expressions for voltage gain, current
gain, power gain, input impedance and output impedance of this amplifier.

(A) Voltage Gain:

The voltage gain of the complete cascade amplifier is simply the product of the voltage
gains of the individual stage. This is proved below.

Voltage gain of first stage is,

       …..(1)

Where AV1 is the magnitude of the voltage gain and   is the phase angle of the output
voltage V2 relative to the input voltage V1. The output voltage V2 of the first stage forms the
input voltage of the second stage. Hence

Voltage gain of second stage is,

        ……(2)

Similar expressions may be written for the remaining stages.

Then the voltage gain of the complete n-stage cascade amplifier is given by,

             …..(3)

Where Av is the magnitude of the voltage gain and   is the phase angle of the output voltage
V0 relative to the input voltage V1

But           ……(4)
From equation 4 we conclude that

        ……(5)

Or 

          …..(6)

Hence          ……(7)

And          ……(8)

From Equation (7) we conclude that the magnitude of voltage gain of the complete cascade
amplifier is equal to the product of the magnitude of voltage gains of the individual stages.

From Equations 8 we conclude that the phase shift of the voltage gain of the complete
cascade amplifier is equal to the sum of the phase shift of the individual stages.

Calculation of the Voltage Gain Avk of Kth stage:

Figure 4 shows one intermediate stage, say kth stage, of n-stage cascade amplifier.

Then the voltage gain of this kth stage is given by,

     …..(9)

Where Rik is the effective load impedance at the collector of the k th stage.

Quantities AIK, RLK and Rik may be evaluated on starting from the last stage i.e. n th stage and
processing backward. Thus, for the nth stage, current gain ALn and input resistance Rin are
given by,

           ……..(10)

And,
               ….(11)

Where RLn is the effective load impedance of the last stage and is equal to R en.

For the (n-1)th stage, effective load impedance Ri(n-1) is equal to Rc(n-1) || Rin. Thus,

     …..(12)

Next we calculate the current gain AI(n-1) of the (n-1)th stage using Equation 10 on replacing
RLn by RL(n-1). Similarly, we calculate the input impedance R i(n-1) of the (n-1)th stage from
Equation 9 no replacing AIn by AI(n-1) and RLn by RL(n-1). Thus, we procced backward to calculate
the current gain and input impedance of each stage from n th to the first. Then the voltage
gain of each stage may be calculated using Equation 8 relevant to the stage.

Voltage gain of the complete cascade amplifier may then be calculated using Equation 5.

Calculation of Current Gain AI of Kth Stage

       …..(13)

Now         ……(14)

Or,          …..(15)

Where AI1 is the base-to-collector current gain of the first stage and equals   while A’I2,
A’I3 etc. are the collector-to-collector current gains of second, third etc. stages.

For kth stage, collector-to-collector current gain A’IK is given by

     …..(16)

Similarly, base-to-collector current gain AIK is given by

     …..(17)

Relation between A’IK and AIK

From Figure 4,

     …..(18)
 Where Rik is the input impedance of the kth stage.

Hence       …..(19)

Value of A’IK as given by Equation 19 may be substituted in equation 15 to give the resultant
current gain AI.

Steps involved in Evaluating Current gain AI

1. Find the base-to-collector current gain AIn for the nth or the last stage making use of
equation 10.
2. Find the input impedance of the last stage making use of Equations 11.
3. Calculate the effective load resistance RL(n-1) for the (n-1)th stage using Equation 12
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for (n-1)th, (n-1)th stage to find the AIK for the kth stage.
5. Find the collector-to-collector gain A’IK for the kth stage using equation 19.
6. Find the resultant current gain AI for the complete n-stage cascade amplifier using
Equation 15.

Overall Current Gain Considering the source Resistance:

Let the input stage of the n-stage cascade amplifier be driven from a current source I s as
shown figure 5. Then the overall current gain of the cascade amplifier is given by,

     …..(20)

Alternative Method of Calculating AI | Cascading of

Amplifier Stages
Alternative we may calculate AI making use of the following relation:

      …….(21)
 Where Av is the voltage gain of the complete cascade amplifier.

     …..(22)

Alternative using Equation 21, we get,          …..(23)

Input Impedance | Cascading of Amplifier Stages

The input impedance of the complete cascade amplifier may be found following the same
procedure as for calculating the voltage gain. Thus, we start from the last stage and
proceed backward. The steps involved are as below:

1. Calculate base-to-collector current gain AIn for the last stage using Equation 10.
2. Calculate input impedance Rin of the last stage using Equation 11.

3. Calculate effective load impedance   for the (n-1)th stage using Equations 12.

4. Calculate   and   for the (n-1)th stage and   for the (n-2)th

5. Proceed in this manner and finally calculate the input impedance of the first stage.

Output Impedance | Cascading of Amplifier Stages

For calculating the output impedance of each stage and that of the complete cascade
amplifier, we proceed forward starting from the first stage. The output admittance of the first
stage is given by,

      …..(24)

Then   gives the corresponding output impedance R01.

The output terminal impedance Rot1 of the first stage is equal to the parallel combination of
R01 and Roc1.

Thus          …..(25)

This Rot1 forms the source impedance for the second stage. Equation 24 may now be used
again to find Y02 of the second stage using R0t1 in place of Rs. The output terminal impedance

Rot2 of the second stage is parallel combination of   and RC2.

We may proceed in this manner to find the output impedance of the third, fourth etc. stage
and finally the last stage. In the above derivation we have assumed CE configuration.
However, the method given above for calculating A V, AI, Ri and R0 is general in nature and
may also be used for CB and CC configurations.

Choice of Transistor Configuration in a Multistage

Amplifier
Choice of transistor configuration to be used for intermediate stages in a multistage
amplifier depends on the maximum voltage gain provided by the configuration. hence CC
configuration can not be used since a stage of CC amplifier gives voltage gain less than
unity. A single stage CB amplifier, no doubt, gives voltage gain more than unity but
intermediate stage can not use even CB configuration since the overall voltage gain of
multistage amplifier using VB configuration is low, almost equal to the voltage gain of the
last stage alone. This becomes evident from the following discussion.

The voltage gain AVk of any stage, say Kth stage is given by,

     ……(26)

But,        …..(27)

Hence, 

Assuming the stage to be identical i.e. assuming that R i(k+1) = Rik, we conclude that RLK < Rik.
Further the maximum value of current gain A IK in CB configuration in hfb which is slightly less
than unity. Hence as per Equation 26, AVk for any CB stage except the last stage is less than
unity. Hence we conclude that even CB configuration is not suitable for use in intermediate
stages.

CE stage are popularly used for intermediate stages since h fe for a CE stage is much greater
than unity.

Input Stage | Cascading of Amplifier Stages

For input stage, the consideration is not the maximum voltage gain but the impedance
matching of the source with the input impedance of the input stage. Some driving sources
may require input circuit to be an almost open circuit while others need an almost short
circuit. Hence we may be required to use CC or CB configuration for the input stage for
proper impedance match at the cost of voltage or current gain. In certain other cases,
choice of configuration for the input stage is the minimization of noise and maximization of
single/noise power ratio.