Medical Electronics (BME356 )

Chapter 5: Power Amplifiers

(chapter 12 in the textbook)

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Introduction

In this section, we analyze and design circuits that must deliver a

specified power to a load.
èpower dissipation in transistors is important, especially in the
output stage,
èthe output stage must deliver the signal power.
èLinearity in the output signal is a priority.

Various classes of power amplifiers are defined. The ideal and actual
power efficiencies of these classes of amplifiers are determined.

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Introduction

Large current usually must be delivered to a loadè power amplifier must be used.
Then, output stage of the power amplifier must be designed to meet the power
requirements of load. Two important functions of the output amplifier stage :
1. Provide a low output resistance è use of EF or SF circuit configurations
2. Maintain linearity in the output signal è total harmonic distortion (THD)
THD: is a measure of linearity(it is a figure of merit)

Power dissipation in the transistor must be minimum (Another Design Concern).

Therefore, we have to know transistor limitation è Power Transistors

Power Transistors: have large area (to dissipate heat more efficiently), current gain
is generally smaller

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Introduction

power Transistor Other power Devices

(Thyristor, Diac and Triac)

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Introduction

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Introduction

The instantaneous power dissipation in a BJT is given by

Since iB is small

The average power is given by

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Introduction

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Classification Of Amplifiers

Voltage amplifiers Power amplifiers

current gain low high

Voltage gain high low

Heat dissipation low high

cooling mechanism not required required

Transistor Size Small Large to dissipate heat

Base Width small Wide to handle higher

current
Beta Usually high >100 Low usually < 20

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Classes of Amplifiers
Power amplifiers are classified according to the percent of time the output
transistors are conducting, or “turned on.”

Four of the principal classifications are:

1. Class A :
2. Class B
3. Class AB
4. Class C.

Collector current versus time characteristics: (a) class-A amplifier,

(b) class-B amplifier, (c) class-AB amplifier, and (d) class-C amplifier

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class A Amplifier
All amplifiers (CE, CB, CC, CS, CG, and CD) considered in previously were all biased
for class-A operation.

instantaneous power dissipation

Common-emitter amplifier dc load line
versus time in the transistor

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class A Amplifier

Average ac power delivered to the load :

Average power supplied by the source :

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class B Amplifier

Class-B output stage that consists of a complementary pair of electronic devices.

Class-B output stage with device A turns on for vI > 0 device B turns on for vI < 0
complementary pair,
A and B, of electronic devices

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class B Amplifier

Class-B output stage that consists of a complementary pair of electronic devices.

The transistors do not both conduct at the

same time.
We will see that an output stage using NMOS
and PMOS transistors will produce the same
general voltage transfer characteristics

Basic complementary push–pull output stage

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class B Amplifier

Basic complementary push–pull output stage

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EEDP - Basem ElHalawany
Crossover Distortion
ü When the dc base voltage is zero, both transistors are off and the input signal
voltage must exceed VBE before a transistor conducts.
ü Because of this, there is a time interval between the positive and negative
alternations of the input when neither transistor is conducting, as shown in
Figure.
ü The resulting distortion in the output waveform is called crossover distortion.

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class B Amplifier
dead band (crossover distortion)

Voltage transfer characteristics of basic Crossover distortion of basic complementary

complementary push–pull output stage push–pull output stage

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class B Amplifier

The maximum possible efficiency =78%

Effective load line of the ideal class-B output

stage

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class AB Amplifier

Bipolar class-AB output stage Bipolar class-AB output stage

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class AB Amplifier
ü To overcome crossover distortion, the biasing is adjusted to just overcome the
VBE of the transistors
ü In class AB operation, the push-pull stages are biased into slight conduction,
even when no input signal is present.
ü This can be done with a voltage-divider and diode arrangement, as shown
Ø Using equal values of R1 and R2 the positive and
negative supply voltages forces the voltage at point
A to equal 0 V and eliminates the need for an
input coupling capacitor.
Ø When the diode characteristics of D1 and D2 are
closely matched to the characteristics of the
transistor BE junctions, the current in the diodes
and the current in the transistors are the same;
((current mirror.))

The diode current will be the same as ICQ Bipolar class-AB output stage

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 CHAPTER 4: POWER AMPLIFIERS
Class AB Amplifier

Characteristics of a class-AB output stage: (a) voltage transfer curve, (b)

sinusoidal input signal, (c) collector currents, and (d) output current
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 Chapter End: To conclude

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