EEDP Lect 06 Amplifiers 3 Classes
EEDP Lect 06 Amplifiers 3 Classes
(EEDP)
Lecture 6
Amplifiers Classes
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Class B amplifier: When an amplifier is biased at cutoff so that it operates in the
linear region for 180o of the input cycle and is in cutoff for 180o
Class AB amplifiers: are biased to conduct for slightly more than 180o
Both are more efficient than a class A amplifier;
It is brought out of cutoff and operates in its linear region when the input
signal drives the transistor into conduction.
emitter-follower circuit
1. Transformer Coupling
The figure shows one of the most popular types of push-pull class B amplifiers
using two emitter-followers and both positive and negative power supplies.
This is a complementary amplifier because one emitter-follower uses an npn
transistor and the other a pnp, which conduct on opposite alternations of the
input cycle.
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Biasing the Push-Pull Amplifier for Class AB Operation 15
AC Operation
The Q-point is slightly above cutoff.
(In a true class B amplifier, the Q-
point is at cutoff.)
The ac cutoff voltage is at VCC
The ac saturation current is:
In class A , the Q-point is near the middle and there is significant current in the
transistors even with no signal.
In class B , when there is no signal, the transistors have only a very small current
and therefore dissipate very little power.
Thus, the efficiency of a class B amplifier can be much higher than a class A
amplifier.
The circuit operation is the same as
that described previously, except the
bias is set to force the output emitter
voltage to be
DC Input Power
Efficiency
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Class C amplifiers
Class C amplifiers are biased so that conduction occurs for much less than 180o
Class C amplifiers are more efficient than either class A , B, or AB
The short pulse of collector current on each cycle of the input initiates and
sustains the oscillation of the tank circuit so that an output sinusoidal voltage is
produced