Unit-I

MULTISTAGE AMPLIFIERS

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SYLLABUS:
Classification of Amplifiers, Distortion in amplifiers, Different
coupling schemes used in amplifiers, Millers theorem and its dual
for single stage amplifier, Frequency response and Analysis of
multistage amplifiers, Cascode amplifier, Darlington pair.
Transistor at High Frequency: Hybrid - model of Common Emitter
transistor model, fα, β and unity gain bandwidth, Gain band width
product.

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 There are many situations wherein the signal picked up from a source
(say a transducers) is too feeble to be of any use and has to be
magnified before it can have the capability to drive a system (say
another transducer).

 In “Electronics”, small signal amplifiers are commonly used devices as

they have the ability to amplify a relatively small input signal, for
example from a Sensor such as a photo-device, into a much larger
output signal to drive a relay, lamp or loudspeaker for example.

 For example, the electrical signal produced by a microphone has to be

magnified before it can effectively drive a loudspeaker.

 This function of magnifying the amplitude of a given signal, without

altering its other properties is known as amplification.

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 Multistage Amplifiers

 CLASSIFICATION OF AMPLIFIERS:
Amplifiers are classified in many ways based on different criteria as
given below.
I. In terms of frequency range:
1. DC amplifiers. (0 Hz to 20 Hz)
2. Audio amplifiers (20 Hz to 20 KHz)
3. Radio frequency amplifiers (Few KHz to hundreds of KHz)
4. Microwave amplifiers (In the range of GHz)
5. Video amplifiers (Hundreds of GHz)

II. In terms of signal strength:

1. Small signal amplifiers.
2. Large signal amplifiers.

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III. In terms of coupling:

1. Direct coupling.
2. Resistance – capacitance (RC) coupling.
3. Transformer coupling.

IV. In terms of parameter:

1. Voltage amplifiers.
2. Current amplifiers.
3. Power amplifiers.

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V. In terms of biasing condition:

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

VI. In terms of tuning:

1. Single tuned amplifier
2. Double tuned amplifier
3. Stagger tuned amplifier

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 DECIBEL NOTATION:
 The power gain of an amplifier is expressed as the ratio of the output
power to the input power.
 When we have more than one stage of amplification i.e. when the
output of one stage becomes the input to the next stage, the overall
gain has to be obtained by multiplying the gains of the individual
stages. When large numbers are involved, this calculation becomes
cumbersome. Also, when we have passive coupling networks between
amplifier stages, there will be attenuation of the signal that is gain less
than unity. To find the overall gain of a typical multistage amplifier
such as the one given below Power Gain,
G = 10 log10 P0 / Pi dB

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 DISTORTION IN AMPLIFIERS:
 In any amplifier, ideally the output should be a faithful reproduction of
the input. This is called fidelity. Of course there could be changes in
the amplitude levels. However in practice this never happens. The
output waveform tends to be different from the input. This is called as
the distortion. The distortion may arise either from the inherent non –
linearity in the transistor characteristics or from the influence of the
associated circuit.

 The distortions are classified as:

 1. Non – linear or amplitude distortion.
 2. Frequency distortion.
 3. Phase distortion.
 4. Inter modulation distortion.

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 NON – LINEAR DISTORTION:

 This is produced when the operation is over the non-linear part of the
transfer characteristics of the transistor. (A plot between output v/s
input is called as the transfer characteristics). Since the amplifier
amplifies different parts of the input differently.

 For example, there can be compression of the positive half cycle and
expansion of the negative half cycle. Sometimes, the waveform can
become clipped also. (Flattening at the tips). Such a deviation from
linear amplification produces frequencies in the output, which are not
originally present in the output. Harmonics (multiples) of the input
signal frequency are present in the output.

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 The percentage harmonic distortion for the nth harmonic is given by

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 FREQUENCY DISTORTION:
 A practical signal is usually complex (containing many frequencies).
Frequency distortion occurs when the different frequency components
in the input signal are amplified differently. This is due to the various
frequency dependent reactances (capacitive & inductive) present in
the circuit or the active devices (BJT or FET).
 PHASE DISTRIBUTION:
 This occurs due to different frequency components of the input signal
suffering different phase shifts. The phase shifts are also due to
reactive effects and the active devices. This causes problems in TV
picture reception. To avoid this amplifier phase shift should be
proportional to the frequency.

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 INTERMODULATION DISTORTION:
 The harmonics introduced in the amplifier can combine with each
other or with the original frequencies to produce new frequencies to
produce new frequencies that are not harmonics of the fundamental.
This is called inter modulation distortion. This distortion results in
unpleasant hearing.

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