17-3 AC Analysis of Diff Amp
In this section, we will derive the equation for the voltage gain of a diff
amp. We will start with the simplest configuration, the noninverting
input and single-ended output. After deriving its voltage gain, we will
extend the results to the other configurations.
Theory of Operation
Figure 17-8a, shows a noninverting input and single-ended output. With
a large RE, the tail current is almost constant when a small ac signal is
present. Because of this, the two halves of a diff amp respond in a
complementary manner to the noninverting input. In other words, an
increase in the emitter current of Q1 produces a decrease in the emitter
current of Q2. Conversely, a decrease in the emitter current of Q1
produces an increase in the emitter current of Q2.
In Fig. 17-8a, the left transistor Q1 acts like an emitter follower that
produces an ac voltage across the emitter resistor. This ac voltage is half
of the input voltage v1. On the positive half cycle of input voltage, the Q1
emitter current increases, the Q2 emitter current decreases, and the Q2
collector voltage increases.
Similarly, on the negative half cycle of input voltage, the Q1 emitter current
decreases, the Q2 emitter current increases, and the Q2 collector voltage
decreases. This is why the amplified output sine wave is in phase with the
noninverting input.
Single-Ended Output Gain
Figure 17-8b shows the ac equivalent circuit. Notice that each transistor
has an . Also, the biasing resistor is in parallel with the of the right
transistor. In any practical design, is much grater than . Because of this, we
can ignore in a preliminary analysis.
Figure 17-8c shows the simplified equivalent circuit. Notice that the input
voltage v1 is across the first in series with the . Since the two resistances
are equal, the voltage across each is half of the input voltage. This is why
the ac voltage across the tail resistor of Fig. 17-8a is half of the input
voltage. In Fig. 17-8c, the ac output voltage is :
And the ac input voltage is:
+=2
Dividing by gives the voltage gain:
Single-ended output:
A final point: In Fig. 17-8a, a quiescent dc voltage exists at the output
terminal. This voltage is not part of the ac signal. The ac voltage is any
change from the quiescent voltage. In an op amp, the quiescent dc
voltage is removed in a later stage because it is unimportant.
Differential-Output Gain
Figure 17-9 shows the ac equivalent circuit for a noninverting input and
differential output. The analysis is almost identical to the previous
example, except that the output voltage is twice as much since there are
two collector resistor:
(Note: The second minus sign appears because the signal is 1800 out of
phase with as shown in Fig. 17-9).
The ac input voltage is still equal to:
Dividing the output voltage by the input voltage gives the voltage gain:
Differential output:
This is easy to remember because it is the same as the voltage gain for a CE
stage.
Input impedance
In a CE stage, the input impedance of the base is:
In a diff amp, the input impedance of either base is twice as high:
………………………………….. (17-11)
The input impedance of a diff amp is twice as high because there are two ac
emitter resistance in the ac equivalent circuit instead of one. Equation (17-11)
is valid for all configuration because any ac input signal sees two ac emitter
resistances in the path between the base and ground.
EXAMPLE 17-4
In Fig. 17-11, what is the ac output voltage? If what is the input impedance of
the diff amp?
SOLUTION: We analyzed the dc equivalent circuit in Example 17-11. Ideally, 15 V
is across the emitter resistor, producing a tail current of 2 mA, which means that
the dc emitter current in each transistor is:
Now, we can calculate the ac emitter resistance:
The voltage gain is:
The ac output voltage is:
and the input impedance of the diff amp is:
PRACTICE PROBLEM 17-4 Repeat Example with changed to 5 kΩ
EXAMPLE 17-7
What is the ac output voltage in Fig. 17-12? If what is the input impedance of
the diff amp?
SOLUTION: Ideally, 15 V is across the emitter resistor, so that the tail current is:
Since the emitter current in each transistor is half of the tail current:
The voltage gain for the single-ended output is:
The ac output voltage is:
and the input impedance of the diff amp is:
PRACTICE PROBLEM 17-7 Repeat Example with changed to 500 kΩ
***If you change the room temperate of the example to 22/23 degree Celsius
or 295 degree kelvin equation , in example 1.1 given below , the voltage
becomes 25mV.
You will find many examples of the equation in Bolysted Book.
AC Analysis of DIBO Differential Amplifier
Figure 7: Equivalent Circuit of DIBO
A.C. Analysis :
In the earlier topic DC analysis has been done to obtain the operating
point of two transistors. In order to find the voltage gain, Ad and input
resistance Ri of differential amplifier, AC equivalent circuit is drawn by
using h-parameters as shown in the figure 8. The AC equivalent circuit
of DIBO differential amplifier in CE configuration is given below:
Figure 8: Equivalent Circuit of DIBO
As the 2 DC emitter currents are equal. Hence,
resistance r'e1 and r'e2 are also equal and designated by
r'e . This voltage across each collector resistance is
shown 180° out of phase with respect to input voltages
v1 and v2. This is identical to CE configuration. The
polarity of the output voltage is given in Figure. The
collector C2 is supposed to be more positive with respect
to the collector C1 even though both are negative with
respect to ground.
Applying KVL in 2 loops 1 & 2.
Substituting the current relations,
Again, supposing RS1 / and RS2 / are quite small in comparison
with RE and re' and thus neglecting these terms,
Solving these 2 equations, ie1 and ie2 can be computed such as,
The overall output voltage, VO is
Substituting ie1, & ie2 in above expression
(E-1)
Therefore a differential amplifier amplifies difference between
the two input signals. Defining the difference of input signals as
vd = v1 - v2 the voltage gain of dual input balanced output
differential amplifier can be given as follows:
Gain, (E-2)
