Module 6

Unit 6
Power Amplifiers
Review Questions:
1. In what way the design features of power transistors different from small signal
transistors?
2. What is the basis for the classification of power amplifiers? Mention different
types of power amplifiers?
3. Draw the circuit for commonly used class A amplifier. If the amplifier draws
10W of dc power, what is the maximum ac power available to the load?
4. Draw the circuit for a push-pull amplifier and discuss its working.
5. Derive an expression for the efficiency of class B power amplifiers.
6. What is harmonic distortion? How does it arise in Class B-operation? And, how
can it be corrected in push-pull circuit?
7. What do you understand by cross-over distortion? How can it be eliminated in
Class B-operation?
8. What reasons will you assign for higher conversion efficiency of Class B-amplifier
as compared to Class A amplifier?
9. Draw a circuit for Class C- amplifier and discuss its working?
10. Among all the power amplifiers, Class C-amplifier has the maximum efficiency
but its use is restricted. Give reasons.

Problems:
6.1 Calculate maximum ac output power in the amplifier shown in fig. (Assume V BE = 0)

+20V
50

1k
vi

vo
B

1k

50
100

Solution:The ac power in class A-operation, P0 is given by the relation,

VCEQ . I CQ

P0

Where VCEQ and ICQ are voltage across collector emitter of transistor at operating point
and collector current respectively.
First we need the value of ICQ. Now in fig above, the voltage between base and ground
(point B and ground, see fig.) VBB, is 10 V.
Then,

I CQ

VBB

IE

VBE
RE

10V
100

VBB
RE

100 mA

VCEQ can be obtained by summing voltage (dc voltages, capacitors taken open)
VCC = VCEQ + IE(RC + RE)
Or, VCEQ = VCC IE(RC + RE)
= 20 100mA (50 + 100)
= 20 -15
Or, VCEQ = 5V
Therefore, maximum ac power, PO,

P0

VCEQ . I CQ

or P0

2
250 mW

5 100 mA
2

6.2 Calculate maximum ac output power and efficiency of the amplifier shown in fig. V BE
may be assumed negligibly small.

+10V (VCC)

10

vi

10

RE

-10V (VEE)

Solution:The operating point current and voltages in the circuit are:

I CQ

VEE
RE

IE

10V
10

1A

And,
VCEQ = VCC = 10V
Therefore, maximum ac output power is,

P0(max)

VCEQ . I CQ
2

10 1
2

5W

To calculate the efficiency, , the dc power drawn by collector-emitter circuit is,

PDC

VCC

VEE I CQ

(10 10) 1

20W

Therefore efficiency,

P0(max)
PDC
or

25%

5W
100
20W

6.3 Find out the value of resistor R2 to provide trickle current for distortion free output in
the push pull amplifier shown in fig. VBE for each transistor is 0.7V.

+30V

300

R1
vo

vi

R2
R2
300

R1

16

Solution:Trickle current which flows through resistors R2 and produces a voltage drop of 0.7 V
across base emitter junction over comes cross over distortion in push pull
amplifier. For analysis purposes, it is sufficient to consider only half of the circuit for
reasons of symmetry, and VCC of half (= VCC/2 = 30/2 = 15V) is to be taken for one
transistor.
The current through resistors R1 and R2 is,
I

15V
R1 R2

15V
300
R2

But,
I X R2 = 0.7V (desired voltage)
or , I

0.7 V / R2

............( B)

Combining Eqs (A) and (B),

0.7V
R2

15V
300
R2

or , R2

14.7

....................( A)

6.4 Calculate maximum ac output power and the minimum power rating of the
transistors in the push-pull amplifier shown in fig.

+40V

500

vo

vi

8
500

Solution:The maximumac power (output). P0(max) as per the discussion on the topic is,

VCEQ

P0(max)

ic ( sat )
2

Where ic(sat) is maximum (saturated) collector current.

Now,
VCEQ

1
VCC
2

1
2

40V

20V

And, ic(sat) is expressed as,

ic ( sat )

VCEQ
rC

rE

20V
0 8

2.5 A

Here, rC is effective ac resistance seen by the collector and rE is effective resistance

seen by the emitter.
Therefore,

P0(max)

VCEQ

iC ( sat )
2

20

2.5
2

25 W

The maximum power rating, PD(max) is one-fifth of maximum ac power. That is,

1
. P0(max)
5
or , PD (max) 5W
PD (max)

25W
5

6.5 In fig. a basic Class C-amplifier is shown. It uses supply voltage of + 20V and load
resistance of 100. The operating frequency is 3MHZ and VCE(sat) = 0.3 V. Calculate and
efficiency. If peak current is 500 mA, find the conduction angle also.

+20V(VCC)

100pf

3H

vi
100

Solution:The peak voltage, Vp, as was discussed is,

Vp = VCC VCE(sat) = 20 0.3
Or, Vp = 19.7V
The ac power P0, is

P0

V p2

1.97

2 RL

2 100

or , P0

1.69W

And, dc power drawn by the circuit is,

Pdc

VCC

I dc

Where,

I dc

P0
Vp

1.69W
19.7 V

0.0857 A

Therefore,
Pdc = 20 X 0.0857
or, Pdc = 1.714 W
And the efficiency, , is
P0
Pdc

1.69W
1.714W

100

98.5%

Now, we proceed to find out the conductance angle .

For the frequency of 3MHZ, the period of the wave, T, is
T

1
3 106

0.33 s

And transistors on- time is,

P0 T
I p Vp
1.69W 0.33 10 6
500 10 3 19.7 V
56.6 10 9 s
56.6 ns

or , t
or , t

And, the conduction angle, , is

t
T
or ,

360
61.7

56.6 10 9
0.33 10 6

360