POWER AMPLIFIERS

Q. What is the main difference between a Class A amplifier and a Class B amplifier?

A. A Class A amplifier has a significant dc bias current, but a Class B amplifier requires
no such current. The bias current in a Class A amplifier allows the amplifier to
operate with less distortion but also with less efficiency than a Class B amplifier.

Q. What is the main difference between a Class B amplifier and a Class AB amplifier
and why does this difference exist?

A. The main difference between a Class B amplifier and a Class AB amplifier is that the
output of a Class B amplifier has distortion and the output of a Class AB amplifier
does not. A Class AB amplifier has some small dc bias current and it is this bias
current that keeps the output from becoming distorted.

Q. Comment on the AC current in a Class A amplifier when the amplifier is operating at

its Q-pt.

A. There is no AC current when the amplifier is operating at its Q-pt as the Q-pt is
defined as the DC operating point.

Q. Can a Class A amplifier's AC load be different than its DC load line? Can it be the
same? Briefly explain.

A. The two load lines can be the same if there is no transformer on the collector side
and no bypass capacitor on the emitter side of the amplifier's main transistor.

Q. When designing a Class A power amplifier, where should the Q-pt be placed and
why?

A. The Q-pt should be placed at the middle of the AC load line at IC,max to ensure
maximum symmetrical AC voltage swing.

Q. What is the maximum efficiency of a Class A amplifier?

A. The maximum efficiency of a Class A amplifier is 25%.

Q. What is the maximum efficiency of a Class B amplifier?

A. The maximum efficiency of a Class B amplifier is 78.5%.

DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIERS

Q. Give two reasons why differential amplifiers are well suited for IC fabrication.
A. (i) It is easy to fabricate the matching devices needed for differential amplifiers.
(ii) Transistors can be fabricated cheaply in ICs.

Q. Give two reasons why differential amplifiers are better than single-end amplifiers.

A. (i) Differential amplifiers are less sensitive to noise.

(ii) A differential amplifier can be biased and coupled to other amplifiers without the
need for bypass and coupling capacitors.

Q. What is the effect of adding a resistance to the emitter of each transistor in a

differential amplifier with respect to DC operation?

A. Adding a resistance to the emitter of each transistor in a differential amplifier

increases the linear range of operation.

Q. Should a differential amplifier have a low common mode rejection ratio (CMRR), a
high CMRR, or a medium CMRR? Briefly explain why.

A. A differential amplifier should have a high CMRR. CMRR is the ratio of differential
gain to common mode gain and is an indicator as to the immunity of a differential
amplifier to noise.

FEEDBACK AMPLIFIERS AND OSCILLATORS

Q. List three properties of negative feedback.

A. (i) Desensitizes the gain

(ii) Reduces non-linear distortion
(iii) Reduces the effect of noise
(iv) Controls the input and output impedances
(v) Extends the bandwidth of the amplifier

Q. What should the input source be for a shunt-series (or shunt-shunt) amplifier?

A. It should be a current source.

Q. What should the input source be for a series-series (or series-shunt) amplifier?

A. It should be a voltage source.

Q. What must be done to find R11 (or R22 or ) for a ______ amplifier?

A. See notes.

Q. When can a feedback amplifier circuit be unstable?

A. A feedback amplifier circuit can be unstable when the magnitude of the loop gain A
is greater than one when the phase angle of the loop gain is 180o.

Q. What is the basic principle behind oscillator circuits?

The basic principle behind oscillator circuits is to build up a sinusoidal signal using
an unstable amplifier circuit then to stabilize the amplifier with a limiter circuit.