Electronic Circuits Chapter 6: Power Amplifiers: Dr. Dung Trinh

EE2007 – Chapter 6: Power Amplifiers HCMUT / 2017
Electronic Circuits
Chapter 6: Power Amplifiers
Dr. Dung Trinh
Dr. Dung Trinh 1

Content
Introduction
Power Transistor
Class A Amplifier
Class B Amplifier
Class AB Amplifier
Dr. Dung Trinh 2

Small Signal vs Large Signal Amplifiers
Voltage Voltage Power

Amplifier Amplifier Amplifier
❖ Small signal amplifiers (Voltage Amplifier): Those amplifiers which handle small
input AC signals (a few μV or a few mV).
▪ Placed at the input stage & the intermediate (gain) stages.
▪ Amplify the signal with little or no distortion
❖ Large signal amplifiers (Power Amplifier): handle large input a.c. signals (a few
volts). They are normally used as the final stage of a communications receiver or
transmitter to provide signal power to speakers or to a transmitting antenna.
▪ Placed at the final stage.
▪ be capable of delivering a large voltage or current transfer maximum
power.
Dr. Dung Trinh 3

❖ The voltage amplifiers are designed to achieve high voltage amplification.

Therefore they have to have the following features:
✓ A transistor with high  are used.

✓ A relative high load RC is used in the collector.
❖ A power amplifier is required to deliver a large amount of power and as such it has
to handle large current. In order to achieve large current:
✓ The size of power transistor is made considerably larger in order to dissipate

the heat.
✓ The base is made thicker to handle large currents.
Dr. Dung Trinh 4


❖ Performance Quantities of Power Amplifiers:
✓ Efficiency: Power dissipation is small.

▪ An amplifier converts DC power from supply into AC power output.
▪ Effectiveness of an amplifier measures the ability of a power amplifier to
convert DC power from supply into AC output power.
▪ The ratio of AC output power to the DC signal power of a power amplifier
is known as collector efficiency.
✓ Linearity: must be high (measured by Total harmonic distortion - THD).
▪ Distortion is not a problem with small signal amplifiers.
▪ However a power amplifier handles large signals and, therefore, the
problem of distortion immediately arises.
Dr. Dung Trinh 5

❖ A voltage amplifier is designed to achieve maximum voltage amplification.
❖ A power amplifier is designed to obtain maximum output power.
No Particular Voltage Amplifier Power Amplifier

1  High (>100) Low (5 to 20)
2 𝑅𝐶 High (4 − 10𝑘Ω) Low (5 to 20)
3 Coupling Usually R-C Coupling Invariably transformer
coupling
4 Input Voltage Low (few mV) High (2-4V)
5 Collector Current Low (~𝑚𝐴) High (>100mA)
6 Power Output Low High
7 Output Impedance High (10𝑘Ω) Low (200)
Dr. Dung Trinh 6

Power Transistors
❖ In our previous discussions, we have ignored any physical transistor
limitations in terms of maximum current, voltage, and power.
❖ In power amplifiers, we must be concerned with transistor limitations:

✓ Maximum rated current (on order of amperes).
✓ Maximum rated voltage (on order of 100V).
✓ Maximum rated power (on order of Watts or tens of Watts).
Table: Comparison of the characteristics and maximum ratings

of a small-signal and power BJT
Dr. Dung Trinh 7
Power Transistors
❖ The current gain is
generally smaller in the
power transistors, typically
in the range of 20 to 100,
and may be a strong
function of collector
current and temperature.
Figure: DC beta characteristics (hFE
versus IC) for 2N3055
❖ Heat Sinks:
a,b: for power transistors
c: typical heat sink
Dr. Dung Trinh 8

Power Transistors
❖ Power calculation are extremely important for the following reasons:
▪ The transistor may be destroyed if its maximum allowable
dissipation is exceeded.
▪ The power supply is capable of supplying only finite amount of
power.
▪ The resistors have a power rating (such as 0.1 1, 2, 10W), which, if
exceeded, will cause them to burn out.
❖ The instantaneous power P(t) supplied to or dissipated by any device:

𝑷 𝒕 = 𝑽 𝒕 𝑰(𝒕)
𝑉(𝑡): Voltage across the device, 𝑉 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑎𝑣 + 𝑣(𝑡)

𝐼(𝑡): Current across the device, 𝐼 𝑡 = 𝐼𝑎𝑣 + 𝑖(𝑡)
Dr. Dung Trinh 9

Power Transistors - BJT

❖ The average power:
𝟏 𝑻 𝟏 𝑻
𝑷𝒂𝒗 = න 𝑽 𝒕 𝑰 𝒕 𝒅𝒕 = 𝑽𝒂𝒗 𝑰𝒂𝒗 + න 𝒗 𝒕 𝒊 𝒕 𝒅𝒕
𝑻 𝟎 𝑻 𝟎
❖ The average power supplied or dissipated by a device consist of the

sum of the power in the dc (average) terms and the power in the ac
term.
❖ The instantaneous power dissipation in a BJT:

𝑷(𝒕) = 𝒗𝑪𝑬 (𝒕)𝒊𝑪 (𝒕) + 𝒗𝑩𝑬 (𝒕)𝒊𝑩 (𝒕) ≃ 𝒗𝑪𝑬 (𝒕)𝒊𝑪 (𝒕)
❖ The average power dissipation in a BJT:

𝟏 𝑻
𝑷𝒂𝒗 = න 𝒗𝑪𝑬 (𝒕)𝒊𝑪 (𝒕) 𝒅𝒕
𝑻 𝟎
Dr. Dung Trinh 10
❖ The average power dissipated in a BJT

must be kept below a specified maximum
value, to ensure that the temperature of
the device remains below a maximum
value.
❖ If we assume that the collector current and

collector–emitter voltage are dc quantities,
then at the maximum rated power PT for
the transistor, we can write: The safe operating area of a bipolar
transistor
𝑷𝑻 = 𝑽𝑪𝑬 𝑰𝑪
Dr. Dung Trinh 11


Example 1: Consider the common-emitter circuit in the following figure
where the parameters are 𝑅𝐿 = 8Ω and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 24𝑉. Determine the
required current, voltage, and power ratings of a power BJT.
Dr. Dung Trinh 12


Example 2: In the following Figure, 𝑅1 = 10𝑘Ω, 𝑅2 = 2.2𝑘Ω, 𝑅𝐶 = 3.6 𝑘Ω,
𝑅𝐸 = 1.1𝑘Ω, 𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 10𝑉.
Find the DC power draw from the supply by the amplifier 𝑃𝐶𝐶 ?
𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 18.2𝑚𝑊
Dr. Dung Trinh 13

Classification of power amplifiers

❖ Many of them are driven so hard by the input large signal that collector
(Drain) current is either cut-off or is in the saturation region during a large
portion of the input cycle.
❖ Therefore, power amplifiers are classified according to the portion of the

input sine-wave cycle during which load current flows:
▪ Class A power amplifier.

▪ Class B power amplifier.
▪ Class C power amplifier.
▪ Class AB power amplifier.
Dr. Dung Trinh 14


❖ Class A power amplifier: If the collector current flows at all times during
the full cycle of the signal, the power amplifier is known as class A power
amplifier.
• The operating point Q is selected so that 𝐼𝐶 flows at all times throughout the
full cycle of the applied signal.
• They have the disadvantage of low power output and low collector efficiency
(about 25%).
Dr. Dung Trinh 15


❖ Class B power amplifier: If the collector current flows only during the
positive half-cycle of the input signal, it is called a class B power amplifier.
• No biasing circuit is needed at all.
• The operating point Q is located at collector cut-off voltage.
• Severe distortion occurs.
• Provide higher power output and collector efficiency (50 − 60%).
✓ Positive half-cycle of the signal: the input
circuit is forward biased and hence collector
current flows.
✓ Negative half-cycle of the signal: the input
circuit is reverse biased and no collector
current flows
❖ Class AB power amplifier: An intermediate class between A and

B in which the output transistor is biased at a nonzero DC
current 𝐼𝐶𝑄 much smaller than the peak current 𝐼𝑃.
Dr. Dung Trinh 16
Reviews – AC and DC Load Line

𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐸 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐸
❖ DC Load Line: 𝐼𝐶𝑄 = 𝑓 𝑉𝐶𝐸 = − ≈ −
𝑅𝐸ൗ 𝑅𝐸ൗ 𝑅 + 𝑅 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸
𝑅𝐶 + 𝛼 𝑅𝐶 + 𝛼 𝐶 𝐸
𝑣𝑐𝑒 𝑣𝐶𝐸𝑄 𝑣𝐶𝐸

❖ AC Load Line: 𝑖𝐶 = 𝑓 𝑣𝐶𝐸 = 𝐼𝐶𝑄 + 𝑖𝑐 = 𝐼𝐶𝑄 − = 𝐼𝐶𝑄 + −
𝑅𝐶 ∥ 𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝐶 ∥ 𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝐶 ∥ 𝑅𝐿
𝑽𝑪𝑪
❖ Max-Swing Condition: 𝑰𝑪𝑸 =
𝑹𝒂𝒄 + 𝑹𝑫𝑪
Dr. Dung Trinh 17
Reviews – AC and DC Load Line

Example 3: Design (choose value of R1 and R2 of) the following circuit to
achieve a maximum symmetrical swing in the output voltage.
𝐼𝐶𝑄 = 0.717𝑚𝐴
𝑅1 = 106𝑘Ω
𝑅2 = 31.4𝑘Ω
Dr. Dung Trinh 18

Class A Operation
❖ The most common type of amplifier class due mainly to their simple design.
❖ The highest linearity over the other amplifier classes and as such operates in the
linear portion of the characteristics curve.
❖ Maximum class A output occurs when the Q-point is centered on the ac load line.
Dr. Dung Trinh 19

Power Calculations
❖ The average power delivered by the supply 𝑷𝑪𝑪

❖ The average power dissipated by the load 𝑷𝑳
❖ The average power dissipated in the Collector 𝑷𝑪.
❖ Efficiency.
Dr. Dung Trinh 20

Power Calculations - 𝑃𝐿
❖ The average AC power dissipated in the Load or output power:
1 𝑇2 𝑉𝑃 𝐼𝑃 1 𝑅𝐶 𝐼𝑃2
𝑃𝐿 = න 𝑖𝑐 𝑡 𝑅𝐶 𝑑𝑡 = = 𝑉𝑃 𝐼𝑃 =
𝑇 0 2 2 2 2
𝑉𝑝, 𝐼𝑝: the peak values of the AC output voltage and current.
𝑉𝐶𝐸(𝑚𝑎𝑥) − 𝑉𝐶𝐸(𝑚𝑖𝑛) 𝐼𝐶𝐸(𝑚𝑎𝑥) − 𝐼𝐶𝐸(𝑚𝑖𝑛)

𝑉𝑃 = 𝐼𝑃 =
2 2
❖ When 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0, 𝐼𝐶,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0, 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 , 𝐼𝐶 is chosen for max- swing:

𝑉𝐶𝐶
𝐼𝑃 = 𝐼𝐶 =
2 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸
❖ Then the maximum average power dissipated in the load resistor 𝑃𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥 :
𝑅𝐶 𝐼𝑃2 2
𝑅𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐶 2
𝑉𝐶𝐶
𝑃𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 2
≃ 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑅𝐶 ≫ 𝑅𝐸
2 2 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸 8𝑅𝐶
Dr. Dung Trinh 21
Power Calculations - 𝑃𝐶𝐶

❖ The average DC power required from the power supply:
1 𝑇
𝑃𝐶𝐶 = න 𝑖𝑐 𝑡 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐶
𝑇 0
❖ When 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0, 𝐼𝐶,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0, 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 , 𝐼𝐶 is chosen for max- swing:
𝑉𝐶𝐶
𝐼𝑃 = 𝐼𝐶 =
2 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸
❖ Then the maximum average power dissipated in the load resistor 𝑃𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥 :
2 2
𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐶
𝑃𝐶𝐶,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐶 = ≃ 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑅𝐶 ≫ 𝑅𝐸
2 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸 2𝑅𝐶
Dr. Dung Trinh 22

Power Calculations - 𝑃𝐶
❖ The power dissipated in the collector 𝑃𝐶 :
1 𝑇 1 𝑇
𝑃𝐶 = න 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑣𝐶𝐸 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = න 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝑣𝐶𝐸 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0 𝑇 0
1 𝑇2 𝐼𝑃2
= 𝑃𝐶𝐶 − 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸 න 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑃𝐶𝐶 − 𝑃𝐿 − 𝑃𝐸 = 𝑃𝐶𝐶 − 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸 𝐼𝐶2 +
𝑇 0 2
❖ The collector dissipation is a maximum 𝑃𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 when no signal is present
2 2
𝑉 𝐶𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐶
𝑃𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑃𝐶𝐶 − 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸 𝐼𝐶2 = ≃ 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑅𝐶 ≫ 𝑅𝐸
4 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅𝐸 4𝑅𝐶
❖ In most low-power transistor circuits, the power dissipated in the input circuit
signal is small ⇒ PC represents the total dissipation internal to the transistor.
Dr. Dung Trinh 23

Power Calculations - 𝑃𝐶
❖ 𝑃𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 is always specified by the manufacturer, 𝑃𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 must not be exceeded if
the junction temperature is to be kept within safe limits.
❖ The useful power dissipated in the Load is ac power
❖ Increasing the ac current ⇒ Increasing the ac generated power ⇒ Decreasing the

collector dissipation and Increasing the power delivered to the load.
❖ 𝑃𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2𝑃𝐿(max) ⇒ to obtain 1 W dissipation in the load requires a transistor
capable of handling 2 W of collector dissipation ⇒ a very inefficient power
amplifier. Ideally, one would like no power to be dissipated if there were no
signal present.
❖ Ex: Consider using this amplifier in the receiver of an intercom system, the
receive is always ON, yet we do not want to dissipate power in the receiver
unless a voice signal is present. Use of the amplifier above would not be
economical in this application.
Dr. Dung Trinh 24

Power Calculations - Efficiency

❖ The efficiency η of the amplifier: The ratio of the ac power dissipated in the
load resistor to the power delivered by the supply:
𝐼𝑃2 𝑅𝐶ൗ
𝑃𝐿 2 × 100
𝜂= × 100 =
𝑃𝐷𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐶
ൗ2𝑅
𝐶
❖ When the signal is maximum, 𝑃𝐶𝐶 is constant, 𝑃𝐿 increases with increase

current ⇒ the maximum efficiency 𝜂max
𝑉𝐶𝐶
ൗ8𝑅
𝐶
𝜂𝑚𝑎𝑥 = × 100 = 25%
𝑉𝐶𝐶
ൗ2𝑅
𝐶
❖ That is 75% of the power supplied by the sources is dissipated in the

transistors. This is a waste of power, and it leads to a potentially serious
heating problems with the transistors ⇒ An extremely inefficient power
amplifier
Dr. Dung Trinh 25
Power Calculations
Example 4: Given the circuit in the following figure, let 𝑉𝐵𝐸 = 0.7𝑉, 𝛽 = 25.
An input voltage that results in a base current of 10𝑚𝐴 peak. Calculate the
power supplied by the collector supply 𝑃𝐶𝐶 , the power dissipated in the load
𝑃𝐿 and the efficiency of operation 𝜂max?
𝐼𝐶𝑄 = 0.48𝐴
𝑉𝐶𝐸𝑄 = 10.4𝑉
𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 9.6𝑊
𝑃𝐿 = 0.625𝑊
𝜂max = 6.5%
Dr. Dung Trinh 26

Inductor-Coupled CE Amplifier
❖ In CE Power Amplifier, a large amount of power was dissipated in the
collector resistor 𝑅𝐶 ⇒ 𝜂max = 25 %.
❖ When 1 W of signal power is to be dissipated in the load under

maximum signal conditions ⇒ 4 W must be furnished continuously by
the DC power supply.
❖ Replacing 𝑅𝐶 with a large inductor

(called a “choke”) eliminates some of
this dissipation and increase the
maximum efficiency to 50 %.
Dr. Dung Trinh 27

❖ The inductor has negligible resistance.
𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐸
❖ The DC Load Line equation: 𝐼𝐶 = −
𝑅𝐸 𝑅𝐸
𝑉𝐶𝐸𝑄 𝑣𝐶𝐸
❖ The AC Load Line equation: 𝑖𝐶 = 𝐼𝐶𝑄 + −
𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝐿
❖ For max-swing, the Q point:
1 1 𝑉𝐶𝐸𝑄 𝑉𝐶𝐶
𝐼𝐶𝑄 = 𝑖𝐶,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼𝐶𝑄 + =
2 2 𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝐸 + 𝑅𝐿
Dr. Dung Trinh 28

2
𝑉𝐶𝐶
❖ Supplied Power: 𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐶𝑄 ≈
𝑅𝐿
𝑅𝐿 𝐼𝑃2
❖ Power transferred to load: 𝑃𝐿 =
2 2 2
𝑅𝐿 𝐼𝐶𝑄 𝑉𝐶𝐶
• The maximum average power dissipated by the load: 𝑃𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = =
2 2𝑅𝐿
2
𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝑅𝐿 𝐼𝑃2
❖ Power dissipated by the collector: 𝑃𝐶 = 𝑃𝐶𝐶 − 𝑃𝐿 = −
𝑅𝐿 2
2
𝑉𝐶𝐶
• The maximum power dissipated in the collector (𝐼𝑃 = 0): 𝑃𝐶,𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑅𝐿
2
𝑉𝐶𝐶
• The minimum power dissipated in the collector (𝐼𝑃 = 𝐼𝐶𝑄 ): 𝑃𝐶,𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
2𝑅𝐿
𝑅𝐿 𝐼𝑃2 2
𝑃𝐿 1 𝐼
= 2 = 2
𝑃
❖ Efficiency: 𝜂= 𝜂𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 50%
𝑃𝐶𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐶𝑄 2 𝐼𝐶𝑄
Dr. Dung Trinh 29
Reviews – Transformer
❖ A transformer can increase or decrease voltage or current levels according to
the turns ratio.
❖ In addition, the impedance connected to one side of a transformer can be

made to appear either larger or smaller (step up or step down) at the other
side of the transformer, depending on the square of the transformer winding
turns ratio.
𝑽𝟐 𝑵𝟐
❖ Voltage transformation: =
𝑽𝟏 𝑵𝟏
𝑰𝟐 𝑵𝟏
❖ Current transformation: =
𝑰𝟏 𝑵𝟐
𝟐
𝑹′𝑳 𝑵𝟏
❖ Impedance transformation: =
𝑹𝑳 𝑵𝟐
Dr. Dung Trinh 30

Transformer-Coupled Load CE Amplifier

𝟐
𝑵𝑷
❖ The effective load resistance 𝑅𝐿′ referred to the primary side: 𝑹′𝑳 = 𝑹𝑳
𝑵𝑺
Dr. Dung Trinh 31


𝑉𝐶𝐶
❖ The collector current: 𝑖𝐶 = 𝐼𝐶𝑄 + 𝑖𝑐 = ′ + 𝐼𝑃 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡
𝑅𝐿
𝑁𝑃
❖ The load current: 𝑖𝐿 = 𝐼𝑃 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡
𝑁𝑆
2
𝑉𝐶𝐶
❖ Supplied power: 𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐶𝑄 ≃
𝑅′𝐿
𝑅′𝐿 𝐼𝑃2
❖ Power transferred to load: 𝑃𝐿 =
2
2
𝑅′𝐿 𝐼𝐶𝑄 𝑉𝐶𝐶
• The maximum average power dissipated by the load: 𝑃𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = =
2 2𝑅′𝐿
2
𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝑅′𝐿 𝐼𝑃2
❖ Power dissipated by the collector: 𝑃𝐶 = 𝑃𝐶𝐶 − 𝑃𝐿 = −
𝑅′𝐿 2
2
𝑅′𝐿 𝐼𝑃 2
𝑃𝐿 1 𝐼
= 2 = 2
𝑃
❖ Efficiency: 𝜂 = 𝜂𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 50%
𝑃𝐶𝐶 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐶𝑄 2 𝐼𝐶𝑄
Dr. Dung Trinh 32

Example 5: Calculate the ac power delivered to 8 ohm speaker for the circuit
shown below. The circuit component values result in a dc base current of
6mA, and the input signal vi results in a peak base current swing of 4mA.
Dr. Dung Trinh 33

𝑃𝐿 = 0.477𝑊 𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 1.4𝑊 𝜂 = 34.1%
Dr. Dung Trinh 34

Class B Amplifier
❖ Class B power amplifier: If the collector current flows only during the
positive half-cycle of the input signal, it is called a class B power amplifier.
• No biasing circuit is needed at all.
• The operating point Q is located at collector cut-off voltage.
• Severe distortion occurs.
• Provide higher power output and collector efficiency (50 − 60%).
𝑰𝒄
𝑰𝒂𝒗 =
𝝅
Dr. Dung Trinh 35

Class B Amplifier
❖ In Class B, transistor is biased just off. The AC signal turns the transistor ON.
❖ The transistor only conduct when it is turned on by one-half of the AC cycle.
❖ In order to get a full AC cycle out of class B, two transistors are required:
▪ An npn transistor that provide the

positive half of the AC cycle.
▪ An pnp transistor that provide the

negative half of the AC cycle.
Dr. Dung Trinh 36

Class B Amplifier
❖ 𝑉𝐵𝐸,𝑜𝑛 < 𝑣𝐼 < 𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑠𝑎𝑡 : QN ON, QP OFF
𝒗𝒐 = 𝒗𝑰 − 𝒗𝑩𝑬,𝑶𝑵 𝒊𝑳 = 𝒊𝑪𝑵 (𝑷𝑼𝑺𝑯)
❖ −𝑉𝐶𝐶 + 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑠𝑎𝑡 < 𝑣𝐼 < −𝑉𝐵𝐸,𝑜𝑛 : QN OFF, QP ON
𝒗𝒐 = 𝒗𝑰 + 𝒗𝑩𝑬,𝑶𝑵 𝒊𝑳 = −𝒊𝑪𝑷 (𝑷𝑼𝑳𝑳)

Dr. Dung Trinh 37
Class B Amplifier
❖ −𝑉𝐵𝐸,𝑜𝑛 < 𝑣𝐼 < 𝑉𝐵𝐸,𝑜𝑛 : QN OFF, QP ON ❖ Crossover distortion on input & output
waveforms
𝒗𝒐 = 𝟎
❖ Crossover distortion in audio power
amplifiers produce unpleasant sounds.
Dr. Dung Trinh 38

Class B – Output Power and Efficiency

𝑇ൗ
1 2 𝐼𝑃
❖ The average collector current of a transistor: 𝐼𝐶 = න 𝑖𝑐 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 =
𝑇 0 𝜋
❖ The average current draw from the DC supply source by transistors QN and QP
2𝐼𝑃
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = 2𝐼𝐶 =
𝜋
❖ The average input power ❖ The output power:

supplied from the DC source:
𝑅𝐿 𝐼𝑃2
𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝑑𝑐 = 2𝑉𝐶𝐶 𝐼𝐶 𝑃𝐿 =
2
𝑃𝐿 𝜋 𝑉𝑃 2𝑉𝐶𝐶ൗ
❖ The power efficiency: 𝜂= = 𝜂 = 50%@𝑉𝑃 = 𝜋
𝑃𝐷𝐶 4 𝑉𝐶𝐶
𝜂 = 78.5%@𝑉𝑃 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶
Dr. Dung Trinh 39

❖ The average power dissipated in the class B stage is given by:
𝐼𝑃 𝑅𝐿 𝐼𝑃2
𝑃𝐷 = 𝑃𝑆 − 𝑃𝐿 = 2𝑉𝐶𝐶 −
𝜋 2
𝜕𝑃𝐷 2𝑉𝐶𝐶
❖ The maximum collector power at = 0 → 𝐼𝑃,𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝜕𝐼𝑃 𝜋𝑅𝐿
2𝑉𝐶𝐶ൗ
𝑉𝑃,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋
𝑃𝐷 𝜋𝑉𝑃 𝜋 2 𝑉𝑃2
= − 2
𝑃𝐷,𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑉𝐶𝐶 4𝑉𝐶𝐶
Dr. Dung Trinh 40


Example 6: For a class B amplifier using a supply of 𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 30 and driving a
load of 16Ω, determine the maximum input power 𝑃𝐶𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 , output power
𝑃𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 , the maximum efficiency 𝜂max , and power dissipation of each
transistor, 𝑃𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥?
𝑃𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 28.125𝑊 𝑃𝐶𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 35.8𝑊 𝜂𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 78.54% 𝑃𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 5.7𝑊
Example 7: Calculate the efficiency of a class B amplifier for a supply voltage

of VCC=24V with peak output voltages of:
a. 𝑉𝑃 = 22𝑉
b. 𝑉𝑃 = 6𝑉
a. 𝜂 = 72% b. 𝜂 = 19.6%
Dr. Dung Trinh 41


Example 8: For a class B amplifier providing a 20V peak signal to a 16Ω load
(speaker) and a power supply of 𝑉𝐶𝐶 = 30𝑉, determine the input power,
output power, and circuit efficiency?
𝑃𝐿 = 12.5𝑊 𝑃𝐶𝐶 = 23.9𝑊 𝜂 = 52.3%
Dr. Dung Trinh 42

Transformer-Coupled Push Pull Circuit

❖ The circuit uses a center-tapped input transformer to produce opposite polarity signals
to the two transistor inputs and an output transformer to drive the load in a push-pull
mode of operation.
❖ During the first half-cycle

of operation, transistor Q1
is driven into conduction
whereas transistor Q2 is
driven off.
❖ During the second half-

cycle of the input signal.
Q2 conducts whereas Q1
stays off.
Dr. Dung Trinh 43


❖ Different ways to obtain phase-shifter circuits
Dr. Dung Trinh 44


Example 8: Design a transformer-coupled class B push-pull amplifier, as
shown in figure below, to supply a maximum output power of 𝑃𝐿(max) = 10𝑊
at a load resistance of 𝑅𝐿 = 4Ω. Assume a DC supply voltage of 15V and
transistors of 𝛽 = 100 and 𝑉𝐵𝐸 = 0.7𝑉.
𝑅′𝐿 = 11.25Ω
𝑁𝑃
ൗ𝑁 = 1.68
𝑆
𝑅𝐵 = 8.25Ω
𝑉𝐵𝐵 = 0.77𝑉
𝑅1 = 8.7Ω
𝑅2 = 161Ω
Dr. Dung Trinh 45

Class AB Amplifier
❖ Crossover distortion can be virtually eliminated by applying a small
quiescent bias on each output transistor, for a zero input signal. This is
called a class-AB output stage.
Dr. Dung Trinh 46

Class AB Amplifier
❖ Resistor R2 can be adjusted to minimize crossover distortion by adjusting
the dc bias condition
Dr. Dung Trinh 47

Class AB Amplifier
Example 9: For the circuit of following
figure, calculate:
a. Input power, output power, and
power handled by each output
transistor and the circuit efficiency
for an input of 12 V rms.
b. Maximum input power, maximum
output power, input voltage for
maximum power operation, and
power dissipated by the output
transistors at this voltage.
c. Determine the maximum power
dissipated by the output transistors
and the input voltage at which this
occurs.
Dr. Dung Trinh 48

Q&A
Dr. Dung Trinh 49

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EE2007 – Chapter 6: Power Amplifiers HCMUT / 2017

Dr. Dung Trinh

Dr. Dung Trinh 1

Dr. Dung Trinh 2

Small Signal vs Large Signal Amplifiers

Voltage Voltage Power

Small Signal vs Large Signal Amplifiers

❖ The voltage amplifiers are designed to achieve high voltage amplification.

✓ A transistor with high  are used.

✓ The size of power transistor is made considerably larger in order to dissipate

Dr. Dung Trinh 4

Small Signal vs Large Signal Amplifiers

❖ Performance Quantities of Power Amplifiers:

✓ Efficiency: Power dissipation is small.

Small Signal vs Large Signal Amplifiers

❖ A power amplifier is designed to obtain maximum output power.

No Particular Voltage Amplifier Power Amplifier

Dr. Dung Trinh 6

❖ In power amplifiers, we must be concerned with transistor limitations:

Table: Comparison of the characteristics and maximum ratings

Dr. Dung Trinh 8

❖ The instantaneous power P(t) supplied to or dissipated by any device:

𝑉(𝑡): Voltage across the device, 𝑉 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑎𝑣 + 𝑣(𝑡)

Dr. Dung Trinh 9

Power Transistors - BJT

❖ The average power supplied or dissipated by a device consist of the

❖ The instantaneous power dissipation in a BJT:

❖ The average power dissipation in a BJT:

Power Transistors - BJT

❖ The average power dissipated in a BJT

❖ If we assume that the collector current and

Dr. Dung Trinh 11

Power Transistors - BJT

Dr. Dung Trinh 12

Power Transistors - BJT

Dr. Dung Trinh 13

Classification of power amplifiers

❖ Therefore, power amplifiers are classified according to the portion of the

▪ Class A power amplifier.

Dr. Dung Trinh 14

Classification of power amplifiers

Dr. Dung Trinh 15

Classification of power amplifiers

❖ Class AB power amplifier: An intermediate class between A and

Reviews – AC and DC Load Line

𝑣𝑐𝑒 𝑣𝐶𝐸𝑄 𝑣𝐶𝐸

Reviews – AC and DC Load Line

Dr. Dung Trinh 18

Dr. Dung Trinh 19

❖ The average power delivered by the supply 𝑷𝑪𝑪

Dr. Dung Trinh 20

𝑉𝐶𝐸(𝑚𝑎𝑥) − 𝑉𝐶𝐸(𝑚𝑖𝑛) 𝐼𝐶𝐸(𝑚𝑎𝑥) − 𝐼𝐶𝐸(𝑚𝑖𝑛)

❖ When 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0, 𝐼𝐶,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0, 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 , 𝐼𝐶 is chosen for max- swing:

Power Calculations - 𝑃𝐶𝐶

❖ When 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0, 𝐼𝐶,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0, 𝑉𝐶𝐸,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 , 𝐼𝐶 is chosen for max- swing:

Dr. Dung Trinh 22

❖ The collector dissipation is a maximum 𝑃𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 when no signal is present

Dr. Dung Trinh 23

❖ Increasing the ac current ⇒ Increasing the ac generated power ⇒ Decreasing the