ADE Amplifiers

Classes of Power Amplifiers
In electronics, Amplifier is the most commonly used circuit device

with huge application possibilities. In Audio related electronics
pre-amplifier and power amplifiers are two different types of
amplifier systems which are used for sound amplification related
purposes. But, other than this application-specific purpose, there
are huge differences in various types of amplifiers, mainly in
Power Amplifiers. So here we will explore different classes of
amplifiers along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Classifications of Amplifiers using Letters
Amplifier classes are the identity of amplifier’s performance and

characteristics. Different type of power amplifiers gives different
responses when passing current through them. According to their
specifications, Amplifiers are assigned different letter or
alphabets which represent their classes. There are different
classes of amplifiers starting from A, B, C, AB, D, E, F, T etc. Out of
those classes most commonly used audio amplifiers classes are
A, B, AB, C. Other Classes are modern amplifiers which use
switching topologies and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
technique to drive the output load. Sometimes, improved version
of traditional classes are assigned a letter to classify them as a
different class of amplifier, like class G amplifier is a modified
Amplifier class of Class B or Class AB amplifier.
Classes of the amplifier represent the input cycle proportion

when the current is passed through amplifier. The input cycle is
the conduction angle derives from the sinusoidal wave conduction
in the amplifier input. This conducting angle is highly proportional
with the Amplifiers on time during a full cycle. If the amplifier is
always ON during a cycle, the conduction angle will be 360
degrees. So, if an amplifier provides 360-degree conduction angle,
then the amplifier used complete input signal and the active
element conducted through the 100% time period of a complete
sinusoidal cycle.
Below, we will demonstrate traditional Power amplifier classes

ranging from Class A, B, AB and C, and also demonstrate Class D
amplifier which is widely used in switching designs. These
classes are not only used in Power Amplifier but also used in
Audio Amplifiers circuits.
Class A Amplifier
Class A amplifier is a high gain amplifier with high linearity. In

case of Class A amplifier, the conduction angle is 360 degree. As
we stated above, a 360-degree conduction angle means the
amplifier device remains active for the entire time and use
complete input signal. In the below image an ideal class A
amplifier is shown.
As we can see in the image, there is one active element, a

transistor. The bias of the transistor remains ON all of the time.
Due to this never turn off feature, Class A amplifier provides
better high frequency and feedback loop stability. Other than
these advantages, Class A amplifier is easy to construct with a
single-device component and minimum parts count.
Despite the advantages and high linearity, certainly, it has many
limitations. Due to continuous conducting nature, the class A
amplifier introduce high power loss. Also, due to high linearity,
Class A amplifier provides distortion and noises. The power
supply and the bias construction need careful component
selection to avoid unwanted noise and to minimize the distortion.
Because of high power loss in Class A amplifier, it emits heat and

requires higher heat sink space. The efficiency is very poor in
Class A amplifiers, theoretically, the efficiency varies between 25
to 30 % if used with the usual configuration. The efficiency can be
improved using inductively coupled configuration but the
efficiency in such case is not more than 45-50%, thus it is only
suitable for low signal or low power level amplification purposes.
Class B Amplifier
The Class B amplifier is a bit different from the Class A. It is

created using two active devices which conduct half of the actual
cycle, ie 180 degrees of the cycle. Two devices provide combined
current drive for the load.
In the above image, an Ideal Class B amplifier configuration has

been shown. It consists two active devices which get biased one
by one during the positive and negative half cycle of sinusoidal
wave and thus the signal gets pushed or pulled to the amplified
level from both positive and negative side and combine the result
we get complete cycle across the output. Each device turned on
or became active half of the cycle, and due to this the efficiency
gets improved, comparing to 25- 30% efficiency of Class A
amplifier, it provides more than 60% efficiency theoretically. We
can see each device input and output signal graph in the below
image. The efficiency is not more than 78% for Class B amplifier.
The heat dissipation is minimized in this class providing a low
heat sink space.
But, this class also have limitation. A very profound limitation of

this class is the crossover distortion. As two devices provides
each half of the sinusoidal waves which are combined and joined
across the output, there is a mismatch (cross over) in the region,
where two halves are combined. This is because when one device
complete the half cycle, the other one needs to provide the same
power almost at the same time when other one finish the job. It is
difficult to fix this error in class A amplifier as during the active
device the other device remains completely inactive. The error
provides a distortion in the output signal. Due to this limitation, it
is a major fail for precision audio amplifier application.
Class AB Amplifier
An alternate approach to overcome the cross-over distortion, is

to use the AB amplifier. Class AB amplifier uses intermediate
conduction angle of both Classes A and B, thus we can see the
property of both Class A and Class B amplifier in this AB class of
amplifier topology. Same as class B, it has the same configuration
with two active devices which conducts during half of the cycles
individually but each device biased differently so they do not get
completely OFF during the unusable moment (crossover moment).
Each device does not leave the conduction immediately after
completing the half of the sinusoidal waveform, instead they
conduct a small amount of input on another half cycle. Using this
biasing technique, the crossover mismatch during the dead zone
is dramatically reduced.
But in this configuration, efficiency is reduced as the linearity of
the devices is compromised. The efficiency remains more than the
efficiency of typical Class A amplifier but it is less than the Class
B amplifier system. Also, the diodes need to be carefully chosen
with the exact same rating and need to be placed as close as
possible to the output device. In some circuit construction,
designers tend to add small value resistor to provide stable
quiescent current across the device to minimize the distortion
across the output.
Class C Amplifier
Apart from the Class A, B, and AB amplifier, there is another

amplifier Class C. It’s a traditional amplifier which works
differently than the other amplifiers classes. Class C amplifier is
tuned amplifier which works in two different operating modes,
tuned or untuned. The efficiency of Class C amplifier is much
more than the A, B, and AB. Maximum 80% efficiency can be
achieved in radio frequency related operations
Class C amplifier uses less than 180-degree conduction angle.

During the untuned mode, the tuner section is omitted from the
amplifier configuration. In this operation, Class C amplifier also
gives huge distortion across the output.
When the circuit is exposed to a tuned load, the circuit clamps the
output bias level with the average output voltage equal to the
supply voltage. The tuned operation is called as clamper. During
this operation, the signal gets its proper shape and the center
frequency became less distorted.
In typical uses, Class C amplifier gives 60-70% efficiency.

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Classes of Power Amplifiers

In electronics, Amplifier is the most commonly used circuit device

Classifications of Amplifiers using Letters

Amplifier classes are the identity of amplifier’s performance and

Classes of the amplifier represent the input cycle proportion

Below, we will demonstrate traditional Power amplifier classes

Class A amplifier is a high gain amplifier with high linearity. In

As we can see in the image, there is one active element, a

Because of high power loss in Class A amplifier, it emits heat and

The Class B amplifier is a bit different from the Class A. It is

In the above image, an Ideal Class B amplifier configuration has

But, this class also have limitation. A very profound limitation of

An alternate approach to overcome the cross-over distortion, is

Apart from the Class A, B, and AB amplifier, there is another

Class C amplifier uses less than 180-degree conduction angle.

In typical uses, Class C amplifier gives 60-70% efficiency.

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