ECET 2310 Laboratory Exercise 4 Frequency Response of Multistage Amplifiers

In this exercise you will investigate the frequency response of two general multistage amplifiers. You will theoretically investigate the two multistage amplifiers and summarize their predicted responses by creating gain versus frequency plots. You then will measure the actual frequency responses utilizing two multistage amplifier circuits constructed on your protoboard and compare the actual responses to the predicted responses. Procedure Part A. Preliminary Calculations 1. Preliminary calculations for multistage amplifier A (a.) Assume the open-circuit (unloaded) voltage gains of the stages in multistage amplifier A shown below are Ao1 = 3.564 V/V and Ao2 = 2.471 V/V. Determine the following for multistage amplifier A: (Show substantiating calculations) The overall midband voltage gain: Avs(midband) = vL/vS (midband) = _____________ The approximate lower frequency at which the overall voltage gain of the multistage amplifer is 3 dB less than its overall midband voltage gain = f (-3 dB, lower) = _____________ The approximate upper frequency at which the overall voltage gain of the multistage amplifer is 3 dB less than its overall midband voltage gain = f (-3 dB, upper) = _____________ The overall bandwidth of the multistage amplifier = _____________

Ao1
100 nF + + 100 nF

Ao2
10 k + 33 k 1 nF

vL
56 k

vs

33 k -

Multistage Amplifier A

ECET 2310, Lab 4, page 2/5 (b.) Assume the open-circuit (unloaded) voltage gains of the stages in multistage amplifier A are Ao1 = 3.564 V/V and Ao2 = 2.471 V/V and complete Table 1. Show substantiating calculations. Table 1 - Predicted Frequency Response Results for Multistage Amplifier A Magnitude of Frequency Magnitude of vL/vS (dB) (Hz) vL/vS 10 25 50 100 250 500 1000 2500 5000 10000 25000 50000 100000 f (- 3 dB, lower) f (- 3 dB, upper) (c.) Utilizing 4-cycle semilog graph paper and the appropriate data in Table 1, draw a frequency response plot [magnitude of vL/vS (in dB) versus frequency (in Hz)] of multistage amplifier A for 10 Hz f 100 kHz. (Note: this is not an asymptotic or straight-line plot) 2. Preliminary calculations for multistage amplifier B (a.) Assume the open-circuit (unloaded) voltage gains of the stages in multistage amplifier B shown on the next page are Ao1 = 5.545 V/V and Ao2 = 3.128 V/V. Assume that rin1 = rin2 = . Determine the following for multistage amplifier B: Show substantiating calculations The overall midband voltage gain: Avs(midband) = vL/vS (midband) = _____________ The approximate lower frequency at which the overall voltage gain of the multistage amplifer is 3 dB less than its overall midband voltage gain = f (-3 dB, lower) = _____________ The approximate upper frequency at which the overall voltage gain of the multistage amplifer is 3 dB less than its overall midband voltage gain = f (-3 dB, upper) = _____________ The overall bandwidth of the multistage amplifier = _____________

ECET 2310, Lab 4, page 3/5

Ao1
10 k + + 10 k

Ao2
10 k + 1 nF 100 nF

vs
1 nF

vL
22 k

rin1

rin2

Multistage Amplifier B
(b.) Assume the open-circuit (unloaded) voltage gains of the stages in multistage amplifier B are Ao1 = 5.545 V/V and Ao2 = 3.128 V/V. Assume that rin1 = rin2 = and complete Table 2. Show substantiating calculations. Table 2 - Predicted Frequency Response Results for Multistage Amplifier B Frequency Magnitude of Magnitude of (Hz) vL/vS vL/vS (dB) 10 25 50 100 250 500 1000 2500 5000 10000 25000 50000 100000 f (- 3 dB, lower) f (- 3 dB, upper) (c.) Utilizing 4-cycle semilog graph paper and the appropriate data in Table 2, draw a frequency response plot [magnitude of vL/vS (in dB) versus frequency (in Hz)] of multistage amplifier B for 10 Hz f 100 kHz. (Note: this is not an asymptotic or straight-line plot)

ECET 2310, Lab 4, page 4/5 Part B. Performance of the practical multistage amplifiers 1. Performance of a practical multistage amplifier with similar characteristics to multistage amplifier A (a.) Construct the multistage amplifier circuit shown in Figure C. This will create a practical multistage amplifier that will have component and gain values similar to those specified for multistage amplifier A. (b.) Adjust two power supply voltages, one to +15 V and one to 15 V as measured from a common ground. Connect the two supply voltages to the appropriate power supply pins on both of the 741 op-amps. Be sure that the polarity is correct and that both supplies share a common ground. Note that pin #1, pin #5 and pin #8 of the 741 op-amps are not connected in this circuit. (c.) Adjust a sinusoidal signal source to 1 Vpp , 1 kHz and connect it to the practical multistage amplifier circuit shown in Figure C as vS. (d.) Utilizing the oscilloscope and the function generator only (i.e., do not use the CAT system for this step) measure and record vL/vS of the practical multistage amplifier circuit shown in Figure C at three frequencies: the actual midband (center) frequency, the actual f (- 3 dB, lower), and the actual f (- 3 dB, upper). Verify that your actual (practical) data agrees favorably with the predicted (calculated) response. (e.) Use the CAT system to make measurements between 10 Hz and 100 kHz. Take 200 measurements. Use the CAT system to create a frequency response plot [magnitude of vL/vS (in dB) versus frequency (in Hz)] of the practical multistage amplifier circuit shown in Figure C for 10 Hz f 100 kHz. Verify that your actual data agrees favorably with the predicted response.
3.9 k 10 k +15 V
(2) (7)

6.8 k

10 k +15 V

100 nF vs 33 k

(3)

LM741
(4)

(6)

100 nF

(2) (3)

(7)

LM741
(4)

(6)

10 k vL 1 nF 56 k

-15 V

33 k

-15 V

Figure C

2. Performance of a practical multistage amplifier with similar characteristics to multistage amplifier B (a.) Construct the multistage amplifier circuit shown on the next page in Figure D. This will create a practical multistage amplifier that will have component and gain values similar to those specified for multistage amplifier B. (b.) Repeat procedures Part B, 1(b.) through procedure 1(e.) for the practical multistage amplifier circuit shown in Figure D.

ECET 2310, Lab 4, page 5/5

2.2 k

10 k +15 V
(2) (7)

4.7 k

10 k +15 V

vs

10 k 1 nF

(3)

LM741
(4)

(6)

10 k

(2) (3)

(7)

LM741
(4)

(6)

10 k

100 nF vL 22 k

1 nF -15 V -15 V

Figure D

Calculations and Results 1. Compare the predicted (calculated) results with the actual (practical) results of multistage amplifier A. Specifically compare the midband gains, f (- 3 dB, lower), and f (- 3 dB, upper). Account for any differences. List possible sources of error. 2. Compare the predicted (calculated) results with the actual (practical) results of multistage amplifier B. Specifically compare the midband gains, f (- 3 dB, lower), and f (- 3 dB, upper). Account for any differences. List possible sources of error. 3. Utilizing 4-cycle semilog graph paper and the data determined in Part A, 1 (a.), sketch the asymptotic (straight-line) plot that will approximate the frequency response plot [magnitude of vL/vS (in dB) versus frequency (in Hz)] of multistage amplifier A for 10 Hz f 100 kHz. Completely label the sketch (include the slope of all lines, the magnitude of the midband gain, and the location of important frequencies). 4. Utilizing 4-cycle semilog graph paper and the data determined in Part A, 2 (a.), sketch the asymptotic (straight-line) plot that will approximate the frequency response plot [magnitude of vL/vS (in dB) versus frequency (in Hz)] of multistage amplifier B for 10 Hz f 100 kHz. Completely label the sketch (include the slope of all lines, the magnitude of the midband gain, and the location of important frequencies). 5. Is it appropriate to utilize a 2 Vpp, sinusoidal value for vs in Part B, 1 (c.) through 1 (e.) with the practical multistage amplifier A? Explain your answer. 6. Is it appropriate to utilize a 2 Vpp, sinusoidal value for vs in Part B, 2 (b.) with the practical multistage amplifier B? Explain your answer.

(revised 1/26/01 - WRH)