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POWER AMPLIFIERS
OBJECTIVES
EQUIPMENTS
THEORY
The class A amplifiers are the amplifiers which deliver maximum undistorted symmetrical output voltage
swing to the low impedance load. Generally any system (like a stereo, radio or television) consists of
several stages of amplification. When the signal passes through these stages, the power level of signal
rises so much that the later stages require high power handling circuit elements such as power transistors.
Also as the load impedance of these later stages is very small (of the order of 8 ohm for stereo amplifier
speakers), heavy collector current flows. To handle this, transistors heaving power rating of 1W or more
are used in power amplifiers.
Power amplifiers are broadly classified as:
1. Class A (Voltage Amplifier)
2. Class B (Push-Pull Emitter Follower)
3. Class C (Tuned Amplifier)
4. Class AB
Class AB Amplifier:
The Class AB Amplifier is a combination of the Class A and the Class B type amplifiers we have
looked at above. The AB classification of amplifier is currently one of the most common used types of
audio power amplifier design. The class AB amplifier is a variation of a class B amplifier as described
above, except that both devices are allowed to conduct at the same time around the waveforms crossover
point eliminating the crossover distortion problems of the previous class B amplifier.
The two transistors have a very small bias voltage, typically at 5 to 10% of the quiescent current to bias
the transistors just above its cut-off point. Then the conducting device, either bipolar of FET, will be
ON for more than one half cycle, but much less than one full cycle of the input signal. Therefore, in a
class AB amplifier design each of the push-pull transistors is conducting for slightly more than the half
cycle of conduction in class B, but much less than the full cycle of conduction of class A.
In other words, the conduction angle of a class AB amplifier is somewhere between 180 oand
360o depending upon the chosen bias point as shown.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
PROCEDURE
2) Connect +12V variable DC power supplies at their indicated position from external source
5) Gradually increase the input signal up to the value before the signal just get clipped or decrease the DC
supply voltage to the value before the signal just get clipped. This is the maximum amplification of Class
A Amplifier.
7) Insert an ammeter to properly measure collector current I C. Increase the input signal until the amplifier
has maximum output signal. Record IC
IC =.
REPORTS
1) Suggest a way (with a diagram) how you might be able to improve the biasing to eliminate the
crossover distortion.