CHAPTER 3

FEEDBACK
AMPLIFIERS
EMT 212/4 Analog Electronic II
Outline
1. Introduction to Feedback
2. Feedback Amplifier Positive & Negative
3. Advantages/Disadvantages of Negative
Feedback
4. Basic Feedback Concept
5. Classification of Amplifiers
6. Series Shunt Configuration
7. Shunt Series Configuration
8. Series - Series Configuration
9. Shunt Shunt Configuration
Introduction to Feedback
Feedback is used in virtually all amplifier system.
Invented in 1928 by Harold Black engineer in
Western Electric Company
methods to stabilize the gain of amplifier for use
in telephone repeaters.
In feedback system, a signal that is proportional to
the output is fed back to the input and combined
with the input signal to produce a desired system
response.
However, unintentional and undesired system
response may be produced.
Feedback Amplifier
Feedback is a technique where a proportion of the
output of a system (amplifier) is fed back and
recombined with input





There are 2 types of feedback amplifier:
Positive feedback
Negative feedback
A
|
input output
Positive Feedback
Positive feedback is the process when the
output is added to the input, amplified again,
and this process continues.





Positive feedback is used in the design of
oscillator and other application.
A
|
input output
+
Positive Feedback - Example
In a PA system

get feedback when you put the microphone in
front of a speaker and the sound gets
uncontrollably loud (you have probably heard
this unpleasant effect).
Negative Feedback
Negative feedback is when the output is
subtracted from the input.





The use of negative feedback reduces the gain.
Part of the output signal is taken back to the input
with a negative sign.
A
|
input output
Negative Feedback - Example
Speed control

If the car starts to speed up above the desired
set-point speed, negative feedback causes the
throttle to close, thereby reducing speed;
similarly, if the car slows, negative feedback
acts to open the throttle
Feedback Amplifier - Concept
Basic structure of a single - loop feedback amplifier
Advantages of Negative
Feedback
1. Gain Sensitivity variations in gain is
reduced.
2. Bandwidth Extension larger than that of
basic amplified.
3. Noise Sensitivity may increase S-N ratio.
4. Reduction of Nonlinear Distortion
5. Control of Impedance Levels input and
output impedances can be increased or
decreased.
Disadvantages of Negative
Feedback
1. Circuit Gain overall amplifier gain is reduced
compared to that of basic amplifier.
2. Stability possibility that feedback circuit will
become unstable and oscillate at high
frequencies.

Basic Feedback Concept
Basic configuration of a feedback amplifier
Basic Feedback Concept
The output signal is:
where A is the amplification factor
Feedback signal is
where is the feedback transfer function
At summing node:
Closed-loop transfer function or gain is


if
c
AS =
o
S
o
S | =
fb
S
fb i
S S =
c
S
A
A
S
S
i
o
| +
= =
1
f
A
| |
|
1
1 = ~ >>
A
A
then
f
A A
Classification of Amplifiers
Classify amplifiers into 4 basic categories
based on their input (parameter to be
amplified; voltage or current) & output signal
relationships:

Voltage amplifier (series-shunt)
Current amplifier (shunt-series)
Transconductance amplifier (series-series)
Transresistance amplifier (shunt-shunt)
Feedback Configuration
Series:
connecting the
feedback signal
in series with
the
input signal
voltage.
Shunt:
connecting
the
feedback
signal
in shunt
(parallel) with
an input
current
source
Series - Shunt Configuration
v v
v
vf
A
A
A
| +
=
1
Series - Shunt Configuration
if
L o
R R <<
then the output of feedback network is an open
circuit;
Output voltage is:
c
V A V
v o
=
feedback voltage is:
o v
V V
fb
| =
By neglecting R
s
due to ; error voltage
is:
s i
R R >>
fb i
V =V V
c
v v
v
i
o
vf
A
A
V
V
A
| +
= =
1
where v is closed-loop voltage transfer function
Series - Shunt Configuration

Or

Input current


R
if
with feedback
Assume Vi=0 and Vx
applied to output
terminal.

Or
Input current


R
of
with feedback

Input Resistance, R
if
Output Resistance, R
of
) (
c c c
| V A V V V
v v fb i
+ = + = V
) 1 (
v v
i
A
V
V
|
c
+
=
) 1 (
v v i
i
i
i
A R
V
R
V
I
|
c
+
= =
) 1 (
v v i
i
i
if
A R
I
V
R | + = =
0 = + = +
x v fb
V V V V |
c c
x v
V V |
c
=
o
v v x
o
v x
i
R
A V
R
V A V
I
) 1 ( |
c
+
=

=
) 1 (
v v
o
x
x
of
A
R
I
V
R
| +
= =
Series input connection increase input resistance
avoid loading effects on the input signal source.
Shunt output connection decrease the output resistance
- avoid loading effects on the output signal when output
load is connected.






Equivalent circuit of shunt - series feedback circuit or
voltage amplifier


Series - Shunt Configuration
For ideal non-inverting op-
amp amplifier



Feedback transfer function;

Series - Shunt Configuration
Non-inverting op-amp is an example of the
series-shunt configuration.
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = =
1
2
1
R
R
V
V
A
i
o
vf
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
1
2
1
1
R
R
|
Series - Shunt Configuration
Equivalent circuit
) 1 (
/
1
1
1
1
2
2 1
1
2 1
1
2 1
1
v i
i
i
i
i
if
v
o i
v
v
v
v
i
o
vf
o fb
fb i
A R
R V
V
I
V
R
R
R
V A
V V
R R
R
V V
A
A
R R
R
A
A
V
V
A
V
R R
R
V
V V
|
|
c
c
c c
c
c
+ = = =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+ =
+
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
~
=
=
V
V A V
v o
Series - Shunt Configuration
Example:
Calculate the feedback amplifier gain of the
circuit below for op-amp gain, A=100,000;
R1=200 and R2=1.8 k.



Solution: A
vf
= 9.999 or 10
Series - Shunt Configuration
Basic emitter-follower and source-follower circuit
are examples of discrete-circuit series-shunt
feedback topologies.
v
i
is the input signal
error signal is base-
emitter/gate-source
voltage.
feedback voltage =
output voltage
feedback transfer
function,
v
= 1
Series - Shunt Configuration
Small-signal voltage gain:



Open-loop voltage gain:

Closed-loop input resistance:

Output resistance:
e
E
e
E
E m
E m
i
o
vf
r
R
r
R
R g
r
R g
r
V
V
A
+
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
= =
1
1
1
1
t
t
e
E
E m v
r
R
R g
r
A =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
t
1
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + = + + =
E m E m if
R g
r
r R r g r R
t
t t t
1
1 ) 1 (
E m
E
m
E of
R g
r
R
r g
r
R R
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
=
+
=
t
t
t
1
1
) 1 (
Shunt Series Configuration
i i
i
if
A
A
A
| +
=
1
Shunt Series Configuration
Basic current amplifier with input resistance, Ri
and an open-loop current gain, Ai.
Current I
E
is the difference between input signal
current and feedback current.
Feedback circuit samples the output current
provide feedback signal in shunt with signal
current.
Increase in output current increase feedback
current decrease error current.
Smaller error current small output current
stabilize output signal.
Shunt Series Configuration
if
s i
R R <<
then the output is a short circuit; output current is:
c
I A I
i o
=
feedback current is:
o i
I I
fb
| =
Input signal current:
fb i
I I + =
c
I
i i
i
i
o
if
A
A
I
I
A
| +
= =
1
then
c
I I
i
~
where i is closed-loop current transfer function
Shunt Series Configuration

Or

Input current


R
if
with feedback
Input Resistance, R
if
) (
c c c
| I A I I I
i i fb i
+ = + = I
) 1 (
i i
i
A
I
I
|
c
+
=
) 1 (
i i
i i
i i
A
R I
R I V
|
c
+
= =
) 1 (
i i
i
i
i
if
A
R
I
V
R
| +
= =
Assume I
i
=0 and I
x
applied
to output terminal.







R
of
with feedback

Output Resistance, R
of
| |
o i i x x
o x i i x x
o i x x
x i
x i fb
R A I V
R I A I V
R I A I V
I I
I I I I
) 1 (
) (
) (
0
|
|
|
|
c
c
c c
+ =
=
=
=
= + = +
( )
i i o
x
x
of
A R
I
V
R | + = = 1
Shunt - Series Configuration
Shunt input connection decrease input resistance
avoid loading effects on the input signal current source.
Series output connection increase the output resistance
- avoid loading effects on the output signal due to load
connected to the amplifier output.






Equivalent circuit of shunt - series feedback circuit or
voltage amplifier

Shunt - Series Configuration
Op-amp current amplifier shunt-series
configuration.
I
i
from equivalent source of I
i
and R
s
. I
c
is negligible and
R
s
>>R
i
;

assume V
1
virtually
ground;

Current I
1
:

Output current:

Ideal current gain:
fb i i
I I = = ' I
F i F fb o
R I R I = = V
1
/ R V
o
=
1
I
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = + =
1
1
1
R
R
I I I
F
i fb o
I
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = =
1
1
R
R
I
A
F
i
i
o
I
Shunt - Series Configuration
Ai is open-loop current
gain

and
Assume V
1
is virtually
ground:
I
1
current:

Output current
fb i fb i
I I I I ~ = '
c
I
) (
fb i i
I I A = =
c
I A I
i o
F fb
R I =
o
V
Closed-loop current gain:
|
|
.
|

\
|
= =
1 1
1
R
R
I
R
V
F
fb
o
I
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = + =
1
1
R
R
I I I I
F
fb fb fb o
I
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
= =
1
1
1
R
R
A
A
I
I
F
i
i
i
o
if
A
Shunt - Series Configuration
Common-base circuit is example of discrete
shunt-series configuration.





Amplifier gain: Closed-loop current gain:
R
L
I
o
I
i
I
c
R
L
I
o
I
i
I
c
I
fb
|
c
= =
i
A I /
o
I
i
i
i
o
if
A
A
I
I
A
+
=
+
= =
1 1 |
|
Shunt - Series Configuration
Common-base circuit with R
E
and R
C
R
C
I
o
R
E
I
i
V
-
V
+
R
C
I
o
R
E
I
i
i
E
i
m
E
m
i
o
if
A
R
r
A
r g
R
r
r g
I
I
A
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
= =
t
t
t
t
1 1
Series Series Configuration
g g
g
gf
A
A
A
| +
=
1
Series Series Configuration
The feedback samples a portion of the output
current and converts it to a voltage voltage-
to-current amplifier.
The circuit consist of a basic amplifier that
converts the error voltage to an output current
with a gain factor, A
g
and that has an input
resistance, R
i
.
The feedback circuit samples the output
current and produces a feedback voltage, V
fb
,
which is in series with the input voltage, V
i
.
Series Series Configuration
Assume the output is a short circuit, the output
current:
c
V A I
g o
=
feedback voltage is:
o z
I V
fb
| =
Input signal voltage (neglect Rs=):
fb i
V V + =
c
V
g z
g
i
o
gf
A
A
V
I
A
| +
= =
1
where z is a resistance feedback transfer function
Series Series Configuration
Assume I
i
=0 and I
x
applied
to output terminal.







R
of
with feedback

Output Resistance, R
of
| |
o g z x x
o x z g x x
o g x x
x z
x z fb
R A I V
R I A I V
R I A I V
I I
I I I I
) 1 (
) (
) (
0
|
|
|
|
c
c
c c
+ =
=
=
=
= + = +
( )
g z o
x
x
of
A R
I
V
R | + = = 1

Or

Input current


R
if
with feedback
Input Resistance, R
if
) (
c c c
| V A V V V
g z fb i
+ = + = V
) 1 (
g z
i
A
V
V
|
c
+
=
) 1 (
g z i
i
i
i
A R
V
R
V
I
|
c
+
= =
) 1 (
g z i
i
i
if
A R
I
V
R | + = =
Series Series Configuration
Series input connection increase input
resistance
Series output connection increase the output
resistance






Equivalent circuit of series - series feedback
circuit or
voltage amplifier
Series Series Configuration
The series output
connection samples the
output current
feedback voltage is a
function of output current.
Assume ideal op-amp
circuit and neglect
transistor base-current:
E i
o
gf
E o fb i
R V
I
A
R I V
1
= =
= = V
Series Series Configuration
Assume I
E
~I
C
and
R
i
~

( )
( )
E g m
g m
i
o
gf
E o i g m o
E o i fb i
g m b m
E
fb
o
R A r g
A r g
V
I
A
R I V A r g I
R I V V V V
V A r g I r g
R
V
I
t
t
t
c
c t t
+
= =
=
= =
= = =
1
Series Series Configuration
Series Series Configuration
E m
L C
C
m
i
o
gf
E m fb i
E m fb
L C
C
m o
R g
r
R R
R
g
V
I
A
R g
r
V V V V
R V g
r
V
V
R R
R
V g I
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + = + =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
t
t
t t
t
t
t
t
1
1
1
1
) (
Shunt Shunt Configuration
z z
z
zf
A
A
A
| +
=
1
Shunt Shunt Configuration
The feedback samples a portion of the output
voltage and converts it to a current current-
to-voltage amplifier.
The circuit consist of a basic amplifier that
converts the error current to an output voltage
with a gain factor, A
z
and that has an input
resistance, R
i
.
The feedback circuit samples the output
voltage and produces a feedback current, I
fb
,
which is in shunt with the input current, I
i
.
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Assume the output is a open circuit, the output
voltage:
c
I A V
z o
=
feedback voltage is:
o g
V I
fb
| =
Input signal voltage (neglect Rs=):
fb i
I I + =
c
I
z g
z
i
o
zf
A
A
I
V
A
| +
= =
1
where g is a conductance feedback transfer function
Shunt Shunt Configuration

Or

Input current


R
if
with feedback
Input Resistance, R
if
) (
c c c
| I A I I I
z g fb i
+ = + = I
) 1 (
z g
i
A
I
I
|
c
+
=
) 1 (
z g
i i
i i
A
R I
R I V
|
c
+
= =
) 1 (
z g
i
i
i
if
A
R
I
V
R
| +
= =
Assume Vi=0 and Vx
applied to output
terminal.

Or
Input current


R
of
with feedback

Output Resistance, R
of
0 = + = +
x g fb
V V V V |
c c
x g
V V |
c
=
o
z g x
o
z x
i
R
A V
R
V A V
I
) 1 ( |
c
+
=

=
) 1 (
z g
o
x
x
of
A
R
I
V
R
| +
= =
Shunt Shunt Configuration







Equivalent circuit of shunt - shunt feedback circuit
or
voltage amplifier
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Basic inverting op-amp circuit is an example of
shunt-shunt configuration.




Input current splits between feedback current
and error current.
Shunt output connection samples the output
voltage feedback current is function of output
voltage.
2
2
R
I
V
A
I I where
R I V
i
o
zf
i fb
fb o
= =
=
=
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Az is open-loop
transresistance gain
factor (-ve value)
( )
2
2
1
/
R
A
A
I
V
A
R V I where
I I A I A V
z
z
i
o
zf
o fb
fb i z z o
+

= =
=
= =
c
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Shunt Shunt Configuration
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

= =
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

+ =
=

+ +
F
m
F F F C
F
m
i
o
zf
F
o
i
F
m
F F C
o
F
o
i
F
o
m
C
o
R
g
R R r R R
R
g
I
V
A
R
V
I
R
g
R r R R
V
R
V V
r
V
I
R
V V
V g
R
V
1 1 1 1 1 1
1
0
1 1 1 1 1
0
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
( )
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|

+
~ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
= =
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
F
z
z
i
o
zf
F
C
z
F F F
C
F
C
z
i
o
zf
C m
C
m
z
R
A
A
I
V
A
R
R r
A
R R
r
R
R
R
R r
A
I
V
A
R r g
r R
g
A
1
1
1
1 1
1 1
t t
t
t
t
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Open-loop transresistance gain factor A
z
is
found by setting R
F
=


Multiply by (r

R
C
)


Assume R
C
<<R
F

& r

<< R
F

Feedback Amplifier
Input and output Impedances
Summary
1. For a series connection at input or
output, the resistance is increased by
(1+|A).
2. For a shunt connection at input or output,
the resistance is lowered by (1+|A).
Feedback Amplifier