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
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.
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.
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
is:o AS
The output signal S
where A is the amplification factor
Feedback signal isS fb S o
where is the feedback transfer function
At summing node:
S Si S fb

Closed-loop transfer function or gain is

So A
Af
Si 1 A
if A 1
A 1 then A f
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
Shunt:
voltage.
connecting
the
feedback
signal
in shunt
(parallel)
with an
Series - Shunt Configuration

Av
Avf
1 v Av
Series - Shunt Configuration
if Ro RL
then the output of feedback network is an
open circuit;
Output voltage is:
Vo AvV
feedback voltage is:
V fb vVo where v is closed-loop voltage transfer f
Ri
By neglecting Rs due to Rs ; error
V Vi is:
voltage V fb V Av
Avf
o
Vi 1 v Av
Series - Shunt Configuration

Input Resistance, Rif Output Resistance, Rof

Vi V V fb V v ( AvV ) Assume Vi=0 and Vx

Or applied to output
Vi
V terminal.
V V V V 0
(1 v Av ) fb v x

Input current V vVx

Or
V Vi
Ii Input current
Ri Ri (1 v Av ) Vx AvV Vx (1 v Av )
Ii
Ro Ro
Rif with feedback
Vi Rof with feedback
Rif Ri (1 v Av ) Vx Ro
Ii Rof
I x (1 v Av )
Series - Shunt Configuration
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
Non-inverting op-amp is an example of
the series-shunt configuration.
For ideal non-inverting
op-amp amplifier
Vo R2
Avf 1
Vi R1
Feedback transfer
function; 1

R2
1
R1
Series - Shunt Configuration
Vo AvV
V Vi V fb
R1
V fb Vo
R1 R2
V Av Av
Avf o
Vi 1 Av 1 Av
R1

R1 R2
R1 AvV
Vi V Vo V
R1 R2

R
1 2


R1
Equivalent circuit Vi Vi
Rif Ri (1 Av )
I i V / Ri
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: Avf = 9.999 or 10

Series - Shunt Configuration
Basic emitter-follower and source-follower
circuit are examples of discrete-circuit
series-shunt feedback topologies.
vi is the input
signal
error signal is
base-emitter/gate-
source voltage.
feedback voltage
= output voltage
feedback
transfer function,
Series - Shunt Configuration
Small-signal voltage gain:
1 RE
g m RE
Avf
Vo
r

re
Vi 1 RE
1 g m RE 1
r re
Open-loop voltage gain:
1 R
Av g m RE E
r re
Closed-loop input
resistance:
R r (1 g r ) R r 1
1


if m E r g m RE

Output resistance:
r RE
Rof RE
(1 g m r ) 1
1 g m RE
r
Shunt Series
Configuration

Ai
Aif
1 i Ai
Shunt Series
Configuration
Basic current amplifier with input resistance, Ri
and an open-loop current gain, Ai.
Current IE 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 Ri Rs then I i I
then the output is a short circuit; output
current is:
I o Ai I
feedback current is:
I fb i I o where i is closed-loop current transfer fu
Input signal current:
I i I I fb
Io Ai
Aif
I i 1 i Ai
Shunt Series
Configuration
Input Resistance, Rif Output Resistance, Rof

I i I I fb I i ( Ai I ) Assume Ii=0 and Ix applied

to output terminal.
Or Ii
I I I fb I i I x 0
(1 i Ai )
Input current
I i I x
I i Ri Vx ( I x Ai I ) Ro
Vi I Ri
(1 i Ai ) Vx I x Ai ( i I x ) Ro
Vx I x (1 i Ai ) Ro
Rif with feedback Rof with feedback
Vi Ri
Rif Vx
I i (1 i Ai ) Rof Ro 1 i Ai
Ix
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.
Ii from equivalent source
I of Ii and Rs.and
is negligible
i Ii '
RIs>>R I
i; fb

Vo I fb RV
assume F virtually
I i RF
1
ground;
I 1 Vo / R1
Current I1: R
I o I fb I1 I i 1 F
R1
Output current:
Io RF
Ai 1
Ii R1
Ideal current gain:
 Shunt - Series Configuration
Ai is open-loop
current
I I i ' Igain
fb I i I fb

I o Ai I Ai ( I i I fb )
and
Assume VoV1 isI fbvirtually
RF
ground:
Vo RF
I1 I fb
I current:
1

R1 R1
Closed-loop current gain:
Io Ai Output current RF
Aif
Ii 1 Ai I o I fb I1 I fb I fb
R1
RF
1
R1
Shunt - Series Configuration

Common-base circuit is example of

discrete shunt-series configuration.
I
Io RL
Io RL
Ii I Ifb
Ii

Amplifier gain: Closed-loop

current Io Ai
I o / I Again:
i Aif
I i 1 1 Ai
 Shunt - Series Configuration
Common-base circuit with RE and RC

Ii Ii
RE Io RC RE Io RC

V+ V-

Io g m r Ai
Aif
Ii r r
1 g m r 1 Ai
RE RE
Series Series
Configuration

Ag
Agf
1 g Ag
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, Ag and that has an
input resistance, Ri.
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:
I o AgV
feedback voltage is:
V fb z I o where z is a resistance feedback transfer
Input signal voltage (neglect Rs=):
Vi V V fb
Io Ag
Agf
Vi 1 z Ag
Series Series
Configuration
Input Resistance, Rif Output Resistance, Rof

Vi V V fb V z ( AgV ) Assume Ii=0 and Ix applied

to output terminal.
Or Vi
V I I fb I z I x 0
(1 z Ag )
Input current I z I x
V Vi Vx ( I x Ag I ) Ro
Ii
Ri Ri (1 z Ag )
Vx I x Ag ( z I x ) Ro
Rif with feedback RV z Ag ) Ro
I x (1feedback
ofx with

Vi
Rif Ri (1 z Ag )
Ro 1 z Ag
Vx
Ii Rof
Ix
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
Vi V fband
circuit Io R
neglect
E
transistor base-current:
Io 1
Agf
Vi RE
Series Series
Configuration
Assume IEIC and
Ri
V fb
Io g m r I b g m r AgV
RE
V Vi V fb Vi I o RE
I o g m r Ag Vi I o RE
Io g m r Ag
Agf
Vi 1 g m r Ag RE
Series Series
Configuration
Series Series
Configuration
RC
I o ( g mV )
RC RL
V
V fb g mV RE
r
1
Vi V V fb V 1 g m RE
r

RC
g m
Io RC RL
Agf
Vi 1
1 g m RE
r
 Shunt Shunt Configuration

Az
Azf
1 z Az
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, Az and that has
an input resistance, Ri.
The feedback circuit samples the output
voltage and produces a feedback current, Ifb,
which is in shunt with the input current, Ii.
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Assume the output is a open circuit, the
output voltage:
Vo Az I
feedback voltage is:
I fb gVo where g is a conductance feedback transfer
Input signal voltage (neglect Rs=):
I i I I fb
Vo Az
Azf
I i 1 g Az
Shunt Shunt Configuration

Input Resistance, Rif Output Resistance, Rof

I i I I fb I g ( Az I ) Assume Vi=0 and Vx

Or applied to output
Ii
I terminal.
V V V V 0
(1 g Az ) fb g x

Input current V gVx

Or
I i Ri
Vi I Ri Input current
(1 g Az ) Vx AzV Vx (1 g Az )
Ii
Ro Ro
Rif with feedback
Vi Ri Rof with feedback
Rif Vx Ro
I i (1 g Az ) Rof
I x (1 g Az )
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.

Vo I fb R2
where I fb I i
Vo
Azf R2
Input current
I i splits between feedback current and
error current.
Shunt output connection samples the output
voltage feedback current is function of output
voltage.
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Az is open-loop
transresistance
gain factor (-ve
o A I A I I
value)
V z z i fb
where I fb Vo / R2
Vo Az
Azf
Ii Az
1
R2
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Vo Vo V
g mV 0
RC RF
V V Vo
Ii
r RF
1 1 1 1 1 Vo
Vo g m I i 0
RC RF r RF RF RF
1
g m
Vo RF
Azf
Ii 1 1 1 1 1 1
g m
RC RF r RF RF RF
Shunt Shunt Configuration
Open-loop transresistance gain factor A z is
found by setting R
F =
gm
Az g m r RC
1 1

RC r
Multiply by (rRC) r RC
Az
Vo RF
Azf
Ii RC r 1 r RC
1 1 Az
RF RF RF RF
Assume RC <<RF
Azf
Vo

Az
& r<< RF Ii 1
1 Az
RF
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