Presentation on Frequency response of

RC Coupled Amplifier

Submitted To: Submitted By:

Dr. Kusum Dalal Himanshi
Assistant Professor 22001003038
Dept. of ECE ECE - A

Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology

Murthal, Sonipat, Haryana - India

A Haryana State Government University

What is Amplifier?
An amplifier is a device used for the amplification of the signals, it improves
the strength of the signal without altering the shape of the signal. An amplifier
is a part of the circuit that increases the input signal strength. An amplifier is
used to increase the amplitude of a signal waveform, without changing other
parameters of the waveform such as frequency or wave shape.

History of Amplifier?
The first practical prominent device that could amplify was the triode vacuum
tube, invented in 1906 by Lee De Forest, which led to the first amplifiers
around 1912. Vacuum tubes were used in almost all amplifiers until the 1960s–
1970s when transistors replaced them. Today, most amplifiers use transistors,
but vacuum tubes continue to be used in some applications.

Block diagram of amplifier

Classification of Amplifier
Amplifiers are classified according to many considerations.

Based on number of stages

Depending upon the number of stages of Amplification, there are Single-stage

amplifiers and Multi-stage amplifiers.

 Single-stage Amplifiers − This has only one transistor circuit, which is a

single stage amplification.

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  Multi-stage Amplifiers − This has multiple transistor circuit, which
provides multi-stage amplification.

Based on its output

Depending upon the parameter that is amplified at the output, there are
voltage and power amplifiers.

 Voltage Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that increases the voltage level
of the input signal, is called as Voltage amplifier.
 Power Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that increases the power level
of the input signal, is called as Power amplifier.

Based on the input signals

Depending upon the magnitude of the input signal applied, they can be
categorized as Small signal and large signal amplifiers.

 Small signal Amplifiers − When the input signal is so weak so as to

produce small fluctuations in the collector current compared to its
quiescent value, the amplifier is known as Small signal amplifier.
 Large signal amplifiers − When the fluctuations in collector current are
large i.e. beyond the linear portion of the characteristics, the amplifier is
known as large signal amplifier.

Based on the frequency range

Depending upon the frequency range of the signals being used, there are audio
and radio amplifiers.

 Audio Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that amplifies the signals that lie
in the audio frequency range i.e. from 20Hz to 20 KHz frequency range,
is called as audio amplifier.
 Power Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that amplifies the signals that lie
in a very high frequency range, is called as Power amplifier.

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Based on Biasing Conditions

Depending upon their mode of operation, there are class A, class B and class C
amplifiers.

 Class A amplifier − The biasing conditions in class A power amplifier are

such that the collector current flows for the entire AC signal applied.
 Class B amplifier − The biasing conditions in class B power amplifier are
such that the collector current flows for half-cycle of input AC signal
applied.
 Class C amplifier − The biasing conditions in class C power amplifier are
such that the collector current flows for less than half cycle of input AC
signal applied.
 Class AB amplifier − The class AB power amplifier is one which is created
by combining both class A and class B in order to have all the advantages
of both the classes and to minimize the problems they have.

Based on the Coupling method

Depending upon the method of coupling one stage to the other, there are RC
coupled, Transformer coupled and direct coupled amplifier.

 RC Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage amplifier circuit that is coupled to

the next stage using resistor and capacitor (RC) combination can be
called as a RC coupled amplifier.
 Transformer Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage amplifier circuit that is
coupled to the next stage, with the help of a transformer, can be called
as a Transformer coupled amplifier.
 Direct Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage amplifier circuit that is coupled
to the next stage directly, can be called as a direct coupled amplifier.

Based on the Transistor Configuration

Depending upon the type of transistor configuration, there are CE CB and CC

amplifiers.

 CE amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed using a CE configured

transistor combination is called as CE amplifier.
 CB amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed using a CB configured
transistor combination is called as CB amplifier.

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  CC amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed using a CC configured
transistor combination is called as CC amplifier.

Single-stage Transistor Amplifier

When only one transistor with associated circuitry is used for amplifying a
weak signal, the circuit is known as single-stage amplifier.

Analyzing the working of a Single-stage amplifier circuit, makes us easy to

understand the formation and working of Multi-stage amplifier circuits. A
Single stage transistor amplifier has one transistor, bias circuit and other
auxiliary components. The following circuit diagram shows how a single stage
transistor amplifier looks like.

When a weak input signal is given to the base of the transistor as shown in the
figure, a small amount of base current flows. Due to the transistor action, a
larger current flows in the collector of the transistor. (As the collector current
is β times of the base current which means I C = βIB). Now, as the collector
current increases, the voltage drop across the resistor R C also increases, which
is collected as the output.

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Hence a small input at the base gets amplified as the signal of larger magnitude
and strength at the collector output. Hence this transistor acts as an amplifier.

Practical Circuit of a Transistor Amplifier

The circuit of a practical transistor amplifier is as shown below, which
represents a voltage divider biasing circuit.

The various prominent circuit elements and their functions are as

described below.
Biasing Circuit

The resistors R1, R2 and RE form the biasing and stabilization circuit, which
helps in establishing a proper operating point.

Input Capacitor Cin

This capacitor couples the input signal to the base of the transistor. The input
capacitor Cin allows AC signal, but isolates the signal source from R 2. If this
capacitor is not present, the input signal gets directly applied, which changes
the bias at R2.

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Coupling Capacitor CC

This capacitor is present at the end of one stage and connects it to the other
stage. As it couples two stages it is called as coupling capacitor. This capacitor
blocks DC of one stage to enter the other but allows AC to pass. Hence it is also
called as blocking capacitor.

Due to the presence of coupling capacitor CC, the output across the resistor
RL is free from the collector’s DC voltage. If this is not present, the bias
conditions of the next stage will be drastically changed due to the shunting
effect of RC, as it would come in parallel to R2 of the next stage.

Emitter by-pass capacitor CE

This capacitor is employed in parallel to the emitter resistor R E. The amplified

AC signal is by passed through this. If this is not present, that signal will pass
through RE which produces a voltage drop across RE that will feedback the
input signal reducing the output voltage.

The Load resistor RL

The resistance RL connected at the output is known as Load resistor. When a

number of stages are used, then RL represents the input resistance of the next
stage.

Various Circuit currents

Let us go through various circuit currents in the complete amplifier circuit.

These are already mentioned in the above figure.

Base Current

When no signal is applied in the base circuit, DC base current I B flows due to
biasing circuit. When AC signal is applied, AC base current ib also flows.
Therefore, with the application of signal, total base current i B is given by

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Collector Current

When no signal is applied, a DC collector current I C flows due to biasing circuit.

When AC signal is applied, AC collector current ic also flows. Therefore, the
total collector current iC is given by

Emitter Current

When no signal is applied, a DC emitter current I E flows. With the application of

signal, total emitter current iE is given by

Multi-Stage Transistor Amplifier

In practical applications, the output of a single state amplifier is usually
insufficient, though it is a voltage or power amplifier. Hence they are replaced
by Multi-stage transistor amplifiers.

In Multi-stage amplifiers, the output of first stage is coupled to the input of

next stage using a coupling device. These coupling devices can usually be a

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capacitor or a transformer. This process of joining two amplifier stages using a
coupling device can be called as Cascading.

The following figure shows a two-stage amplifier connected in cascade.

The overall gain is the product of voltage gain of individual stages.

Purpose of coupling device

The basic purposes of a coupling device are

 To transfer the AC from the output of one stage to the input of next
stage.
 To block the DC to pass from the output of one stage to the input of next
stage, which means to isolate the DC conditions.

Types of Coupling
Joining one amplifier stage with the other in cascade, using coupling devices
form a Multi-stage amplifier circuit. There are four basic methods of coupling,
using these coupling devices such as resistors, capacitors, transformers etc. Let
us have an idea about them.

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Resistance-Capacitance Coupling

This is the mostly used method of coupling, formed using simple resistor-
capacitor combination. The capacitor which allows AC and blocks DC is the
main coupling element used here.

The coupling capacitor passes the AC from the output of one stage to the input
of its next stage. While blocking the DC components from DC bias voltages to
effect the next stage. Let us get into the details of this method of coupling in
the coming chapters.

Impedance Coupling

The coupling network that uses inductance and capacitance as coupling

elements can be called as Impedance coupling network.

In this impedance coupling method, the impedance of coupling coil depends

on its inductance and signal frequency which is jwL. This method is not so
popular and is seldom employed.

Transformer Coupling

The coupling method that uses a transformer as the coupling device can be
called as Transformer coupling. There is no capacitor used in this method of
coupling because the transformer itself conveys the AC component directly to
the base of second stage.

The secondary winding of the transformer provides a base return path and
hence there is no need of base resistance. This coupling is popular for its
efficiency and its impedance matching and hence it is mostly used.

Direct Coupling

If the previous amplifier stage is connected to the next amplifier stage directly,
it is called as direct coupling. The individual amplifier stage bias conditions are
so designed that the stages can be directly connected without DC isolation.

The direct coupling method is mostly used when the load is connected in
series, with the output terminal of the active circuit element. For example,
head-phones, loud speakers etc.

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Role of Capacitors in Amplifiers
Other than the coupling purpose, there are other purposes for which few
capacitors are especially employed in amplifiers. To understand this, let us
know about the role of capacitors in Amplifiers.

The Input Capacitor Cin

The input capacitor Cin present at the initial stage of the amplifier, couples AC
signal to the base of the transistor. This capacitor C in if not present, the signal
source will be in parallel to resistor R2 and the bias voltage of the transistor
base will be changed.

Hence Cin allows, the AC signal from source to flow into input circuit, without
affecting the bias conditions.

The Emitter By-pass Capacitor Ce

The emitter by-pass capacitor Ce is connected in parallel to the emitter resistor.

It offers a low reactance path to the amplified AC signal.

In the absence of this capacitor, the voltage developed across R E will feedback
to the input side thereby reducing the output voltage. Thus in the presence of
Ce the amplified AC will pass through this.

Coupling Capacitor CC

The capacitor CC is the coupling capacitor that connects two stages and
prevents DC interference between the stages and controls the operating point
from shifting. This is also called as blocking capacitor because it does not allow
the DC voltage to pass through it.

In the absence of this capacitor, RC will come in parallel with the resistance
R1 of the biasing network of the next stage and thereby changing the biasing
conditions of the next stage.

RC Coupling Amplifier

The resistance-capacitance coupling is, in short termed as RC coupling. This is

the mostly used coupling technique in amplifiers .

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Construction of a Two-stage RC Coupled Amplifier
The constructional details of a two-stage RC coupled transistor amplifier circuit
are as follows. The two stage amplifier circuit has two transistors, connected in
CE configuration and a common power supply VCC is used. The potential divider
network R1 and R2 and the resistor Re form the biasing and stabilization
network. The emitter by-pass capacitor Ce offers a low reactance path to the
signal.

The resistor RL is used as a load impedance. The input capacitor C in present at

the initial stage of the amplifier couples AC signal to the base of the transistor.
The capacitor CC is the coupling capacitor that connects two stages and
prevents DC interference between the stages and controls the shift of
operating point. The figure below shows the circuit diagram of RC coupled
amplifier.

Operation of RC Coupled Amplifier

When an AC input signal is applied to the base of first transistor, it gets
amplified and appears at the collector load R L which is then passed through the
coupling capacitor CC to the next stage. This becomes the input of the next
stage, whose amplified output again appears across its collector load. Thus the
signal is amplified in stage by stage action.

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The important point that has to be noted here is that the total gain is less than
the product of the gains of individual stages. This is because when a second
stage is made to follow the first stage, the effective load resistance of the first
stage is reduced due to the shunting effect of the input resistance of the
second stage. Hence, in a multistage amplifier, only the gain of the last stage
remains unchanged.

As we consider a two stage amplifier here, the output phase is same as input.
Because the phase reversal is done two times by the two stage CE configured
amplifier circuit.

Frequency Response of RC Coupled Amplifier

Frequency response curve is a graph that indicates the relationship between
voltage gain and function of frequency. The frequency response of a RC
coupled amplifier is as shown in the following graph.

From the above graph, it is understood that the frequency rolls off or decreases
for the frequencies below 50Hz and for the frequencies above 20 KHz. whereas
the voltage gain for the range of frequencies between 50Hz and 20 KHz is
constant.

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Factors Affecting Frequency Response

At Low frequencies (i.e. below 50 Hz)

The capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to the frequency. At low

frequencies, the reactance is quite high. The reactance of input capacitor
Cin and the coupling capacitor CC are so high that only small part of the input
signal is allowed. The reactance of the emitter by pass capacitor C E is also very
high during low frequencies. Hence it cannot shunt the emitter resistance
effectively. With all these factors, the voltage gain rolls off at low frequencies.

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At High frequencies (i.e. above 20 KHz)

Again considering the same point, we know that the capacitive reactance is
low at high frequencies. So, a capacitor behaves as a short circuit, at high
frequencies. As a result of this, the loading effect of the next stage increases,
which reduces the voltage gain. Along with this, as the capacitance of emitter
diode decreases, it increases the base current of the transistor due to which
the current gain (β) reduces. Hence the voltage gain rolls off at high
frequencies.

At Mid-frequencies (i.e. 50 Hz to 20 KHz)

The voltage gain of the capacitors is maintained constant in this range of

frequencies, as shown in figure. If the frequency increases, the reactance of
the capacitor CC decreases which tends to increase the gain. But this lower
capacitance reactive increases the loading effect of the next stage by which
there is a reduction in gain.

Due to these two factors, the gain is maintained constant.

Effect of Load Resistance

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Biasing and Stability of RC Coupled Amplifier

Advantages of RC Coupled Amplifier

The following are the advantages of RC coupled amplifier.

 The frequency response of RC amplifier provides constant gain over a

wide frequency range, hence most suitable for audio applications.
 The circuit is simple and has lower cost because it employs resistors and
capacitors which are cheap.
 It becomes more compact with the upgrading technology.

Disadvantages of RC Coupled Amplifier

The following are the disadvantages of RC coupled amplifier.

 The voltage and power gain are low because of the effective load
resistance.
 They become noisy with age.
 Due to poor impedance matching, power transfer will be low.

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Applications of RC Coupled Amplifier

Conclusion
In conclusion, the RC coupled amplifier is a fundamental circuit used
extensively in electronics. It offers a simple and effective way to provide
voltage gain while maintaining a wide frequency response. The design
considerations and trade-offs discussed highlight the versatility and
importance of this amplifier topology.

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