Large signal amplifier

The block diagram of an amplifier system is shown in Figure. It consists of a transducer, followed
by small signal amplifiers, a large signal amplifier and an output transducer.

A transducer is used to convert one form of energy into another form. For example, a microphone
is used to convert acoustical energy into electrical energy. Conversely, a loudspeaker is used to
convert electrical energy into acoustical energy. The input transducer produces a small electrical
signal which is not sufficient to operate some output devices such as a loudspeaker, a servomotor
or relay.
In the intermediate stage, two or more small signal amplifiers (or voltage amplifiers) are cascaded
so that they amplify the small signal to one that is sufficient to operate the large signal amplifiers.
A power amplifier or large signal amplifier is designed to deliver a large amount of power to the
load. A power amplifier does not amplify power. It converts the DC power into the AC power in
the presence of the input ac signal.
To handle the large amount of power, the following conditions are required:
• A power amplifier must be capable of dissipating large amounts of power,
• Power amplifiers typically contain bulky components having large surface areas to enhance
heat transfer to the environment.
Power amplifiers are widely used in audio components, radio and television receivers, tape players,
recording studio equipment’s, and public address system. Power amplifiers are also used in electro-
mechanical control systems to drive electric motors.

Important Features of Power Amplifiers:

Some of the features of power amplifiers are
◦ Impedance matching with the load is necessary for delivering max power to the load.
◦ Power transistors are needed. (To withstand large voltages and currents)
◦ Power amplifiers are bulk.
◦ Due to the non-linear characteristics of transistors, Harmonic Distortions are available at
the output.
Performance parameters:
The performance of power amplifiers is determined by the following points.
1. Circuit efficiency: Also known as conversion efficiency overall efficiency.
Its value may be anywhere from 25% to 90%

2. Distortion: The difference between the output & input of an amplifier is known as
distortion. Even though the output is enlarged and faithful reproduction of input but in
actual practice there may be differences in the waveforms or frequencies.
◦ Harmonic or amplitude distortion - Due to nonlinearity in transistor.
◦ Crossover distortion - occurs when transistors not operating in correct phase with each
other.
3 Power Dissipation capacity: It's defined as the ability to dissipate the heat by the power
transistor. Also known as power rating. During amplification process large current passes
through power transistor hence heat generated. By connecting a metal sheet (Heat sink)
power dissipation capability can be increased.

Classification of Power Amplifiers

Based on the position of the operating point, or by the biasing techniques, power amplifiers are
classified as class A, B, AB and C amplifiers as shown in figure below:

Class A Power amplifier

The transistor is biased in such a way that the operating point or the Q-point lies at the center of
the active region.
There is no distortion in the output signal. However, amplitude distortion may occur if the input
signal is very large.
The dc load line, the input and the output characteristics curves of a class A power amplifier is
shown in Figure 3.3 (a), (b) and (c) respectively.

There are three types of class A power amplifier:

◦ Direct-coupled load,
◦ Capacitor-coupled load, and.
◦ Transformer-coupled load.
The maximum possible efficiency of the direct-coupled load and transformer-coupled load class A
amplifiers are 25% and 50% respectively.

Class B power amplifier

The transistor is biased so that its operating point lies at the cut-off region, i.e., the zero-signal
current becomes zero. It does not need any biasing circuit. The Q-point, the input and the output
curves of a class B power amplifier is shown in Figure 3.4 (a), (b) and (c) respectively.

Here, the current flows for half a cycle only. So, the distortion is high. The maximum possible
efficiency of class B amplifier is 78.5%. To obtain the full cycle in the output, two transistors
operating in cut-off region are connected in the push-pull manner. There are two types of such a
push pull amplifier.
◦ Transformer-coupled load class B push-pull amplifier
◦ Complementary symmetry class B push-pull amplifier
A cross-over distortion occurs in both types of class B push-pull:
power amplifiers. The maximum possible efficiency of class B push-pull amplifiers is 78.5%.

Class AB power amplifier

To minimize the cross-over distortion of the class B push-pull
operation, both transistors are slightly forward-biased so that their Q-point lies just above the cut-
off region. The current flows for slightly more than half a cycle. The efficiency of a class AB
amplifier is less than that of a class B power amplifier and more than that of a class A amplifier.
The Q-point, input curve and output curves for class AB power amplifiers are shown in Figure 3.5
(a), (b) and (c) respectively.

Class C power amplifier

The transistor is biased in such a way that the current flows for less than half a cycle of an input
sinewave. The conduction angle is less than 180° in the class C amplifier. The output is highly
distorted so it could not be! used in an application requiring high fidelity, such as an audio
amplifier.
However, class C amplifiers are used primarily in high power, high frequency applications, such
as radio-frequency transmitters. The input and the output current waveforms for class C amplifiers
are shown in Figure 3.6.
Direct – coupled Load Class A Amplifier
The transistor is biased in such a way that its operating point lies in the active region during a
complete cycle, i.e., under the normal operation condition, the output never saturates or reaches
cut-off. Figure 3.7 (a) and (b) show a direct-coupled load class A amplifier and its input and output
waveforms.
Power Dissipation in Power Amplifiers
• Definition: Power dissipation in a power amplifier refers to the energy converted to heat
within the amplifier's components, especially transistors, due to their non-ideal efficiency.
• Calculation:
o Power dissipation (Pdiss)
Pdiss is calculated as:Pdiss=Pin−Pout where:
§ Pin is the total input power supplied by the power source.
§ Pout is the output power delivered to the load.
• Significance: Managing power dissipation is crucial for the reliable operation of the
amplifier, as excessive heat can damage the components, degrade performance, and shorten
the lifespan of the device.

Role of Heat Sinks in Power Amplifiers

• Function: A heat sink is a passive cooling device designed to dissipate heat generated by
electronic components to prevent overheating.
• Working Principle:
o Heat sinks increase the surface area for heat dissipation and transfer the heat from
the transistor to the surrounding air through conduction and convection.
o They are often made from materials with high thermal conductivity, such as
aluminum or copper, to maximize heat transfer.

Importance of Heat Sinks

• Prevention of Thermal Runaway: In power transistors, higher temperatures can lead to
increased leakage currents, which in turn can cause more heating, leading to a potentially
destructive cycle known as thermal runaway.
• Maintaining Performance: Proper thermal management ensures the amplifier operates
within safe temperature limits, preserving performance and signal fidelity.
• Extending Component Life: Reducing the operating temperature of the components can
significantly extend their lifespan and reliability.
Numericals and Important Questions
What do you mean by power amplifier? Explain the operation of Push-Pull amplifier with output
transformer.

Explain working principle of complementary-symmetry class B push pull amplifier with

necessary circuit diagram. What is cross over distortion.

A class B push pull amplifier is supplied with Vcc=50 V. The signal swings the collector downs to
Vmin=5V . The total dissipation in both transistor is 40 W. Find the total power and the conversion
efficiency.

Prove that the maximum possible efficiency of a class-B push-pull amplifier is 78.5%. What is
the cross-over distortion and how can it be eliminated?

Efficiency in Transforiner Coupled Class A is highest compared to other cases of Class A, why?
An 80 ohm load is connected on secondary side of a transformer coupled class A power amplifier
having the transformer winding ratio as 4:1. Determine tie maximum output power if collector
current is 100 mA.
In a transformer coupled class-A amplifier, maximum collector current is 100mA, Vcc=10 V. Find
the power transferred to 4 ohm speaker load if it is (i) Direct Coupled (ii) Transformer coupled
(Find the turn ratio of transformer)