UNIT-III

POWER AMPLIFIERS

Question Bank
1. Compare voltage amplifier with power amplifier. (3)
2. Give classification of the power amplifier. (4)
3. Draw & explain circuit diagram of the series fed class-A power amplifier with its
principle. (4)
4. Explain working of the series fed class-A power amplifier. (3)
5. Give advantages & disadvantages of the series fed class-A power amplifier. (2)
6. Derive efficiency of the series fed class-A power amplifier. (4 to 7)
7. Draw & explain circuit diagram of the transformer coupled class-A power amplifier with
its principle. (4)
8. Explain working of the transformer coupled class-A power amplifier. (4)
9. Give advantages & disadvantages of the transformer coupled class-A power amplifier. (2)
10. Derive efficiency of the transformer coupled class-A power amplifier. (4 to 7)
11. Draw & explain circuit diagram of the series fed class-B power amplifier with its
principle. (3)
12. Explain working of the series fed class-B power amplifier. (4)
13. Give advantages & disadvantages of the series fed class-B power amplifier. (2)
14. Derive efficiency of the series fed class-B power amplifier. (4 to 7)
15. Draw & explain circuit diagram of the class-B push pull power amplifier with its
principle. (3)
16. Explain working of the fed class-B push pull power amplifier. (4)
17. Give advantages & disadvantages of the class-B push pull power amplifier. (2)
18. Explain cross-over distortion. How to eliminate cross-over distortion? (4)
19. Derive efficiency of the class-B push pull power amplifier. (4 to 7)
20. Draw & explain circuit diagram of the class-AB push pull power amplifier with its
principle. (3)
21. Explain working of the class-AB push pull power amplifier. (4)
22. Give advantages & disadvantages of the class-AB push pull power amplifier. (2)
23. Draw & explain working of the class-C power amplifier. (4 to 7)
24. Draw & explain working of the class-D power amplifier. (4 to 7)
25. Draw & explain complementary symmetry power amplifier. (4 to 7)
26. Compare different types of power amplifiers. (4)

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UNIT-III

POWER AMPLIFIERS

Comparison of voltage amplifier with power amplifier:

Sr.
No.

Description

Voltage Amplifier

Power Amplifier
Large size transistor with value of
between 20 to 50 is used. Heat sink
is used with the transistor.

Transistor

Small size transistor

with value of more
than 100 is used

Coupling

Normally RC coupling
is used

Normally transformer coupling or

tuned circuit is used

Input voltage

Low of the order of

few mV

High of the order of few Volts

Collector
current

Low of the order of

few mA

High of the order of 100 mA or

more

Collector circuit
resistance

High of the order of

4k to 10k

Low of the order of 5 to 20

Output
impedance

High of the order of

few k

Low of the order of few ohms

Power output

Low of the order of

few mW

High of the order of few Watts

Voltage gain

High

Low

Current gain

Low

High

10

Power gain

Low

High

11

Applications

Initial stages

Intermediate or final stages

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UNIT-III

POWER AMPLIFIERS

Classification of the power amplifier.

Classification based on the mode of operation:
1) Class A power amplifier:

Figure: Class A operation

Q-point is located on the mid-point of the load line in active region. So, transistor can
conduct under zero signal bias condition.
Also, transistor can conduct for the entire cycle (i.e., for 360) of the ac input signal;
hence we can get output current and voltage of the full cycle as shown in the above
figure.
2) Class B power amplifier:

Figure: Class B operation

Q-point is located on the cut-off point of the load line in cut-off region. So, transistor
cannot conduct under zero signal bias condition.
Also, transistor can conduct for only the half cycle (i.e., for 180) of the ac input signal;
hence we can get output current and voltage of the half cycle as shown in above figure.
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UNIT-III

POWER AMPLIFIERS

3) Class AB power amplifier:

Figure: Class AB operation

Q-point is located above the cut-off point and below the mid-point on the load line in
active region. So, transistor can conduct under zero signal bias condition.
Also, transistor can conduct more than 180 and less than 360 of the ac input signal;
hence we can get output current and voltage as shown in above figure.
4) Class C power amplifier:

Figure: Class C operation

Q-point is located below the cut-off point of the load line in dip cut-off region. So,
transistor cannot conduct under zero signal bias condition.
Also, transistor can conduct for less than the half cycle (i.e., for < 180) of the ac input
signal; hence we can get output current and voltage of the half cycle as shown in above
figure.
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POWER AMPLIFIERS

5) Class D power amplifier:

Class D power amplifiers are designed to operate with digital or pulse type signals. Using
digital techniques makes it possible to have a signal that varies over the entire cycle to
recreate the output from many pieces of input signal.
Classification based on how output is derived:
1) Single ended type power amplifier:
Single ended power amplifiers uses single transistor and derives output power w.r.t. one
end permanently grounded.
2) Double ended type power amplifier:
Double ended or push-pull power amplifier uses two transistors in a single stage. It
consists of two loops in which the transistor collector current flow in opposite directions
but add in the load.
3) Complementary symmetry type power amplifier:
Complementary symmetry or push-pull power amplifier uses two transistors having
complementary symmetry. The term complementary arises from the fact that one
transistor is the NPN type and the other is PNP type.
They have symmetry as they are made with the same material and technology is of same
maximum ratings.

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UNIT-III

POWER AMPLIFIERS

Series fed class A power amplifier:

Principle: To transfer power of DC supply (+VCC) to the weak input signal (AC signal)
to raise its power level.
Circuit Diagram:

Figure: Series fed Class A power amplifier

Description:
The input capacitor Cin couples ac signal voltage to the base of the transistor.
RB provide a fixed biasing to make transistor Q1-ON under zero signal condition.
RC is a resistive load.
Working of the series fed class A power amplifier:
Under zero signal condition a dc current ICQ (collector current) flow in the circuit and a dc
voltage VCEQ (collector-emitter voltage) available at the output.
When ac input signal Vin is applied, during the positive half cycle the base current IBQ is
increased. As IC = IB , the collector current ICQ is also increased.
According to VCE = VCC IC RC output voltage VCEQ is decreased.
During the negative half cycle the base current IBQ is decreased. As IC = IB , the collector
current ICQ is also decreased.
According to VCE = VCC IC RC output voltage VCEQ is increased.
So, the operating point Q shifts up and down on the load-line as shown in the figure.
The output collector current increases to IC,max and falls to IC,min. Similarly, the collectoremitter voltage increases to VCE,max and falls to VCE,min.

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

Advantages, disadvantages & application of the series fed class A power amplifier:
Advantages:
Simple circuit & easy to design.
Distortion is very less. So, it provides high fidelity output.
No need of transformer. So, circuit becomes cheap.
Disadvantages:
Operation is restricted only over a small central region of the load line, so, it can amplify
signal of small amplitudes.
Output impedance of the transistor is more. So, the circuit cannot use for low impedance
load.
Power is wasted in collector resistor RC . So, AC power output per transistor is small.
Power wastage is more due to transistor ON power loss in absence of AC input signal.
Efficiency is only up to 25%.
Applications:
Class A power amplifiers are used where freedom from distortion is prime aim.
Efficiency of the Class A power amplifiers:
Input power is given by
Pin(dc) VCC I CQ

--- --- --- --- --- [1]

Power dissipated at the collector resistor is given by

PRC(dc) I

2
CQ

--- --- --- --- --- [2]

Total power getting by transistor is given by

Pin(dc) PRC(dc)

tr(dc)

tr(dc)

CC CQ

2
CQ

R --- --- --- --- --- [3]

C

Now if we apply ac input signal to the amplifier then the ac output will be defined as

out(ac)

out(ac)

rms rms

C(p p)

2 2
I

CE(p p)

2 2

C(p p) CE(p p)

--- --- --- --- --- [3]

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

(1) Collector efficiency:

Collector efficiency is defined as ratio of the output ac power to the input dc power
getting by the transistor.

collector

collector

out(ac)

Ptr(dc)

I C(p p)VCE(p p)
2

8(VCC I CQ I CQ RC )

(2) Overall efficiency:

Overall efficiency is defined as the ratio of the output ac power to input dc power given to
the amplifier.

overall

overall

Pout(ac)
Pin(dc)

I C(p p) VCE(p p)
8VCC I CQ

Maximum Power and Efficiency:

Maximum power and efficiency is considered for the full signal on the dc load line as
shown in the figure.

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

Maximum VCE(P P) VCE(max) V

CE(min)
VCC 0
VCC

Maximum I C(P P) I C(max) I C(min)

V
CC 0
RC

V
CC
RC
Maximum power:
(1) Pin(dc),max VCC I CQ

--- --- --- --- --- [1]

V
VCC CC
2RC

CC

2R

(2) P

tr(dc), max

CC CQ

2
CQ

--- --- --- --- --- [2]

C
2

V
CC CC R
V
CC 2R
C
2R
C C
V

CC

2R

CC

4R

CC

4R

(3) P

out(ac), max

C(P P) CE(P P)

--- --- --- --- --- [3]

V
1
CC V
CC
R
8
C

CC

8R

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

Efficiency:
(1)

collector, max

Pout(ac), max
Ptr(dc), max

CC

/8RC

(2)

overall, max

X100%

1
X100%
2

50%

VCC 2 /8R
2

VCC /2R

VCC /4RC

Pout(ac,max)
Pin(dc,max)

L X 100%
L

1
X 100%
4

= 25%

Transformer coupled class A power amplifier:

Principle: To transfer power of DC supply (+VCC) to the weak input signal (AC signal)
to raise its power level.
Circuit Diagram:

Figure: Transformer Coupled Class A Power Amplifier

Description:
R1 and R2 provide potential divider biasing & RE is used for bias stabilization.
CE is used to prevent ac voltage flowing into the RE.
Cin couples ac signal voltage to the base.
A step-down transformer of suitable turn ratio is provided to couple the high
impedance collector circuit to low impedance load.
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Working of the transformer coupled class A power amplifier:

When ac input signal Vin is applied, during the positive half cycle the base current IBQ
increased. As IC = IB , the collector current ICQ also increased in the primary winding of
the transformer. So, magnetic flux is increased in the primary winding and hence emf is
increased at output.
During the negative half cycle the base current IBQ decreased. As IC = IB , the collector
current ICQ also decreased in the primary winding of the transformer. So, magnetic flux is
decreased in the P.W. and hence emf is decreased at output.
Use of the transformer:

Figure: Transformer Impedance Matching

According to the maximum power transfer theorem the power transferred from the power
amplifier to the load (loudspeaker) will be maximum only if the amplifier output impedance equals the load impedance RL.
Hence for transfer of maximum power from amplifier to the output load, impedance
matching of amplifier output impedance with the impedance of output load is necessary.
This is accomplished by using a step-down transformer of suitable turn-ratio.
The transformer impedance matching circuit is shown separately, where R L is the
resistance looking into the primary of the transformer and is given as
2
V1
R L I1 V1 I 2 N 1

=
= =
R L V2 V2 I1 N 2
I2

Where,

V1 N 1
I
N

and 1 2
V2 N 2
I 2 N1

Thus the ratio of the transformer input and an output resistance varies directly as the
square of the transformer turn ratio:
2

R L N1

a 2 or R L a 2 R L
=
R L N2

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Advantages & disadvantages of transformer coupled class A power amplifier:

Advantages:
No need of centre tapping transformer.
Maximum power can transfer at output because of impedance matching between collector
circuit and the load.
Efficiency is more than the series fed class A power amplifier.
Disadvantages:
Harmonic distortion is more.
Power wastage is more due to transistor ON power loss in absence of AC input signal.
Maximum efficiency is of 50% only.
Efficiency of the transformer coupled class A power amplifier:
Collector Efficiency:
For ideal transformer, there is no power drop; hence all the power supplied by dc supply
VCC is delivered to transistor.
PRL(dc) 0 and Pin(dc) Ptr (dc)

Pout ( ac)

Pin( dc)

Pout ( ac)
Ptr ( dc )

overall collector

(1) P

(2) P

in(dc)

out(ac)

--- --- --- --- --- [1]

CC CQ

rms rms

out(ac)

C(P P)

2 2

collector

CE(P P)

2 2
V

C(P P) CE(P P)

--- --- --- --- --- [2]

out(ac)

in(dc)

collector

C(P P) CE(P P)

8V

CC CQ

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Maximum Collector Efficiency:

As primary winding of transformer has very small resistance, it is assumed to be zero.

2V

CE(P P)

CC

2I

C(P P)

CQ

CE(P P)

2V

CC

N
Where, R n R and n 1
L
L
N 2

(1) P

in(dc), max

VCC
CC R
L

2
VCC

RL

(2) P

out(ac), max

C(P P) CE(P P)

8
2V

CC
8R '
L

2V

CC

CC

2R '
L

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POWER AMPLIFIERS
2
VCC

max

out(ac), max

in(dc), max

100%

2R '
L

2
VCC

100%

R '
L

max

1
100%
2

50%

Series fed class B power amplifier.

Principle: To transfer power of DC supply (+VCC) to the weak input signal (AC signal)
to raise its power level.
Circuit Diagram:

Figure: Series fed class B power amplifier

Description:
Vin is the input signal to the power amplifier.
C in couples input signal Vin to the base of transistor.
R B is base resistance connected between +Vcc and base of transistor.
R C is load resistance where output is developed.
Q is NPN power transistor connected with heat-sink.

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Working of the series fed class-B power amplifier:

Class-B power amplifier is fixed bias transistor amplifier.
When input signal Vin is zero no current flows through R B and transistor remains OFF.
This is because we have to set Q - point at the cut-off point.
In positive half cycle the input signal Vin is increasing. So, base current I B is increasing,
collector current I C is increasing and output voltage VCE is decreasing.
In negative half cycle the input signal Vin is decreasing. So, base current I B is decreasing
and transistor is being OFF because Q-point is located at the cut-off point and decrease in
the input signal makes transistor OFF.
Thus we can say that for only 180 of input cycle (in positive half cycle) transistor ON
and we can get half output current I C and half output voltage VCE .
Advantages & disadvantages of the series fed class B power amplifier:
Advantages:
No power loss in absence of AC input signal.
Simple circuit & easy to design.
No need of transformer, so, circuit becomes cheap.
Efficiency is more than the class A power amplifier.
Disadvantages:
Distortion is more as we can get half cycle output current & voltage.
Output impedance of the transistor is more, so, the circuit cannot use for low impedance
load.
Power is wasted in collector resistor RC .
So, AC power output per transistor is small.

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

Efficiency of the series fed class B power amplifiers.

When ac signal is applied the transistor Q1 is conducting only for the half cycle and we
can get the current as shown in the figure.

Average dc current can be found from the following equation

iC d
I 0
dc
2

1
sin d
I
2 0 C(max)
I

C(max)

C(max)

dc

Where, I

sin d
0

cos 0

C(max)

2
I

cos cos0
1 1

C(max)

C(max)

C(max)

= Peak value of collector current

Input DC Power V

CC dc

in(dc)

CC C(max)

--- --- --- --- --- [1]

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

RMS value for V

CE

C(rms)

&V

CE(rms)

&I

considered as they are only for half cycle.

C(max)

CE(max)

V
CC
2

Output AC power considered by peak value,

1
I
V
2 C(rms) CE(rms)

1 I C(max) VCE(rms)

2
2
2

out(ac)

out(ac)

1 I C(max) VCC
P

out(ac) 2
2
2
P

out(ac)

CC C(max)

--- --- --- --- --- [2]

DC Power loss in Load = P

RL(dc)

RL(dc)

I 2R
dc

L
2

I C(max)
R
P

RL(dc)
L

--- --- --- --- --- [3]

DC Power losses in Collector region of transistor is given by:

P

C(dc)

in(dc)

RL(dc)

out(ac)

Efficiency:

overall

out(ac)

100%

in(dc)

CC C(max)

overall

4 100% 100%
V I
4
CC C(max)

= 78.5 %

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

Class B push pull power amplifier:

Principle: To transfer power of DC supply (+VCC) to the weak input signal (AC signal)
to raise its power level.
Circuit Diagram:

Figure: Circuit diagram of Class B push-pull power amplifier

Description:
Q1 and Q2 are NPN transistors and both are identical. Their emitters are joined together
and connected to the ground.
There is a centre tapping in the primary winding of output transformer which is connected
to +Vcc supply. Two outer leads of secondary winding of transformer are connected to
the collectors of transistors.
Load R L is connected to the secondary winding of the output transformer.
Input transformer is called driver stage transformer. There is centre tapping in secondary
winding of this transformer generally connected with ground. Two leads of secondary
winding is connected with base of both transistors.

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Working:
When input signal is given to the primary winding of input transformer, 180 out of phase
voltages are induced in the windings A0 and B0.
During the first half cycle a positive half cycle is available at A0 and a negative half cycle
is available at B0. So, Q1 is ON and Q2 is OFF.
While Q1 is ON a current flow from its collector & output voltage is induced at the
primary winding of T2.
During the second half cycle a positive half cycle is available at B0 and a negative half
cycle is available at A0. So, Q2 is ON and Q1 is OFF.
While Q2 is ON a current flow from its collector & output voltage is induced at the
primary winding of T2.
At the secondary winding of T2 we can get a full cycle output.
Advantages & disadvantages of the class B push pull power amplifier:
Advantages:
DC components of the collector currents of both the transistors flow in opposite direction
through the two halves of the primary winding of the output transformer. So, there is no
DC saturation of the core. So, size and cost of the transformer decreased. Due to this the
linear distortion is reduced.
Distortion due to even harmonics is less because even harmonics are cancelled.
Ripple of the power supply get cancelled. So, hum is reduced and cost of the filter is
reduced.
Efficiency is more than the class A power amplifier.
Disadvantages:
Driver and output transformer are required. So, amplifier becomes bulky and costly.
Two transistors must exactly match; otherwise two halves of the input signals are not
amplified equally.
Cross-over distortion is present.

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

Cross-over distortion:

Figure: Cross-over distortion

In class-B push pull power amplifier both the transistors are biased at the cut-off point.
So, under zero signal condition both the transistors are OFF and no output voltage and
current available at the output.
When AC signal is applied: During the positive half cycle of Vin , the transistor Q1 will
ON when Vin increasing more than VBE,sat (i.e., > 0.7V for Si NPN transistor) and it will
remain ON till Vin decreasing less than VBE,sat (i.e., < 0.7V). After Vin < VBE,sat Q1 is OFF.
Similarly, during the negative half cycle of Vin , the transistor Q2 will ON when Vin
increasing more than VBE,sat and it will remain ON till Vin decreasing less than VBE,sat .
After Vin < VBE,sat Q1 is OFF.
So, we can get distorted output as shown in the figure.
This type of distortion is known as the cross-over distortion.

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Efficiency of class B Push pull Amplifier:

When ac signal is applied at the input, transistor Q1 is conducting for the positive half
cycle and Q2 is conducting for the negative half cycle and we can get the current as
shown in the figure.

Average dc current can be found from the following equation

iC d
I 20
dc
2

1
sin d
I
0 C(max)
I

C(max)

C(max)

dc

(i.e., for two half cycles)

sin d
0

cos 0

C(max)

C(max)

2I

cos cos0
1 1

C(max)

where, I

Input dc power is given by P

in(dc)

in(dc)

CC

2I

= Average current taken from DC supply

dc

CC dc

C(max)

--- --- --- --- --- [1]

Assume at output transistor turn ratio ( N N : N )

1

So, for each transistor turn ratio is N : N 1

1

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out(ac)

POWER AMPLIFIERS

I C(max) V

out(ac)

C(rms) CE(rms)

CC

2
V

.I

CC C(max)

--- --- --- --- --- [2]

Efficiency:
pout(ac)

overall

pin dc)

100%

Vcc .I c(max)
2
100%
2Vcc .I c(max)

100%

overall 78.5%
Total Collector dissipation for two transistors,

Pd(max) Pin(dc) Pout(ac)

d(max)

CC

d(max)

CC C(max)

VCC VCC

C(max)
4

2.I

0.2
P

C(max)

= 2I

2.I

C(max)

.V

CC

4
I

C(max)

.V

CC

0.2P

out(ac)

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Class AB push pull power amplifier:

Principle: To transfer power of DC supply (+VCC) to the weak input signal (AC signal)
to raise its power level.
Circuit Diagram:

Figure: Class AB push-pull power amplifier

Purpose:
In class-B push-pull amplifier Q-point is located at cut-off point and the cross over
distortion occurs due to cut-in voltage.
To eliminate this problem we have to set Q-point below active region & near to cut-off
region. We can set above arrangement by biasing resistors R1 & R2 in class-B push-pull
amplifier.
Description:
This arrangement is class-AB push-pull power amplifier where Q-point is located below
the centre point of the load line and above the cut-off point of the load line.
R1 & R2 are biasing resistors.
Q1 & Q2 - are power transistors.
T1 - drive transformer.
T2 - output transformer.

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Working of the class AB push pull power amplifier:

The operation of class-AB push-pull power amplifier is same as class-B push-pull power
amplifier.
Here because of R1 & R2 which are voltage divider type biasing resistors Q-point is
adjusted below the centre point of the load line and above the cut-off point of the load
line.
Because of this under zero signal condition the base current flows and both transistors
ON.
In positive half cycle point a of the S.W. of T1 is positive w.r.t. point b. So, Q1-ON
and Q2-OFF.
In negative half cycle point b of the S.W. of T1 is positive w.r.t. point a. So, Q1-OFF
and Q2-ON.
Thus the cycle of operation repeats.
Advantages & disadvantages of class AB push pull power amplifier:
Advantages:
Cross over distortion is not present.
Efficiency is more than class A power amplifier.
We can get distortion free output.
Disadvantages:
Driver and output transformer are required. So, amplifier becomes bulky and costly.
Two transistors must exactly match; otherwise two halves of the input signals are not
amplified equally.
Efficiency is less than class B push-pull power amplifier.

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Class C power amplifier:

Circuit diagram:

Figure: Class C Power Amplifier

Description:
Q1 transistor is biased with (VBB) beyond the cut-off.
RFC (Radio Frequency Choke) prevents passing of high frequency input to DC supply. It
allowed passing DC voltage provided by (VBB).
LC makes a tuned circuit to generate full cycle at the output.
Working operation:
Class-C power amplifier is biased to operate for less than 180 of the input signal cycle.
Tuned circuit will provide a full cycle output signal at the output for the fundamental or
resonant frequency of the tuned circuit (LC tank circuit).
These amplifiers are not used for the purpose of the large power amplification.
Application:
Because of high distortion class-C power amplifiers are not used for audio frequency.
They are used for high power output at radio frequencies, where harmonic distortion can
be removed by simple circuits.
These power amplifiers are used in the fixed frequency communication circuits.

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

Class D power amplifier:

Description:
Class D amplifiers can attain efficiencies of 90 %, and with careful component selection
it can exceed 95 % even.
Block diagram:

Figure: Block diagram of Class-D power amplifier

Working:
A class D power amplifier is designed to operate with digital or pulse-type signals.
In class D power amplifier, any input signal is converted into a pulse-type waveform and
then it is used to drive a large power load. It is converted back to a sinusoidal signal to
recover the original signal.
As shown in the block diagram, in comparator circuit a saw tooth waveform is applied
with a sinusoidal input signal. So, a sinusoidal signal can be converted into a pulse-type
signal.
Amplifier amplifies the pulse-type signal.
Low pass filter converts a pulse-type signal back to the sinusoidal-type signal.
Transistor devices of the amplifier provide current only when they are turned ON, with
little power loss due to their low on-voltage.
Most of the power supplied to the amplifier is transferred to the load. So efficiency of
class-D power amplifier is very high.
A power MOSFET is used in the class D power amplifier.

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UNIT-III

POWER AMPLIFIERS

Waveforms:

Complementary symmetry push-pull amplifier:

Principle: To transfer power of DC supply (+VCC) to the weak input signal (AC signal)
to raise its power level.
Circuit diagram:

Figure: Complementary Symmetry Push-pull Power Amplifier

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UNIT-III

POWER AMPLIFIERS

Description:
Complementary means one transistor is NPN (Q1) and the other transistor is PNP (Q2).
Both transistors are symmetrical (i.e., they are made from the same materials and same
technology with identical characteristics).
R1 and R2 provide voltage divider bias to forward bias the EB junction of Q1 transistor.
R3 and R4 provide voltage divider bias to forward bias the EB junction of Q2 transistor.
These resistors are so selected that under zero signal condition, the operating point is at
cut-off and so Q1, Q2 does not conduct.
RL is the load resistor.
VCC1 and VCC2 are two separate power supplies.
CC1 and CC2 are coupling capacitors.
Working operation:
During positive half cycle of input signal Vin , Q1 transistor conducts and Q2 transistor
does not conduct. At this time Q1 transistor provides a positive half cycle output across
the load resistor RL .
During negative half cycle of input signal Vin , Q2 transistor conducts and Q1 transistor
does not conduct. At this time Q2 transistor provides a negative half cycle output across
the load resistor RL .
Thus the cycle of operation repeats.
Advantages:
It does not require driver and output transformers. So, size, weight and cost are reduced.
It eliminates 180 two out of phase input signals.
We can use this circuit in the integrated form.
Disadvantages:
Problem in impedance matching.
Two separate power supplies are needed.
If transistors will not match then even harmonics will not be cancelled and harmonic
distortion will be introduced.
Cross-over distortion is present.

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POWER AMPLIFIERS

Comparison of the different power amplifiers:

Class

AB

Conduction
Angle

360o

180o

180 to 360o

Less than 90o

Position of
the
Q-point

Mid-point of the
load line

Exactly on the
cut-off point

In between the
mid-point of load
line and the cutoff point

Dip cut-off

Overall
Efficiency

Poor, 25 to 30%

Better, 70 to 80%

Better than A but

less than B 50 to
70%

Higher than 80%

Signal
Distortion

None if correctly
biased

Cross-over
distortion

Small amounts

Large amounts

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