DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRAPRADESH

Name : B. Srinivas
Designation : Senior Lecturer in ECE
Branch : Electronics & Communication Engg.
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic for women
Warangal
Year/Semester : III Semester
Subject : Electronic circuits - I
Subject Code : EC-302
Topic : Small signal amplifiers
Sub Topic : Description of Frequency response
curve for an R-C coupled amplifier
Duration : 100 min
Teaching Aids : PPT , Photographs , Animations
EC302.52 TO 53 1
 OBJECTIVES

On completion of this period you would be able to:

• Draw the frequency response curve of an R-C coupled

amplifier.
• Describe the frequency response curve for R-C coupled

amplifier at low ,medium and high frequencies.

EC302.52 TO 53 2
Recap

• Define frequency response curve?

• Mention its significance?

EC302.52 TO 53 3
Frequency response curve of R-C coupled
amplifier
LOW
FLAT RESPONSE HIGH FREQUENCY
FREQUENCY
ROLL-OFF
ROLL OFF

G
A
I
N

Fig.51.2 50Hz 20kHz

FREQUENCY
EC302.52 TO 53 4
 Description of frequency response curve

• The voltage gain is constant for mid frequencies.

• Gain falls at both low and high frequencies.

EC302.52 TO 53 5
 Reasons for fall of gain at LF range:

• At low frequencies the reactance of coupling capacitor

Cc is very high
(Xc = 1/2πfc)

• Hence very small part of the signal will be transferred

from one stage to the next stage.

EC302.52 TO 53 6
Ac equivalent circuit of an RC coupled amplifier

Cc

β ib
V0 R1 II R2 II r in

GND

EC302.52 TO 53 7
Fall of gain at low frequency range

• The lower the frequency of the signal , higher will be the

reactance of the capacitor Cc , the more will be the
reduction in output voltage Vo.

• At zero frequency , the reactance of capacitor Cc is

infinitely large.

• The effective output voltage Vo then reduces to zero.

EC302.52 TO 53 8
Fall of gain at low frequency range:

• We see that the output voltage decreases as the

frequency of the signal decreases below the mid

frequency range.

• The other component , due to which the gain decreases

at low frequency is the emitter bypass capacitor CE

EC302.52 TO 53 9
 Fall of gain at low frequency range:

• The bypassing action of the capacitor at low frequencies

is not as good as mid and high frequency.

• The emitter is not at ground potential for ac. The emitter

current divides in to two parts.

EC302.52 TO 53 10
Fall of gain at low frequency range

• Due to this , a voltage developed across it and is fed

back to the input with opposite polarity.

• The effective input voltage is thus reduced and

decreases the gain.

• The reduction in gain due to such a process is described

as negative current feedback.

EC302.52 TO 53 11
Fall of gain at High frequency range

• One factor responsible for reduction in gain at high

frequencies is , β.

• The β of the transistor is frequency dependent.

• Its value decreases at high frequencies.

EC302.52 TO 53 12
Variation of β with frequency

βac

frequency

EC302.52 TO 53 13
Fall of gain at High frequency range

• Another factor responsible for reduction in gain of the

amplifier at high frequencies is the presence of the device.

• The inter electrode capacitance C bc between the base and

the collector connects the output with the input.

• Because of this negative feedback takes place in the circuit

and the gain decreases.

EC302.52 TO 53 14
Fall of gain at High frequency range

• Because of this negative feedback takes place in the

circuit and the gain decreases.

• Presence of wiring capacitances at high frequencies will

also decrease gain.

EC302.52 TO 53 15
 Summary
• We have discussed frequency response characteristics

and its reasons of an R-C coupled amplifier

a) at low frequency range

b) at high frequency range

c) at mid frequency range

EC302.52 TO 53 16
Quiz

EC302.52 TO 53 17
Q1.The frequency response of RC coupled
amplifier is constant at

A. At low frequency

B. At high frequency

C. At mid frequency

D. none of the above

EC302.52 TO 53 18
Q2. The gain at low frequency is decrease
due to

A. Capacitances

B. Inductances

C. Resistances

D. All of the above

EC302.52 TO 53 19
 Frequently Asked Questions

1) Draw the frequency response of RC coupled amplifier

and discuss frequency response in detail ?

2) Why the gain of the RC coupled amplifier is decreased

at low and high frequencies?

3) Why the gain of the RC coupled amplifier is constant

in mid frequency range?

EC302.52 TO 53 20