1

Design and Implementation of Audio

Amplifier

EC3.2.10 - Project on Electronic Design

for the Degree of Bachelor of Technology in Electronics & Communication
Engineering in 6th Semester, 2025
Prepared by

Ritam Pal
University Roll No.: T91/ECE/216007
Registration No.: 425-1114-0868-19
 2

Acknowledgement:
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed faculty of the Institute
of Radio Physics and Electronics for their invaluable guidance and support throughout
the course of our Audio Amplifier Project.

This project would not have been possible without the cooperation and encouragement
of our respected teachers, whose expertise and insights greatly enriched our
understanding and learning experience.

We, a group of three students, are truly thankful for their constant assistance and for
providing us with the opportunity and resources to carry out this project successfully.

……………..
Ritam Pal
 3

INDEX
Table of Contents….
1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………
2. Pre Amplifier…………………………………………………………………..
3. High Pass Filter……………………………………………………………….
4. Class AB Amplifier…………………………………………………………..
5. Design Processes……………………………………………………………
6. Implementation……………………………………………………………..
7. Result…………………………………………………………………………..
8. Discussion and Reference……………………………………………….
 4

1. Introduction To Audio Amplifier:

An audio amplifier is an essential electronic device designed to
increase the amplitude of low-level audio signals to a level suitable
for driving loudspeakers or other output devices. It plays a critical
role in audio systems, enabling weak signals from sources such as
microphones, musical instruments, or audio playback devices to be
converted into audible sound with sufficient volume and clarity.
At its core, the audio amplifier operates based on the principles of
electronic amplification. It utilizes active components such as
transistors or operational amplifiers to modulate and boost the input
signal while maintaining its original characteristics such as
frequency and waveform shape. The key objective is to amplify the
signal without introducing significant distortion or noise.
Audio amplifiers are broadly categorized into different classes—such
as Class A, B, AB, and D—each with distinct characteristics in terms
of efficiency, linearity, and complexity. The choice of amplifier class
and design depends on the intended application, power
requirements, and quality considerations. In our project we designed
class AB amplifier.

2. Pre Amplifier:
The UA741 operational amplifier is used as a non-inverting voltage
amplifier to boost low-level audio signals. In this configuration, the
input signal is applied to the non-inverting terminal, ensuring high
input impedance and minimal loading on the audio source. The gain
𝑅𝑓
is determined by the resistor network as 𝐴𝑣 = 1 + ( ) ;
𝑅2

providing stable amplification with low distortion. This stage prepares

the signal to adequately drive the Class AB output stage for higher
power amplification.
 5

3. High Pass Filter:

A High Pass Filter (HPF) allows signals with frequencies higher than
the cutoff frequency (fc) to pass while attenuating lower frequencies. It
is formed by connecting a capacitor ‘C’ in series with the input and a
resistor ‘R’ in parallel to the output. The cutoff frequency is given by
fc=1/2πRC. At frequencies below fc, the capacitor blocks low-
frequency signals by acting as an open circuit, while at higher
frequencies it allows AC signals to pass. HPFs are widely used in
audio systems to block DC offsets and low-frequency noise.

4. Class AB Amplifier:
A Class AB amplifier combines the advantages of Class A and Class B
configurations to provide higher efficiency with reduced crossover
distortion. In a Class B amplifier, two complementary transistors
(NPN and PNP) conduct alternately for each half of the input signal,
but this leads to distortion near the zero-crossing point due to the
base-emitter threshold voltage (VBE) of the transistors. To overcome
this, Class AB amplifiers introduce a small bias current so that both
transistors conduct slightly even at zero input, eliminating the dead
zone.

Diode biasing is a simple and effective method to achieve this small

quiescent current. Two silicon diodes are connected in series
between the bases of the complementary transistors (BD139 and
BD140 in this design). Since each diode has a forward voltage drop of
approximately 0.7 V, the total bias voltage is about 1.4 V. This voltage
compensates for the base-emitter voltage drop of the transistors,
keeping them slightly turned on.
 6

The quiescent current through the output stage can be approximated

as :

where RE is the emitter resistor. This biasing minimizes crossover

distortion while preventing excessive idle current that could lead to
thermal runaway.
Class AB Amplifier
 7

5. Design Process:
In our design we use 5W 4Ω speaker. So, Vrms across the speaker
should be Vrms = √𝑃l.√𝑅l
= √5 ∗ 4 Pl = 5W and Rl = 4Ω
Vrms = 4.47 V
Now,

Vpeak = √2*4.47 = 6.3245 V

6.3245
Ipeak = = 1.58A
4

We have chosen to design with BD139 and BD140 which have a collector
current limit of 1.5A. So, we have added one emitter resistance to limit
the current 11 Ω resistances are available with us so the peak current
12
drops to Ipeak = = 0.8 A.
11+4

Voltage at speaker, (Vpeak)speaker = Ipeak*Rl

= 0.8 ∗ 4 = 3.2𝑉
3.2
(Vrms)speaker = = 2.262 𝑉
√2

Power deliver to the speaker,

(𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠)2 2.2622
(P)speaker= = = 1.279 𝑊 ≈ 1.3 𝑊
𝑅𝑙 4

Power dissipated in emitter resistor,

IRMS through 11 Ω resistance,
𝐼𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 0.8
IRMS = = = 0.565 A
√2 √2

∴ Power dissipation
P = Irms2 * RE = (0.565)2 * 11 = 3.52 W
Total power drawn = VCC *Ipeak
= 12*0.8 = 9.6 W
Total Power dissipations in transistors =( 9.6-3.52-1.3 )V = 4.78W
 8

So each transistors will dissipate around 2.4W of power.

Voltage drop across each transistor’s collector-emitter junction is
𝑃 2.4
= = = 4.28V
𝐼_𝑟𝑚𝑠 0.56

Power dissipation in base voltage divider –

Two (680 Ω ∥ 680 Ω) are in series across 12V
12
∴ current through it, I =
680

I = 17.64 mA
So power dissipated in both biasing resistors

Pbais = 2 ∗ (0.0176)2 ∗ 340 = 0.2107 W

Negligible power dissipation at pre amplifier section. So, we consider
total power dissipation
Ptotal = (9.6 + 0.217) = 9.817 W
Pin
∴ Efficiency = ∗ 100%
Pout

Pspeaker
= ∗ 100%
Ptotal

1.3
= ∗ 100% = 13.3%
9.8

We have neglected the power dissipation across the diodes. Before the pre
amplifier section. We have considered one HPF to avoid some huge bass
coming from input. We want to design a HPF with cut off frequency 150Hz
but whatever components are available with us are R=2000Ω and we have
used two 1uF capacitors in the series to form c = 0.5 uF. So, we have the
cutoff frequency fc = 159.15 HZ ≈ 160HZ.

In the pre-amplifier section, we have used a non-inverting type of

𝑅1
amplifier so that the gain of amplifier is, 𝐴 = 1 + ( ).
𝑅2

82𝐾Ω
𝐴 = 1+(
10𝐾Ω
) = 9.2
 9

Generally input audio signal voltage is 0.2V and we have used uA741
which have input impedance 1MΩ.
0.2
So, current Iin = = 0.2 𝑢𝐴
106

𝑉2 0.12
Power at input = = = 80 𝑢𝑊
𝑅 500Ω

We have added one 22 uF capacitor between Pre-Amplifier and class AB

Amplifier to block any DC input.
We have driven 0.8A current from the collector and hfE nearly 50 so
0.8
required base current is = 16 𝑚𝐴. Which is slightly lower than the
50
biasing current.
5.29+1.84
Now base current becomes = = 21 𝑚𝐴. Which is enough to
340
drive the class AB’s transistor.
1.3𝑊 1.3
Now the overall gain is, = = 16250 = 42.108(in dB).
80𝑢𝑊 80∗10−6

At the output one 100uF capacitor also added to attenuate the large bass
frequencies.

𝑓𝑐𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑓 = 1/(2𝜋 ∗ 1000 ∗ 10−6 ∗ 4) ≈ 40HZ

6. Implementation:
A) We have designed the schematic of the circuit using ‘EasyEDA’ online
designer.

Schematic diagram
 10

B) Then we converted our schematic design into PCB layout and then
route by using the same tool.

Bottom layer of PCB ↑↑

Top layer of the PCB ↓↓

 11

Before Etching of the PCB

We have used FeCl3 solution as our Etching Solution.

During Etching Process –

After Etching –
 12

After Fabrication –

Final Product –
 13

7. Equipments used –
Copper cladding board
Ferric Chloride Solution
Photo papers and markers
Soldering Iron, Wire and flux
Speaker (5W , 4 Ohm)
Resistors(22R, 120R, 680R, 1k, 16k, 22k, 10k, 82k)
Capacitors(1uF, 22uF, 1000uF)
Diodes(1N4007)
Transistors(BC547, BD139, BD140)
OpAmp(UA741)
Relay(12V) and Heat Sink
Hantek 6022BE oscilloscope

8. Result –

Input audio signal ||||| Output Audio Signal |||||

Power Gain of this audio amplifier is 42.108 dB.
Efficiency of this audio amplifier is around 13.3%.
 14

This shows that input audio signal is properly amplified at the

output.

9. Discussion –
The project is aimed to design, implement the Audio Amplifier. First we
have used Multisim to design and simulate the circuit virtually and then we
have used the EasyEDA online Designer Tool to design the PCB layout for
both top and the bottom layers.
We have designed our circuit to operate in both ways using battery as well
as using 12V DC from the charger output supply. So whenever we are using
the direct supply from 12V, we need to isolate our circuit from the battery
supply so in this case we have used a relay. To drive the relay we have used
one BC547 transistor and designed the biasing in such a way so that it can
operate in saturation region as a switch. Generally circuit is powered by the
battery and the relay stays in normally closed position and when the supply
is given from the 12V DC then the transistor turns on and drive the relay to
normally open position.
For the audio voltage gain we have designed UA741 OpAmp as non
inverting amplifier. To get both way swing from the (0-12)V supply we have
designed a virtual ground by making a voltage divider circuit and connect
OpAmp’s ground connection to it.
Here we have used Electrolytic Capacitors. So we cannot directly use them
in our circuit as if they are not reversed, one capacitor gets reverse voltage
during AC, causing leakage, heat, oxide breakdown, and possible
explosion. We reverse one electrolytic capacitor in series to handle AC
signals. This prevents reverse voltage damage, making the pair act like a
bipolar capacitor. Effective capacitance halves; voltage rating doubles.
We have used one 22uF capacitor in between pre amplifier and the base of
the class AB power amplifier to pass all the AC signals but to prevent any
DC signal to pass.
 15

Here in our circuit we have used higher emitter resistors as only this is
available to us but due to this the collector current is limited. As higher
resistance is used to most of the power is dissipated across the and the
efficiency drops drastically . If we use lower emitter resistances instead of
11 ohm then both the output power and the efficiency increase
significantly but we are unable to find that low value resistance.

10. References:
[Link] principles 7th edition, Albert Malvino and David J Bates.
2. Microelectronic Circuit by Sedra And Smith
3. Wikipedia , Google