Power Amplifier

Power amplifiers serve as fundamental electronic tools that enhance the strength of electrical
signals, holding a pivotal position within numerous electronic systems. They fulfill crucial roles
in applications necessitating signal augmentation, such as audio systems, RF (Radio Frequency)
transmitters, and various other domains. In this all-encompassing exposition, we will explore the
domain of power amplifiers, examining their classifications, operational categories, utility
scenarios, and attributes related to performances.
Table of Content
• Definition
• Types
• Classes
• Comparison of Different Classes
• Voltage Vs Power Amplifiers
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Applications
What is a Power Amplifier?
An electronic circuit exists that enhances the strength of an incoming signal, referred to as a
power amplifier. In contrast to small-signal amplifiers, which concentrate on boosting voltage or
current while preserving smoothness, power amplifiers are engineered to deliver robust output
with minimal aberration. They find extensive utility in situations demanding a substantial
augmentation of signal potency, such as managing audio system speakers or transmitting
wireless signals over extended distances.

The main features of these types of amplifiers are circuit power η, the maximum amount of
power that the circuit can handle, and impedance matching to the output device. Power
amplifiers are designed with BJT and normal CE mode is used in power amplifiers.
Amplifier Efficiency: It is defined as the ratio of output AC power to the input DC power.
Distortion: The change in output wave shape from the input wave shape of an amplifier is known
as distortion. The distortion can be reduced by using negative feedback in the amplifier.

What are the Types of Power Amplifier?

Power amplifiers can also be classified based on various factors. Let’s explore some common
classifications:
Classification Based on Frequencies
1. Audio Power Amplifiers: It is designed for amplifying audio signals. These amplifiers
are commonly used in speakers, televisions, and mobile phones, etc, to increase the
power of weak audio signal. It ranges from few milliwatts to thousands of watts.
2. Radio Frequency Power Amplifiers: It is used in radio frequency applications. The
range of wireless transmissions, which rely on antennas to send modulated waves over
large distances, is influenced by the signal strength. Antennas need input signals that are
thousands of kilowatts in power to broadcast FM. Power amplifiers are used to boost the
power so that the modulated waves go to the necessary distance.
3. DC Power Amplifiers: DC power amplifiers amplify PWM signals in electronic control
systems for high-power motors or actuators. They increase input power from
microcontrollers and send amplified signals to DC motors or actuators, ensuring they are
driven effectively.
Classification Based on Mode of Operation
1. Class A
2. Class B
3. Class AB
4. Class D
Graphs of Classes of Power Amplifier
We will study about classes of power amplifier in the next topic.

Classes of Power Amplifiers

Power amplifiers can be categorized into several classes based on their mode of operation and
efficiency. Classes of power amplifiers are as follows:
1. Class A Power Amplifier
2. Transformer Coupled Class A Power Amplifier
3. Push-Pull Class A Power Amplifier
 4. Class B Power Amplifier
5. Class AB Power Amplifier
6. Class C Power Amplifier

Class A Power Amplifier

Class A amplifiers operate in a mode where the output transistors conduct during the entire cycle
of the input signal. This results in minimal distortion, but also low efficiency, since the
transistors are always conducting, leading to significant heat generation.

Circuit Diagram (Class A Power Amplifier)

• With class A amplifier Q point lies middle of the load line so that signal can swing over
the maximum possible range without saturating or cut off the transistor as seen in the
figure below.
• Due to this, the output signal is obtained for the full cycle of the AC input. i.e. 3600.
• Due to changes in Ic, the voltage Vce will also fluctuate sinusoidally.
 • The operating point (Q-point) of the power transistor is biased to be roughly in the
middle of the load line.

Graphical Representation (Class A Power Amplifier)

Q. Represent class A amplifier graphically.

Important Mathematical Equations of Power Amplifier

Transformer Coupled Class A Power Amplifier
Transformer coupled Class A amplifiers use transformers to couple the input and output stages,
providing isolation and impedance matching. This configuration can offer excellent linearity and
power gain.
Circuit Diagram (Transformer Coupled Class A Amplifiers)
• Principle advantage: Lower distortion than Class C, B & AB. And it is simple to
construct.
• Principle disadvantage: Lower power efficiency than Class C, B & AB and large power
dissipation in the power transistors.

Push-Pull Class A Power Amplifier

The push-pull Class A amplifier overcomes the efficiency limitations of pure Class A amplifiers
by using a pair of transistors in a push-pull configuration. This design allows one transistor to be
on while the other is off, reducing heat generation and improving efficiency.
Circuit Diagram (Push-Pull Class A Amplifier)

Class B Power Amplifier

The biasing of the transistor in class B operation is in such a way that at zero signal condition,
there will be no collector current. The operating point is selected to be at collector cut off
voltage. So, when the signal is applied, only the positive half cycle is amplified at the output.
Circuit Diagram (Class B Power Amplifier)

• The collector current only flows for 180 degrees because the transistor only operates for
one-half of the input cycle, as depicted in the below picture.
• In order to achieve this, the Q point is changed to be a cut-off, or on the X-axis, as
indicated in the picture below. As a result, the transistor remains in the off state in the
absence of an ac input signal.
• (Vcc, 0) are the Q-point’s coordinates.
Graphical Representation (Class B Power Amplifier)

Operation of Class-B Power Amplifier

• The B-E junction of the transistor is only forward-biased during the positive half cycle of
the input. When a sinusoidal input signal is applied to the transistor’s base, base current
to begin flowing.
• Utilizing two transistors to generate the output signal’s full cycle on alternate half cycles
of the input signal, it will remove the distortion. There is only 180° of conductivity for
each transistor. The push-pull class B power amplifier is known as the same.

Class AB Power Amplifier

As the name states, AB amplifiers are a combination of class A and class B amplifier. Class AB
amplifier not only solve the reduced efficiency issue of class A, but also solves crossover
distortion issue that present in class B amplifier.
Circuit Diagram (Class AB Power Amplifier)

To obtain the output signal for an AC input signal that is angled between 180 and 360 degrees.
The Q point is situated just below the midpoint of the load line and slightly above the X-axis.
In contrast to class A and class B operations, the Q point is neither on the X-axis nor in the
middle of the load line. Between the two, it lies. Hence, the operation is known as class AB. The
transistor conducts for more than 180° (class B) but less than 360° (class A), so its power
dissipation is greater in class B operation than in class A operation.
Class C Power Amplifier
When the collector current flows for less than half cycle of the input signal, the power amplifier
is known as class C power amplifier. The efficiency of class C amplifier is high while linearity is
poor. The conduction angle for class C is less than 180o. It is generally around 90o, which means
the transistor remains idle for more than half of the input signal. So, the output current will be
delivered for less time compared to the application of the input signal.

Circuit Diagram (Class C Power Amplifier)

• This design of power has even greater efficiencies than class B amplifiers but sacrifices
the quality of amplification.
 • For this, the operating point is modified to be below the X-axis as shown in figure below.
As a result, the transistor is biased below the cut-off.

Graphical Representation (Class C Power Amplifier)

Operation of Class C Power Amplifier

• The transistor can stay in the active region for less than a half-cycle period because of the
biasing below the cut-off. Thus, the collector current flows for a shorter angle than 180°.
Conduction angle is therefore less than 180 degrees.
• The output signal is severely distorted because of the smaller conduction angle. Contrary
to a class B power amplifier, the % distortion is larger.
 • The efficiency is often greater than 95%.

Comparison between Class A, Class B, Class AB, and

Class C
• The difference between Class A, Class B, Class AB, and Class C Power Amplifier is shown in the
below table

Class Class A Class B Class AB Class C

Operating 3600 (full 1800 (half cycle) More than 180∘180∘ and less Less
Cycle cycle) than 360∘ than180∘
Position of Q At center On x-axis Above X-axis Below X-
point axis
Efficiency 25% or 50% 78.5% 50%-78.5% High 100%
Distortion Absent Present more than Present less than class C Highest
Class A
Figure of merit 2 0.4 0.4-2 <0.25

•
• Fig: Phase difference between Class A, Class B, Class AB and Class C

Comparison between Voltage and Power Amplifiers

Parameter Voltage Amplifier Power Amplifier

Increase voltage of input Increase power of input

Objective
signal signal

Mode of Operation Linear Non-linear

Efficiency High Moderate to low

Parameter Voltage Amplifier Power Amplifier

Distortion Minimal Can have higher distortion

Typical Applications Small-signal amplification High-power applications

Amplification Range Low to moderate High

Advantages and Disadvantages of Power Amplifiers

There are some lists of Advantages and Disadvantages of Power Amplifiers given below:
Advantages of Power Amplifiers
• Signal Amplification: It enhances the strength of an incoming signal making it suitable
for operating the devices like speakers for delivering of high-quality and clean signal.
• Enhancing the audio quality: Power amplifiers help in improving the sound quality of
the system. This is achieved due to the less distortion and high linearity of the system.
For eg. Class A and Class AB Power Amplifier are suitable for improving the sound
quality.
• Efficiency: Power amplifiers reduce the power loss and hence improving the efficiency.
In case of Class B Power Amplifier, there is no power loss under quiescent
circumstances.
• Wide Range of Applications: It finds its use in diverse applications like audio
amplification, RF signal transmission, consumer electronics, telecommunications, and
industrial sectors, etc.
• Customizability: There are various classes of Power Amplifier available. Each classes
has its own specification. This helps the designers to develop the configurations
according to the system need.
Disadvantages of Power Amplifiers
• Heat Generation: Power amplifiers generate the heat while working. Hence, cooling
systems are used for the prevention of overheating. It leads to the increase in the cost of
the device.
• Size and Weight: The high-power application Power amplifiers are large and heavy. So,
it can’t be used in the portable or small sized devices.
 • Non-Linear Distortion: When the transistor change its states from ON to OFF and vice
versa, some distortion signals are generated. This leads to the non-linearity of the
systems. For example in Class B Power Amplifier, crossover distortion is present in the
output waveform. In class C, output waveform is distorted.
• Complex Design: High-power amplifiers often require complex designs and precise
component matching, making them challenging and costly to manufacture.

Applications of Power Amplifiers

• Audio Systems: Driving speakers in home theaters and concert venues.
• Wireless Communications: It helps in transmitting RF signals in cell towers and
satellite communication. Higher power levels made possible because of power amplifiers
increases data transfer rates and usability.
• Radar Systems: In the radar systems it amplifies radar signals for accurate object
detection.
• Industrial: It is used in servo motor and DC motor. Switching type power amplifiers are
used for controlling most of the industrial actuator systems. It is helpful in controlling
motors and actuators in manufacturing processes.
• Medical Equipment: Powering ultrasound and MRI systems.

Conclusion
In this article we have studied about Power Amplifier, classification and different classes. It is
the fundamental electronic tools that enhance the strength of electrical signals. It finds its
application in various fields like audio systems, RF transmitters, and many more is playing a
important role in the technology driven world.
Circuit Diagram (Transformer Coupled Class A Amplifiers)

Due to the transformer primary coil’s extremely low resistance, there is less dc power loss. The
relationship between the primary and secondary values of voltage, current and impedance are
summarized as: