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Circuit Analysis for Multi-Stage Amplifier

This assignment focuses on analyzing a multi-stage amplifier circuit designed for low noise and high gain, specifically as a pre-amplifier. Students are required to identify sub-circuits, create a block diagram, calculate key parameters, explain the circuit's operation at lower voltages, and suggest improvements for noise reduction. The final submission includes a write-up and a SPICE simulation of the circuit, with a deadline of December 31, 2025.

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userstranger4268
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6 views2 pages

Circuit Analysis for Multi-Stage Amplifier

This assignment focuses on analyzing a multi-stage amplifier circuit designed for low noise and high gain, specifically as a pre-amplifier. Students are required to identify sub-circuits, create a block diagram, calculate key parameters, explain the circuit's operation at lower voltages, and suggest improvements for noise reduction. The final submission includes a write-up and a SPICE simulation of the circuit, with a deadline of December 31, 2025.

Uploaded by

userstranger4268
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Assignment 1

Objective
This assignment assesses your circuit recognition and analysis skills. As always, your
answers don’t have to be perfect, but they should be logically sound.

“The steps that you take don't have to be big,


they just have to be in the right direction”

Methodology
You have been given the following circuit,

Out

Fig. 1: Pre-Amp Circuit

The circuit above is a multi-stage amplifier, which takes a few nA of current as input from
the photo-diode, and outputs a voltage signal at the node labelled ‘Out’ (highlighted in
red).
It has an extremely low noise figure and a very high gain. Thus, the circuit is ideally suited
as a pre-amplifier.
The amplifier is designed for optimum operation at a supply voltage (VCC) of +9V.
However, it works down to +6V supply.
You are required to prepare a write-up to:
1. Identify the various sub-circuits/stages, as discussed in the reference texts, and
workshops (yes, we’ve covered all of them!)
2. Draw a block diagram showing each stage and its connection to the next stage. Do
show the feedback network
3. Calculate the three basic parameters – input impedance, output impedance, and
gain – for each of the stages
4. Explain why the circuit works all the way down to +6V. Which stage is responsible
for this?
5. How can one improve the noise figure of this circuit further in terms of devices (for
instance, maybe replace the BJTs)?

Submission
Your submission should be in the form of a folder containing:
1. A write-up (typed or handwritten) answering the aforementioned questions
2. A SPICE simulation of the circuit. LTSpice is preferable, but any SPICE program
will do
a. LTSpice already contains accurate models of all the BJTs
b. Replace the photodiode with a pulse current source, keeping the pulse
duration a few microseconds.
c. Measure the input impedance, output impedance, and gain in your SPICE
simulation

Upload your files to this Google Forms Link on or before 31 Dec 2025 (New Year ⇒ New
Assignment ;))

Hints
1. The photodiode outputs a current signal. This is amplified to a voltage. Thus,
there must be a transimpedance stage somewhere
2. The output has low impedance; thus, it must be buffered
3. There’s a special sub-circuit for (somewhat) wide supply voltage range

Enjoy!

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