4.1 Semiconductions - Transistors Characteristics (2) Flashcards
what are the different classes of amplifiers?
A
B
AB
C
what are the efficiency levels of a linear and non-linear amplifier?
linear = low efficiency
non-linear = high efficiency
how are the A - C amplifier classes defined?
by the length of their conduction state over some portion of the output waveform
fully on/off state
what class of amplifiers are the most common due to their simple design?
Class A
why are Class A amps designted “best in class”?
due to their low distortion levels and best sound
where does Class A amps operate?
in the linear portion of the characteristic curve
what is the main disadvantage to a Class A amp? why?
never fully turns off
because it is never driven to its cut off or saturation region due to a current always flowing through when it has no base signal
if the class A amp is constantly in its fully on state, what is happening?
continuous loss of power in the amp causing large amounts of heat and low efficiency as a result
what must be used in a class A amp due to its high idling current?
power supply must be appropriate size and well filtered to avoid hum and noise
what does a class B amp use for each of the wave forms? why?
2 complimentary transistors
so that each transistors amplifies only one half of the waveform.
what is the efficiency of a class B amp?
approx 50%
what is the problem with class B amp?
it can create distortion at the zero crossing point when the waveforms cross over
-0.7 to +0.7v required to turn a transistor to on state
what was the result of a class B to prevent cross distortion?
class AB amps developed
what makes the class AB amp work through the zero-crossing point?
both transistors are allowed to conduct at the same time, eliminating the crossover distortion
how does a Class AB amp prevent crossover distortion?
allowing both transistors to operate for just over a full half wave
what is the efficiency of a class AB amp?
50 to 60%
what is the efficiency of a class C amp? any why is this class no good audio amplifiers?
80%
due to the heavy distortion created
what is the conduction angle of a class C amp?
around 90 degrees
where might class C amps be used?
in high-frequency sine wave oscillators and a certain types of radio frequency amplifiers,
where the output can be converted to complete sine waves of a particular frequency
in a single-stage amplifier, why is a coupling capacitor placed after the supply voltage?
to prevent a shift in the operating point due to the external supply
in a single stage amplifier, why is there a coupling capacitor at the output?
to prevent a change in DC conditions at the transistor as a result of the connected load
in a single stage amp, why is there a resistor and capacitor placed after the transistors emitter terminal?
to help stabilise the temperature of the transistor
how are transistors connected if there are several of them?
connected in cascade
ie. output voltage of the first amp stage is the input to the next amp stage
what types of coupling is there in amplifiers?
AC coupling
DC coupling
what are the ways of accomplishing AC coupling? (2)
transformer coupling
resistance-capacitance coupling (RC coupling)