Chapter 2 POWER AMPLIFIER

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS
INTRODUCTION
SEE 3263: ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
Chapter 2:
Power Amplifiers
Amplifiers main characteristics:

Linearity
Efficiency
Output Power
Signal Gain
Generally there are relationship between these

characteristics. Increase the linearity will reduce the
efficiency.
Must plan well before designing an amplifier.
For example, amplifier with higher output power must

be used in transmitter while amplifier with higher
linearity must be used in receiver.
AMPLIFIER SYSTEM
APPLICATION
POWER AMPLIFIER
Large signal amplifier.
To deliver large power to the load.
Final stage of an amplifier system.
Able to dissipates large power.
Widely used as audio components in radio, TV
receivers, CD/DVD players, PA System etc. The
load in these applications is most often a
loudspeaker which requires considerable power
to convert electrical signals to sound waves.
Sometime used to drive a motor in control
systems.
Used power transistor as the main device.
AMPLIFIER
CLASSIFICATION
Categorize according to the percentage

input cycle when amplifier operate in
linear region:
Class A
Class B
Class AB
Class C
Class D
Collector current waveform of a transistor when amplifier

operating as (a) class A, (b) class B, (c) class AB, and
(d) class C.
SMALL-SIGNAL CLASS A
SMALLAMPLIFIER
CLASS A POWER AMPLIFIERS

Class A amplifiers are biased so that the

entire input waveform is amplified without
clipping.
In other words, the DC bias and level of
input signal are set so the output signal is
unclipped and undistorted.
Can be divided into two configurations i.e
RC-coupled and transformercoupled.

Is the first stage of

the amplifier system.
Should be biased this
way because the
signal voltage swings
are not great until
later stages.
Biasing in this way reduces the DC supply
current and increases the efficiency of the
entire system.
LARGE-SIGNAL CLASS A
LARGEAMPLIFIER

Shows how the later stages of an amplifier

system should be biased.
The midpoint bias is used to allow maximum
signal swing.
The DC current requirement is higher because
of the higher ICQ and a higher bias current.
Small-signal and large-signal class A

amplifiers operate at 100% duty
cycle.
This means the transistor is ON all

the time and is dissipating power in
the form of heat.
For this reason, the class A amplifier

is the least efficient of all classes of
amplifiers.
10
COLLECTOR CURRENT
COMPONENTS
OUTPUT SIGNAL SWING OF

CLASS A AMPLIFIER
Comprises of AC and
DC components
11
12
THE CLASS A QQ-POINT

The Q-point should be in the middle of

the AC load line.
For the DC load line, that is no problem
because it is easily to design the class A
amplifier to have a Q-point in the center
of the DC load line.
Adding a load will creates the AC load
line superimposed over the DC Q-point.
This will limits the amount of undistorted
output voltage swing.
Class A Power Amplifiers

A class A power amplifier is a large signal amplifier that
operates in the linear region. Ideally, a class A amplifier is
designed to operate in
I
the center of the ac
I
load line.
C
c(sat)
AC load line
Notice that a class A

amplifier dissipates dc
power even with no
signal. The dc power
dissipated is the product
of ICQ and VCEQ.
ICQ
Q
DC load line
VCEQ
Vce(cutoff)
13
VCE
14
Q-POINT AT THE MIDDLE

OF THE AC LOAD LINE
LOAD LINES OF THE CLASS A

AMPLIFIER
15
16
Q-POINT NEAR CUTOFF
Q-POINT NEAR SATURATION
17
18
CLASS A POWER CONSIDERATIONS

For this amplifier, the Q-point is not in the center of

the AC load line.
This will limits the output maximum swing without

distortion.
PDQ = class A transistor power dissipates in the form

of heat
= VCEQ x ICQ

19
This is the amount of power the class A

biased transistor dissipates whether or not an
AC input signal is present.
This means that the transistor will not
dissipate any more power when the input
signal is present and amplification is taking
place. Why?
Because vce and ic increase and decrease by
equal amounts with each alternation of the
output signal.
The average AC current is equal to ICQ and the
average AC collector-emitter voltage is equal to
VCEQ.
From the circuit, PDQ(max) = 6V x 60mA = 360mW.
The actual rating of the transistor should be at
least twice this value. A 1W transistor is best.
20
CLASS A OUTPUT POWER

(POUT = PL)

PL power that is delivered to the load device

(resistance) in rms.
vO( p )
The maximum rms load voltage is 0.707 or
2
vO(p)
(vO( p) )2
2
PL =
=
RL
2R L
PL max =
(3)2
2(100)
= 45mW
Notice that the AC load line limits the maximum

output voltage swing to 3V.
For any class A amplifier, the maximum

AC output voltage is either:vo(pp) = 2 (vce(cutoff) VCEQ)
where VCEQ VCC/2
vo(pp) = 2 (VCEQ VCE(SAT))
where VCEQ VCE(SAT) < vce(cutoff) VCEQ
21
22
CLASS A POWER
EFFICIENCY (
( eta)
CLASS A DC POWER (PDC)

Is the amount of power delivered to the

power amplifier from the DC supply
(voltage-divider power excluded). Thus
the DC power is:
PDC = VCC x ICQ

= 12V x 60mA
= 720mW
This is also the maximum power that is
ever delivered to the amplifier, because
when AC is applied, the average collector
current is equal to ICQ.
Maximum efficiency occurs when the

output voltage swing is maximum,
which makes the load power
maximum.
=
23
PL
P
or % = L 100%
PDC
PDC
45mW
= 0.063 or 6.3% ( very low )
720mW
24
Class A power amplifiers are not particularly

efficient, so they are restricted to low power
applications.
The maximum theoretical efficiency for a class A
amplifier is 0.25 (or 25%) and usually they are
considerably less.
If Q-point is at the middle of the AC load line,
the maximum output voltage swing will be 6V.
Therefore:
2
( 6)
= 0.18W
2(100)
PL (max)
0.18W
=
=
= 0.25 or 25%
PDC
720mW
PL (max) =
(max)
25
What is the efficiency of an amplifier that delivers 200 mW

to a load if the power supply is 12 V at 400 mA? 6.7%
(a) If a 3 Vpp signal is applied to the input, what
voltage do you expect to see at the speaker?
(b) What power is delivered?
VCC
+12 V
(a) The CC amplifier has a

gain of nearly 1. The output
voltage is nearly equal to
the input = 3 Vpp.
(b) The power delivered to
the speaker is:
2
V 2 (1.06 Vrms )
P=
=
R
8
= 140 mW
Vin
C1
R1
10 k
Q1
0.22 F
Q2
C2
R2
22 k
RE
100 F
22
2W
Vou t
Speaker
8
26
For the 3 Vpp input, what is the input power and

what is the power gain? Assume the Darlington
= 10,000.
Rin(tot) = R1 R2 (RE RL )
VCC
+12 V
= 6.15 k
Pin =
(1.06 Vrms )
V2
=
Rin (tot )
6.15 k
Vin
C1
R1
10 k
Q1
0.22 F
Q2
= 0.183 mW
C2
The power gain is:

2
v
Ap = A
Rin (tot )
= 769
RL
6.15 k
=1
8
R2
22 k
RE
100 F
22
2W
Vou t
Speaker
8
27
Determine the power efficiency for the class A

amplifier of figure shown above. Assume
VCE(SAT) = 0.2 V. {3.2%}
28
MATCHING THE LOAD FOR

MAXIMUM POWER TRANSFER
TRANSFORMER-COUPLED
TRANSFORMERCLASS A POWER AMPLIFIER
The maximum power transfer states that:

Maximum power is delivered to a load
only when the load impedance (resistance)
is equal to the output impedance of the
amplifier.
Lets recalculate the power efficiency of
the previous example if the load 600
is
replace with a 100
resistance.

The advantages of transformercoupled over RC-coupled are:

transformer able to achieve
impedance matching for maximum
power transfer to the load.
blocks DC voltage/current from
getting to the load resistor.
{9%}
29
30

ic(sat)
R1
RS
C1
RL
rL
+
VO
-
DC load line
Question :
Q
ICQ
R2
1
(slope = )
rL
N
rL = P R L
NS
Answer
Since VCC = I CQ X L + VCEQ
VCE
VCEQ = VCC because X L = 0

0
VCC
(VCEQ)
2VCC
(vce(cut-off)
(
off))
When the Q-point is at the middle of the AC

load line,
i c (sat )
From the diagram, VCEQ = VCC and I CQ = 2

Question : Why DC load line vertical?
Answer
Why VCEQ = VCC?
AC load line
NP : NS
2
VS
IC
+VCC
v ce ( cut off ) = 2VCEQ = 2VCC
: At DC, frequency, f = 0 Hz.

Inductive reactance, X L = 2fL = 2(0)L = 0
Therefore the DC load line is vertical
with slope = 1 =
RDC
i c ( sat ) = 2I CQ
31
32
TRANSFORMER-COUPLED MAXIMUM
TRANSFORMERPOWER EFFICIENCY, MAX
PDC = VCC ICC = VCC ICQ
(v )
PL =
o( p )
but ICQ =
2RL
N
but v O(p ) = S VCC
NP
2
NS
(VCC )2
N
PL = P
2RL
Given: VCC = 12 V, ICQ = 1 A, hFE = DC = 100,

VCE(SAT) = 2 V, VE = 0.1 VCC
Design an amplifier with ic and vce output
swing symmetry at Q-point. Assume DC
current in R2 is 10 IBQ. Determine:
VE
35
NS
(VCC )2
N
P
= L = P
PDC 2R VCC
L
2
NP
RL
NS
= 0.5 or 50%
33
(a) RE, R2 and R1.

(b) power dissipation in RE, R2, R1
and Q1 when vi = 0.
(c) power dissipation in RLand Q1
when the amplitude of vi is
maximum.
(d) RL if the turn ratio of the
transformer is N1 = 2
N2
VCEQ
VCC
=
2
rL
NP
RL
NS
34
CLASS B OPERATION
A class B circuit provides an output signal varying

over one-half of the input cycle.
36
COMMON-COLLECTOR
CLASS B AMPLIFIER
CLASS B OPERATION
This amplifier is biased at the cutoff point

makes the transistor operates in its linear
region for 180o of input signal or at 50%
duty cycle.
For some input power, the class B
amplifier is able to provide very large
power to the load.
Therefore, class B power efficiency is very
much better than the class A amplifier.
37
CLASS B OPERATION
38
CLASS B OPERATION
39
40
To produce the entire waveform, use two

complementary symmetry transistors. Also
known as push-pull class B amplifiers. These are a
matching pair of npn/pnp BJTs using two
emitter-followers and both positive and negative
power supplies.
When transistor is OFF
I CQ = 0,
VCEQ = VCE ( OFF) = VCC
I C (SAT ) =
VCC VCC
=
=
R DC
0
i c ( sat ) = I CQ +
VCEQ
R AC
= 0+
VCC
RL
v ce ( off ) = VCEQ + I CQ R AC = VCEQ + 0 = VCC
41
42
AC AND DC LOAD LINES OF CLASS B

PUSHPUSH
-PULL AMPLIFIER
CLASS B PUSH AMPLIFIER

POWER EFFICIENCY
(V )
VCC
RL
O( p)
PAC = PL =
DC input power
PDC = 2VCC I CC (because of two VCC)
But
ICC = ICQ + IP sin wt =
Therefore
PDC =
Efficiency
VCC
PL
2R L
=
=
= = 0.785 = 78.5%
PDC 2VCC 2 4
R L
2VCC
R L
2R L
VCC
2R L
AC load power
Ip VCC
=
R L
43
44
(v )
Determine the power efficiency and the

power dissipation in each transistor when
the peak output voltage, Vo(p) = 2 V.
o(p)
Load power, PL =
2R L
+12 V
Average current, I C ( avg ) =

Thus, PDC =
vo(p)
Vi
80
Q2
2VCC v o ( p )
R L
Power efficiency, =
Power dissipation
in each transistor,
-12 V
2(80)
= 25mW
PDC = 2VCC I C ( avg )
Input power
Q1
(2)2 V
I C( p )
v o(p)
R L
2(12V)(2V)
= 191mW
(80)
PL
25mW
100% =
100% = 13.1%
PDC
191mW
PDQ =
PDC PL 191mA 25mA

=
= 83mW
2
2
45
46
AVERAGE POWER DISSIPATION IN

EACH TRANSISTOR vs PEAK OUTPUT
VOLTAGE OF CLASS B AMPLIFIER
PDQ(maX) achieved when
PDQ =
=
PDQ
VO ( p )
PDQ
VO ( p )
PDC PL
2
VCC VO ( p )
R L
47
VO ( p )
4R L
VCC VO ( p )
=0
R L 2R L
VO ( p ) =
2VCC
=0
2VCC
48
PDQ (max)
2V
VCC CC

=
R L
2VCC

4R L
If the output voltage of the circuit shown

below is vo = 8 sin t V, determine the
maximum power dissipation in each
transistor.
(V )
2(V ) (V )
= 2 CC 2CC = 2CC
RL
RL
RL
2
PL
100%
PDC
(VCC )2
=
1
2 R L
100% = 100% = 50%
2
2
2(VCC )
2
RL
PDQ(max) =
49
VCC v O ( p )
R L
vO( p)
4R L
2
(
12V )(8V ) (8V )
=
= 182mW
(80 )
4(80 )
50
PROBLEMS IN CLASS B
AMPLIFIER
(a) Crossover Distortion
When VB = 0 V, both Q1 and Q2 is not

conducting. The input signal must equal VBE
for Q1 or Q2 to conduct.
There is a time lap between positive and

negative alternation of input signal when Q1
or Q2 conducting.
This time lap will cause a distortion at the

output (crossover distortion).
51
52
VOLTAGE-DIVIDER BIAS CLASS

VOLTAGEAB WITH TWO SUPPLIES
CLASS AB AMPLIFIER
To reduce or eliminate crossover

distortion, both transistors should be
biased slightly into conduction at VBE
(0.7V).
+VCC
R1
Q1
The amplifier now is no longer operate

as pure class B but instead operating as
class AB.
R2
RL
Vi
Class AB push-pull amplifier with

voltage- divider bias configuration is
shown in the next slide.
Q2
R1
-VCC
53

+
VO
-
Although class AB operation reduces crossover

distortion in a push-pull amplifier, it has the
disadvantage of reducing amplifier efficiency.
The fact that bias current is always present
means that there is continuous power
dissipation in both transistors.
55
54
(b) Thermal Runaway

It is hard to maintain Q-point stable

for class AB push-pull amplifier with
voltage-divider bias because VBE
changes when temperature changes.
When temperature increases, VBE

decreases, will increase thus causing
an increase in IC.
56

The increase in IC then

causes further increases
in temperature; VBE will
further decreases and
the transistor will finally
burnt.
In other words, the class
AB amplifier with
voltage-divider bias will
create thermal runaway
which can destroy the
transistor.
To overcome this, use
class AB amplifier with
diode biasing.

IC
T3
T2
T1
VBE
0.7 V
VBE of diodes and

transistors will decrease
by 2.5 mV/oC when
temperature increases.
Thermal runaway is
eliminated because the
increase in temperature
will not make IC to
increase.
The chosen diodes must
match the characteristic
values of VBE for the two
transistors.
In a discrete circuit, the
diodes and the
transistors are installed
on the same heat sink.
57
58

If both transistors has VCE(SAT) = 2 V, determine:
(i) Maximum peak output voltage, VO(p).
(ii) Maximum output power, PL(max).
(iii) Maximum power dissipation, PDQ(max) in both
transistors.
(iv) Power efficiency, when PDQ = PDQ(max).
VCC=+12V
R1
390
Q1
D1
VO
Vi
RL
10
D2
Q2
R2
390
59
VCC=-12V
60
REDUCING THE CROSSOVER

DISTORTION WITH NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK
REDUCING THE CROSSOVER

DISTORTION WITH NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK
R
v o = 1 + F v i
R
vo = vi
The diagram shows the buffered class B pushpull amplifier with negative feedback resulting
in reduced crossover distortion.
The diagram shows the buffered class B pushpull amplifier with gain.
61
62
Design a class B push-pull power amplifier

with an output power of 5W and an output
signal swing of 20V(p-p), given that the
input signal swing is 4V(p-p).
PL = 5W, Vo(p) = 10V, Vi(p) = 2V
vo(p)
R
10V
= 5 = 1+ F
R
vi ( p)
2V
Pick RF = 12k
R
F = 5 1 = 4
and R = 3k.
R
AV =
But VCC = (Vi(p) + 2V) and Vi(p) = (Vo(p) + VBE)

Therefore VCC = Vo(p) + VBE + 2V = 10 + 0.7 + 2 = 12.7V
Pick VCC = 13V.
Vo ( p ) I o ( p )
The output power is PL =
2
Io(p) =
63
2PL 2 5W
=
= 1A
Vo ( p )
10V
R L (min) =
VO ( p )
IO(p)
10V
= 10
1A
64
The average DC current

drawn from the power
supply is:
I DC
DARLINGTON CLASS AB
AMPLIFIER
Io( p)
1A
=
=
= 0.318A
The DC supply input

power is given by:
PDC = 2VCC I DC
The efficiency is:
= 2 13V 0.318A
= 8.268W
PL
100%
PDC
5W
100%
8.268W
= 60.47%
65
66
CLASS AB PUSHPUSH-PULL
COMPLIMENTARY--SYMMETRY
COMPLIMENTARY
WITH TWO SUPPLIES
Referring to figure above, if VBE = VD = 0.7 V, R1 = R2 = 1 k, VCC=12V

and RL = 8,
(a) Name the function of the diodes D1 , D2 , D3 and D4
(b) Sketch and label the DC and AC load lines.
(c) Calculate the maximum load power.
(d) Determine the DC input power, PDC, output power, PL and power
efficiency, if the input signal is vi = 4 sin t V.
67
68
CLASS AB PUSHPUSH-PULL
MOSFET WITH TWO SUPPLIES
Troubleshooting
+15 V
Assume a newly constructed

push-pull amplifier shows only
the lower part of the ac signal at
the output. How should you find
the problem?
VCC
+15 V
R1
510
Let start with dc measurements.

Q1
0.0 V
3.0 V
Checking the dc voltages:
D1
This is not the expected reading!
D2
VS
Q2
R2
510
15 V
RL
30
Can you figure out a likely problem?

Diode D2 is likely to be open.
Remove it an test it.
VCC
15 V
69
70
ADVANTAGES OF A CLASS C
POWER AMPLIFIER
CLASS C POWER AMPLIFIER

Class C amplifiers are biased into conduction

much less than 180o.
Never use in any application that need higher
linearity like in audio amplifier because of bad
distortion in the output waveform.
Gives higher efficiency than class A, class B
and class AB because less power dissipated by
the transistor.
They are usually used in RF applications, such
as RF oscillators and modulators or tuned
amplifier at the transmitter.
71
High power efficiency ranging from

about 80% to nearly 100%.
Circuit simplicity. Not requiring a

specified bias circuit.
Excellent temperature stability.
No danger of thermal runaway.

72
OUTPUT CURRENT IN
CLASS C AMPLIFIER
BASIC CLASS C AMPLIFIER

(NON INVERTING)
73
CLASS C AMPLIFIER BASIC

OPERATION
74
CLASS C WAVEFORM
The transistor is on when

the input signal exceeds
|VBB| + VBE. Because class
C amplifiers are biased on
for a small percentage of
time, they can be very
efficient.
75
76
CLASS C POWER
DISSIPATION
The power dissipation of the transistor in a class

C amplifier is low because it is on for only a small
percentage of the input cycles.
A class C amplifier is driven by a 200kHz

signal. The transistor is on for 1 s and the
amplifier is operating over 100% of its load
line. If IC(SAT) = 100mA and VCE(SAT) = 0.2V,
what is the average power dissipation of the
transistor?
The period is, T =

= 5s
200kHz
t
Therefore PD(avg) = on I C (SAT ) VCE (SAT )
T
PD ( on ) = I C (SAT ) VCE (SAT )
t
PD ( avg ) = on PD ( on )
T
1s
(100mA)(0.2V)
=
5s
= 4mW
77
78
CLASS C MAXIMUM OUTPUT

POWER
PL =
VO ( p )
Suppose the class C amplifier has a VCC

equal to 24V, RL is 100 and PD(avg) = 4mW.
Determine the efficiency.
Load power, PL =
2R L
PDC = PL + PD ( avg)
=
Therefore,
PL
100%
PL + PD ( avg )
VO ( P )
2R L
(24) 2
= 2.88W
2(100)
PL
100%
PL + PD(avg)
2.88W
100%
2.88W + 4mW
= 99.86%
=
79
80
RESONANCE CIRCUIT
OPERATION
TUNED CLASS C AMPLIFIER
Class C operation is useful in oscillators. The

collector circuit has a parallel resonant circuit
(tank) and oscillations are sustained by the short
pulse of collector current on each cycle.
81
82
CLASS C AMPLIFIER WITH

RESISTIVE LOAD
TANK CIRCUIT OSCILLATION
83
84
A CLASS C AMPLITUDE
MODULATOR
CLASS C AMPLIFIER WITH LC

LOAD
85
86
CLASS D POWER AMPLIFIER


Class D is designed to operate with pulse or

digital signals.
Because of its higher efficiency, class D is suitable
to be used as a power amplifier.
Similar to class C amplifier, this higher efficiency
is achieved because the transistor only in
conduction for a short period of time thus
dissipates minimum power.
For class D amplifiers, the input signal, vi is
converted into square pulses, then filtered to
obtain the output signal, vo that is identical to
the shape of the input waveform.
87
This output signal, vo is then used to

drive the load at high power.
Below is the block diagram of the class
D power amplifier.
88
The low pass filter is use to change

the amplified pulse signal, vc to
sinusoidal output signal, vo.
The basic component of the class D
amplifier is the Pulse-Width
Modulator(PWM) that produced the
square pulse trains, vc proportional
to vi.
vmg
vi
vc
89

90
POWER AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT BOARD

AND TRANSISTOR PIN CONFIGURATION
The diagram shows how PWM produce

the pulse trains, vc from sawtooth
generator and voltage comparator.
Note that the peak to peak voltage, vmg
must be higher than the peak to peak
voltage of vi.
Also the frequency for vmg must be at
least 10 times the input frequency vi.
Because almost all power is transferred
to the load, class D amplifier is said to
have the highest power efficiency of all
classes.
91
92
POWER DERATING FOR

2N3055 (NPN), MJ2955 (PNP)
POWER RATING AND DERATING

Power transistors are rated to handle

(dissipate) a specified amount of power
with a case temperature, TC of 25oC.
If the case temperature increases during
operation, which of course it will,
transistor must be derated.
The transistor can be derated according to
the derating factor specified by the
manufacturer.
Derating factor is specified as watts per
degree centigrade (above 25oC).
PD(max at operating temp) = PD(max at 25C)-[(TC25oC).D]
DERATING FACTOR
0.657W/oC
93
The 2N3055 is a very popular high-power

NPN transistor. It is rated for a maximum
power dissipation of 115W at a case
temperature of 25oC. The specified derating
factor is 0.657W/oC. If the transistors case
temperature reaches 65oC during operation,
what is the transistor power rating?
94
HEAT SINK
PD(max at operating temp) = PD(max at 25C)-[(TC- 25oC).D]

= 115W [(65oC-25oC)x0.657W/oC]
= 115W 26.3W
= 88.7W
95
96
HEAT SINK
To remove dissipated power in the form of heat

from the transistor case quickly as possible.
When power dissipated by the transistor, the heat
produced at the collector-base junction must be
quickly removed into the air.
For small signal amplifier, the surface area of the
transistor is large enough to dissipate the heat
but not for the large signal amplifier.
97
Large power dissipation in the transistor

will increase the collector junction
temperature, TJ and if greater than
TJ(max), the transistor will damage.
TJ(max)
for silicon
150oC -
TJ(max)
for germanium
100oC -
200oC
110oC

Generally, the power transistor is cooled

by three mechanism of heat transfer.
First the heat is transferred to the
collector junction through the
semiconductor material, then through the
transistor case and finally into the air.
To increase the flow of heat transfer

quickly from the transistor case to air, add
a heat sink (to increase the surface area).
Average power dissipated by the

transistor is given by:
TJ - TA = JAPD
98
OHMS LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

FOR POWER TRANSISTORS
PD =
99
TJ TA
JA
I=
V1 V2
R
100
A transistor can dissipate power of 2W at its

base-collector junction. Junction to case
thermal resistance is 8oC/W and case to
ambient thermal resistance is 20oC/W.
Ambient temperature is 25oC. Determine (a)
junction temperature (b) case temperature.
Transistors thermal resistance,
JC =
TJ + TC
PD
Case temperature,
Junction to ambient thermal resistance,
TC = TJ PD JC
JA = JC + CA
= 8 o C / W + 20 o C / W = 28 o C / W
= 81o C (2 W )(8 o C / W ) = 65 o C
TJ = PD JA + TA
Junction
temperature,
= (2 W )(28 o C / W ) + 25 o C = 81o C
101

A 2N3055 power transistor dissipates 20W during
operation. The amplifier circuit is designed to operate over
an ambient temperature range of 0oC to 80oC. The worst
case condition exists when the ambient temperature is
80oC. The temperature case to heat sink thermal
resistance is 0.5oC/W and the heat sink is rated for a
thermal resistance of 3oC/W. Calculate the case
temperature of the transistor for worst case operating
conditions.
TC = (PD.
CA) + TA
= (20W x 3.5oC/W) + 80oC

= 70oC + 80oC
= 150oC
PD(max at operating temp) = PD(max at 25C)-[(TC - 25oC).D]

PD(max at 80C)
= 115W [(150oC-25oC)x0.657W/oC]
= 115W 82W
= 33W
The transistor is actually dissipating 20W, so the maximum of 33W is a safe
margin.
103
102

Selected Key Terms
Class A A type of amplifier that operates entirely in its

linear (active) region.
Power gain The ratio of output power to the input power
of an amplifier.
Efficiency The ratio of the signal power delivered to a
load to the power from the power supply of
an amplifier.
Class B A type of amplifier that operates in the linear
region for 180o of the input cycle because it is
biased at cutoff.

Chapter 2 POWER AMPLIFIER

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Chapter 2 POWER AMPLIFIER

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SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

Amplifiers main characteristics:

Generally there are relationship between these

For example, amplifier with higher output power must

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

Categorize according to the percentage

Collector current waveform of a transistor when amplifier

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

CLASS A POWER AMPLIFIERS

Class A amplifiers are biased so that the

Is the first stage of

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

Shows how the later stages of an amplifier

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

Small-signal and large-signal class A

This means the transistor is ON all

For this reason, the class A amplifier

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

OUTPUT SIGNAL SWING OF

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

THE CLASS A QQ-POINT

The Q-point should be in the middle of

Class A Power Amplifiers

Notice that a class A

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

Q-POINT AT THE MIDDLE

LOAD LINES OF THE CLASS A

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

Q-POINT NEAR CUTOFF

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

Q-POINT NEAR SATURATION

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

CLASS A POWER CONSIDERATIONS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

For this amplifier, the Q-point is not in the center of

This will limits the output maximum swing without

PDQ = class A transistor power dissipates in the form

This is the amount of power the class A

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

CLASS A OUTPUT POWER

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

PL power that is delivered to the load device

Notice that the AC load line limits the maximum

For any class A amplifier, the maximum

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

CLASS A DC POWER (PDC)

Is the amount of power delivered to the

PDC = VCC x ICQ

Maximum efficiency occurs when the

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

Class A power amplifiers are not particularly

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS

What is the efficiency of an amplifier that delivers 200 mW

(a) The CC amplifier has a

SEE 3263 POWER AMPLIFIERS