Feedback Amplifier

Amplifiers generally work on the principle of increasing the voltage, current and power of an input signal. They are of
various types depending on the demand of the electrical circuit. The two most important considerations are power output
and its efficiency and one of the types of such amplifiers is a feedback amplifier, where a part of its output is sent back to
the input.

We will learn about feedback amplifiers in this article in brief and understand the concept with their different types,
different pros and cons and its wide applications.

Feedback Amplifier
Feedback amplifier is a type of amplifier whose feedback exists between the output and input signal. The concept of
feeding the output signal back to its input circuit is known as feedback and that is why it is known as a feedback
amplifier. It is dependent between the output and input with effective control. Feedback amplifiers are divided into two
types: positive feedback and negative feedback.

The above image represents a block diagram for a feedback amplifier. It consists of two parts: An amplifier and a
feedback circuit. The gain of the amplifier is represented by “A” and is the ratio of the output voltage Vo to the
input voltage Vi and is known as the feedback fraction.
And the voltage feedback is given by,
Vf = βVo from the output of the amplifier.

For negative feedback :

Vi = Vs − Vf = Vs − βVo

For positive feedback :

Vi = Vs + Vf = Vs + βVo

Let’s consider the case of negative feedback,

The output voltage Vo should be equal to Vs−βVo times gain of the amplifier “A”

AVs − AβVo = Vo
AVs = Vo (1+Aβ)
Vo/Vs = A / (1+Aβ)

Where Vs is applied signal voltage. The overall gain with feedback from the amplifier is,
Af = Vo.Vs
Where Vo is the output voltage and Vs is the input signal voltage.
The gain feedback for a positive feedback amplifier,
Af=A1−Aβ………………………………(1)

And for a negative feedback amplifier,

Af=A1+Aβ………………………………(2)

Equations (1) and (2) are the standard equations to calculate the gain feedback of amplifiers depending on their
type.

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Types of Feedback Amplifiers
There are two types of feedback amplifiers namely positive feedback amplifiers and negative feedback amplifiers.

The diagram below illustrates them.

1. Positive Feedback Amplifiers

 In this feedback amplifier, the input voltage or the current is in phase with the input signal.
 Both the input signal and feedback introduce a phase shift of 180° and makes a 360° resultant phase shift to be
in phase with the input signal.
 It increases the gain of the amplifier but also increases distortion and instability.

2. Negative Feedback Amplifier

 In this feedback, the input voltage or current is out of phase with the input signal, opposing it.
 In this type of circuit, a 180° phase shift is introduced, but the resultant phase shift is zero. Hence the feedback
voltage would be 180° out of phase with respect to the input signal.
 It reduces the amplifier’s overall gain but also reduces distortion and overall noise.

Feedback Amplifier Topologies

There are four types of feedback topology

1. Current series feedback amplifier

2. Voltage series feedback amplifier
3. Current shunt feedback amplifier
4. Voltage shunt feedback amplifier

Let’s discuss each of the feedback amplifiers briefly

Current series feedback amplifier

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 In this feedback amplifier, both the input and output impedance are increased.
 The feedback circuit is placed in series with the input and output.
 Here a fraction of the output voltage is applied in series with the input voltage in the feedback circuit.

Voltage series feedback amplifier

 The feedback circuit is connected in shunt with the output in such a way that it decreases the output impedance
and increases the input impedance.
 In this circuit, it is placed in a shunt with the output but in series with respect to the input signal.

Current shunt feedback amplifier

 It increases the output impedance and because of connecting the feedback circuit in parallel with the input, the
input impedance is decreased.
 Here, the feedback circuit is placed in series with the output and in parallel with the input.

Voltage shunt feedback amplifier

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 Here the feedback circuit is placed in a shunt with respect to output and input as well.
 It decreases the input and output impedance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Feedback Amplifier

The followings are the advantages and disadvantages of feedback amplifiers

Advantages

 Improves stability gain of the circuit by negative feedback amplifiers.

 Input resistance can be increased by selective configurations.
 Similarly, output resistance can be decreased.
 Reduces noise and distortion by negative feedback.

Disadvantages

 Increased noise and distortion in positive feedback.

 Can reduce gain.
 Has an increased output gain for current series and current shunt feedback amplifiers.

Application of Feedback Amplifier

 The following are the applications of feedback amplifiers
 They can be used in regulated power supplies.
 They are generally used in amplifiers where large bandwidth is required.
 Generally used in electronic amplifiers.

Concept of Feedback
A feedback amplifier uses feedback from the output of the amplifier back to the input to enhance its performance.
This feedback is achieved through a feedback loop and it can be either positive or negative. Lets discuss each block
of feedback amplifier:

 Signal Source: The signal source is generally a voltage source, represented by the symbol Vs, with source
current Is. The signal source can be connected either in series or in parallel with the resistor in the electronic
circuit.
 Feedback network: It is a linear two port network which contains different components of the electronic
circuit, like resistors, industors, capacitors etc.
 Sampling Network: A sampling network extracts the output signal from a feedback amplifier and “feeds” it
back to the input signal.

Sampling networks are of two types: current sampling network and voltage sampling network.

 Mixer: A mixer mixes the source signal and feedback signal to produce either a positive feedback or a
negative feedback. It is also known as a comparator and can be connected in series or parallel.

Gain Stability Relation

The gain of a feedback amplifier is defined as the ratio of output voltage with respect to the input voltage of a
circuit. The gain stability of a feedback amplifier refers to the ability of the amplifier to maintain a constant gain
irrespective of the changes in the operating conditions. For an ideal system of a feedback amplifier, the gain of an

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amplifier is always infinite. For a smaller input signal, the value of output signal is much higher. Hence a large
value of the gain is not desirable in the required circuit. The system only becomes stable when the value of gain is
much smaller by employing a negative feedback into the loop.

Hence, For a negative feedback amplifier,

The loop gain margin can be mathematically expressed as,

Loop gain margin = 1/Aβ [Where, A = open loop gain of the amplifier and β is the feedback gain factor]

Unity Feedback system

Unity feedback is a type of feedback in a feedback amplifier system, where the output feedback is fed to the input
signal with a gain of 1. Refer to the image above, According to the definition, The gain of feedback = 1, hence,

β =1
For a positive feedback amplifier,

V0.Vs = A / (1+A)
For a negative feedback amplifier,

V0.Vs = A / (1−A)
Negative feedback gain provides a much better value for the unit feedback system.

Summary of Feedback Amplifiers

Summarizing the concept of feedback amplifiers in the following points:

 Voltage series feedback: It is generally used in both inverting and non-inverting amplifier circuits. This type
of feedback is useful to improve the performance of amplifier circuits.

It is a voltage-controlled voltage source type of amplifier (VCVS).

r
The formula for input impedance: i.(1+Aβ)

r
The formula for output impedance: o / (1+Aβ)

Where,

ri & ro are the input and output resistances.

A = open loop gain of the amplifier and β is the feedback gain factor.

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 Current shunt feedback: This increases the output impedance by connecting the feedback circuit in parallel
to the input impedance.

It is a current-controlled current source type of amplifier.

The formula for input impedance: i r /(1+Aβ)

r
The formula for output impedance: o.(1+Aβ)

 Current series feedback: Here, both input and output impedance is increased and is a voltage-controlled
current source type of amplifier.

r
The formula input impedance: i.(1+Aβ)

The formula output impedance: ro.(1+Aβ)

 Voltage shunt feedback: This circuit decreases the input and output impedance and is a current-controlled
voltage source type of amplifier.

The formula input impedance: ri /(1+Aβ)

r
The formula output impedance: o/(1+Aβ)