INSTITUTE OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY

ISLAMABAD

Electrical Engineering Department

Electronic Devices Lab
Project Report
“Basic Audio Amplifier”

Submitted To:
Sir Qazi Mushtaq

Batch & Section

EE-19(B)
Group Members
• M. Azeem Amjad (200401046)
• Malaika Khursheed (200401084)
Project Title

“Basic Audio Amplifier”

Abstract
The system basic audio amplifier is implemented to amplify the sound signal
coming from any source using ICs LM358 and LM386 with proper
amplification and then listening this amplified sound on the loudspeaker. We
can use stereo input as well as microphone input for our system. For
microphone, there is also a microphone pre-amplifier circuit to amplify the
small signal coming through microphone and then feeding it to the Audio
amplifier circuit. These circuit modules are an important building blocks of
the communication system. As, the system consists of simple circuitry, cost
effective and portable and can be easily implemented using few components
to achieve desirable results with proper volume control.

Introduction
The basic audio amplifier consists of simple electronic ICs such as LM358,
LM386 and LF3F3, resistors, capacitors and mainly microphone and
loudspeaker. The system can be derived through stereo input as well as
microphone input. Stereo input is directly fed through the AUX cable using
stereo audio jack while microphone input is fed through the electret
microphone after passing it through the stage of microphone pre-amplifier for
the amplification of small signal coming through mic.
Circuit Diagram

Basic Audio Amplifier

Microphone Pre-amplifier
Working
The steps for working of circuit are defined below,
➢ The unity gain summing network at audio amplifier input stage is to add
the left and right stereo channels together to amplify both channels together
simultaneously and deliver them to the speaker.
➢ The input coupling capacitors blocks the incoming low frequencies, giving
summing network a high pass response.
➢ The voltage at non-inverting terminal is producing the desired average or
DC output level in the audio system. This voltage is set for maximizing the
AC voltage swing. Due to single supply mode, maximum Possible swing
can be achieved by making the supply voltages half. This is accomplished
by setting a voltage divider at this terminal.
➢ Then the output from first stage is fed to the second stage using IC LM386,
which is a low voltage audio power amplifier.
➢ The capacitor C5 at the output of LM358 IC is used to couple the AC signal
and blocks DC.
➢ The potentiometer can be adjusted to control the volume.
➢ The capacitor C6 is used for the purpose of internal AC bypass.
➢ The capacitor C10 helps in removing noise from the signal.
➢ Capacitor C7 and resistor R9 between pin 1 and 5 acts as bass boost
circuitry, helps compensate for the poor low frequency response for the
speaker.
➢ Then output is fed to the loudspeaker through 470uF capacitor C9.
➢ In microphone pre-amplifier stage, the first stage is microphone gain stage.
➢ The voltage divider at input is used to bias the microphone.
➢ The capacitor C4 and C5 are bias decoupling capacitor.
➢ The next stage is simple inverting amplifier that helps to signal the
microphone signal level for a desired amplitude.
➢ The output from microphone pre-amplifier stage is fed to the audio
amplifier input.
Critical Points
➢ Point A

The point is taken at the input terminal of first stage of audio amplifier while
feeding input through stereo jack at pin 2 of LM358 IC. The signal is random
audio signal.
➢ Point B

The point is taken at pin3 of LM358 IC. Here the potential divider is setting
reference voltages as half of the supply voltages (4.68 Volts).
➢ Point C

The point is taken at diodes D1 and D2 connected at the pin3 of LM386N.

These diodes clamp the input voltage on pin 3 at +/- 0.7 V.
➢ Point D

The point is taken across capacitor C10 connected to the pin 6 of LM386 IC. It
can be observed that the capacitor is fully charged to supply voltages.
➢ Point E

The point is taken across capacitor C6 connected to the pin 7 (bypass) of LM386
IC. It can be observed that the capacitor is charged to the half of the supply
voltages. This is because, internally, there is a voltage divider at bypass pin of
LM386.
➢ Point F

The waveform is taken at the final

output of the audio amplifier across
the capacitor C9. The waveform is
showing charging and discharging of
capacitor.
➢ Point G

The point is taken at output of audio amplifier to measure the current flowing
through the loudspeaker.
Components used
➢ LM358
LM358 consists of two independents compensated operational amplifier in a
single package with high gain frequency. Both the internal operational
amplifiers can be operated from a single supply.
➢ LM386N

The IC LM386 is a low-power audio amplifier, and it utilizes low power supply.
The voltage gain of this amplifier can be adjusted to 20, and the voltage gain
will be enhanced to 200 by employing external components like resistors as
well as capacitors among the pins 1 & 8 which are the gain control pins and this
IC is most widely used that allows a customer to increase volume.

➢ LF353

This LF353 device is a low-cost, high-speed, JFET input operational amplifier

with very low input offset voltage. It requires low supply current yet maintains
a large gain-bandwidth product and a fast slew rate. In addition, the matched
high-voltage JFET input provides very low input bias and offset currents.
➢ Electret Microphone
An electret microphone is a variation of the condenser microphone which uses
a permanently charged plastic element (electret) placed in parallel with a
conductive metal backplate.

Even though electret microphones come precharged and do not need voltage to
charge them up, they do still require voltage to operate. The voltage doesn't
charge the diaphragm like condenser microphones, but voltage is needed to
power the amplifier, which most electret microphones come built with. Most
electret microphones have a small FET amplifier built into their cases. This
amplifier requires power to operate- typically a voltage between +4 and +10 V
is needed. This voltage is fed into the microphone through resistors.

➢ Loudspeaker
The loudspeaker we used in our project is dynamic loudspeaker.
The common type of loudspeaker that uses a magnetic field to move a cone-
shaped diaphragm. When alternating current (the audio signal) is applied to
the coil, the diaphragm vibrates and causes air to move, thus creating sound.
Limitations
We can use this circuit only for low power audio applications. For driving high
power loudspeakers, we need to modify the circuit for high gain as well as high
power.

Future Modifications
➢ The circuit can be modified for high power audio amplifier.
➢ Volume control circuitry can be improved.
➢ Tone control circuitry can be added in the system.
➢ Bass of the system can also be improved using proper designed circuitry.

Applications
➢ Audio amplifiers are the main block of communication system.
➢ They can also be used in public address system.
➢ We can also use this system as intercom.
➢ They are also used in domestic systems such as stereo and home-theatre
system.
➢ They are also used in talking toys.

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