ABSTRACT

This project report details the design and

construction of a mini audio amplifier. The
primary objective was to create a compact,
efficient, and cost-effective amplifier capable of
enhancing low-power audio signals for driving a
speaker. The project involved selecting
appropriate components, designing the circuit, and
testing the final product. The results demonstrated
successful amplification with minimal distortion,
achieving the project’s goals.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank my instructor, [Instructor
Name], for their guidance and support throughout
this project. I also appreciate the resources
provided by [Institution Name], which were
instrumental in the successful completion of this
project. Special thanks to my classmates and
friends who provided valuable feedback and
assistance during the project.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Objective
3. Literature Review
4. Design and Development
5. Components Used
6. Circuit Diagram
7. Working Principle
8. Testing and Results
9. Conclusion
10. Future Work
11. References
12. Appendix
 INTRODUCTION
Audio amplifiers play a significant role in various
applications, from personal audio devices to public
address systems. An audio amplifier is an
electronic device that increases the amplitude of
low-power audio signals to a level suitable for
driving speakers. This project aims to design and
construct a mini audio amplifier to understand the
principles of audio amplification and gain
practical experience in circuit design and testing.
This report covers the project's objectives, the
literature review, the design and development
process, components used, the circuit diagram,
working principles, testing results, conclusion, and
future work. Additionally, acknowledgments and
references are included to credit the sources and
individuals who contributed to the project.
 OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this project is to design a
cost-effective, efficient, and compact audio
amplifier capable of amplifying low-power audio
signals to drive a speaker with higher volume and
clarity. Specific goals include:

Understanding the principles of audio

amplification.
Selecting appropriate components for the
amplifier.
Designing and constructing the amplifier
circuit.
Testing the amplifier to ensure it meets the
desired specifications.
Documenting the design process and results.
 LITERATURE REVIEW
Audio Amplifiers
Audio amplifiers are essential in numerous
electronic devices, including radios, televisions,
and home audio systems. They can be classified
into different types based on their operation and
efficiency, such as Class A, Class B, Class AB, and
Class D amplifiers. Each type has its advantages
and drawbacks in terms of efficiency, linearity,
and complexity.

LM386 Amplifier IC
The LM386 is a popular low-voltage audio power
amplifier IC. It is widely used in small audio
projects due to its simplicity and effectiveness. The
LM386 operates with a supply voltage range of 4V
to 12V and can deliver a maximum power output
of 1W. It requires minimal external components,
making it ideal for compact designs.
Noise Reduction Techniques
In audio amplification, minimizing noise and
distortion is crucial for maintaining sound quality.
Techniques such as proper grounding, shielding,
and the use of bypass capacitors can help reduce
unwanted noise. Understanding these techniques is
essential for designing high-quality audio
amplifiers.
 DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
Conceptualisation
The first step in the project was to conceptualize
the mini audio amplifier. This involved defining
the requirements and specifications, such as the
desired power output, supply voltage, and
component selection.

Component Selection
After defining the specifications, the next step was
to select suitable components. The LM386 IC was
chosen for its simplicity and effectiveness in low-
power audio applications. Additional components
included resistors, capacitors, a 9V battery, an
audio input jack, and a speaker.

Circuit Design
The circuit design involved creating a schematic
diagram using software tools. The schematic
illustrated the connections between the LM386 IC
and other components. Key design considerations
included the values of resistors and capacitors to
achieve the desired gain and frequency response.
Breadboard Testing
Before creating a printed circuit board (PCB), the
circuit was assembled on a breadboard for initial
testing. This allowed for easy modifications and
troubleshooting. The breadboard setup was used
to verify the functionality of the amplifier and
make necessary adjustments.
PCB Design and Assembly
Once the breadboard testing was successful, a PCB
was designed using PCB design software. The PCB
design ensured a compact and reliable layout.
After designing the PCB, the components were
soldered onto the board, and final assembly was
completed.
 COMPONENTS USED
The primary components used in the project
include:
Amplifier IC: LM386
Resistors: Various values as per design
Capacitors: Various values as per design
Power Supply: 9V battery
Audio Input Jack: 3.5mm stereo jack
Speaker: 8 ohm, 0.5W
PCB: Custom-designed for the amplifier
circuit

LM386 IC
The LM386 is a low-voltage audio power amplifier
designed for battery-powered applications. It
features an adjustable gain of 20 to 200, making it
versatile for different amplification needs.
Resistors and Capacitors
Various resistors and capacitors were used to set
the gain and frequency response of the amplifier.
These components were chosen based on
calculations and recommendations from the
LM386 datasheet.
Power Supply
A 9V battery was used to power the amplifier. The
battery provides a convenient and portable power
source suitable for the low-power requirements of
the LM386 IC.

Audio Input Jack

A 3.5mm stereo jack was used to connect audio
input devices, such as smartphones or MP3
players, to the amplifier. This standard connector
ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio
sources.

Speaker
An 8-ohm, 0.5W speaker was used to output the
amplified audio signal. This speaker is suitable for
the power output capabilities of the LM386 IC.

PCB
A custom-designed PCB was used to ensure a
compact and reliable layout for the amplifier
circuit. The PCB design minimized wiring
complexity and improved the overall durability of
the amplifier.
 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

The circuit diagram is provided in the appendix. It

illustrates the connections and component layout
necessary for the mini audio amplifier.
 CONCLUSION

The mini audio amplifier project was successful,

meeting all the predefined objectives. The final
product is a compact, cost-effective amplifier
capable of driving a small speaker with clear audio
output. This project provided valuable hands-on
experience in circuit design, component selection,
and troubleshooting.

The LM386 IC proved to be an excellent choice

for low-power audio amplification, and the final
amplifier demonstrated good performance in
terms of gain, frequency response, and distortion.
The project also highlighted the importance of
careful component selection and circuit design in
achieving high-quality audio amplification.
 REFERENCES

"Audio Amplifier Basics," Electronics

Tutorials, [URL].
"LM386 Datasheet," Texas Instruments,
[URL].
Horowitz, P., & Hill, W. (2015). The Art of
Electronics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University
Press.
 APPENDICES

BILL OF MATERIALS
Component Quantity Description

LOW VOLTAGE AUDIO POWER

LM386 IC 1
AMPLIFIER

RESISTORS 5 VARIOUS VALUES

CAPACITORS 4 VARIOUS VALUES

9V BATTERY 1 POWER SUPPLY

3.5MM AUDIO JACK 1 AUDIO INPUT INTERFACE

SPEAKER 1 8 OHM, 0.5W

PCB 1 CUSTOM-DESIGNED BOARD

TEST DATA
Component Quantity Description

Input Signal
0.1V 0.1V
Amplitude

OUTPUT SIGNAL
1V 1V
AMPLITUDE

FREQUENCY
20Hz - 20kHz 20HZ - 20KHZ
RESPONSE

TOTAL HARMONIC
<0.5% <0.5%
DISTORTION (THD)

INPUT SIGNAL
0.1V 0.1V
AMPLITUDE

OUTPUT SIGNAL
1V 1V
AMPLITUDE

FREQUENCY
20Hz - 20kHz 20HZ - 20KHZ
RESPONSE