BJT Amplifiers

Introduction
Transistor can be used as an amplifier. Power amplifiers play a huge role in electronics since
they are useful in driving loads with small impedance. These power amplifiers are more
commonly classified by considering the current flow in the transistors for each phase of the input
signal. The performance of three types BJT based power amplifiers (class A, B, and AB) is to
be evaluated in the laboratory.

The efficiency of a power amplifier is defined as follows,

𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑃 𝑖𝑛
× 100

𝑃𝑖𝑛 = 𝑉𝐷𝐶 × 𝐼𝐶
(𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡)
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑝𝑝
× 𝐼𝐶
2

Where 𝑃𝑖𝑛 is the DC power taken from the supply and 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 is the output power of the
amplifier.

ILO
Upon successful completion of this exercise you will be able to
● survey the capabilities and limitations of class A, B and AB amplifiers constructing the
circuits
● comment on the efficiency of easy amplifier class

Keywords: BJT amplifiers, amplifier classes, amplifier classes, crossover distortion, efficiency,
phase shift, bode plot

List of references:
● Sedra, A., Smith, K., Chan Carusone, T. and Gaudet, V., 2021. Microelectronic circuits. 7th
ed. New York: Oxford University Press
○ Class A output stage. (pp.924-928)
 ○ Class B output stage. ( pp.929-933)
○ Class AB output stage. (pp.935-937)
○ Biasing class AB amplifier using diodes. (pp.940-941)

Preparatory Questions
1. Explain how class A, B and AB amplifiers’ output transistors are conducted according to
the input waveform
2. What is meant by crossover distortion of a power amplifier?
3. Comment on the crossover distortion of three amplifier classes
4. Comment on the efficiency of the three amplifier classes
5. Simulate the three circuits in Activity 01, 02 and 03 and include the simulated results as
answers. (Input and output waveforms)

Activity 1: Class A amplifier

1. Construct the following circuit

2. Give 20 𝑚𝑉𝑝𝑝 sinusoidal input with 1 kHz frequency using a signal generator and
observe the output. Record peak to peak voltage of the output
3. Record peak to peak voltage of the output waveform for the 20 𝑚𝑉𝑝𝑝 sinusoidal
input with 1 kHz frequency
4. Measure the current through 4.7 kΩ and record the value
5. Calculate the efficiency using the provided formula in the introduction section.
6. Change the frequency of the input signal starting from 100 Hz to 10 MHz in log
scale while measuring input and output peak to peak voltages
7. Calculate gain as a voltage ratio and in Decibels
8. Plot the frequency response curve (bode plot)
Activity 2: Class B amplifier

1. Construct the following circuit

2. Give a 3 𝑉𝑝𝑝 sinusoidal input with 50 kHz and observe the output using an oscilloscope.
Save the input and output waveforms in your flash drive
3. Explain the reason why the output signal get distorted .

Activity 3: Diode biased class AB amplifier

1. Construct the following circuit
 2. Give a 3 𝑉𝑝𝑝 sinusoidal input with 50 kHz and observe the output using an oscilloscope.
Save the input and output waveforms.
3. Explain the output by comparing it with the Class B amplifier output for the 3 𝑉𝑝𝑝
sinusoidal input with 50 kHz.
4. Compare and contrast the classes of amplifiers A, B, and AB

Required components and instruments

Activity Component Qty Instrument Qty

01 Transistor 1 Power supply 1

(D400) (12 V)

10 uF capacitor 3 Digital Signal 1

generator

1 kΩ 1 Digital 1
oscilloscope

4.7 kΩ 1

8.2 kΩ 1

33 kΩ 1

02 2n2222A 1 Power supply 1

transistor (12 V)
 2n2907 1 Digital Signal 1
transistor generator

10 uF 3 Digital 1
oscilloscope

03 2n2222A 1 Power supply 1

transistor (12 V)

2n2907 1 Digital Signal 1

transistor generator

1N4007 diode 2 Digital 1

oscilloscope

100 Ω 2

10 Ω 1

10 uF 3