Analog Electronic Circuits_18EE34 2020-21
Module – 3
Contents:
Multistage amplifiers: Cascade and cascode connections, Darlington circuits, analysis and
design.
Feedback amplifiers: Feedback concept, different types, practical feedback circuits, analysis
and design of feedback circuits.
Objectives:
1. To study the design and analysis of multistage amplifiers.
2. To study the design and analysis of feedback amplifiers.
3.1. Multistage Amplifiers
3.1.1. Cascade Amplifier:
When the amplification from a single stage amplifier is not sufficient for a particular
purpose, or when the input or output impedance is not of suitable magnitude for the intended
application, two or more amplifier stages are connected in cascade. The output of a given stage
is connected to the input of the next stage. Such an arrangement is called Multistage amplifier.
The figure 3.1 shows three amplifier stages connected in cascade.
Fig.3.1: Cascaded amplifier
It is important to note that, the input impedance of a given stage loads the output of the
proceeding stage. Thus the voltage gains AV1, AV2 & AV3 whose values can be calculated using
corresponding no load gains. Also for the cascaded system, the input impedance is that of the
first stage and the output impedance is that of the last stage (Zi = Zi1 and ZO = ZO1).
Since output of one stage is connected as input to the next stage,
Vi2 = VO1 and Vi3 =VO2
The overall voltage gain of the cascaded system can be obtained as follows:
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Using Vi2 = VO1 and Vi3 = VO2
----------- (1)
For n cascaded amplifier stages, the total voltage gain is given by
The total current gain is given by,
------------ (2)
Solved Examples on Cascaded amplifiers:
1. For the cascaded system shown below, determine
a. The loaded gain of each stage.
b. The total gain of the system, AV and AVS.
c. The total current gain of the system
Solution:
a. For the emitter follower the load is Zi2,
For the common base configuration,
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b. The total voltage gain is,
c. The total current gain is,
2. For the cascaded arrangement shown below calculate,
a. The loaded voltage gain of each stage.
b. The total gain of the system, AV and AVS.
c. The loaded current gain of each stage.
d. The total current gain of the system.
Solution:
a. The loaded voltage gain of each stage,
b. The total voltage gain is,
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c. The loaded current gain of each stage,
d. The total current gain is,
3.1.2. Cascode Connection:
In cascode connection the output of Common Emitter stage drives the input of Common
Base stage as shown in figure.3.2. The cascode connection has low input capacitance, which is
an advantage at high frequencies such VHF and UHF. At these higher frequencies, the input
capacitance becomes a limiting factor on the voltage gain.
Cascode connection has high input impedance and high output impedance. The CB stage
provides an excellent high frequency response. The low input impedance of CB stage loads the
output of CE stage. Thus the voltage gain of the CE stage is very low. A large voltage gain is
provided by the CB stage, thus overall voltage gain is high with a good input impedance level.
Fig.3.2: Cascode connection
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3.1.3. Darlington Connection
A Darlington connection is a popular connection of two transistors for operation as one
super beta transistor. The composite transistor acts as a single unit with a current gain equal to
the product of the current gains of individual transistors. The Darlington connection is shown in
figure.3.3.
Fig.3.3: Darlington Connection
If β1and β2 are the current gains of Q1 and Q2 respectively, the current gain of Darlington
connection is,
βD = β1 * β2
A Darlington transistor acts as a single transistor with a large current gain, typically a few
thousand. Darlington connection is available as a single package containing two BJTs internally
connected as a Darlington transistor. The device provides three terminals, base, emitter and
collector for external connection.
DC Bias of Darlington Circuit:
A Darlington circuit with biasing arrangement is shown in figure.3.4. The current gain of
Darlington transistor is βD which is very high.
Fig.3.4: DC Bias of Darlington Circuit
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Applying KVL to the base-emitter circuit we get;
VCC – IBRB – VBE – IERE = 0
VBE = VBE1 + VBE2
IE = (1+βD)IB ≈ βDIB
IBRB = VCC – VBE – IERE
It should be noted that, VBE is the drop for two base-emitter junctions which is typically in the
range of 1.4V to 1.8V.
-------- (3)
VE = IE * RE ----------- (4)
VB = VBE + VE
Darlington Emitter-Follower:
The ac input signal Vi is coupled to the base of the Darlington transistor through the
coupling capacitor C1. The ac output voltage VO is taken at the emitter through the output
coupling capacitor C2.The circuit of Darlington Emitter-follower is shown in figure.3.5.
Fig.3.5: Darlington Emitter-Follower
The ac equivalent circuit of Darlington emitter follower is shown in figure.3.6. The Darlington
transistor is replaced by an input resistance ri between base and emitter terminals and a
controlled current source βDIb between collector and the emitter terminals.
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Fig.3.6: AC equivalent circuit of Darlington emitter follower
AC Input Impedance (ZI):
Applying KVL to the circuit (Fig.3.6) we get;
VI = Ibri + IeRE
Ie = (1+βD)Ib
VI = Ibri + (1+βD)IbRE
------ (5)
AC Current Gain (AI):
IO = Ie
Ie = (1+βD)Ib ≈ βDIb
-------- (6)
Applying KCL to the circuit (Fig.3.6) we get;
Vi = IbZb
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------ (7)
-------- (8)
AC Voltage Gain (AV):
VO = IeRE
VO = (1+βD)IbRE
VI = Ib[ri + (1+βD)RE]
---------- (9)
AC Output Impedance (ZO):
To determine the ac output impedance Vi is reduced to zero (replaced by short circuit
equivalent) and a voltage source V is connected between the output terminals.
Fig.3.7: Simplified circuit to find output impedance
Applying KCL to the circuit we get;
Ib+βDIb – II + I = 0
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[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ] --------- (10)
Characteristics of Darlington Emitter – Follower:
1. Very high current gain.
2. Very high input impedance.
3. Very low output impedance.
4. Approximately unity voltage gain.
5. Input and output voltages are in phase.
Solved Examples on Darlington amplifiers:
1. For the Darlington Emitter-follower shown below,
a. Calculate the dc bias voltages VB, VE, VC and currents IB and IC.
b. Calculate the input and output impedances.
c. Determine voltage and current gains.
d. The ac output voltage for Vi = 120 mV.
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Solution:
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