ECT 231 Lab

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ECT 231 Lab

Class A Power Amplifier (Darlington Pair)

Objectives:
1. Construct and Simulate a Class A Power Amplifier:
 Implement a Class A power amplifier circuit using a Darlington Pair
configuration with 2N3904 transistors.
2. Analyze Input and Output Voltages:
 Generate time domain plots for both input and output voltages to understand
the signal behavior.
3. Determine Voltage Gain:
 Calculate and analyze the voltage gain by examining the relationship between
the input and output voltages.
4. Investigate Input and Output Currents:
 Modify the circuit to measure and analyze input and output currents for a
comprehensive understanding.
5. Calculate Current Gain:
 Determine the current gain by evaluating the ratio of output current to input
current from the generated current plots.
Procedure:
1. Circuit Construction (Figure 1):
 Use OrCad Capture to construct the Class A power amplifier circuit as
depicted in Figure 1, employing 2N3904 transistors.

Figure 1

Simulation Model as created:


2. Voltage Analysis (Figure 2):
 We will simulate the circuit and obtain time domain plots for both input and
output voltages.
 Now to examine the behavior of the signals and note any amplification or
distortion.

Green: Input Voltage Blue: Output Voltage


3. Voltage Gain Calculation:
 Now to analyze the voltage plots to determine the voltage gain (Av) by
calculating the ratio of output voltage to input voltage.

V ¿ =1V
V out =0.896 V

Therefore, the voltage gain is,


V out 0.896
A v= = =0.896
V¿ 1

4. Current Marker Modification (Figure 3):


 Modify the simulation setup by replacing voltage markers with current
markers.
5. Current Analysis (Figure 4):
 Re-simulate the modified circuit and obtain time domain plots for both input
and output currents.

Input current: Green


Blue: Output current
6. Current Gain Calculation (Question 6):
 Analyze the current plots to determine the current gain (Ai) by calculating the
ratio of output current to input current.

Input current, I ¿=240 μA

Output current, I out =112.75 mA

Therefore, the current gain is:


I out 1000
A I= =112.75 × =469.75
I¿ 240

Conclusion:
The Class A Power Amplifier lab utilizing a Darlington Pair configuration with 2N3904
transistors proved to be a valuable exercise in understanding and analyzing amplifier
performance.
The following key observations and conclusions can be drawn from the experiment:
1. Voltage Gain Analysis:
 The voltage gain (Av) was calculated to be approximately 0.896.
This value indicates the amplification factor of the circuit, showcasing the
relationship between the output and input voltages.

A voltage gain less than 1 suggests some signal attenuation, and further
optimization may be explored to enhance amplifier efficiency.

2. Current Gain Analysis:


 The calculated current gain (Ai) was found to be approximately 469.75. This
high current gain emphasizes the ability of the Darlington Pair circuit to
provide significant current amplification.

However, it's crucial to consider potential trade-offs, such as increased power


dissipation and the associated heat generation.
II. BJT Based Class A Power Amplifier:

Circuit Diagram for BJT based class A power Amplifier

Simulation Result
Voltage Gain:

−610 mV
AV = =−24.4
25 mV

1. Multistage Design:
 This amplifier employs multiple stages to achieve signal amplification, each
contributing to the overall performance.

2. CE Amplifiers with Potential Divider:


 The design incorporates Common Emitter (CE) amplifiers, providing a 180-degree
phase shift crucial for Class A operation.
A potential divider, likely serving as a biasing network, sets the DC operating point of
the transistors.
3. Darlington Pair Output Stage:
 At the output stage, a Darlington pair is utilized. This configuration involves two BJTs,
enhancing current gain for efficient power delivery to the load.
4. Resistor and Capacitor Selection:
 The careful selection of resistor values and capacitor types is pivotal. These
components play a critical role in biasing, determining frequency response, and
ensuring stability.
5. Theoretical Gain:
 The designed theoretical gain is -27.9.
This gain is derived from the configuration of amplifier stages, including CE amplifiers
and the Darlington pair.
6. Simulation Discrepancy:
 Simulation results show a gain of -24.4, indicating a difference from the theoretical
value. This emphasizes the impact of real-world factors like transistor characteristics
and non-idealities in the design.
III. Op-amp based class A power amplifier:

Circuit diagram for Op-amp based class A power amplifier

Simulation Results

Voltage Gain:
−580 mV
AV = =−23.2
25 mV

1. Inverting Operational Amplifier:


 The design features an inverting operational amplifier (op-amp) as the initial stage.
The inverting configuration provides a 180-degree phase shift, aligning with Class A
operation requirements.
2. Feedback Network:
 A feedback network, comprising a feedback resistor (Rf) and an input resistor (Xn),
determines the gain of the inverting amplifier. Careful selection of Rf and Xn achieves
the desired gain of -27.9, critical for effective signal amplification.
3. Darlington Pair Output Stage:
 The output of the inverting amplifier is connected to a Darlington pair at the output
stage. This configuration, known for its high current gain, efficiently delivers
maximum power to the load, often a speaker with an impedance of 8 ohms.
4. Load Impedance Matching:
 The choice of an 8-ohm speaker as the load is crucial for impedance matching,
optimizing power transfer, and ensuring effective driving of the speaker by the
amplifier.
5. Gain of Darlington Stage:
 The gain of the Darlington stage is approximately equal to 1, as it involves cascading
two common collector (CC) amplifier stages. This stage primarily amplifies current
rather than voltage.
6. Simulation Results:
 The op-amp-based design achieves a gain of -24.4 in simulations. This underscores
the importance of addressing real-world complexities and non-idealities in the
design, similar to the BJT-based amplifier.

Conclusion:
Both the BJT-based and op-amp-based power amplifiers employ a multistage design to
achieve signal amplification, showcasing adaptability in meeting desired performance
criteria. The designs effectively manage phase shift and gain control through components
like potential divider-based CE amplifiers for BJT and inverting op-amps for op-amp-based
configurations.
The incorporation of Darlington pairs in both designs highlights their significance in
providing high current gain and efficient power delivery to the load, particularly in
applications like driving speakers.
Real-world considerations, as reflected in simulation results, emphasize the impact of non-
idealities such as transistor characteristics on theoretical predictions.

Both designs prioritize load impedance matching, with the choice of an 8-ohm speaker
ensuring optimized power transfer and effective load driving. Aligning with Class A amplifier
goals, both designs emphasize linear operation and the delivery of maximum power to the
load, enhancing signal amplification efficiency.

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