LABORATORY 8

POWER AMPLIFIER

OBJECTIVES
1. To study Class B power amplifier circuits.
2. To observe crossover distortion present in Class B power amplifiers.
3. To simulate Class B and Class AB power amplifier circuits using MicroCap
software.
4. To design and test DC biasing and frequency response of a Class AB audio power
amplifier.

INFORMATION
1. Power Amplifier Class B
Class B amplification involves using a dual voltage power supply along with two power
transistors, an NPN, and its complementary PNP device. Such a circuit is shown in Figure
8.1 and its operation could be explained as following:
In the absence of an input signal, neither transistor conducts; both transistors are
off.
On the positive half of the input cycle, once the input signal is greater than 0.7 V,
Q1 will turn on and current flows as shown in Figure 8.1- a. Notice that the baseemitter voltage of Q1 causes Q2 to be held in the off state since Q2s base-emitter
is reverse biased.
As the input signal swings into the negative half of its cycle and exceeds 0.7V, Q2
is turned on and its base-emitter voltage reverse biases the base-emitter junction of
Q1, turning it off.
Vcc

IC

IB
+
Vin

FG

C1

IE

+
+
_

Q1
ON

Vo
RL

OFF
Q2

Vee

a) Positive half cycle operation

b) Class B output waveforms
Figure 8.1. Class B power amplifier operation
8-1

Typical output waveforms for both Q1 and Q2 BJTs and a Class B amplifier output are
shown in Figure 8.1-b.
The time required for the input signal to move from zero volts to +0.7 V or to -0.7 V is the
time during which conduction does not occur, consequently the output sits at zero volts for
this interval, producing what is called crossover distortion. Crossover distortion takes its
name from the dead-time distortion occurring when the input crosses over from -0.7 V to
+0.7 V or from +0.7 V to -0.7 V.

Class B has a very low (zero) Quiescent Current, and hence low standing power
dissipation and optimum power efficiency. However it should be clear that in practice
Class B may suffer from problems when handling low-level signals. In the absence of an
input signal, a Class B power amplifier should have zero volts dc on the output terminal
with respect to ground, if the transistors are well matched. Often, they are not well
matched, so the student should be aware that it is quite possible to have a dc voltage
present at the output. Some output loads, such as speakers, may be damaged by dc. If such
loads are to be used, they must be capacitively coupled to the output in order to block the
dc.
2. Power Amplifier Class AB
Crossover distortion could be eliminated in class AB power amplifiers by the addition of
the diode circuitry shown in Figure 8.2a.
Vcc

C1

R1
Q1

Vin

FG

ID
C2

D1

Vo
RL

D2
Q2
R2

Vee

a) Class AB circuit diagram

b) Class AB output waveforms
Figure 8.2.Class AB power amplifier circuit
Since the diodes in Figure 8.2-a are on all the time, both Q1 and Q2 are held at the edge of
the conduction mode by the diode voltages (A small but controlled Quiescent Current).
When the input goes either positive or negative, very little voltage is required to put Q1 or
Q2 into full conduction.
Typical output waveforms for both Q1 and Q2 BJTs and a Class AB amplifier output are
shown in Figure 8.2-b.

8-2

3. Transistors
You will be using the MJE800 NPN and the MJE700 PNP silicon Darlington pair power
transistors. These transistors are a set of complimentary pair silicon power transistors.
Two individual transistors connected in a Darlington configuration in each package will
provide a very large short circuit current gain which is the product of the two s of each
internal transistor. For the transistors used here the manufacturer guarantees a minimum
of 750. The transistor diagrams and package are shown in Figure 8.A and the data sheets
are attached in the appendix section of this manual.
C (2)
B (3)

C (2)
B (3)

Q1
R1
10k

Q2
R2
600
E (1)

MJE800

Q1
R1
10k

Q2

R2
600
E (1)

MJE700

a) MJE800 NPN and the MJE700 PNP diagrams

b) Package
Figure 8.3. MJE800 NPN and the MJE700 PNP diagrams and package
Note: Two resistors and a diode are integrated internally in the transistor devices package
and one of the reasons for including these components is to prevent a thermal run-away
from occurring. These internal components are not shown on the circuit diagrams in
Figures 8.1 and 8.2 however they should be included in the device model in your circuit
simulation.

PRE-LABORATORY PREPARATION
The lab preparation must be completed before coming to the lab. Show it to your TA for
checking and grading (out of 15) at the beginning of the lab and get his/her signature.
1. Calculations
The purpose of this exercise is to design the output stage of an audio power amplifier that
could be used with one or more of the earlier circuits to complete a power amplifier. In
your design set the dual DC power supply to 6VDC. The amplifier should deliver
approximately 500 mW of sinusoidal RMS audio power to an 8 load, over the standard
audio range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. In the laboratory you will use an 8.2 resistor. It will
make the lab a lot quieter! Include the basic power amplifier (Figure 8.1) and the diode
compensated circuit (Figure 8.4) in your pre-lab design and simulation. The Figure 8.4
circuit must be designed at the edge of the cut-off region. Since we are using a Darlington
pairs instead of single NPN and PNP transistors, the diode compensation group should
contain three diodes instead of two, as it is shown in Figure 8.4. The class AB amplifiers
have a small IBIAS such that the DC quiescent operating point is just into the start of the
conducting region. This will prevent a certain amount of cross over distortion.
8-3

The class AB circuit must be designed at the edge of the cut-off region. For the circuit in
Figure 8.4.calculate the values of the resistors R1=R2 for a diode current of ID=5mA.
Vcc

C1

R1
Q1
D1

Vin

ID

Vo

D2

RL
FG

D3
Q2

C2
R2

Vee

Figure 8.4. Real class AB power amplifier circuit.

2. MicroCap simulations
2.1. Use MicroCap to determine the DC biasing voltages and currents with no ac signal for
the class B amplifier circuit in Figure 8.1. You should obtain the following information
through the MicroCap simulations:
2.1.1. A table with the expected DC voltages when no AC input signal is applied to the
circuit (Table 8.1).
2.1.2. An input and output waveforms for a sinusoidal input signal Vin=4Vp (peak) at
f=1kHz.
2.1.3. The output waveform for input voltage of Vin=8Vp (peak) at 1 kHz. A
comparison with the voltages observed in the lab should be made. Watch for any
distortion occurring in the output waveform.
2.2. Using calculated component values for resistors R1 and R2.determine the DC biasing
voltages and currents with no ac signal for the class AB amplifier circuit in Figure 8.3.
You should obtain the following information through the MicroCap simulations:
2.2.1. A table with the expected DC voltages when no AC input signal is applied to the
circuit (Table 8.2).
2.2.2. An input and output waveforms for a sinusoidal input signal Vin = 4Vp for f =1
kHz.
2.2.3. The frequency response of class AB amplifier from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. Print the
Bode plots of the voltage gain and phase frequency response and bring these plots to the
laboratory.
MicroCap simulations tips:
To provide a power supply to the circuit use two Battery sources from the
MicroCap library. Connect them as Vcc and Vee voltage sources with common
ground and set them to a 6VDC.
You could simulate the Darlington pair as two separate transistors, each with a
typical = 30 (BF parameter) and |VBE| = 0.7 V (VJE parameter). You need to
8-4

include the internal resistors in your circuit diagram. For NPN transistors you could
use 2N3904 and for PNP 2N3905 BJT models from MicroCap library. Adjust BF
and VJE parameters within the BJT component data description. Because these
transistors have low output currents, just for the simulations replace the load
resistor RL=8,2 with RL=500.
To obtain the values of all the bias currents and voltages on your schematic from
Analysis menu choose the Probe AC mode and click on Node Voltages and
Currents icons on the toolbar.
For a sine wave signal source use a 1MHz Sinusoidal Source from the MicroCap
library. Set the AC Amplitude to A= 4(V) in the model description area of the signal
source. Note that A=4V corresponds to Vp=4V.
To obtain an input and output waveforms you must run TRANSIENT ANALYSIS.
To obtain the gain and phase frequency response plots for this circuit you must run
AC ANALYSIS for frequency range from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. Note: Set
parameter P to plot separate diagram for each curve.

EQUIPMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Digital multimeter (Fluke 8010A, BK PRECISION 2831B).

Function Generator Wavetek FG3B.
Digital oscilloscope Tektronix TDS 210.
PROTO-BOARD PB-503 (breadboard).
MJE800 NPN and MJE700 PNP Darlington transistors .
1N4148 diodes 3.
C=47 F 2.
R=8.2 / 2W.

PROCEDURE
1. You are provided with two heat sinks, which should be attached to the transistors
during the lab exercise. Connect the heat sink which is electrically connected to the
collector of the transistor. Be very careful you do not 'accidentally' short the heat
sink to ground, it has the same effect as shorting the collector to ground.
Occasionally check the temperature of the heat sink, if you cannot keep your finger
of the heat sink for more than twenty seconds the transistors may be too hot. Shut
the power off and check your circuit.
2. Connect the class B power amplifier shown in Figure 8.5 using MJE800 NPN and
MJE700 PNP Darlington transistors instead of single BJTs. Use the RL= 8.2
resistor to simulate the loudspeakers load.
3. Use a dual voltage Power Supply and connect its POS terminal as Vcc, NEG
terminal as Vee and COM terminal as a common ground. Set the power supply
voltage to 6V DC. Measure the DC quiescent point values. Compare the voltages
and currents from simulation with the experimental data in a Table 8.1. If your
8-5

results are significantly different (more than 15%) from your simulated values, try
to find out and eliminate the reason for that discrepancy.
Q1
VBE
[V]

VCE
[V]

IC
[A]

Q2
VBE
[V]

VCE
[V]

IC
[A]

Simulation
Experiment
Table 8.1. Class B power amplifier DC biasing

4. Once you are satisfied that your circuit is biased correctly, then connect the signal
generator to the input. Set the signal generator to a frequency of 1 kHz. For the
input signal level of Vin = 4Vp sketch the output voltage across the 8.2 load on
top of your MicroCap simulation plot. Compare the simulated and experimental
waveforms and explain the differences if any.
5. Increase the input sinusoidal voltage until you notice a clipping in the output
voltage. For these readings you can use the Fluke meter to measure the AC input
current (Fluke measures the RMS value), measure the input voltage after the Fluke
meter (scope) as it is shown in Figure 8.5. For two settings of the input signal
below this maximum signal calculate the input AC power Pin, the output AC power
Po, the DC input power from the DC supply PDC. Also calculate the AC voltage
gain AV [dB] (Equation (8.1)), the AC power gain [dB] (Equation (8.2.)) and the
amplifier efficiency (Equation (8.3)) of the class B power amplifier.
Vcc

IDC
Q1

Iin
FG

Vo
C1

Io

Vin

RL

CH2

Q2
CH1

CH1

Vee

Figure 8.5. Class B power amplifier measurements.

V
AV [dB] = 20 log o
Vin
A P [ dB ] = 10 log

Po
PDC

Po
Pin

CH2

Equation (8.1)

Equation (8.2)
Equation (8.3)

Record your measurements and calculations in Table 8.2. Determine if your amplifier
is capable of delivering 500 mW of audio power without distortion. If your circuit can
8-6

not deliver this power, do not lay the sole blame on the DC power supply, the
maximum current it can deliver is 200 mA.
AC input
AC output
DC input
Gain calculations
measurements
measurements
measurements
AP
Vin
Iin
Pin
Vo
Io
Po VDC IDC PDC AV

[A] [W] [dB] [dB]

[V]
[A] [W] [V]
[A] [W] [V]
2
4
Table 8.2. Class B power amplifier measurements.
6. Connect the class AB power amplifier in Figure 8.4. Use the calculated values of
R1 and R2. Repeat the DC biasing measurements from point 2 and collect all data
in Table 8.3.
Q1
Q2
VBE
VCE
IC
VCE
VBE
IC
[V]
[V]
[A]
[V]
[V]
[A]
Simulation
Experiment
Table 8.3. Class AB power amplifier DC biasing
7. Repeat all measurements from points 3 and 4 and collect all data in Table 8.4.
AC input
AC output
DC input
Gain calculations
measurements
measurements
measurements
AP
Vin
Iin
Pin
Vo
Io
Po VDC IDC PDC AV

[A] [W] [dB] [dB]

[V]
[A] [W] [V]
[A] [W] [V]
2
4
Table 8.4. Class AB power amplifier AC measurements.
8. Determine the frequency response of the AC sinusoidal voltage gain of the
compensated amplifier over the range of 20 Hz to 30 kHz.
f [Hz]
20
50
100
200
500
800
1k
5k
10k
20k
30k

Vin [V]

Vo [V]

[deg]

Av[dB]

Table 8.5 Frequency response of a class AB power amplifier.

8-7

9. Plot obtained voltage gain and phase data on top of your simulated Bode plots and
compare the results.
REPORT
Your Lab report is due one week later. Please submit it to your TA in the beginning of
your next lab session.

Note: You must copy/print the Signature and Marking Sheet from your manual
before coming to the lab session.

8-8

SIGNATURE AND MARKING SHEET LAB 8

To be completed by TA during your lab session

Student Name:____________________

TA Name:___________________

Student # : _____________________
Check
boxes

Task

Max.
Marks

Pre-lab completed

15

Class B Amplifier Test completed

10

Class AB Amplifier Test completed

10

Overall Report Preparation

65

TOTAL MARKS

100

8-9

Granted
TA
Marks Signature