Audio Amplifier Design Basics: Problem & Solution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of audio amplifiers, specifically focusing on the biasing of output emitter followers in BJT amplifiers. Participants explore the reasons for the absence of biasing resistors apart from the emitter resistor and the implications of using different circuitry for biasing in common collector output stages.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why there are no biasing resistors in the output emitter follower design, suggesting that something must control the base voltage of the output transistor.
  • Another participant proposes that the output stage may be direct coupled to the previous stage, which could fix the base voltage.
  • A participant calculates the base voltage based on the provided Vce and Vcc values, indicating that the base is held at 6 volts, but notes that the relevant circuitry is not shown in the material.
  • There is a discussion about the normalcy of using other circuitry rather than resistors for biasing in common collector output stages, with one participant seeking clarification on this point.
  • One participant mentions that the input impedance of an emitter follower is related to the emitter resistor and that the impedance of any biasing network needs to be significantly lower for stability, which could complicate the design.
  • Another participant highlights the advantages of DC coupling between the gain stage and output buffer, such as fewer components and improved low-frequency response, while also noting potential disadvantages related to temperature variations and semiconductor parameter changes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the complexity of biasing in emitter followers and the implications of DC coupling, but multiple competing views remain regarding the best practices for biasing and the effects of design choices on performance.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of visual circuit diagrams and specific details on the circuitry used for biasing, which may affect the understanding of the discussed concepts.

erece
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I am studying basics of analog circuit design from microelectronics circuit analysis by donald neamen
And in that i encountered a problem in design of audio amplifier.
The question and solution is given in the attachment.
And i want to know that in the output emitter follower why there are no biasing resistors apart from emitter resistor ?
Hope my question is clear and if not then please do tell me. I want to clarify this
Thank you
 

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Good question, but it's hard to answer it without seeing the circuit for the complete amp.

You are right in thinking that SOMETHING should be controlling the base voltage of the output transistor.

Maybe the output stage is direct coupled to the stage before, so the previous stage has fixed the base voltage?
 
In the calculations in your pdf Vce for the output stage is stated to be 6 volts.

Since Vcc is 12 volts the base voltage is calculated to be (12 - 6) = 6 volts.

thus the base is held at 6 volts (midway betwwwn Vcc and ground)

There must be some circuitry to cause this, it just isn't shown or relevant to the section. Was the chapter on emitter followers (common collector) amps?

Note it is more normal to use other circuitry than resistors to achieve this bias in CC output stages, maybe that is why it was not shown, but will be covered in a later chapter?
 
chapter is based on bjt amplifiers...
i agree to both of you , but can you tell me " Why it is more normal to use other circuitry than resistors to achieve this bias in CC output stages ?? "
I think gain stage and output buffer are dc coupled. So operating point of output buffer is fixed by gain stage. Any advantage of this ??
 
but can you tell me " Why it is more normal to use other circuitry than resistors to achieve this bias in CC output stages ?? "

The input impedance of an emitter follower is approximately beta times the emitter resistor, which in your case is say 100 x 20 = 2k.

The impedance of any biasing network needs to be 1/10 of this for stability say 200Ω. This is very low and needs to be driven by the previous stage which can be difficult.

So much of the effect of using the emitter follower is lost.
 
erece said:
can you tell me " Why it is more normal to use other circuitry than resistors to achieve this bias in CC output stages ?? "
Pass.

I think gain stage and output buffer are dc coupled. So operating point of output buffer is fixed by gain stage. Any advantage of this ??

Fewer components, and better low frequency response since there is no coupling capacitor.

The disadvantage is that the operating point may not be so well controlled when the operating temperature changes, or because of the variation of semiconductor parameters. But for your circuit, it doesn't need to be accurately controlled, because the supply voltage is a lot bigger than the peak-to-peak output voltage you need. A shift of say 1V in the operating point of the output stage isn't going to make much practical difference to anything.
 

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