Amplifiers Classification

An Amplifier circuit is one which strengthens the signal. The amplifier action and the important considerations for the practical circuit of transistor amplifier were also detailed in previous chapters.   Let us now try to understand the classification of amplifiers. Amplifiers are classified according to many considerations.

Based on number of stages

Depending upon the number of stages of Amplification, there are Single-stage amplifiers and Multi-stage amplifiers.

· Single-stage Amplifiers − This has only one transistor circuit, which is a singlestage amplification.

· Multi-stage Amplifiers − This has multiple transistor circuit, which provides multi-stage amplification.

Based on its output

Depending upon the parameter that is amplified at the output, there are voltage and power amplifiers.

· Voltage Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that increases the voltage level of the input signal, is called as Voltage amplifier.

· Power Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that increases the power level of the input signal, is called as Power amplifier.

Based on the input signals

Depending upon the magnitude of the input signal applied, they can be categorized as Small signal and large signal amplifiers.

· Small signal Amplifiers − When the input signal is so weak so as to produce small fluctuations in the collector current compared to its quiescent value, the amplifier is known as Small signal amplifier.

· Large signal amplifiers − When the fluctuations in collector current are large i.e. beyond the linear portion of the characteristics, the amplifier is known as large signal amplifier.

Based on the frequency range

Depending upon the frequency range of the signals being used, there are audio and radio amplifiers.

· Audio Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that amplifies the signals that lie in the audio frequency range i.e. from 20Hz to 20 KHz frequency range, is called as audio amplifier.

· Power Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that amplifies the signals that lie in a very high frequency range, is called as Power amplifier.

Based on Biasing Conditions

Depending upon their mode of operation, there are class A, class B and class C amplifiers.

· Class A amplifier − The biasing conditions in class A power amplifier are such that the collector current flows for the entire AC signal applied.

· Class B amplifier − The biasing conditions in class B power amplifier are such that the collector current flows for half-cycle of input AC signal applied.

· Class C amplifier − The biasing conditions in class C power amplifier are such that the collector current flows for less than half cycle of input AC signal applied.

· Class AB amplifier − The class AB power amplifier is one which is created by combining both class A and class B in order to have all the advantages of both the classes and to minimize the problems they have.

Based on the Coupling method

Depending upon the method of coupling one stage to the other, there are RC coupled, Transformer coupled and direct coupled amplifier.

· RC Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage amplifier circuit that is coupled to the next stage using resistor and capacitor (RC) combination can be called as a RC coupled amplifier.

· Transformer Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage amplifier circuit that is coupled to the next stage, with the help of a transformer, can be called as a Transformer coupled amplifier.

· Direct Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage amplifier circuit that is coupled to the next stage directly, can be called as a direct coupled amplifier.

Based on the Transistor Configuration

Depending upon the type of transistor configuration, there are CE CB and CC amplifiers.

· CE amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed using a CE configured transistor combination is called as CE amplifier.

· CB amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed using a CB configured transistor combination is called as CB amplifier.

· CC amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed using a CC configured transistor combination is called as CC amplifier.