What is an Amplifier Circuit?

By Texas Instruments 158

What is an Amplifier Circuit?

An amplifier circuit is an electronic circuit that increases the energy of an input signal to a desired level and outputs it in amplified form. Amplifier circuits can increase the output power of a signal. It obtains the energy source through the power supply to control the waveform of the output signal to be consistent with the input signal, but with a larger amplitude.Instrumentation Amplifiers

 

The four basic types of amplifiers are voltage amplifiers, current amplifiers, transconductance amplifiers, and transimpedance amplifiers. A further distinction is whether the output is a linear or non-linear representation of the input. Amplifiers can also be classified by their physical location in the signal chain.

 

The basic goal of an amplifier circuit is to alter the input signal by increasing the signal's amplitude or power. It can amplify weak signals enough to produce a perceivable output across the load. The amplifier circuit achieves signal amplification by controlling the working state of the amplifying element and the change of current or voltage.High Speed Operational Amplifiers

 

Ⅰ. Function of amplifier circuit

 

1. Audio and sound system: Amplifier circuits are widely used in audio and sound systems to amplify audio signals and drive speakers or headphones to provide clear and powerful audio output.

 

2. Signal enhancement: The main function of the amplifier is to enhance the input signal to a higher amplitude in order to be able to drive a load or transmit a signal to a long distance. It can increase the voltage, current or power of the signal so that the signal can be processed and transmitted efficiently.

 

3. Signal processing: Amplifier circuits can be used to perform various processing and adjustments on signals. It can filter the signal, adjust the frequency response, change the phase, increase or decrease the gain, etc. to meet specific application needs.Current Sense Amplifiers

 

4. Signal recovery: During signal transmission, due to the influence of transmission lines, cables or other factors, the signal may be attenuated or distorted. Amplifiers can be used to restore attenuated signals or restore distorted signals to their original strength and shape.

 

5. Control system: The amplifier circuit plays an important role in the control system. It can be used to amplify and process control signals so that they can efficiently drive actuators, regulate outputs, or implement feedback control.

 

6. Sensor interface: Amplifier circuits are often used to interface sensors and measurement equipment. It can amplify the weak signal generated by the sensor so that it can be accurately measured and processed by subsequent circuits or systems.

 

Ⅱ. Common amplifier circuits

 

1. Basic amplifier circuit:

 

Inverting Amplifier: A circuit that uses an active element (such as a transistor or operational amplifier) and an input resistor and a feedback resistor to produce an output signal that is out of phase with the input signal.

 

Non-Inverting Amplifier: A circuit that uses an active element (such as a transistor or operational amplifier) and an input resistor and a feedback resistor so that the output signal has the same phase as the input signal.Differential Amplifiers

 

2.Digital Amplifier: Amplifier circuit for amplifying digital signals, often used for amplification and processing of digital signals such as audio and video.

 

3. Power Amplifier: Amplifier circuit dedicated to amplifying high-power signals, often used in audio amplification, radio frequency amplification, power amplification and other applications.

 

4. Operational Amplifier Circuit: Various circuits built using operational amplifiers, such as feedback amplifiers, integrators, differentiators, filters, etc. Operational amplifier circuits feature high gain, wide bandwidth, and low distortion and are used in a wide variety of applications.

 

5. Differential Amplifier: An amplifier circuit that interacts with two input signals, often used to suppress common-mode interference and enhance differential signals.

 

Ⅲ. Types of Amplifiers

 

Amplifiers can be sized according to their input and output properties. They show the nature of the gain, which is the ratio factor between the output signal and the input signal amplitude. Here are the four basic types of amplifiers:


1. Amplifier: Responds to a varying input current to provide a related varying output voltage. Other names for this device are transimpedance amplifier and current-to-voltage converter.


2. Voltage amplifier: is the most common type of amplifier. The input voltage is amplified to a larger output voltage. The amplifier has high input impedance and low output impedance.


3. Current amplifier: It can change the input current into a larger output current. The amplifier has low input impedance and high output impedance.


4. Transconductance Amplifier: The response to a changing input voltage is to provide a related changing output current.


Ⅳ. Basic principle of amplifier circuit


The basic principle of an amplifier circuit is to use active elements to amplify an input signal to produce an amplified output signal. Amplifier circuits amplify the amplitude or power of an input signal by adjusting the gain of current, voltage or power.


There are several key points in the basic principle of the amplifier:


1. Power Supply: Amplifier circuits require a proper power supply to provide the required voltage and current to the active components. The power supply usually provides a DC voltage to ensure the proper operation of the amplifier circuit.


2. Active Elements: Amplifier circuits use active elements to amplify the input signal. An active element is a device that amplifies, such as a transistor, vacuum tube, or operational amplifier. The active element can control the change of current or voltage according to the control signal, so as to realize signal amplification.


3. Excitation source: The amplifier circuit usually provides a small signal as the excitation source by the input signal source. The input signal may be a signal in various forms such as audio, video, and radio frequency.


4. Feedback: Amplifier circuits often use feedback mechanisms to adjust the gain and performance of the amplifier. The feedback circuit sends a portion of the output signal back to the input of the amplifier, compares it with the input signal, and corrects the amplifier. Feedback can make amplifier circuits more stable and linear, and adjust the amplifier's frequency response and gain.


Ⅴ. Steps for Designing and Constructing Amplifier Circuits


1. Determine requirements: Define the requirements of your amplifier circuit, such as input signal type, required gain, bandwidth requirements, etc.


2. Select active components: Select appropriate active components according to requirements, such as transistors, vacuum tubes or operational amplifiers.


3. Determine power supply requirements: Determine the power supply voltage and current required for the amplifier circuit.


4. Design input and output impedance matching: ensure that the input and output resistance match the signal source and load.


5. Perform simulation and analysis


6. Make a prototype circuit board: According to the design results, make a prototype circuit board for the amplifier circuit.


7. Test and optimize: connect the power supply and signal source, and test the amplifier circuit. Observe the characteristics of the output signal such as gain, frequency response, and distortion. Make necessary adjustments and optimizations based on test results.


8. Perform packaging and layout design


Ⅵ.Limiting Amplifiers


A limiting amplifier is a special type of amplifier circuit whose main function is to limit the amplitude of the output signal so that it remains stable within a predetermined range. A limiting amplifier is used as a data quantizer. Accepts a wide input voltage range and provides edge-speed controlled, fixed-amplitude positive-emitter-coupled logic output levels.Limiting Amplifiers


1. Principle: Remove the over-high or under-voltage signal, and protect the circuit from abnormal operation caused by over-high or under-voltage. A limiting amplifier accepts an input signal, which can be an audio signal, a musical signal, or another type of waveform signal. The input signal is amplified to the appropriate level through the amplification stage of the amplifier. This amplification stage can be implemented using transistors, operational amplifiers, or other amplifying components. The amplified signal goes to a limiter, also known as a clipper. The function of the limiter is to limit the amplitude of the output signal within a specific range. The signal processed by the limiter is used as an output signal, and its amplitude is limited within a predetermined range.


2. Features: The limiting amplifier is another type of main amplifier in the digital transmission system. In contrast to gain-controlled amplifiers, the limiting function of a limiting amplifier acts directly on each single pulse. Unlike automatic gain control amplifiers, there is no time constant problem in limiting amplifiers. The limiting range of the limiting amplifier can be adjusted according to application requirements. By adjusting the threshold of the limiter or using a variable limiter circuit, the amplitude range of the output signal can be flexibly controlled.


3. Function: The limiting amplifier limits the amplitude of the output signal through the set threshold or clipper. When the input signal exceeds the set threshold, the output signal is clipped or truncated to keep it within a predetermined range; the limiting amplifier can avoid excessive distortion or clipping of the audio signal, thereby maintaining the integrity of the audio signal. It can intervene when the signal exceeds the limiting range, so as not to damage the signal quality; when the input signal exceeds the set threshold, the limiting amplifier will produce a clipping effect. This clipping effect can be used for music creation, sound effect processing and realization of special sound effects.


Ⅶ. Isolation Amplifiers


An Isolation Amplifier is an electronic device used to isolate and amplify signals. Its main function is to isolate the input signal from the input and amplify the output at the output while providing electrical isolation. The isolation amplifier is a special measurement amplification circuit, there is no direct circuit coupling between its input, output and power supply circuit, that is, there is no common ground terminal during signal transmission.Isolation Amplifiers


The isolation amplifier is divided into an output amplifier and an input isolation section:


1. Output amplifier section: The output amplifier section receives the isolated signal and amplifies it to an appropriate amplitude. The output amplifier is usually implemented with operational amplifiers, transistors, or other amplifier components. The output amplifier can provide different gains and frequency responses according to needs, and drive output loads, such as instruments and equipment, measurement systems, control systems, etc.


2. Input isolation section: The input isolation section uses an isolation converter (such as a transformer, optocoupler, or differential amplifier) to electrically isolate the input signal from the output section. This isolation prevents signal noise, ground interference, or potential difference interference from affecting the output signal.


Ⅷ.Precision Amplifiers


The Precision Amplifier is an amplifier specifically designed to provide precise and accurate signal amplification. It features high gain, low offset voltage, low drift, low noise, high linearity, and high common-mode rejection ratio. A precision operational amplifier is an electronic component designed to amplify tiny voltage signals. It adopts sophisticated circuit design and manufacturing technology, which can amplify tiny voltage signals under the condition of high precision and high stability, so as to realize accurate acquisition and processing of signals. Compared with ordinary operational amplifiers, the circuit design of precision operational amplifiers is more complex, using higher quality components and stricter manufacturing processes, so it has higher accuracy and stability.Precision Amplifiers


The main features are:


1. Low Noise: Precision amplifiers have low noise levels that minimize the contribution of undesired noise to the amplified signal.


2. Low Offset Voltage: Offset voltage is the input voltage required to zero the output of the amplifier when the input is grounded. Precision amplifiers have very low offset voltage, reducing output errors caused by input voltage offsets.


3. High gain: Precision amplifiers have high open-loop voltage gain, usually between hundreds of thousands to millions.


4. High linearity: Precision amplifiers have high linearity, meaning they are able to accurately reproduce the input signal without introducing significant distortion or nonlinearity.


5. Low input bias current: Input bias current is the current that flows into the input of the amplifier. The precision amplifier has low input bias current, reducing errors due to input current.


6. Wide bandwidth: Precision amplifiers usually have a wide bandwidth to ensure accurate amplification of signals over a wide frequency range.

 

Frequently Asked Questions


1. How to optimize the performance of the amplifier circuit


Select active components with appropriate characteristics, such as transistors, vacuum tubes, or operational amplifiers; proper application of feedback mechanisms can improve amplifier performance. Feedback improves amplifier linearity, stability, and frequency response, and reduces distortion and noise; matches input and output resistors to signal source and load to maximize signal transfer and minimize reflections and power loss; use electronic circuit simulation The software performs simulation analysis of amplifier circuits to evaluate performance and optimize. Carry out actual tests and use measurement equipment to check performance parameters such as gain, bandwidth, and distortion; make necessary adjustments and improvements to amplifier circuits based on simulation and test results.


2. To ensure the stability of the amplifier?


Using a proper feedback circuit can improve the stability of the amplifier. Select appropriate feedback resistors and capacitors, and ensure that the phase and gain characteristics of the feedback network meet the requirements; ensure low-impedance paths for power and ground to reduce the impact of loop gain and interference sources on the amplifier; use appropriate Impedance matching to minimize signal reflections and interference. Impedance mismatches can cause signal reflections, interference, and instability; choose amplifier components with good stability and performance. Consider component drift, noise, temperature coefficient, etc., and select high-quality components for the application.

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