1
\$\begingroup\$

Let's consider the following class A power amplifier:

enter image description here

And here is the time-domain simulation of the power dissipated across the transistor:

enter image description here

As we can see, the power varies from approx \$0.1W\$ to \$1W\$. How can we interpret this?

\$\endgroup\$
0

2 Answers 2

3
\$\begingroup\$

When the base is driven at the positive peak, the emitter-follower's emitter current is at a maximum because it must supply both the current sink current as well as the current through \$R_1\$. But this is also at the same point where the \$V_\text{CE}\$ is at a minimum. So there is a power minima here.

When the base is driven at the negative peak, the emitter-follower's emitter current is at a minimum because it now only has to supply the difference between what's required by the current sink and what is being supplied through \$R_1\$. But this is also at the same point where the \$V_\text{CE}\$ is at a maximum. Again, there is a power minima here.

So there are two power-minima in each cycle. Their minima values do not have to be equal to each other, because of the \$V_\text{BE}\$ voltage.

The two power maxima should be about the same value and will occur right when the signal voltage is near \$0\:\text{V}\$. You can work out this out simply enough. Ignoring \$V_\text{BE}\$ entirely for now (assuming the signal appears directly as the emitter voltage), the power in the BJT is roughly speaking: \$P=\left(V_+-V_\text{IN}\right)\cdot\left(I_1+\frac{V_\text{IN}}{R_1}\right)\$. Taking the derivative it works out that the maximum power occurs when \$V_\text{IN}\approx \frac{1}{2}\left(V_+-I_1\cdot R_1\right)\$. For your current setup, this occurs at about \$V_\text{IN}\approx 0\:\text{V}\$

You can test out this idea by changing your positive supply rail voltage to \$14\:\text{V}\$, for example. Then you should find that the peak power occurs at about \$V_\text{IN}\approx +2\:\text{V}\$.

That's really all there is to it.

\$\endgroup\$
2
\$\begingroup\$

The difference is only due to the Vbe DC offset on the resistor.

Since Vin=Vb is 0V dc , Ve = Vin - Vbe (neglecting Rbe)

If you add Vbe= 0.7V dc offset to sig.gen. input, then the output will be 804mW for every peak and Voltage will be symmetrical about 0V.

Some voltage swing is lost due to \$r_{be}\$ at a base emitter current Ib= (Isink/hFE) ( in theory 9^2/100 = 810 mWpeak)

\$\endgroup\$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.