Lucille G.

Yu BSEC 3

Activity 7
Large Signal Amplifiers: Class AB Amplifier
Objectives:
1.) To observe Class AB amplifier characteristics.
2.) To measure voltage inputs and outputs Vi1, Vi2, Vo1 and Vo2.
3.) To compare the input and output phases of the circuit.
4.) To observe phase pattern between corrected and uncorrected circuit.
5.) To observe a crossover distortion in an uncorrected circuit.

Introduction:
Large-signal or power amplifiers primarily provide sufficient power to an output load to drive a
speaker or other power device, typically a few watts to tens of watts. The main features of a large-signal
amplifier are the circuits power efficiency, the maximum amount of power that the circuit is capable of
handling, and the impedance matching to the output device.
One method used to categorize amplifiers is by class. Basically, amplifier classes represent the
amount the output signal varies over one cycle of operation for a full cycle of input signal.

For Class AB amplifiers, the advantage of this small bias voltage shown by the figure above, provided by
series diodes or resistors, is that the crossover distortion created by the class B amplifier characteristics is
overcome, without the inefficiencies of the class A amplifier design. So the class AB amplifier is a good
compromise between class A and class B in terms of efficiency and linearity, with conversion efficiencies
reaching about 50% to 60%.

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Lucille G. Yu BSEC 3
Materials:
Breadboard

Connectors

Resistors

Capacitors

2 Diodes

Function Generator

2 NPN transistors

Multitester

Oscilloscope

2 DC Power Supply

Procedure:
1.) Construct the circuit below:
XFG1
3

V1
12 V

0
0

R1
10k
7
Q2

C1
2

C2

470F

5
470F

Q1

R3
10k
PN2907A

R2
10k

0
0
V2
12 V

2.) Using an oscilloscope, observe the behavior of the signal produced and record the values
of Vi and Vo on the table below under uncorrected circuit.
3.) Graph the input and output signal.
4.) Construct the circuit below:
3

V1
12 V

XFG1
0

R1
10k

Q2
7

C2

D1
1N4001GP

5
470F

C1
9

R3
10k

470F
D2
1N4001GP

0
Q1
0

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PN2907A

R2
10k

V2
12 V

Lucille G. Yu BSEC 3
5.) Observe the behavior of the signal using an oscilloscope and record the values of Vi and

Vo on the table below under corrected circuit.

6.) Graph the input and output signal.

Results:

Uncorrected Circuit
Vi
1.42 V
Vo
284 mV
Corrected Circuit
Vi
164 mV
Vo
148 mV
Graphs:
Uncorrected Circuit

Vi(yellow) and Vo(blue)

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Lucille G. Yu BSEC 3
Corrected Circuit

Vi(yellow) and Vo(blue)

Conclusion:
Since the two transistors are different ( an NPN transistor on the upper part while a PNP
transistor on the lower part), only one will let the current flow through each of the positive/negative
half cycle of the AC signal/ voltage source. An NPN is ON when there is a positive potential difference
measured from the emitter of an NPN transistor to its base while a PNP transistor behaves oppositely
since it is ON if and only if when its base is pulled high relative to the emitter ( negative potential
difference ).
The uncorrected circuit has cross over distortion since either of the transistor is off when the
supplied voltage is approximately less than the threshold value of 0.7 volts for it to function well. The
straight line part of the output signal shows that there is indeed a distorted signal.
To overcome this situation, two diodes were added to the circuit. On each half cycle, one is
forward biased while the other is backward biased and on the next half cycle, they exchange roles
hence, there is no time when both of them are forward neither backward biased at the time. The graph
of the corrected circuit shows a perfect sinusoidal wave since the distortion within the range of -0.7 to
0.7 volts of the supplied ac signal is aided by the presence of the two diodes.

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