Method Of Analysis Of A Feedback Amplifier

It is desirable to separate the feedback amplifier into two blocks, the basic amplifier 𝐴 and the
feedback amplifier 𝛽, because with a knowledge of 𝐴 and 𝛽, we can calculate the important
characteristics of the feedback system, namely, 𝐴𝑓 , 𝑅𝑖𝑓 and 𝑅𝑜𝑓 . The basic amplifier
configuration without feedback but taking the loading of the feedback network into account is
obtain by applying the following rules:
To find the input circuit:
1. Set 𝑉𝑜 = 0 for voltage sampling. In other words, short the output node.
2. Set 𝐼𝑜 = 0 for current sampling. In other words, open the output loop.
To find the output circuit:
1. Set 𝑉𝑖 = 0 for shunt comparison. In other words, short the input node.
2. Set 𝐼𝑖 = 0 for series comparison. In other words, open the input loop.
These procedures ensure that the feedback is reduce to zero without altering the loading on
the basic amplifier.
The complete analysis of a feedback amplifier is obtain by carrying out the following steps:
l. Identify the topology.
a) Is the feedback signal 𝑋𝑓 a voltage or a current? In other words, 𝑋𝑓 applied in
series or in shunt with the external excitation?
b) Is the sampled signal 𝑋𝑜 a voltage or a current? In other words, the sampled
signal taken at the output node or from the output loop?
2. Draw the basic amplifier circuit without feedback, following the rules listed above.
3. Use a Thevenin source if 𝑋𝑓 is a voltage source and a Norton source if 𝑋𝑓 is a
current.
4. Replace the active device by the proper model (for example, the hybrid-∏ model for
a transistor at high frequencies or the h-parameter model at low frequencies).
5. Indicate 𝑋𝑓 and 𝑋𝑜 on the circuit obtained by carrying out step 2, 3 and 4. Evaluate
𝛽= 𝑋𝑓 /𝑋𝑜 .
6. Evaluate 𝐴 by applying KVL and KCL to the equivalent circuit obtained after step
4.
7. From 𝐴 and 𝛽, find 𝐷, 𝐴𝑓 , 𝑅𝑖𝑓 , 𝑅𝑜𝑓 and 𝑅𝑜′ 𝑓 .

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Table : Feedback Amplifier Analysis
Topology (1) (2) (3) (4)
Voltage Current Current Voltage
Characteristics Series Series Shunt Shunt
Feedback signal, 𝑋𝑓 Voltage Voltage Current Current
Sampled signal, 𝑋𝑜 Voltage Current Current Voltage
To find input loop, set* 𝑉𝑜 = 0 𝐼𝑜 = 0 𝐼𝑜 = 0 𝑉𝑜 = 0
To find output loop, set* 𝐼𝑖 = 0 𝐼𝑖 = 0 𝑉𝑖 = 0 𝑉𝑖 = 0
Signal source Thevenin Thevenin Norton Norton
𝛽= 𝑋𝑓 /𝑋𝑜 𝑉𝑓 /𝑉𝑜 𝑉𝑓 /𝐼𝑜 𝐼𝑓 /𝐼𝑜 𝐼𝑓 /𝑉𝑜
𝐴= 𝑋𝑜 /𝑋𝑖 𝐴𝑉 = 𝑉𝑜 /𝑉𝑖 𝐺𝑀 = 𝐼𝑜 /𝑉𝑖 𝐴𝐼 = 𝐼𝑜 /𝐼𝑖 𝑅𝑀 = 𝑉𝑜 /𝐼𝑖
𝐷= 1 + 𝛽𝐴 1 + 𝛽𝐴𝑉 1 + 𝛽𝐺𝑀 1 + 𝛽𝐴𝐼 1 + 𝛽𝑅𝑀
𝐴𝑓 𝐴𝑉 /𝐷 𝐺𝑀 /𝐷 𝐴𝐼 /𝐷 𝑅𝑀 /𝐷
𝑅𝑖𝑓 𝑅𝑖 . 𝐷 𝑅𝑖 . 𝐷 𝑅𝑖 /𝐷 𝑅𝑖 /𝐷
𝑅𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑜 𝑅𝑜
𝑅𝑜 .(1 + 𝛽𝐺𝑀𝑚 ) 𝑅𝑜 .(1 + 𝛽𝐴𝑖 )
1 + 𝛽𝐴𝑣 1 + 𝛽𝑅𝑚
𝑅𝑜′ 𝑓 = 𝑅𝑜𝑓 ||𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝑜′ 𝑅𝑜′ . (1 + 𝛽𝐺𝑚 ) 𝑅𝑜′ . (1 + 𝛽𝐴𝑖 ) 𝑅𝑜′
𝐷 𝐷 𝐷 𝐷

* This procedure gives the basic amplifier circuit without feedback but taking the loading of 𝛽,
𝑅𝐿 and 𝑅𝑆 into account.

Feedback
Feedback is the process of taking a part of output signal and feeding is to the input circuit. If
the feedback signal add to the input signal, it is called Positive Feedback and if the feedback
signal subtracts from the input signal, it is called Negative Feedback.

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Negative Feedback
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A Negative-feedback amplifier (or feedback amplifier) is an electronic amplifier that subtracts
a fraction of its output from its input, so that negative feedback opposes the original signal.
The applied negative feedback can improve its performance (gain stability, linearity,
frequency response, step response) and reduces sensitivity to parameter variations due to
manufacturing or environment. Because of these advantages, many amplifiers and control
systems use negative feedback.

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- A Xo

Advantages of Negative Feedback

Figure : Effect of negative feedback on gain and bandwidth.

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