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Amplifiers & Gain

Amplifying signals using transistors and operational amplifiers

What is an Amplifier?

An amplifier increases the amplitude of a signal. It takes a small input signal and produces a larger output signal with the same shape.

Voltage Gain (A_v) = V_out / V_in

Gain in dB = 20 × log₁₀(A_v)

Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps)

Inverting Amplifier

Output is inverted (180° phase shift) and amplified.

Gain = -R_f / R_in

Non-Inverting Amplifier

Output is in phase with input and amplified.

Gain = 1 + (R_f / R_in)

Voltage Follower (Buffer)

Unity gain (1x), high input impedance, low output impedance.

Gain = 1 (0 dB)

Transistor Amplifiers

Common Emitter (CE)

High voltage gain, phase inversion.

Gain ≈ -R_c / R_e

Common Collector (CC)

Unity voltage gain, high current gain (emitter follower).

Gain ≈ 1

Common Base (CB)

High voltage gain, no phase inversion, low input impedance.

Gain ≈ R_c / (r_e + R_e)

Key Specifications

  • Bandwidth: Range of frequencies amplified effectively
  • Slew Rate: Maximum rate of output voltage change
  • Input/Output Impedance: Affects signal loading
  • Distortion: Unwanted changes to the signal shape
  • Noise: Unwanted random signals added by the amplifier