Amplifier Frequency Response Bandwidth: Understanding Bandwidth and Cutoff Frequencies
This chapter explores the concepts of bandwidth and cutoff frequencies in amplifier frequency response. Learn how to calculate cutoff frequencies, measure gain and frequency, and analyze roll-off rates. Understand the impact of internal capacitances in BJTs and explore the high and low-frequency responses of FET amplifiers. Finally, discover how to determine cutoff frequencies and bandwidth in multistage amplifier circuits.
Amplifier Frequency Response Bandwidth: Understanding Bandwidth and Cutoff Frequencies
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Presentation Transcript
Chapter 14 Amplifier Frequency Response
Bandwidth • Bandwidth (BW) – The range of frequencies over which gain is relatively constant. • Frequency response curve – A curve showing the relationship between gain and operating frequency.
Cutoff Frequencies • Cutoff frequencies – The frequencies at which Ap decreases to 50% of its midband value.
Geometric Center Frequency • Geometric center frequency (f0) – The frequency that equals the geometric average of fC1 and fC2. • Power gain is maximum when an amplifier is operated at its geometric center frequency.
Gain & Frequency Measurements • The y-axis of the graph represents changes in power gain (rather than specific gain values). • The changes in gain are represented in dB. • The frequency increments are logarithmic; that is, each increment is some whole-number multiple of the previous increment.
dB Power Gain Example: Convert Ap = 1200 to dB form.
Frequency Intervals • Octave – A frequency multiplier of 2. • Decade – A frequency multiplier of 10.
Bode Plot • Bode plot – A frequency response curve that assumes Ap = 0 dB until the cutoff frequency is reached.
Gain Roll-Off • Roll-off rate – The rate of gain reduction for a circuit when operated beyond its cutoff frequencies. • The roll-off rate for a given RC circuit is independent of the values of R and C. • The low-frequency roll-off rate for an RC circuit is determined using
Roll-off rates • Voltage gain roll-off rates (for RC circuits) are 20 dB per decade and 6 dB per octave.
Amplifier Low-Frequency Response • The Bode plot is ideal. The frequency response curve is a more practical representation.
BJT Internal Capacitances • Each BJT junction has some measurable value of capacitance.
Miller’s Theorem • Miller’s theorem – A theorem which states that a feedback capacitor can be represented as separate input and output capacitances.
High-Frequency Roll-Off • The high-frequency roll-off rate for a given RC circuit is independent of the values of R and C. • The high-frequency roll-off rate for an RC circuit is determined using
JFET Capacitance Specifications • Ciss – Input capacitance • Crss – Reverse transfer capacitance • Coss– Output capacitance
Multistage Amplifier Cutoff Frequencies and Bandwidth • When amplifiers having equal cutoff frequencies are cascaded, the cutoff frequencies and bandwidth of the multistage circuit are found using