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Today, we'll explore how negative feedback impacts amplifier gain. What happens when we use negative feedback?
I think it reduces the gain from what it would be without feedback.
Exactly! The closed-loop gain, represented as Af, becomes less than the open-loop gain A. This is defined by the formula Af = 1 + AβF A. Can anyone explain what that means?
The variable βF is the feedback factor that modifies the gain?
Right! And it helps stabilize the overall gain, especially when A is very large. Let's calculate an example: what if A = 200,000 and βF = 0.005?
The loop gain is AβF = 1000, so use the formula to find Af.
Great! Calculate it and see how stable our gain becomes despite variations.
I see, even with a 30% drop in open-loop gain, the closed-loop gain hardly changes.
Exactly! This demonstrates the power of negative feedback. It keeps gain steady under varying conditions.
In summary, negative feedback lowers the gain but stabilizes it. Remember: ‘Feedback = Stability of Gain’—that’s a mnemonic to recall!
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Let's talk about bandwidth. How does negative feedback alter the bandwidth of an amplifier?
It increases the bandwidth, right?
Yes! The relationship between closed-loop bandwidth and open-loop bandwidth is described by BWf = BW(1 + AβF). Can anyone explain why this happens?
I think it's because when we reduce gain, we improve frequency response.
Correct! The gain-bandwidth product stays approximately constant. Let’s calculate: if an amplifier has a BW of 20 kHz and AβF of 100, what's BWf?
It would be 20 kHz times 101, which is 2020 kHz.
Exactly! That's a significant increase. As a quick recap, negative feedback increases bandwidth as gain decreases.
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Now, let’s discuss input and output resistances. How does negative feedback influence these?
For input resistance, it depends on how we mix the feedback?
Right! If we use series mixing, input resistance increases. In contrast, shunt mixing decreases it. Can anyone summarize the implications?
In series, the amplifier looks more like an open circuit, minimizing loading effects.
And in shunt, it appears more like a short circuit–that’s useful for current sources.
Excellent insights! Now, what about output resistance?
Voltage sampling decreases output resistance, making it like an ideal voltage source!
That's right! Whereas current sampling increases output resistance—just like an ideal current source.
In summary, feedback can significantly influence both input and output resistances. Remember that: ‘Resistance Changes with Feedback!’
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Let’s finalize today’s lesson by discussing distortion and noise. How does feedback reduce these issues?
Doesn't it feed back the distortion signals in the opposite phase to cancel them?
Exactly! When distortion components are fed back negatively, they are canceled out. This reduces overall signal distortion. Can you recall the formula for distortion reduction?
Df = (1 + AβF) D, where D is the distortion without feedback.
Perfect! And what about noise?
Noise reduction is similar; it uses the same principles to decrease internal noise generated.
Correct! Negative feedback does not affect noise present at the input, but it certainly helps with internal noise and distortion. In summary, remember: ‘Feedback = Less Distortion and Noise!’
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As we wrap up our discussions, why do you think negative feedback is vital in amplifier designs?
It stabilizes performance, making sure the gain remains predictable.
Also, it improves bandwidth and reduces distortion!
Exactly! Feedback enhances overall amplifier reliability and performance. Let’s summarize what we learned about the effects of feedback on gain, bandwidth, input/output resistance, and distortion.
We learned that while feedback reduces gain, it helps with stability and performance across the board.
Great summary! Remember these key points for your studies, and continue to think critically about the role of feedback in electronics.
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Negative feedback actively modifies amplifier performance by reducing gain, increasing bandwidth, and affecting both input and output resistances. This section provides a detailed exploration of how these parameters are quantified and the implications of feedback on amplifier operation and signal fidelity.
In electronic amplifiers, negative feedback serves as a crucial mechanism for enhancing performance by stabilizing various operational parameters. This section discusses five key aspects influenced by negative feedback: gain, bandwidth, input resistance, output resistance, and distortion, providing the mathematical foundations and significance of each.
Negative feedback leads to a reduction in closed-loop gain compared to open-loop gain. As derived from the core formula:
Af = 1 + AβF A
where Af is the closed-loop gain, A is the open-loop gain, and βF is the feedback factor. The result demonstrates that increased feedback stabilizes gain, especially in high-gain scenarios.
If an open-loop gain of 200,000 experiences a 30% reduction due to temperature variations, the closed-loop gain changes minimally, illustrating effective stability through feedback.
Negative feedback increases bandwidth due to the gain-bandwidth product remaining approximately constant for many amplifiers. As gain reduces, bandwidth increases proportionally:
BWf = BW(1 + AβF)
An open-loop amplifier with a 3dB bandwidth of 20 kHz can increase to 2.02 MHz when negative feedback is applied, demonstrating the bandwidth enhancement effect.
The impact of feedback on input resistance depends on the mixing configuration:
This affects loading conditions for signal sources, either enhancing or reducing the apparent resistance seen by the input.
Feedback modifies output resistance as well:
Negative feedback mitigates non-linear distortion and internal noise through error correction mechanisms. It feeds back distortion components in phase opposition, leading to cancellation.
In summary, this section emphasizes the critical role of negative feedback in shaping amplifier parameters for improved performance, highlighting how feedback effectively stabilizes gain, bandwidth, and minimizes distortion.
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Negative feedback, by its very nature of error correction, profoundly modifies the performance characteristics of an amplifier. The factor (1+AβF ), often referred to as the desensitivity factor or amount of feedback, quantifies the degree to which these parameters are affected. The larger this factor, the stronger the impact of feedback.
Negative feedback is a systematic way to improve amplifier performance by correcting errors within the signal. When feedback is applied, it modifies several key performance parameters of the amplifier. The term (1+AβF) represents how much feedback affects the system; as this term increases, it indicates that the feedback is having a stronger effect. Essentially, more feedback helps stabilize and enhance the amplifier's performance.
Think of negative feedback like a parent guiding a child who is learning to ride a bicycle. If the child starts to wobble, the parent provides a gentle push to help them straighten up. The more securely the parent holds onto the child's bike, the more stable and confident the child becomes as they ride.
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Gain Reduction: As clearly evident from the fundamental formula, for any positive AβF , the denominator (1+AβF ) will be greater than 1. Consequently, the closed-loop gain Af will always be less than the open-loop gain A. This reduction in gain is the direct consequence of the feedback loop actively opposing the input signal.
The application of negative feedback consistently reduces the gain of an amplifier. This occurs because the feedback opposes any increase in signal, resulting in the closed-loop gain being lower than the gain without feedback (open-loop gain). The key takeaway is that while the open-loop gain can be very high, the actual operational gain of the amplifier with feedback is controlled and predictable.
Imagine a fast runner trying to sprint through a crowd. If someone gently holds back their arms to prevent them from accelerating too much, the runner steadies their speed instead of running wildly ahead. This is similar to how negative feedback stabilizes an amplifier's output.
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Gain Desensitization (Stability of Gain): This is one of the most significant advantages of negative feedback. If the open-loop gain A is very large, such that the loop gain AβF ≫1, then the closed-loop gain formula approximates to: Af ≈AβF A =βF 1.
Desensitization refers to the phenomenon where the effective gain of the amplifier becomes primarily dependent on the feedback factor rather than the open-loop gain, especially if A is large. This means that variations in the open-loop gain due to environmental factors (like temperature changes) have a very minimal effect on the actual gain of the amplifier. This is advantageous in ensuring stable performance.
Consider a thermostat that controls a heating system. If the temperature fluctuates due to drafts or sunlight, the thermostat adjusts the heating output accordingly without drastic changes in response to those fluctuations. Just like the thermostat, negative feedback helps maintain stable output in amplifiers.
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Negative feedback has the beneficial effect of increasing the bandwidth of an amplifier.
When applying negative feedback, the gain-bandwidth product remains approximately constant, meaning if the amplifier's gain is reduced through feedback, its bandwidth increases proportionally. This trade-off allows amplifiers to perform effectively across a wider range of frequencies, making them more versatile.
Think of a highway speed limit. If a driver must slow down to maintain efficient fuel consumption, they can drive longer distances without needing frequent stops. In the same way, reducing gain with feedback allows the amplifier to operate effectively over broader frequency ranges.
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The effect on input resistance depends on how the feedback signal is mixed at the input.
In configurations where feedback voltage is applied in series at the input, the apparent input resistance of the amplifier increases. Conversely, in shunt configurations, it decreases. This variability allows designers to tailor the amplifier’s input characteristics to specific requirements, crucial for optimal performance depending on the source it connects to.
Imagine a sponge soaking up water. If you place it in a bucket of water (high input resistance), it can absorb more without losing its shape. However, if you put it in a shallow dish (low input resistance), it can’t maintain its form as the water drains away. Similarly, the amplifiers adjust their resistance depending on feedback configuration, aiding in how they 'absorb' signals.
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The effect on output resistance depends on how the feedback signal is sampled at the output.
In cases where feedback samples the output voltage, negative feedback decreases the output resistance, allowing the amplifier to maintain a stable output voltage under varying load conditions. However, when current is sampled, output resistance increases, which is beneficial for certain applications, especially when maintaining a constant current output.
Consider a water faucet. When you turn the knob (feedback sampling), it keeps the same flow of water (output voltage) no matter if you attach a hose to it or not (different loads). If the faucet is designed to resist water flow instead of maintaining it, it results in a varying and unstable output, similar to undesirable high output resistance.
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Negative feedback offers a significant improvement in the quality of the amplified signal by reducing both non-linear distortion and noise generated within the amplifier itself.
Negative feedback effectively cancels out distortion and internal noise in amplifiers. When distortion components are fed back into the input of the amplifier, in an inverted phase, they can significantly reduce the overall distortion in the output signal. This correction enhances the fidelity of the amplified output.
Imagine editing audio tracks in music production. If a musician’s voice has an unwanted echo, an audio engineer can reduce the echo (similar to feedback) during mixing, enhancing sound clarity. Negative feedback in amplifiers works in much the same way, reducing unwanted noise to create a clearer output signal.
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Key Concepts
Negative Feedback: A process of feeding a portion of the output back to the input to stabilize and improve amplifier performance.
Closed-loop Gain (Af): The gain of the amplifier when negative feedback is applied, always less than open-loop gain (A).
Bandwidth (BW): The range of frequencies over which the amplifier effectively operates, enhanced by negative feedback.
Input Resistance (Zinf): Resistance observed at the amplifier's input, which can increase or decrease depending on feedback topology.
Output Resistance (Zout): Resistance observed at the amplifier's output, also influenced by feedback configuration.
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Example of Negative Feedback in a High-Gain Amplifier: Demonstrating gain desensitization where a 30% gain drop results in only a minimal change in closed-loop gain.
Example of Bandwidth Enhancement: Calculation showing an amplifier with a 20 kHz bandwidth increasing to 2.02 MHz through the application of negative feedback.
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
Gain goes down with feedback found, but stability is wherein it's bound!
Imagine an amplifier on a rollercoaster, gaining heights with feedback loops to stabilize its ride despite the twists and turns of input variations.
Gains (G) and Bandwidths (B) increase when Feedback (F) is applied: GBF or 'Gain Beats Fear'.
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Review the Definitions for terms.
Term: Gain
Definition:
The ratio of output signal power to input signal power in an amplifier.
Term: Bandwidth
Definition:
The range of frequencies over which an amplifier operates effectively.
Term: Input Resistance
Definition:
The resistance presented by the input of the amplifier, affecting its loading on the source.
Term: Output Resistance
Definition:
The resistance presented by the output of the amplifier, influencing load handling.
Term: Distortion
Definition:
Any deviation of the output signal in an amplifier that differs from the input signal.