67.3.1. Overview of Active Load Benefits

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the purpose of an active load in an amplifier?

   Hint

   Think about how it impacts performance.

2. 2.

   Define negative feedback in your own words.

   Hint

   Consider feedback's effect on the input.

3. 3.

   What is the main benefit of using an active load in amplifiers?

   • Improves noise level
   • Enhances voltage gain
   • Increases dissipation

   Hint

   Think about performance improvement.

4. 4.

   True or False: Without a bypass capacitor, the operating point is always optimal.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Review feedback effects.

5. 5.

   Design an amplifier circuit using active load principles and calculate the expected gain and output resistance without and with a bypass capacitor. Highlight the differences.

   Hint

   Consider resistive paths and transistor parameters.

6. 6.

   If an amplifier without feedback achieves a gain of 40 and one with negative feedback is expected to drop to 20, discuss the potential role of an active load in recovering some of that lost gain.

   Hint

   Evaluate the circuit configurations critically related to feedback.