Types of amplifiers

Electronic devices called amplifiers boost the amplitude of an input signal while maintaining its structure and properties. There are various amplifier kinds, each of which is created for a particular application and set of performance requirements. Here are a few popular amplifier types:

Common Emitter Amplifier: Bipolar junction transistor (BJT) amplifier of the common emitter type boosts the voltage between the transistor's emitter and collector. It has a high voltage gain and is frequently used for general-purpose amplification.

Common Base Amplifier: The common base amplifier boosts the current flowing between the transistor's emitter and collector in a different BJT amplifier design. It is frequently employed in high-frequency and impedance matching applications.

Common Collector Amplifier (Emitter Follower): This BJT arrangement uses an emitter follower and a common collector amplifier, with the output coming from the emitter. The emitter follower is a good choice for impedance buffering since it has a high input impedance, a low output impedance, and unity voltage gain.

Differential Amplifier: Differential amplifiers boost the differences between two input signals while rejecting any common-mode signals (signals that are present in both inputs at the same time). In areas like instrumentation and signal processing, differential amplifiers are essential.

Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp): Op-amps are extremely adaptable integrated circuit amplifiers with high input impedance, low output impedance, and exceptionally high open-loop gain. Amplification, filtering, signal conditioning, and mathematical computations are just a few of the many uses for them.

Power Amplifier: Power amplifiers are made to produce a great amount of output power to drive speakers or other high-power loads. They are frequently employed in RF transmitters, motor control devices, and audio systems.

Class A Amplifier: This type of amplifier has low efficiency but strong linearity since the output transistor(s) are continually conducting during operation.

Class B amplifier: They employ two transistors, each of which only conducts half of the input waveform. They can introduce crossover distortion despite being more effective than Class A.

Class AB Amplifier: They combine characteristics of Class A and Class B amplifiers with the goal of lowering crossover distortion while retaining acceptable efficiency.

Class D Amplifier: Also referred to as a switching amplifier, Class D amplifiers maximize efficiency by utilizing pulse-width modulation. Efficiency is vital in audio applications, as they are frequently employed.

Differential amplifier: They boost the differences between two input signals while rejecting any common-mode signals (signals that are present in both inputs at the same time). In areas like instrumentation and signal processing, differential amplifiers are essential.

Instrumentation Amplifier: High input impedance and common-mode rejection are provided by this kind of differential amplifier, known as an instrumentation amplifier. It is frequently employed for precise low-level signal measurement.

Voltage Amplifier : This amplifier mainly enhances voltage signals. It comes in a variety of shapes and arrangements, like the ones described above.

Current Amplifier: The main purpose of this amplifier is to amplify current signals. Despite being less popular than voltage amplifiers, it has its uses.

Logarithmic Amplifier (Log Amp): Logarithmic amplifiers are used to compress the output of a wide range of input signal amplitudes. They are frequently employed in signal-compression-related applications, like audio processing.

These are only a few of the several amplifier designs that are available, each suited to certain uses and specifications. The signal characteristics, required gain, frequency range, power requirements, and the intended application are only a few examples of the variables that influence the choice of amplifier type.