võimendustüüpideks

Võimendustüüpideks are categories used to classify electronic amplifiers based on their operating principles and efficiency. These classifications help in understanding how an amplifier processes an input signal and converts it into a larger output signal. The most common classification system uses letters, starting with Class A and progressing through Class B, AB, C, D, and others.

Class A amplifiers are characterized by their high linearity and low distortion, but also by their low efficiency. In a Class A amplifier, the active device (like a transistor) is always conducting, meaning it is always "on," even when there is no input signal. This results in a significant amount of power being wasted as heat.

Class B amplifiers offer improved efficiency over Class A. They use two active devices that conduct for approximately half of the input signal cycle. This push-pull configuration reduces power consumption but can introduce crossover distortion when one device turns off and the other turns on.

Class AB amplifiers are a compromise between Class A and Class B, combining the benefits of both. They offer better linearity than Class B while being more efficient than Class A. The active devices conduct for more than half but less than a full cycle of the input signal.

Class C amplifiers are designed for maximum efficiency, but at the cost of significant distortion. They are typically used in radio frequency (RF) applications where only a specific portion of the input signal is amplified. The active device conducts for less than half of the input signal cycle.

Class D amplifiers are highly efficient, often exceeding 90%, and are widely used in digital audio systems and switching power supplies. They operate by rapidly switching the active device on and off, effectively creating a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal that represents the input audio. This PWM signal is then filtered to recover the amplified audio. Other amplifier classes, such as Class E, F, and G, exist, each offering specific advantages for particular applications.