Engineering Notes
POWER RF AMPLIFIERS TECHNICAL REFERENCE MATERIAL
Class A Operation
Class A amplifiers have a fixed forward bias.
Base current, IB, and collector current, IC, flow over the full RF cycle.
In addition, when operated below compression, the RF signal swing is uniformly above and below the quiescent DC
bias set point and well within the linear region of the transistor.
Summary of Characteristics Class A
Class A Advantages:
Excellent Linearity
Low Distortion
Faithful Pulse Response Below the 1 dB Compression Point
Broad Bandwidth
Good Noise Figure
Low Bandpass Ripple at All Output Levels
Medium Output Power Capability
Phase & Gain Stable at All Output Levels
Class A Disadvantages:
Poor Efficiency
More Heat Dissipated
Larger Size
Applications:
TWT Replacements
Sweeper/Synthesizer/Signal Generator Boosters
TV Amplifiers
Short Pulse Amplifiers
Multicarrier Amplification
Multicouplers
Baseband Amplifiers
IF and Low Noise Amplifiers
Multi Decade Amplifiers
AM Amplifiers
Laboratory Drivers
EW/ECM Jammers
RFI Testing
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RF Glossary of Terms
RF Amplifiers Gain
Passband Frequency Range Gain Flatness
RF Power
Pulsed Power
Peak Envelope Power
Harmonics & Spurious
Intercept Point
Intermodulation Distortion
Multitone IMD Monograph
Noise Figure & Level
Modulation Types
VSWR & Return Loss (Impedance)
Load VSWR & Protection
Leveling Loops, Input Overdrive Protection
Graceful Degradation
Protection Circuits
DC Input Power & Efficiency
Cooling Methods
Class of RF Amplifiers
Class A Operation
Class AB Operation
Class C operation
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