Design a class AB audio amplifier
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I am required to design a class AB audio amplifier to deliver 10W to an 8Ω speaker as shown, but I don’t know where to start. The bandwidth is to cover the range from 20Hz to 18kHz. Input voltage is 500mV rms.
Image source: Electronics Tutorials – Class AB Amplifier Driver Stage
This is what I have done so far
CALCULATIONS.
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R_L = 8 Ω
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P_AVG = 10W
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Bandwidth from 20 Hz to 18 kHz
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V_(0 peak) = √(2×10×8) = 12.65v
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V_CC = V_(0 peak)×2+2 = 27.3V ≅ 28V
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I_(0 peak) = V_(0 peak)/R_L = 12.65/8 = 1.58A
Each transistor current is given by:
- I_(0 peak)/2 = 1.58/2 = 0.79A
Assuming β = 113
- I_(B Q1) = I_(B Q2) = I_E/(β+1) = 0.79/114 = 6.93mA
Assuming I_D = 1A, then:
- I_bias = 1mA+1mA+6.93mA+6.93mA = 15.86mA
Setting V_C = 14V, then:
- R4 = (28V-14v-0.7v-0.7V)/15.86mA = 794.5Ω
Setting V_E = 1V
- R_3+R_3^II = 1V/15.86mA = 63.05Ω
Input current is assumed to be 500mA
Q_3 gain is given by:
- V_(O peak rms)/V_(in rms) = √(8×10)/500mA = 17.88Ω
Setting Q_3 gain to 20:
- R_3^II = ((28V-14V)/15.86mA)/20=44.14Ω
- R_3=63.05-44.14 = 18.92Ω
- I_B = I_C/β = 15.86mA/100 = 0.1586mA
Setting I_1 = 20 I_B:
- I_B = 20×0.1586mA = 3.172mA
- R_2 = 1.7V/3.172mA = 535Ω
- R_1 = (28V-1.7V)/3.172mA = 8291Ω
Designing for C_1 and C_3:
- r_e = 26mV/15.86mA = 1.64Ω
- R_1 ||R_2 = 502.57Ω
- R_3^II = 44.14Ω
- R_th = 41.96Ω
- C1 = C3= 1/(2×π×f_L×R_th) = 1/(2×π×20×44.14) = 189.65μF
Designing for C_2:
- R_th = 69.6759Ω
- C_2 = 10/(2×π×f_L×R_th) = 10/(2×π×20×69.6759) = 1142μF
When I simulate the circuit, the output voltage is quite small and the output power is much less than 10W.
What could be the issue?
The final circuit I came up with is shown.