7401003 Basic electronics II TUT/ELE 15.2.

2005
Push-pull amplifier and audio amplifier

Laboratory measurements
In this laboratory exercise we get familiar with a push-pull amplifier and an audio amplifier.
Please, read these instructions before you come to the laboratory. The laboratory measurement
results are written down to the measurement log which are available in the laboratory.

1. Push-pull amplifier

V1
15V Q1
QBC546A

D2

V3
Vin Vout DGAALAS
D1
FREQ = 1000
VAMPL = 2V
VOFF = 0 DGAALAS
0 V2 R2 R1
15V 10k 330
QBC556A
Q2

Above is the schematic diagram of the push-pull amplifier to be studied. It is drawn using the Orcad
PSpice simulation software. The PSpice models for the transistors (BC546A and BC556A) are from
the web page of Philips (www.semiconductors.com) and the models for gallium-arsenic light
emitting diodes can be found in the Internet. Other components can be found in the standard
libraries of PSpice. Missing from the schematic diagram are two capacitors (100nF) in parallel with
the voltage source. The resistor R2 is added to the circuit to pull down the voltage when the output
is smaller than the turn-on voltage of the light emitting diodes.
More detailed explanation of the circuit can be found in the course book: Neil Storey Electronics a
Systems Approach.

1.1 Examining the push-pull amplifier

Connect the operating voltage of ±15V to the measuring board. Note that the common reference
point of the amplifier is called GND. That does not, however, mean that this GND should be
connected to the
+15V COM –15V
safety ground. +15V Power source
and -15V is compared
with the ”ground” of +15V GND –15V
the amplifier, which Measuring
is called GND. board
Vin Vout
The measuring board
should now look
something like the
picture beside.

1/7 Academic year 04-05

 7401003 Basic electronics II TUT/ELE 15.2.2005
Push-pull amplifier and audio amplifier

+15V GND –15V

a) Connect +15V to the input Vin. What
happens?
b) Connect +15V to the input Vin. What
Q1 C1 & C2 happens?
c) Use the signal generator and connect
D2 5Vp-p and 3-5Hz to the input. Make
Vin Vout also sure that dc-offset=0V. What
D1 happens?

Q2
R2 R1

1.2 Measuring the output signal of the push-pull amplifier

Connect the signal generator to the input, now use sine signal 4Vp-p 1kHz. Measure the input and
output with the oscilloscope using two-channel measurement.
The following picture is a simulation result of the input and output voltages of the schematic
diagram of the push-pull amplifier:
2.0V

1.0V

0V

-1.0V

-2.0V
0s 0.5ms 1.0ms 1.5ms 2.0ms 2.5ms
V(Vin) V(Vout)
Time

When measuring make sure that you are aware of which of the signals is input and which is output.

Are the simulation result and measurements similar?

2/7 Academic year 04-05

7401003 Basic electronics II TUT/ELE 15.2.2005
Push-pull amplifier and audio amplifier

2 Audio amplifier

In this measurement we use an audio amplifier, which is constructed on a measuring board, signal
generator and loudspeakers. We also use dual power source +/-15V. Measurements will be carried
out using a digital multimeter and an oscilloscope.
In picture 1. you can see the circuit diagram of the audio amplifier divided in three different sections
and all the measurement points.

Frequency Power section

corrector
Pre-amplifier
Volume VCC

R17
C01 6.8K
Q1
MODEL=BC546B
68P Q2
C3 C4 MODEL=TIP41
R4 1
R12
3 D1
C MODEL=D1N4148 R19
0.01 2 0.01
47K VALUE=47K 2.2K
R16 OUT

VEE R7 R9 R21 R24

22K D2 VEE
C1 R3 2.2K
IN1 2.2K VEE 1 1
MODEL=D1N4148
2 4 R11 R15
VALUE=47U 47K TL072 1 TONEOUT 3
4.7K R25 4
3 8 U1 2 2
TL072
PWROUT
1.5K 1
C
R8 1 VALUE=4.7K 3 8 U2
IN2 C2 R5 VCC R10
8.2K C5 C6 VCC
8.2K GND
VALUE=47U 47K
GND D3 VCC R23 R22
MODEL=D1N4148 1 1
VALUE=100K
47P 2 47P
C
R1 R2 R6 1 3
R13
VEE R20
47K 2.2K
100K 100K
4
D4 Q4
6 MODEL=D1N4148
TL072 7 MODEL=TIP42
GND GND
GND 5 8 U1
Q3
VCC MODEL=BC556B
GND
R18
6.8K

VEE

Preout Out
Vcontrol
Toneout
R15

Picture 1. Circuit diagram of the audio amplifier and the measurement points

Note! Do not keep the amplifier connected to voltages if you are not doing any measurements.

Do not connect the voltages to the amplifier before an assistant has checked
your connections.

Please follow the safety regulations and instructions from an assistant.

3/7 Academic year 04-05

7401003 Basic electronics II TUT/ELE 15.2.2005
Push-pull amplifier and audio amplifier

Pre-amplifier
C01

68P

R4

47K

Vcc
In - C1 R3 Preout
4
2
TL072 1
47U 47K
3 8
U1

In + C2 R5 Vee

47U 47K

R1 R2 R6
100K 100K 47K

GND
GND GND

F req u en cy co rrecto r

C3 R12 C4

0 .0 1 U 0 .0 1 U

R7 R9
2 .2 K
2 .2 K

P reo u t R 11 T o n eo u t
4 .7 K

R8
8 .2 K C5 C6 R 10
8 .2 K

V A LU E = 1 0 0K
47P 47P

R13 Vee

T L0 72

U1

V cc
GND

4/7 Academic year 04-05

 7401003 Basic electronics II TUT/ELE 15.2.2005
Push-pull amplifier and audio amplifier

Power section (Note. The feedback of the operational amplifier is from the output of the amplifier).
Vcc

Feedback from the output 6.8k R17

Q1
BC546B
Q2
D1N4148 D1
R16 TIP41
Out R19
22k
D1N4148 D2 2.2k
R21 R24
R15 Out
Toneout 1 1
V+ V-

1.5k
- Vee
OUT Out
+ Vcc R23 R22
D1N4148 D3
1 1
R20
2.2k
D1N4148 D4
Q4
Vcontrol TIP42
Q3
BC556B
R18
6.8k

Vee

2.1 Preparation stage

a) Measure the value of the load resistor and mark the value up to the measurement log.
Connect the load resistor to the output of the amplifier.
Switch the signal generator on.
Feed from the signal generator a sine signal 250mVp-p, dc-offset=0V and frequency=500Hz
to the input of the amplifier.
b) Measure with the digital multimeter (AC-mode) the voltage from the signal generator
between points IN+ and IN-. What reading does the multimeter show?

2.2 Preparations continue

Now measure the output of the amplifier.
Connect the amplifier to the power source. Ask an assistant to check your connections.
Switch the power source on.
Adjust the volume until the output of the amplifier is about 75mVp-p. Note which way the
volume increases and decreases.
Switch the power source off and replace the load resistor with the loudspeakers.
Switch the power source on.
Do not adjust the volume anymore!
Adjust the frequency corrector to the center position using an oscilloscope. The frequency
corrector is in center position when the frequency corrector section does not amplify or
attenuate the signal. Adjust the attenuation of the section such a way that the output of the
section, Toneout, is equal to the input of the section, Preout. This is done by first adjusting the
potentiometer Bass nearly to the mid-point. After this adjust the Toneout to be equal with the
Preout using the potentiometer Treble. You should do this using a frequency of 10kHz because
this is a discant adjuster. Make sure that the amplification of the frequency corrector section is 1
also with a frequency of 500Hz.

Do not adjust the Treble anymore!

5/7 Academic year 04-05
7401003 Basic electronics II TUT/ELE 15.2.2005
Push-pull amplifier and audio amplifier

2.3 The measurements using an oscilloscope

a) Use the oscilloscope to measure the voltage of the Preout, Toneout, Vcontrol and Out with a
frequency of 500Hz. Mark the values up to the measurement log.

b) Repeat the measurements using a frequency of 10kHz. Do not change the amplitude of the
signal. Mark the values up to the measurement log.

c) Sketch the waveforms of Vin, Preout, Toneout, Vcontrol and Out to the measurement log
synchronously. Note! Sketch the waveforms only with one frequency.

2.4 The effect of the frequency corrector

Turn the potentiometer Treble to different directions until you hear the sound to fade or increase
(leave Treble finally to the maximum). (Vin=250mVp-p, sine, f=10kHz).

a) Use the oscilloscope to measure the voltage of the Preout, Toneout, Vcontrol and Out with a
frequency of 10kHz.
b) Repeat the measurements using a frequency of 500Hz.

After finishing the measurements switch the power source off and disconnect the loudspeakers.

2.5 Amplifications.
Connect the load resistor to the output of the amplifier.
Switch the power source on.
Adjust the frequency corrector back to the center position by adjusting Treble.
Vin=1.0Vp-p sine signal, f=1kHz
Adjust the volume to the maximum point.

If the load resistor starts to heat up during the measurements, switch the power source off
for a while.

Use the oscilloscope to measure the voltage of the Preout, Toneout, Vcontrol and Out. Measure
also the voltage across the resistor R15. Use a differential measurement to measure the voltage
across the resistor R15.
Try cautiously the heatsink. Is It warm?

2.6 DC-offset
Vin =1.0Vp-p sine signal, f=1kHz

Measure the output of the amplifier and adjust the volume until the output is 1.0Vp-p.
Add a dc component to the input signal by adjusting the offset of the signal generator. Do not
change the amplitude of the signal. Measure the output of the amplifier (note the mode of the
oscilloscope you must use). What happens? Be careful not to exceed the offset limit and distort
the output signal.

Switch the power source, the signal generator and the multimeter off.

6/7 Academic year 04-05

7401003 Basic electronics II TUT/ELE 15.2.2005
Push-pull amplifier and audio amplifier

A component layout picture of the audio amplifier:

7/7 Academic year 04-05