——————— prepared by hari——————–

UNIT I: Multistage Amplifiers

1. Define Differential Amplifier.
A differential amplifier amplifies the voltage difference between two in-
put signals while rejecting common-mode signals. It uses two identical
transistors in a symmetrical configuration, providing high common-mode
rejection ratio (CMRR). Applications include instrumentation and oper-
ational amplifiers.

2. Draw the circuit of a Darlington Pair Amplifier.

VCC

VCC
Input Q1

Q2

3. What is bootstrapping in an emitter follower?

Bootstrapping increases the input impedance of an emitter follower by
feeding a portion of the output signal back to the biasing network. This
reduces the effective base resistance, minimizing signal loss.
4. Compare RC coupling and transformer coupling.
RC Coupling: Uses capacitors for signal transfer, wide bandwidth, low
cost.
Transformer Coupling: Uses inductors, provides impedance matching,
but bulky and expensive.
5. Explain the step response of an amplifier.
Step response measures how an amplifier reacts to a sudden input change
(step voltage). It reveals rise time, overshoot, and settling time, indicating
transient performance.

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 6. What is the Miller effect in cascaded amplifiers?
The Miller effect increases input capacitance due to feedback capacitance
between output and input, reducing high-frequency response. Cascode
amplifiers mitigate this.
7. Draw the circuit of a two-stage RC-coupled amplifier.

Output

Input Q1 Q2

8. Why is frequency response critical in multistage amplifiers?

It determines the range of frequencies amplified without distortion. Poor
response causes attenuation of high/low frequencies, leading to signal
degradation.

9. What is harmonic distortion?

Harmonic distortion occurs when an amplifier introduces unwanted mul-
tiples (harmonics) of the input frequency due to nonlinearities in active
devices.
10. How does a cascode amplifier improve bandwidth?
The cascode configuration (CE-CB) reduces the Miller effect, minimizing
parasitic capacitance and extending high-frequency response.

UNIT II: Feedback Amplifiers & Oscillators

1. List the four feedback topologies.
Voltage-series, Voltage-shunt, Current-series, Current-shunt.
2. Draw the circuit of a Wien Bridge Oscillator.

R2

−
Output
+
R1
C1

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 3. State Barkhausen criterion for oscillations.
The loop gain must be unity (|Aβ| = 1), and the total phase shift around
the loop must be 0◦ or 360◦ .
4. Why is crystal oscillator frequency highly stable?
Crystals have a high Q-factor (10,000–100,000), making their resonant
frequency immune to temperature and component variations.
5. Compare Hartley and Colpitts oscillators.
Hartley: Inductive feedback (tapped coil).
Colpitts: Capacitive feedback (capacitor divider).
6. What is the role of negative feedback in amplifiers?
Negative feedback reduces gain but improves bandwidth, stability, and
linearity while lowering distortion and output impedance.
7. Draw the circuit of an RC-phase shift oscillator.

VCC

RC

R
C

RE

8. Define loop gain in feedback systems.

Loop gain (Aβ) is the product of amplifier gain (A) and feedback factor
(β). It determines oscillation conditions and stability.
9. What is critical coupling in double-tuned amplifiers?
Critical coupling is the optimal mutual inductance between coils for max-
imum flat response (Butterworth characteristic) and bandwidth.
10. Explain thermal shutdown in power amplifiers.
Excessive heat increases collector current, causing further heating. Heat
sinks or thermal protection circuits prevent device failure by dissipating
heat.

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UNIT III: Power Amplifiers
10.1. Define crossover distortion.
Crossover distortion occurs in Class B amplifiers when both tran-
sistors are off near the zero-crossing of the input signal, creating a
”dead zone” in the output.
10.2. Draw the circuit of a Class B push-pull amplifier.
VCC

Q1

Output

Q2

10.3. Why is Class A amplifier inefficient?

Class A conducts for the entire input cycle, causing continuous power
dissipation. Maximum theoretical efficiency is 25%.
10.4. What is thermal runaway?
Increased temperature reduces the transistor’s VBE , raising collector
current and further heating, leading to device failure.
10.5. Compare Class AB and Class C amplifiers.
Class AB: Conducts slightly more than half-cycle, low distortion.
Class C: Conducts less than half-cycle, high efficiency but high dis-
tortion.
10.6. What is the role of a heat sink?
A heat sink dissipates heat from the transistor, maintaining safe op-
erating temperatures and preventing thermal runaway.
10.7. Draw the circuit of a complementary symmetry push-pull
amplifier.

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 VCC

Q1

Output

Input Q2

10.8. Define total harmonic distortion (THD).

THD is the ratio of the sum of harmonic power to the fundamental
frequency power, expressed as a percentage.
10.9. Why is Class C used in RF applications?
Class C amplifiers are efficient (¿80%) and suitable for tuned RF
circuits where distortion is mitigated by LC filters.
10.10. What is impedance matching in power amplifiers?
Matching the load impedance to the amplifier’s output impedance
maximizes power transfer and minimizes reflections.

UNIT IV: Tuned Amplifiers

10.1. Define Q-factor.
Q-factor is the ratio of energy stored to energy dissipated per cycle
in a resonant circuit. Higher Q means sharper resonance.
10.2. Draw the circuit of a single-tuned amplifier.
C
Output

Input

10.3. What is stagger tuning?

Stagger tuning uses multiple stages with slightly offset resonant fre-
quencies to achieve a wider overall bandwidth.

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 10.4. Compare single-tuned and double-tuned amplifiers.
Single-tuned: Narrow bandwidth, simple design.
Double-tuned: Wider bandwidth, complex alignment.
10.5. What is neutralization in tuned amplifiers?
Neutralization cancels internal feedback (e.g., Cbc ) to prevent oscil-
lations and improve stability.
10.6. Draw the circuit of a double-tuned amplifier.
C1

L1 L2

Input C2

10.7. Why is stability crucial in tuned amplifiers?

Parasitic capacitances and feedback can cause unwanted oscillations,
distorting the output signal.
10.8. Define critical coupling.
Critical coupling is the optimal mutual inductance between coils in
double-tuned amplifiers for maximum flat response.
10.9. What are stagger-tuned amplifiers used for?
They are used in TV and radar systems where wide bandwidth and
flat gain are required.
10.10. How does Q-factor affect bandwidth?
Bandwidth (BW = fQr ) is inversely proportional to Q. Higher Q
reduces bandwidth but improves selectivity.

UNIT V: Pulse Electronic Circuits

10.1. Define a monostable multivibrator.
A monostable multivibrator has one stable state. It produces a single
output pulse of fixed duration when triggered, returning to the stable
state afterward.
10.2. Draw the circuit of a Schmitt trigger using BJT.

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 Output

Input Q1 Q2

10.3. What is a clamping circuit?

A clamping circuit shifts the DC level of a signal without altering
its waveform. It uses a diode and capacitor to clamp the signal to a
reference voltage.
10.4. Compare astable and bistable multivibrators.
Astable: No stable state, free-running oscillator.
Bistable: Two stable states, requires trigger to switch (flip-flop).
10.5. What is the role of a UJT in relaxation oscillators?
A UJT acts as a voltage-controlled switch, charging/discharging a
capacitor to generate sawtooth or pulse waveforms.
10.6. Draw the circuit of a diode clamper.

D C
Input Output

10.7. What is a blocking oscillator?

A blocking oscillator generates narrow pulses using transformer feed-
back. It operates in a self-sustaining mode with periodic saturation
and cutoff.
10.8. Explain the working of a tunnel diode.
A tunnel diode exhibits negative resistance due to quantum tun-
neling, enabling high-speed switching and oscillation in microwave
circuits.
10.9. What is a time-base generator?
A time-base generator produces a linearly varying voltage (sawtooth)
for horizontal deflection in oscilloscopes or TV screens.
10.10. Define hysteresis in Schmitt triggers.
Hysteresis is the difference between upper and lower threshold volt-
ages, preventing noise-induced false triggering.