Classification of Amplifier
Based upon the value of signal variation, amplifiers can be classified into two types:
(i) Small signal amplifier
(ii) Large signal amplifier
Small Signal Amplifier:
Signal variation is the maximum or peak change in the value of an AC signal with respect to a DC value. An amplifier in which signal variation is much smaller than the DC value is known as a small signal amplifier.
From the characteristic curve of BJT, we have seen that BJT is a non-linear device. But in small signal amplifiers, BJT exhibits piecewise linearity, or it behaves as a linear element. Since BJT behaves as a linear element, in small signal amplifiers, the output signal will be distortionless. Small signal amplifiers are used as voltage amplifiers.
Large Signal Amplifier:
An amplifier in which signal variation is large or signal variation is comparable to the DC value is known as a large signal amplifier. In large signal amplifiers, a transistor behaves as a non-linear element, due to which equal changes in base current do not produce proportionally equal changes in collector current, and the output signal gets distorted. A large signal amplifier has large AC output current and voltage, and also it can supply greater AC output power to the load; hence, it is useful as a power amplifier.
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