General Characteristics of

Negative Feedback
Amplifiers

www.AssignmentPoint.com
www.assignmentpoint.com

Sensitivity of transfer Amplification: The fractional change in

amplification with feedback divided by the fractional change without
feedback is called the sensitivity of the transfer gain.
Mathematically, the sensitivity of the
transfer gain can be written as follows:

dA f / A f
S
dA / A

A
Af
1 A

We know that,

d (1 A)
dA
dA f A dA (1 A) dA A 1 A
1
So,

dA
(1 A) 2
(1 A) 2
(1 A) 2

dA f

Af
A
1

dA
1 A A(1 A)
A(1 A)
(1 A) 2 www.assignmentpoint.com
1

dA f / A
dA / A

1
1 A

Hence, the sensitivity is

For example, if S=0.1 then

1
1 A

dA f

dA
0.1
A
A

That means the percentage change in gain with feedback is one-tenth

the percentage variation in amplification if no feedback is present.
Desensitivity of transfer Amplification: The reciprocal of the
sensitivity is called the desensitivity D, or D 1 A
(13 7)
From Eq. (13-4) [Af=A/(1+bA)], it is seen that the transfer gain is
divided by the desensitivity after feedback is added.
Af A/ D
(13 8)
Thus
A
A 1
If A 1, Then A f

1 A A

(13 9)

www.assignmentpoint.com
and the gain may be made to
depend entirely on the feedback network.

Frequency Distortion:

It is seen from Eq. (13-9) [Af=1/] that if the

feedback network is purely resistive, the gain
with feedback is not depend on frequency even
though the basic amplifier gain is frequency
dependent.
So the frequency distortion arising because of
varying gain, A, with frequency is considerably
reduced in a negative feedback amplifier.
www.assignmentpoint.com

Nonlinear Distortion:
Suppose that a large amplitude signal is applied to a
stage of an amplifier so that the operation of the
device extends slightly beyond its range of linear
operation, and as a consequence the output signal is
slightly distorted.
Negative feedback now introduced, and the input
signal is increased by the same amount by which the
gain is reduced, so that the output signal amplitude
remains the same.
It is clear from Eq. (13.9) that the negative feedback
reduces the dependence of the overall closed-loop
www.assignmentpoint.com
gain (Af) on the open-loop
gain (A) of the amplifier.

Lets
understand
through this example:

this

Say the open loop gain

drops from 1000 (A1) to 100
(A2) had we a negative
feedback gain with =0.01
then
1000
Af1
90.9
1 1000 0.01
100
Af 2
50
1 100 0.01

That means the closed-loop gain drops from 90.9 to 50.

www.assignmentpoint.com
This means it gets linearized.

Reduction of Noise:
Negative feedback can be employed to reduce the
noise in an amplifier (i.e. to increase the signal-tonoise ratio, SNR).
The signal-to-noise (SNR) for the amplifier A1 is
S Vs

N Vn

We may precede the original amplifier A1 by the

clean amplifier A2 www.assignmentpoint.com
and apply negative feedback

Vs A1A2
Vn A1
Vo

1 A1A2 1 A1

So the signal-to-noise ratio in the output is obtained as

follows:
Vs A1A2
Vn A1
Vs
S

A2
N 1 A1A2 1 A1A2 Vn
It is seen from above equation that the signal-to-noise
ration is increased by www.assignmentpoint.com
the use of negative feedback.

Increase Bandwidth: By employing the negative feedback the

bandwidth can be increased.
Let an amplifier have the upper and lower cutoff frequency H and L
without feedback. The gain of high frequency and low frequency gain
Ao
Ao
Ao (=Amid) as
AH
and AL
1 j / H
1 j L /
For high frequency, the overall gain with negative feedback can be
obtained as follows:
Ao
AH
Ao
1 j / H
AHf

Ao
1 AH 1
1 Ao j / H
1 j / H
The upper cutoff frequency with negative feedback is the frequency at
which the real and imaginary parts of the denominator of above
H
equation are equal, thus
Hf
www.assignmentpoint.com
1 Ao

It is seen from the previous equation that the upper cutoff

frequency is increased by applying negative feedback.
Similarly, the lower cutoff frequency is obtained as follows:

L
Lf
1 Ao
It is revealed in the above equation that the lower cutoff frequency is
decreased by applying negative feedback.
From the above discussion it can be stated that negative feedback
increases the bandwidth of an amplifier.

Hf

H
1 Ao

www.assignmentpoint.com

Input Resistance
If the feedback signal is returned to the input in series
with the applied voltage, it increases the input resistance.
Since the feedback voltage Vf oppose Vs, the input current
Ii is less than it would be if Vf were absent.
Hence the input resistance Rif=Vs/Ii is greater than the
input resistance without feedback Ri.
For this type of feedback topology Rif=Ri(1+A)=RiD.
If the feedback is returned to the input in shunt with the
applied current, it decreases the input resistance.
www.assignmentpoint.com

Since Is=Ii+If, then the current Ii (for a fixed value

of Is) is decreased from what it would be if there
were no feedback current.
Hence the input resistance Rif=Vi/Is= RiIi/Is is
decreased because of this type of feedback.
For this type of feedback topology Rif=Ri/
(1+A)=Ri/D.
www.assignmentpoint.com

Output Resistance
Negative feedback which samples the output voltage, regardless
of how this output signal is returned to the input, tends to
decrease the output resistance (Rof<<Ro).
Negative feedback which samples the output current, regardless
of how this output signal is returned to the input, tends to
increase the output resistance (Rof>>Ro).
The output resistance for the feedback amplifier can be defined
as the resistance with feedback Rof looking into the output
terminals with RL disconnected.
The output resistance is determined by applying a voltage V,
resulting in a current I, with Vs (Vs =0 where input source is
voltage) shorted out or www.assignmentpoint.com
Is (Is =0 where input source is current)
opened out. So, R =V/I.

Input Resistance of Voltage-Series Feedback

Fig. 13-10 shows the topology of Fig. (a) in which the amplifier is
replaced by its Thevenins model.
From Fig. 13-10 the input impedance with feedback is Rif=Vs/Ii.
Also,

Vs I i Ri V f I i Ri Vo
(13 11)
AvVi RL Av I i Ri RL
and Vo

AV I i Ri
(13 12)
Ro RL
Ro RL
Vo
Av RL
where, AV

(13 13)
Vi Ro RL

www.assignmentpoint.com

From Eqs. (13-11) and (13-12)

Vs I i Ri AV I i Ri I i Ri (1 AV )
Vs
Rif
Ri (1 AV ) Ri D
Ii

(13 14)

Here, D 1 AV

Whereas Av represents the open-circuit voltage gain

without feedback, Eq. (13-13) indicates that AV is the
voltage gain without feedback taking the load RL into
account.
Therefore

Av RL
Av lim AV lim
RL www.assignmentpoint.com
RL Ro RL

(13 15)

Output Resistance of Voltage-Series Feedback

Replacing the output voltage Vo by V of Fig. 13-10 and setting Vs=0,
V AvVi
we obtained
I
and
Vi V f V
Ro
From this equations, we
V AvV V (1 Av )
I

(13 28)
obtained as follows:
Ro
Ro
Ro
V
Hence, Rof
(13 29)
I 1 Av

www.assignmentpoint.com

Note that Ro is divided

by the desensitivity
factor 1+Av, which
contains the opencircuit voltage gain Av
(not AV).

The output resistance with feedback which includes RL as part of the

amplifier is given by Rof in parallel with RL, or
' R
Rof
of

Ro
RL
Rof RL
1 Av
RL

Ro
Rof RL
RL
1 Av

Ro RL
Ro RL /( Ro RL )

Ro RL Av RL 1 Av RL /( Ro RL )

'
R
R
/(
R

R
)
R
'
o L o
L
o
Rof

1 Av RL /( Ro RL ) 1 AV

(13 30)

where, Ro=Ro||RL is the output resistance without feedback but

with RL considered as partwww.assignmentpoint.com
of the amplifier.

Input Resistance of Current-Series Feedback

Fig. 13-10.1 shows the topology of Fig. (b) in which the amplifier is
replaced by its Thevenins input model and Nortons output model.
From the above figure the input impedance with feedback is Rif=Vs/Ii.
Also

Vs I i Ri V f I i Ri I o

(13 11.1)

GmVi Ro Gm I i Ri Ro
and, I o

GM I i Ri (13 12.1)
Ro RL
Ro RL
I
G R
where, GM o m o
(13 18)
Vi Ro RL

www.assignmentpoint.com

From Eqs. (13-11.1) and (13-12.1)

Vs I i Ri G M I i Ri I i Ri (1 G M )
Vs
Rif
Ri (1 GM ) Ri D
Ii

(13 16)

Here, D 1 GM
Whereas Gm represents the short-circuit transconductance without
feedback, Eq. (13-18) indicates that GM is the transconductance
without feedback taking the load RL into account.
Therefore
G m Ro
G m lim G M lim
R L 0 www.assignmentpoint.com
R L 0 Ro R L

(13 17)

Output Resistance of Current-Series Feedback

Replacing the output voltage Vo and Io by V and -I, respectively, of
Fig. 13-10.1 and setting Vs=0, we obtained
V
GmVi I
and
Vi V f I
Ro
From this equations, we obtained as follows:
V
Rof Ro (1 Gm )
I

V
Gm I I
Ro

(13.38.1)

www.assignmentpoint.com

Note that Ro is
multiplied by the
desensitivity factor
1+Gm,
which
contains
the
transconductance
Gm (not GM).

The output resistance with feedback which includes RL as part of the

amplifier is given by Rof in parallel with RL, or
Rof RL
'
Rof Rof RL
Rof RL

Ro (1 Gm ) R L
'
Rof
Ro (1 Gm ) R L
Ro R L (1 Gm )
'
Rof
Ro R L Gm Ro
Ro RL (1 Gm ) /( Ro RL )
'
Rof
1 Gm Ro /( Ro RL )
' R ' 1 Gm
Rof
o
1 GM

(13.38.2)

www.assignmentpoint.com

Input Resistance of Current-Shunt Feedback

The topology of Fig. (c) is indicated in Fig. 13-11, with the amplifier
replaced by its Nortons model.
From the Fig. 13-11 the input impedance with feedback is Rif=Vi/Is.
I s Ii I f Ii I o
(13 19)
Also
Ai I i Ro
and I o
AI I i
(13 20)
Ro RL
I
Ai Ro
where, AI o
(13 21)
I i Ro RL

www.assignmentpoint.com

From Eqs. (13-19) and (13-20)

I s I i (1 AI )

(13 22)

From Fig 13-11, Rif=Vi/Is and Ri=Vi/Ii. Using (13-22), we obtain

Vi
Vi
Vi
1
Rif

I s I i (1 AI ) I i 1 AI
Ri
Ri
Rif

1 AI D

(13 23)

Here, D 1 AI
Whereas Ai represents the short-circuit current gain without feedback,
Eq. (13-23) indicates that AI is the current gain without feedback
taking the load RL into account.
Ai Ro
Therefore
Ai lim AI lim
(13 24)
RL 0www.assignmentpoint.com
RL 0 Ro RL

Output Resistance of Current-Shunt Feedback

Replacing the output voltage Vo and Io by V and -I, respectively, of
Fig. 13-11 and setting Is=0, we obtained
V
Ai I i I
and
Ii I f I o I
Ro
V
Ai I I
From this equations, we obtained as follows:
Ro

V
Rof Ro (1 Ai )
I

(13 35)

www.assignmentpoint.com

Note that Ro is
multiplied by the
desensitivity factor
1+Ai,
which
contains the shortcircuit current gain
Ai (not AI).

The output resistance with feedback which includes RL as part of the

amplifier is given by Rof in parallel with RL, or
' R
Rof
of

Rof RL
RL
Rof RL

Ro R L (1 Ai )
'
Rof
Ro R L Ai Ro
' R ' 1 Ai
Rof
o
1 AI

Ro (1 Ai ) R L
'
Rof
Ro (1 Ai ) R L
' Ro RL (1 Ai ) /( Ro RL )
Rof
1 Ai Ro /( Ro RL )
(13 37)

For RL=, AI=0 and , so that Eq. (13-37) reduces to

' R (1 A ) that means R ' R
Rof
o
i
of
of
www.assignmentpoint.com

Input Resistance of Voltage-Shunt Feedback

Fig. 13-11.1 shows the topology of Fig. (d) in which the amplifier is
replaced by its Nortons input model and Thevenins output model.
From the Fig. 13-11.1 the input impedance with feedback is Rif=Vi/Is.
I s I i I f I i Vo (13.19.1)
Also
Rm I i RL
and Vo
RM I i
(13.20.1)
Ro RL
where,

Rm RL
RM
Ro RL

(13 26)

www.assignmentpoint.com

From (13-19.1) and (13-20.1)

I s I i I f I i RM I i I i (1 RM )
From Fig 13-11, Rif=Vi/Is and Ri=Vi/Ii. Using (13-22), we obtain

Vi
Vi
Vi
1
Rif

I s I i (1 RM ) I i 1 RM
Ri
Ri
Rif

(13 25)
1 RM D

Here, D 1 RM
Whereas Rm represents the open-circuit transresistance without
feedback, Eq. (13-26) indicates that RM is the transresistance without
feedback taking the load RL into account.
Therefore

Rm

Rm RL
lim RM lim
RL www.assignmentpoint.com

RL Ro RL

(13 27)

Output Resistance of Voltage-Shunt Feedback

Replacing the output voltage Vo and Io by V and -I, respectively, of
Fig. 13-11.1 and setting Is=0, we obtained
V Rm I i
I
and I i I f Vo V
Ro
From this equations, we obtained as follows:
Ro
V
Rof
I 1 Rm

V VRm
I
Ro

(13 32.1)

www.assignmentpoint.com

Note that Ro is
divided
by
the
desensitivity factor
1+Rm,
which
contains
the
transresistance Rm
(not R ).

The output resistance with feedback which includes RL as part of the

amplifier is given by Rof in parallel with RL, or

' R
Rof
of

'
Rof

Rof R L
RL
Rof R L

Ro RL
Ro RL Rm RL

'
R
'
o
Rof
1 RM

Ro
RL
1 Rm
'
Rof
Ro
RL
1 Rm

'
Rof

Ro R L /( Ro R L )
1 Rm R L /( Ro R L )

(13 32.2)

where, is the output resistance without feedback but with RL

considered as part of the amplifier.
Note that is now divided by the desensitivity factor D=1+RM
www.assignmentpoint.com
which contains the voltage gain RM that takes RL into account.

Table 13-4 summarizes the different components for

different topologies.

www.assignmentpoint.com

Method of Analysis of a Feedback Amplifier

It is desirable to separate the feedback amplifier into two blocks, the
basic amplifier A and the feedback network , because with a knowledge
of A and , we can calculate the important characteristics of the feedback
system, namely, Af, Rif, and Rof.
The basic amplifier configuration without feedback but taking the
loading of the network into account is obtained by applying the
following rules:
To find the input circuit:
1. Set Vo=0 for voltage sampling. In other words, short the output node.
2. Set Io=0 for current sampling. In other words, open the output loop.
To find output circuit:
1. Set Vi=0 for shunt comparison. In other words, short the input node.
www.assignmentpoint.com

2. Set Ii=0 for series comparison. In other words, open the input loop.

The complete analysis of a feedback amplifier is obtained

by carrying out the following steps:
1. Identify the topology.
(a) Is the feedback signal Xf a voltage or a current?
In other words, is Xf applied in series or in shunt with
the external excitation?
(b) Is the sampled signal Xo a voltage or current?
In other wards, is the sampled signal taken at the
output node or from the output loop?
2. Draw the basic amplifier circuit without feedback,
following the rules listed
above.
www.assignmentpoint.com

3. Use the Thevenins source if Xf is a voltage and a

Nortons source if Xf is a current.
4. Replace each active device by the proper model (for
example, hybrid- model for a transistor at high
frequency or the h-parameter model at low frequency).
5. Indicate Xf and Xo on the circuit obtained by carrying
out steps 2, 3, and 4. Evaluate = Xf / Xo.
6. Evaluate A by applying KVL and KCL to the
equivalent circuit obtained after step 4.
7. From A and , find D, Af, Rif, Rof, and Rof .
www.assignmentpoint.com