What Is an RF Amplifier?

What Is an RF Amplifier?
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What Is An Amplifier?

An RF amplifier (radio frequency amplifier) is an electronic device, informally referred to as an amp, that is used to increase the power of a signal such as voltage or current. 

An RF amplifier is a two-port electronic circuit that utilizes electric power from a power supply to increase the amplitude of a signal applied to its input terminals. The amp then produces a proportionally larger amplitude signal at the output. The amount of amplification offered by an amplifier is measured by its gain. Amplifier gain is the ratio of output voltage, current, or power to input. 

Types Of RF Amplifier

There are many different types of amplifiers for various applications. Generally, RF amps can be categoried as pulse amplifiers, CW amplifiers, TWT amplifiers, solid-state RF amplifiers, and vacuum tube RF amplifiers.
 

Pulse Amplifier

Pulse amplifiers is a type of RF power amplifier that amplifies RF pulses generated by electrical devices without altering the waveform. These systems strengthen signals to high levels of power that switches between intensely pulsating power and producing zero output at a rapid rate. Pulse amps stay cool and do not continuously produce energy. 
 

Solid-State RF Amplifier  

Solid-state amplifiers have become increasingly popular for feeding accelerating cavities with radio frequency power in the 100 kW range. Solid-state amplifiers are commonly used for testing applications that require a narrow bandwidth and less voltage to power, including EMC testing in communications, radar, aerospace, defense, medical technology, and other fields.
 

CW Amplifier (Continuous Wave Amplifier)

A CW amplifier is a type of RF power amplifier used in EMC testing that amplifies RF signals while maintaining a continuous waveform. CW amplifiers are essential for testing devices in the antenna, telecom, automotive, and aerospace industries.
 

TWT Amplifier (Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier)

TWT amplifier is a high-power and high-frequency system built with traveling wave tubes. A traveling wave tube is a type of vacuum tube for amplifying high-frequency signals.
 

Vacuum Tube RF Power Amplifier

Vacuum tube radio-frequency amplifiers have a higher voltage power source and lower output current compared to other amps. The high working voltage makes them ideal for radio transmitters. Vacuum Tube RF Power Amplifiers typically amplify a frequency range between 20 Hz and 20 kHz or higher.
 

Amplifier Categories By Properties

Voltage and Current
 

Voltage Amplifiers

Voltage amplifiers are the most common amplifiers used in electronic devices. These systems are designed to increase the amplitude of the output voltage of the signal.

Current Amplifiers

Current amplifiers are designed to increase the amplitude of the input current compared to the input current waveform.

Power Amplifiers

Power amplifiers are made to increase the magnitude of a given input signal power for drive loads of output devices like speakers, headphones, RF transmitters, etc. The input signal to a power amplifier is required to be above a certain threshold and is pre-amplified using a current or voltage amplifier. 

Amplifier Categories By Signals

Here are the 10 different types of amplifiers categoried by signals:
 

1. RF Amplifier (Radio Frequency Amplifier)

Radio frequency power amplifiers are designed to convert a low-power radio frequency signal to a higher-power signal. Typically, RF amplifiers can amplify signals in any band of frequencies from 10 kHz to 100,000 MHz.

2. AF Amplifier (Audio Frequency Amplifier)

AF Amplifier is an audio frequency amplifier that changes the polarity of the current (alternating current ( AC )) to produce acoustic waves within the range of human hearing. The audio frequency range for an AF amp is typically from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

3. IF Amplifier (Intermediate Frequency Amplifier)

Intermediate frequency is a frequency that shifts the carrier wave as an intermediate step in the transmission or reception. IF amplifiers are designed to change the frequency levels in circuits that are too selective, difficult to tune, or unstable. The device helps to change the frequency levels in circuits to improve image display and tuning range. They are fixed-frequency amplifiers that reject unwanted signals. The intermediate frequency range is generally from 300 Hz to 10 MHz.

4. Ultrasonic Amplifier

Ultrasonic amplifier is are lab equipment that amplifie voltage signals at high frequencies, typically greater than 20kHz.

5. Broadband Amplifier

A wideband-distributed amplifier covers DC to 65 GHz frequency range in various ultrawide bandwidths.

6. DC Amplifier (Direct-Coupled Amplifier)

DC amplifiers permit signals with zero frequency, also referred to as direct current, to pass from input to output. Compared to AC amplifiers, DC amplifiers have better low-frequency responses.

7. Video Amplifier

Video amplifiers are designed to amplify and filter analog video signals to maintain signal fidelity across 75W cabling. Common applications include video cable extension, video recording systems, floppy disk head amplifiers, and pulsed amplifiers in communications.

8. Buffer Amplifier

Generally, a current buffer amplifier is made for transferring a current from a first circuit with a low output impedance level to a second circuit with a high input impedance level. The 2 types of buffers are a voltage buffer and a current buffer.

9. Operational Amplifier

An operational amplifier is a DC-coupled, high-gain electronic voltage amplifier with a differential input. They typically have a single-ended output. The three main types of operational amplifiers include dual supply, single supply, and rail-to-rail.

10. Transistor Amplifier

A transistor amplifier can raise the strength of a weak signal. The DC bias voltage applied to the emitter base junction, making it remain in forward-biased condition. Three of the fundamental transistor amplifiers include common emitter, common collector, and common base.

RF Amplifier Applications

rf-amplifier-application

 

Consumer

  • Consumer electronic devices 
  • Mobile internet
  • Electronic warfare

Industrial

  • Commercial and defense avionics
  • Space and deep space
  • Naval applications

Communication

  • Satellite communication
  • Wireless communications

Characteristics Of An RF Amplifier

  • Bandwidth: The operating frequency range of the amplifier (the difference between the upper and lower frequencies of a signal generated)

  • Noise: Unwanted extra signals included in the output that can be caused by dirty power, a bad ground connection, or fluorescent lighting

  • Skew Rate: The rate of change in an output voltage in relation to a step change of the input

  • Amplifier Gain: The amplifier gain is the correlation between the signal measured at the output with the signal measured at the input. The three different amplifier gains are Voltage Gain (Av), Current Gain (Ai) and Power Gain (Ap)

  • Stability: The ability to provide constant and reliable output

  • Linearity: The degree of proportionality between input and output signals

  • Efficiency: Another very important characteristic is the ratio between the output power and power consumed

  • Output Dynamic Range: Range between the smallest and largest useful output levels, typically given in the unit dB

Amplifier Classes

The classification of an amplifier is determined by comparing the characteristics of the input and output signals by measuring the amount of time in relation to the input signal that the current flows in the output circuit.

  • Class A Amplifier
  • Class B Amplifier
  • Class AB Amplifier
  • Class C Amplifier
power-amplifier-classes-(2).png


Choosing The Right Amplifier

Consider features like amplifier gain, noise, bandwidth, linearity, and efficiency to choose the ideal RF amplifier for your testing needs. Generally, RF amplifiers are used to amplify signals in any band of frequencies between 10 kHz and 100,000 MHz.


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