Ravi Shankara.M.N.

ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore

Associate Professor [email protected]

Module 4(a) – Negative feedback

Negative Feedback: Four Types of Negative Feedback, VCVS Voltage gain, Other VCVS Equations, ICVS Amplifier, VCIS
Amplifier, ICIS Amplifier (No Mathematical Derivation).

Introduction
Feedback plays an important role in almost all electronic circuits and is invariably used in amplifiers to improve its performance and
to make it more ideal. A feedback amplifier is also called as a closed loop amplifier, since feedback forms a closed loop between the
input and the output. In the process of feedback, a part of the output (which can be current or voltage) is sampled and fed back to the
input of the amplifier. Hence at the input, there are two signals: input signal and the part of the output which is fed back to the input
(feedback signal).Both these signals may be in phase or out of phase.
Hence there are two categories of feedback as – (i) Positive feedback (ii) Negative feedback

Negative Feedback in Amplifiers

Q1. What is Negative feedback in amplifiers? Explain the features of Negative feedback.
In a closed loop amplifier, when the input signal and feedback signal are out of phase (feedback signal is
subtracted from input signal), then the feedback is known as Negative feedback.
Features of Negative Feedback (Properties of Negative Feedback)
(i) Desensitize the gain – make gain less sensitive to variations (ii) Decreased gain (ii) Increased bandwidth
(iii) Reduction in non-linear operation (iv) Control the input and output resistances (v) Improvement in noise
immunity (vi) Make the amplifier system stable
General Feedback Structure

Q2.With a neat block diagram, explain the general feedback structure

Many practical amplifiers use negative feedback in order to precisely control the gain, reduce distortion and
improve bandwidth. Figure shows the block diagram of an amplifier stage with negative feedback applied.
The open gain of the amplifier without
feedback is A and can be expressed as
V
A = Vout or Vout = A Vin
in
Feedback voltage Vf = β Vout
Input VS = Vin + Vf
The overall gain of the amplifier with
feedback is Af or AV(CL) can be expressed as
Vout A Vin
The overall gain Af = =
Vs Vin + Vf
A Vin A Vin A
Af = = =
Vin + βVout Vin + βAVin 1 + Aβ

Hence, the overall gain with negative

feedback applied will be less than the gain without feedback.
For A >>1:  Af = (1 / β). The product term Aβ is known as Loop gain of a feedback amplifier and term
(1+ Aβ ) is called as Amount of feedback.

Example1 : (a) An amplifier with negative feedback applied has an open-loop voltage gain of 50, and
(1/10) of its output is fed back to the input . Determine the overall voltage gain with negative feedback
applied. (b)If the amplifier’s open-loop voltage gain increases by 20%, determine the percentage increase
in overall voltage gain.
Solution – Given A = 50; β = 0.1
(a) With negative feedback applied the overall voltage gain will be given by:
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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

A 50
Af = = = 8.33
1 + Aβ 1 + 50 1
10
(b) If the amplifier’s open-loop voltage gain increases by 20%, The new value of open loop voltage gain is
Anew = A + 0.2A = 1.2A = 1.2(50) = 60
The new overall voltage gain with negative feedback
A1 60
Af(new ) = = = 8.57
1 + A1 β 1 + 60 1
10
8.57 − 8.33
The increase in overall voltage gain, expressed as percentage = × 100 = 2.88%
8.33

The Four Basic Feedback Topologies and their Comparison

Q. Briefly explain the four types of Negative Feedback topologies.

Based on the quantity to be amplified (voltage or current) & on the desired form of output (voltage or current),
feedback amplifiers can be classified into four categories
(i) Voltage Controlled Voltage Source (VCVS) amplifier (ii) Voltage Controlled Current Source (VCIS)
Amplifiers (iii) Current Controlled Current Source (ICIS) Amplifiers and (iv) Current Controlled Voltage
Source (ICVS) Amplifiers

Voltage Controlled Voltage Source (VCVS) Amplifier Current Controlled Current Source (ICIS) Amplifiers

A VCVS is an ideal Voltage amplifier because it has a A ICIS is an ideal Current amplifier because it has a stabilized
stabilized voltage gain, infinite input impedance, and zero current gain, zero input impedance, and infinite output
output impedance impedance.
Voltage Controlled Current Source (VCIS) Amplifier Current Controlled Voltage Source (ICVS) Amplifiers

A
A

VCIS is an ideal Voltage to Current Converter because the ICVS is an ideal Current to Voltage Converter because the input
input voltage controlling an output current, has high input current controlling an output voltage, has low input impedance,
impedance, and high output impedance and low output impedance
The conversion factor of the VCIS is called Transconductance, The conversion factor of the ICVS is called Transresistance,
symbolized gm and expressed in Siemens (mhos). symbolized rm and expressed in Ohms.

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Q. Compare the different negative feedback topologies

Voltage Controlled Voltage Source (VCVS) Amplifier (Voltage Series Feedback Amplifier):
Q. With a neat circuit diagram explain Voltage Controlled Voltage Source (VCVS) Amplifier. Write the
expression for closed loop voltage gain, input and output impedances.
Figure shows the circuit diagram of a VCVS Non-inverting
amplifier using voltage series feedback with a part of the output
voltage fed back in series with the input signal, resulting in an
overall gain reduction.
Expression for Closed loop Gain :
Let AVOL be the open loop gain of the amplifier and is related to the
output as Vout = AVOL Vd = AVOL (V1 – V2)
R 1 V Out
From the circuit diagram, V1 = Vin and V2 = Vf = − −(a)
R 1 +R f

Also Vf = Vout ------ (b)

R1
From equations (a) and (b) The feedback factor β = R
1 +R f

R1 VOut AVOL R1 VOut

VOut = AVOL V1 − V2 = AVOL Vin − = AVOL Vin −
R1 + R f R1 + R f
AVOL R1
or 1+ V = AVOL Vin
R1 + R f Out
Vout AVOL AVOL
Closed loop gain AV CL = = =
Vin A
1 + RVOL
R1 1 + AVOL β
1 + R f
1 R
For an ideal amplifier, AVOL >>1, hence (1+AVOL) = 1 and AV(CL ) = β = 1 + R f
1
Closed loop Input impedance Zin(CL)
V
Zin CL = I in = R in (1 + AVOL β) where Rin is the input resistance without feedback
in

Input resistance of the amplifier with feedback increases by a factor (1+ AVOL )
Closed loop Output impedance Zout(CL) :
VO R Out
Zout (CL ) = = where RO is the output resistance without feedback
IO 1+A VOL β

Output resistance of the amplifier with feedback decreases by a factor (1+ AVOL )

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Q. What is Nonlinear distortion and explain how negative feedback reduces non-linear distortion
When the input and output signals are not proportional to each other results in nonlinear distortion which
in-turn produces harmonics of the input signal in the output. For instance, if a sinusoidal voltage signal has a
frequency of 1 kHz, the distorted output current will contain sinusoidal signals with frequencies of 1, 2, 3 kHz,
and so forth. The fundamental frequency is 1 kHz, and all others are harmonics.
The rms value of all the harmonics measured together indicates how much distortion has occurred and is known
as Harmonic distortion. Harmonic distortion is measured with an instrument called a Distortion analyzer and
Total Harmonic Voltage
can be expressed as THD = Fundamental Voltage × 100%
Negative feedback reduces the harmonic distortion and the equation for it is expressed as
THDOL
Closed loop Harmonic distortion THDCL =
1 + AVOL β
where THDOL is open-loop harmonic distortion.

Q. What is gain stability ? Explain.

Gain stability indicates the difference between exact closed loop gain and ideal closed loop gain and expressed
as percentage error. The error will be maximum when the open loop gain is minimum and is given by the
relation
100
% 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 =
1 + AVOL(min ⁡)

Calculate the feedback fraction, the ideal closed-loop voltage gain, the percent error, and the exact closed-loop voltage
gain Closed loop input and output impedance for the op-amp circuit shown. Use a typical AVOL of 100,000, Rin =2M,
RCM = 200 M and Rout = 75  for the 741C. Suppose the amplifier has an open-loop total harmonic distortion of 7.5
percent. What is the closed-loop total harmonic distortion?
What is the closed-loop total harmonic distortion?
R1 100
Solution - The feedback factor β = = 3900+100 = 0.025
R1 +Rf
1 1
Ideal Closed loop voltage gain AV = = = 40
β 0.025
100% 100%
%Error = = = 0.04%
1 + AVOL β 1 + 100000 × 0.025
AVOL
Exact Closed loop voltage gain AV CL =
1 + AVOL β
100000
AV CL = = 39.084
1 + 100000 × 0.025
Closed loop input impedance Zin CL
= Rin 1 + AVOL β

Zin CL = 2M 1 + 100000(0.025) = 5000M

Since Zin(CL) > 100M, consider the value of RCOM to calculate Zin(CL) as
Zin(CL) = Rin 1 + AVOL β ||RC𝑂𝑀 = (5000M||200M) = 192M
ROut 75
Output resistance with feedback Zout(CL) = = = 0.03
1 + AVOL β 1 + 100000 (0.025)
THDOL 7.5%
Closed Loop haormonic Distortion THD(CL) = = = 0.003%
1 + AVOL β 1 + 100000(0.025)

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Current Controlled Voltage Source Amplifier (Transresistance Amplifier)

Q With a neat circuit diagram explain Current Controlled Voltage Source (ICVS) Amplifier. Write the
expression for closed loop voltage gain, input and output
impedances.
ICVS amplifier has an input current and an output voltage
and is a perfect current-to-voltage converter with zero input
impedance and zero output impedance.
The exact output voltage is given by
A
Vout CL = −AV CL Vin = − Iin Rf 1+AVOL = −Iin Rf
VOL
….. where R is the transresistance.
f

Note - Since the inv- input is a virtual ground to voltage not to current; all of the input current must flow through the feedback
resistor Rf . Since the left end of this resistor is grounded, the magnitude of the output voltage is given by: Vout = – (iinRf)

The closed loop input and output impedances are given by

Rf ROut
Zin(CL) = and Zout(CL) =
1 + AVOL 1 + AVOL

The Inverting Amplifier

The inverting amplifier is basically a current to voltage converter is
shown below. The closed loop gain of the amplifier is given by
R
AV = − R f
1
Because of the virtual ground on the inverting input, the input
V
current equals Iin = Rin
1
Rf
The output voltage is given by Vout = AV Vin = − Iin R1 =
R1
−Iin Rf

Determine the output voltage, Closed loop input and output impedance for the op-amp
circuit shown.
Solution –
Vout = −Iin Rf = − 1 × 10−3 5 × 103 = −5V
For 741 op-amp AOL = 100000 and Rout = 75 
The closed loop input and output impedances are
given by
Rf 5000
Zin CL = = = 50 m
1 + AVOL β 1 + 100000
ROut 75
and Zout(CL) = = = 7.5 µ
1 + AVOL 1 + 100000

The Voltage Controlled Current Source (VCIS) Amplifier (Transconductance Amplifier)

With a neat circuit diagram explain Voltage Controlled Current Source (VCIS) Amplifier. Write the
expression for closed loop voltage gain, input and output impedances.

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

With a VCIS amplifier, an input voltage controls an output current.

Because of the heavy negative feedback in this kind of amplifier,
the input voltage is converted to a precise value of output current.
The circuit is basically a voltage-to-current converter with very
high input impedance and very high output imoegance.
Figure shows a transconductance amplifier with floating load RL
which is acting as the load resistor as well as the feedback resistor.
This output current is stabilized; that is, a specific value of input
voltage produces a precise value of output current.
The exact equation for output current is:

Vin Vin R1 + Rf 1
Iout = ≅ = gm Vin − − − − for R1 ≫ and gm = is the transconductance
R1 + Rf R1 AVOL R1
R1 + A
VOL

The closed loop input and output impedances are given by

Zin(CL) = Rin [1 + AVOL ] and Zout(CL) = Rout [1 + AVOL ]

In the given circuit, What is the load current ? The load power? What happens if the load
resistance changes to 4 ?
Vin 2
Solution - Iout(rms) = = = 2A
R1 1

This 2 A flows through the load resistance of 2 , producing a load

power:
PL = [Iout]2 RL = (2 )2(2) = 8 W
As long as the op amp does not saturate, change in the load
resistance to any value does not affect the current and a stabilized
output current of 2 A(rms) flows.

The Current Controlled Current Source (ICIS) Amplifier

With a neat circuit diagram explain Current Controlled Current Source (ICIS) Amplifier. Write the
expression for closed loop voltage gain, input and output impedances.

An ICIS circuit amplifies the input current. Because of the

heavy negative feedback, the ICIS amplifier tends to act like a
perfect current amplifier. It has a very low input impedance
and a very high output impedance.
Figure shows an inverting current amplifier. The closed-loop
current gain is stabilized and given by:
AVOL (R1 +R2 ) R
Ai = ≅ 1 + R2 ------- For AVOL R1 >> RL
RL +AVOL R1 1

The closed loop input and output impedances are given by

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

R2
Zin(CL) = and Zout(CL) = R1 [1 + AVOL ]
1 + AVOL β
1 R1
The feedback factor β = =
Ai R1 + R2

In the given circuit, What is the load current ? The load power? If the load
resistance changes to 2 , what is the load current and power?
R 1000
Solution Ai = 1 + R2 = 1 + = 1001
1 1

Iout = Ai Iin = 1001(1.5×103) = 1.5 A (rms)

PL = [Iout]2 RL = (1.5 )2(1) = 2.25 W
As long as the op amp does not saturate, change in the load
resistance to any value does not affect the current and a
stabilized output current of 1.5 A(rms) flows.
PL = [Iout]2 RL = (1.5 )2(2) = 4.5 W

Review Questions
1. Explain the general feedback structure with relevant equations.
2. Mention the important features of Negative feedback.
3. Explain the important properties of Negative feedback used in amplifiers.
4. Explain the classification of feedback amplifiers or Explain the various feedback topologies.
5. Compare Negative feedback amplifier configurations.
6. With a neat circuit diagram explain (i) VCVS amplifier (ii) VCIS amplifier (iii) ICIS amplifier and
(iv) ICVS amplifier Write the expression for (a) Closed loop gain (b) input resistance with feedback
(c) output resistance with feedback.

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