Linear Power Amplifier Design

The principal requirements of linear power amplifiers for single-sideband and frequency multiplexing service are low distortion and reliability. The nature of distortion generation is discussed and a theoretical tube characteristic for zero distortion in class AB operation is presented. Simple expressions for quickly estimating tube operating conditions and a more detailed presentation of the Chaffee 11-point analysis for accurate computation is made. High gain stages minimize the number of stages required and enhance reliability. An illustration shows the circuit of a high gain, high performance three-stage amplifier suitable for linear amplifier service and automatic tuning.