Project Synopsis

On

PA system
CONTENTS

1. ABSTRACT.

2. INTRODUCTION.

3. SPECIFICATION.

5. BASIC BLOCK-DIAGRAM AND DESCRIPTION.

6. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM AND WORKING.

7. SOFTWARE AND ALGORITHMS.

8. PCB DESIGN AND LAYOUT.

9. ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATION.

10. COMPONENT LIST AND BILL OF MATERIAL.

11. CONCLUSION

12. REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY.

13. DATASHEET.
ABSTRACT

Generally, an amplifier or simply ‘amp’ is any device that changes,

usually increases, the amplitude of a signal. The relationship of the input to
the output of an amplifier—usually expressed as a function of the input
frequency—is called the transfer function of the amplifier, and the magnitude
of the transfer function is termed the gain.

In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which

the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications,
amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to make the human
voice louder or play recorded music. Amplifiers may be classified according
to the input (source) they are designed to amplify (such as a guitar amplifier,
to perform with an electric guitar), the device they are intended to drive
(such as a headphone amplifier), the frequency range of the signals (Audio,
IF, RF, and VHF amplifiers, for example), whether they invert the signal
(inverting amplifiers and non-inverting amplifiers), or the type of device used
in the amplification (valve or tube amplifiers, FET amplifiers, etc.).

A related device that emphasizes conversion of signals of one type to

another (for example, a light signal in photons to a DC signal in amperes) is a
transducer, a transformer, or a sensor. However, none of these amplify
power.

Figures of merit
The quality of an amplifier can be characterized by a number of
specifications, listed below.

Gain

The gain of an amplifier is the ratio of output to input power or amplitude,

and is usually measured in decibels. (When measured in decibels it is
logarithmically related to the power ratio: G(dB)=10 log(Pout /(Pin)). RF
amplifiers are often specified in terms of the maximum power gain
obtainable, while the voltage gain of audio amplifiers and instrumentation
amplifiers will be more often specified (since the amplifier's input impedance
will often be much higher than the source impedance, and the load
impedance higher than the amplifier's output impedance).

Example: an audio amplifier with a gain given as 20 dB will have a voltage

gain of ten (but a power gain of 100 would only occur in the unlikely event
the input and output impedances were identical).

Bandwidth

The bandwidth of an amplifier is the range of frequencies for which the

amplifier gives "satisfactory performance". The definition of "satisfactory
performance" may be different for different applications. However, a
common and well-accepted metric is the half power points (i.e. frequency
where the power goes down by half its peak value) on the output vs.
frequency curve. Therefore bandwidth can be defined as the difference
between the lower and upper half power points. This is therefore also known
as the −3 dB bandwidth. Bandwidths (otherwise called "frequency
responses") for other response tolerances are sometimes quoted (−1 dB, −6
dB etc.) or "plus or minus 1dB" (roughly the sound level difference people
usually can detect).

The gain of a good quality full-range audio amplifier will be essentially flat
between 20 Hz to about 20 kHz (the range of normal human hearing). In
ultra high fidelity amplifier design, the amp's frequency response should
extend considerably beyond this (one or more octaves either side) and might
have −3 dB points < 10 and > 65 kHz. Professional touring amplifiers often
have input and/or output filtering to sharply limit frequency response beyond
20 Hz-20 kHz; too much of the amplifier's potential output power would
otherwise be wasted on infrasonic and ultrasonic frequencies, and the
danger of AM radio interference would increase. Modern switching amplifiers
need steep low pass filtering at the output to get rid of high frequency
switching noise and harmonics.

Efficiency

Efficiency is a measure of how much of the power source is usefully applied

to the amplifier's output. Class A amplifiers are very inefficient, in the range
of 10–20% with a max efficiency of 25% for direct coupling of the output.
Inductive coupling of the output can raise their efficiency to a maximum of
50%.

Class B amplifiers have a very high efficiency but are impractical for audio
work because of high levels of distortion (See: Crossover distortion). In
practical design, the result of a tradeoff is the class AB design. Modern Class
AB amplifiers are commonly between 35–55% efficient with a theoretical
maximum of 78.5%.
Commercially available Class D switching amplifiers have reported
efficiencies as high as 90%. Amplifiers of Class C-F are usually known to be
very high efficiency amplifiers.

More efficient amplifiers run cooler, and often do not need any cooling fans
even in multi-kilowatt designs. The reason for this is that the loss of
efficiency produces heat as a by-product of the energy lost during the
conversion of power. In more efficient amplifiers there is less loss of energy
so in turn less heat.

In RF Power Amplifiers, such as cellular base stations and broadcast

transmitters, specialist design techniques are used to improve efficiency.
Doherty designs, which use a second transistor, can lift efficiency from the
typical 15% up to 30-35% in a narrow bandwidth. Envelope Tracking designs
are able to achieve efficiencies of up to 60%, by modulating the supply
voltage to the amplifier in line with the envelope of the signal.
AMPLIFIER DESCRIPTION

The TDA2030A is a monolithic IC in Pent watt [package intended for use as

low frequency class AB amplifier. With VS max = 44V it is particularly suited
for more reliable applications without regulated supply and for 35W driver
circuits using low-cost complementary pairs. The TDA2030A provides high
output current and has very low harmonic and cross-over distortion. Further
the device incorporates a short circuit protection system comprising an
arrangement for automatically limiting the dissipated power so as to keep
the working point of the output transistors within their safe operating area. A
conventional thermal shut-down system is also included.

MULTIWAY SPEAKER SYSTEMS AND ACTIVE BOXES

Multiday loudspeaker systems provide the best possible acoustic

performance since each loudspeaker is specially designed and optimized to
handle a limited range of frequencies. Commonly, these loudspeaker
systems divide the audio spectrum into two or three bands. To maintain flat
frequency response over the Hi-Fi audio range the bands covered by each
loudspeaker must overlap slightly. Imbalance between the loudspeakers
produces unacceptable results therefore it is important to ensure that each
unit generates the correct amount of acoustic energy for its segment of the
audio spectrum. In this respect it is also important to know the energy
distribution of the music spectrum to determine the

cutoff frequencies of the crossover filters (see Figure 18). As an example a

100W three-way system with crossover frequencies of 400Hz and 3 kHz
would require 50W for the woofer, 35W for the midrange unit and 15W for
the tweeter.
DIGITAL CIRCUIT
REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

• A Desktop Reference of Hip Vintage Guitar Amps - Gerald Weber.

Published by Kendrick Books, 1994. ISBN 0-9641060-0-0. Lots of good
schematics, primarily Fender-oriented, but some other amps as well.
In addition, it contains a lot of mod information for Fender amps, if you
are into that kind of thing.

• Ampeg - The Story Behind The Sound- Gregg Hopkins and Bill Moore.
Published by Hal Leonard, 1999. ISBN 0-7935-7951-1. The definitive
Ampeg book! This is without a doubt the classiest-looking book on
amplifiers I have ever seen. Very well done, with lots of color photos
and items of historical significance. Can be purchased directly from
Bill Moore at Risehigh@aol.com if you can't find it in your local
bookstore.

• Audio Cyclopedia, 2nd Edition - Howard Tremaine. Published by

Howard W. Sams & Co., Inc. The Bobbs-Merrill Co. Inc., 1974.
International Standard Book Number 0-672-20675-7, Library of
Congress Catalog Card Number: 77-82885. This huge volume is
arguably the best book ever published on tube amplifier circuits and
other electronic circuitry, from filters to test equipment and everything
in between. It is presented in a question-and-answer format, and
contains concise, easy-to-understand explanations of almost every
tube circuit known to man (some of the newer patents on amp circuitry
bear a suspicious resemblance to circuits in this book). Don't buy the
later, solid-state edition, the 2nd edition is the one you want. Good
luck finding a copy, as it is long out of print.
• Audio Transformer Design Manual - Robert G. Wolpert. 1989. This
book explains audio transformer design in great detail. There is also a
companion book on power transformer design. These books were out
of print for several years, after Mr. Wolpert's passing, but his daughter
has made them available again through this website link:
http://www.rgwdesign.com

• Build Your Own Audio Valve Amplifiers - Rainer zur Linde. Published by
Elektor Electronics, 1995. ISBN 0-905705-39-4. High-level technical
information on vacuum tube circuit design.

• Dave Funk's Tube Amp Workbook - Dave Funk. Published by

Thunderfunk Labs, Inc. 1996. ISBN 0-9650841-0-8. A good beginner's
text on tube amp design.

• *Designing Tube Preamps for Guitar and Bass - Merlin Blencowe.

Published by Merlin Blencowe, 2009. ISBN 978-0-9561545-0-7. This is
an excellent book, packed with concise, factual information on tube
(valve) preamp designs, complete with all mathematical formulas for
design. This book is destined to be a classic, and sort of reminds me of
a Radiotron Designer's Handbook for guitar. Highly recommended. If
you can only afford one book, make it this one.
• Fender Amps - The First Fifty Years - John Teagle & John Sprung,
published by Hal Leonard Corporation, 1995. ISBN 0-7935-3733-9 (soft
cover), ISBN 0-7935-4408-4 (hard cover limited edition). The title says
it all. Very nicely done history of Fender amps.

• Electric Guitar Amplifier Handbook, 2nd edition - Jack Darr. Published

by Howard W. Sams & Co., Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1968. Library of
Congress Catalog Card Number: 68-59059. There is also a much
better and larger third edition: ISBN 0-672-20848-2, Library of
Congress Catalog Card number: 78-157801. This is an excellent little
book with very good, easy-to-understand theory and troubleshooting
tips.

• Fundamentals Of Vacuum Tubes, 2nd Edition - Austin V. Eastman.

Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1941. A textbook on
vacuum tubes, highly technical.

• *Guitar Amplifier Preamps - Richard Kuehnel. Published by Pentode

Press, 2009. ISBN 9780976982227. This is another excellent book. It
deals with guitar amplifier preamp designs from an engineering
standpoint, and contains derivations of formulas for all phases of
preamp design. If you want to know the math behind the circuit
design, this book is it. It is not just math, however, it also is filled with
practical information. Highly recommended.

• *Guitar Amplifier Power Amps - Richard Kuehnel. Published by Pentode

Press, 2008. ISBN 9780976982241. This is another excellent book, a
 companion to the preamp book listed above. It deals with guitar
amplifier power amp designs from an engineering standpoint, and
contains derivations of formulas for all phases of power amplifier
design. Highly recommended.

• Noise Reduction Techniques In Electronic Systems- Henry W. Ott.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, 1976. ISBN 0-471-65726-3. A
textbook on noise reduction, highly technical.

• Principles of Electronics - M. R. Gavin and J. E. Houldin. Published by D.

Van Nostrand Company, Inc., 1959. A very nice little book written in
easy-to-understand, yet technical, language.

• Principles of Electron Tubes - Herbert J. Reich. Reprint published by

Audio Amateur Press, 1995. ISBN 1-882580-07-9. A classic text, but
hard reading. For advanced folks only.

• Principles of Power - Kevin O'Connor. Published by Power Press

Publishing, London, Canada. ISBN 0-9698-6081-1. A good tutorial on
tube power amp design.

• Pulse Electronics - Raphael Littauer. Published by McGraw-Hill Book

Company, 1965. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 64-22195.
Mainly geared towards pulse generation, but has some good tube
amplifier information.
• Radio Designer's Handbook (aka Radiotron Designer's Handbook, 3rd
Edition) - F. Langford-Smith. Published by the Wireless Press for
Amalgamated Wireless Valve Company Pty. Ltd., 1953. Reproduced
and distributed by RCA in America. This is a little blue book, much
smaller than the 4th edition (only 352 pages), but it contains quite
good information, and is well worth getting if you don't have the 4th
edition, or even if you do have it. This edition is long out of print and is
seldom seen for sale.

• Radiotron Designer's Handbook, 4th Edition - F. Langford-Smith.

Published by the Wireless Press for Amalgamated Wireless Valve
Company Pty. Ltd., 1953. Reproduced and distributed by RCA in
America. This book is the "granddaddy" of them all. If you understand
everything in this book, you will be a true guru. The original book is
long out of print, and will cost $50-$150 for a good used copy.
However, Antique Electronics has issued a nice hardback reprint for
$69.95. They can be found on the web at
http://www.tubesandmore.com/. It has also been reissued by
Butterworth-Heinemann (1999) and is available on Amazon.com - ISBN
0750636351, for $79.99.

• *The History Of Marshall - Michael Doyle. Published by Hal Leonard

Publishing Corporation, 1993. ISBN 0-7935-2509-8. If you are a
Marshall fanatic like me, this book is on the top of the list. It contains a
wealth of information, including pictures, schematics, and a full section
on Celestion speakers. Highly recommended.
• The Tube Amp Book, 4th Edition - Aspen Pittman. Published by Groove
Tubes Audio, 1993. There is also a newer 4.1th edition. Get this book
for the extensive collection of schematics and cool amp pictures,
ignore the sales pitches and especially the tech info, as much of it is
incorrect. This is your best schematic reference book.

• The Ultimate Tone - Kevin O'Connor. Published by Power Press

Publishing, London, Canada. ISBN 0-9698-6080-3. This book is a good
source of detailed circuit design and tube amplifier modification
information. There are occasional technical errors, but overall, it is
good. The companion book, Principles of Power, is also good. There
are several other volumes in the series, but most deal with esoteric
information of little use to the average experimenter, and they are
quite pricey, upwards of $100 or so.

• The Vox Story - David Petersen & Dick Denney. Published by The Bold
Strummer, Ltd., 1993. ISBN 0-933224-70-2. A book on all things Vox,
very well done.

• Valve Amplifiers - Morgan Jones. Published by Newnes, Butterworth-

Heinemann, Ltd. 1995. ISBN 0-7506-2337-3. An excellent tube theory
book, highly technical, but relatively easy to understand. It contains a
lot of the math behind tube circuits, but in easy-to-understand form.
Highly recommended. This book has been continuously in print since
1995, and is now in it's third edition. The ISBN number for the third
edition is: ISBN 07506 56948. There is also an upcoming book entitled:
"Building Valve Amplifiers" (ISBN 07506 56956) that is due out any day
now.