Electronics: Amplifiers

Definition: An electronic device that increases the power or amplitude of a signal
Types:
- Voltage amplifier: amplifies voltage of the input signal
- Current amplifier: amplifies current of the input signal
- Power amplifier: amplifies both voltage and current of the input signal
Characteristics:
- Gain: ratio of output to input signal
- Bandwidth: range of frequencies that can be amplified
- Impedance: input and output impedance of the amplifier
Applications:
- Audio systems
- Radio frequency (RF) amplifiers
- Instrumentation amplifiers
- Operational amplifiers (op-amps)

Definition: An electronic device that allows certain frequencies to pass through while rejecting others
Types:
- Low-pass filter: allows low frequencies to pass through while rejecting high frequencies
- High-pass filter: allows high frequencies to pass through while rejecting low frequencies
- Band-pass filter: allows a specific range of frequencies to pass through while rejecting all others
- Band-stop filter: rejects a specific range of frequencies while allowing all others to pass through
Characteristics:
- Cutoff frequency: frequency at which the filter starts to reject or allow signals
- Roll-off rate: rate at which the filter rejects or allows signals
Applications:
- Audio systems
- Radio frequency (RF) filters
- Image processing
- Signal processing

Definition: An electronic device that converts Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC)
Types:
- Half-wave rectifier: converts one half of the AC waveform to DC
- Full-wave rectifier: converts both halves of the AC waveform to DC
Characteristics:
- Peak inverse voltage (PIV): maximum voltage that the rectifier can withstand
- Ripple factor: measure of the AC component present in the output DC
Applications:
- Power supplies
- Battery chargers
- Motor control systems
- Electronic devices that require DC power

Definition: An electronic device that generates a periodic signal
Types:
- Sinusoidal oscillator: generates a sine wave
- Square wave oscillator: generates a square wave
- Triangular wave oscillator: generates a triangular wave
Characteristics:
- Frequency: rate at which the oscillator generates the signal
- Amplitude: maximum value of the output signal
- Phase shift: delay between the input and output signals
Applications:
- Radio frequency (RF) systems
- Audio systems
- Clock circuits
- Signal generators

Definition: An electronic device that maintains a constant output voltage or current
Types:
- Voltage regulator: maintains a constant output voltage
- Current regulator: maintains a constant output current
Characteristics:
- Line regulation: ability to maintain output voltage or current despite changes in input voltage
- Load regulation: ability to maintain output voltage or current despite changes in load current
Applications:
- Power supplies
- Electronic devices that require a stable voltage or current
- Battery chargers
- Motor control systems

Amplify power or amplitude of a signal
Types: voltage, current, and power amplifiers
Gain: ratio of output to input signal
Bandwidth: range of frequencies that can be amplified
Impedance: input and output impedance of the amplifier
Applications: audio systems, RF amplifiers, instrumentation amplifiers, and op-amps

Allow certain frequencies to pass through while rejecting others
Types: low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-stop filters
Cutoff frequency: frequency at which the filter starts to reject or allow signals
Roll-off rate: rate at which the filter rejects or allows signals
Applications: audio systems, RF filters, image processing, and signal processing

Convert AC to DC
Types: half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
Peak inverse voltage (PIV): maximum voltage that the rectifier can withstand
Ripple factor: measure of the AC component present in the output DC
Applications: power supplies, battery chargers, motor control systems, and electronic devices that require DC power

Maintain a constant output voltage or current
Types: voltage and current regulators
Line regulation: ability to maintain output voltage or current despite changes in input voltage
Load regulation: ability to maintain output voltage or current despite changes in load current
Applications: power supplies, electronic devices that require a stable voltage or current, battery chargers, and motor control systems