A
push–pull amplifier is a type of
electronic circuit that uses a pair of active devices that alternately supply current to, or absorb current from, a connected load. Push–pull outputs are present in
TTL and
CMOS digital
logic circuits and in some types of
amplifiers, and are usually realized as a complementary pair of
transistors, one dissipating or
sinking current from the load to ground or a negative power supply, and the other supplying or
sourcing current to the load from a positive power supply.
A push–pull amplifier is more efficient than a single-ended
"class-A" amplifier. The output power that can be achieved is higher than the continuous dissipation rating of either transistor or tube used alone and increases the power available for a given supply voltage. Symmetrical construction of the two sides of the amplifier means that even-order harmonics are cancelled, which can reduce distortion.
[1] DC current is cancelled in the output, allowing a smaller output transformer to be used than in a single-ended amplifier. However, the push–pull amplifier requires a phase-splitting component that adds complexity and cost to the system; use of center-tapped
transformers for input and output is a common technique but adds weight and restricts performance. If the two parts of the amplifier do not have identical characteristics, distortion can be introduced as the two halves of the input waveform are amplified unequally. Crossover distortion can be created near the zero point of each cycle as one device is cut off and the other device enters its active region.
Push-pull circuits are widely used in many amplifier output stages. A pair of
audion tubes connected in push–pull is described in
Edwin H. Colpitts' US patent 1137384 granted in 1915, although the patent does not specifically claim the push–pull connection.
[2] The technique was well-known at that time
[3] and the principle had been claimed in an 1895 patent predating electronic amplifiers.
[4] Possibly the first commercial product using a push–pull amplifier was the
RCA Balanced amplifier released in 1924 for use with their
Radiola III regenerative broadcast receiver.
[5] By using a pair of low-power vacuum tubes in push–pull configuration, the amplifier allowed the use of a loudspeaker instead of headphones, while providing acceptable battery life with low standby power consumption.
[6] The technique continues to be used in audio, radio frequency, digital and power electronics systems today.
