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Engineering Notes

RF POWER AMPLIFIERS TECHNICAL REFERENCE MATERIAL

Class C operation

Class C Amplifiers are not DC forward biased. Collector current, IC, flows over significantly less than 50% of the RF input cycle.
Class C amplifiers have a very limited dynamic range (0 to 6 dB) and have a tendency to snap off if the RF input signal is reduced below the rated level.

Class C Advantages:

Excellent Efficiency
Compact Size

Multikilowatt Pulse Output Power
Cool Operation
CW, FM, Phase and Pulse Amplification

Class C Disadvantages:

Poor Dynamic Range
Cannot Support AM Signals

Applications:

Troposcatter Amplifiers
FM Amplifiers
EW/ECM
Booster Amplifiers
Communications Systems
TWT Replacements
TACAN Systems
Radar Systems