An RC-coupled amplifier has open-loop midband gain A = 200 and a lower cutoff frequency of 50 Hz. Negative feedback with feedback factor β = 0.1 is applied. Estimate the new lower cutoff frequency with feedback.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: about 2.38 Hz

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Negative feedback reshapes an amplifier’s frequency response, typically trading gain for improved bandwidth and more controlled cutoff characteristics. In RC-coupled voltage amplifiers, applying negative feedback reduces the midband gain but extends both the low- and high-frequency bandwidth, often by approximately the desensitivity factor (1 + Aβ) for dominant single-pole regions.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Open-loop midband gain A = 200.
  • Lower cutoff (−3 dB) frequency f_L = 50 Hz before feedback.
  • Feedback factor β = 0.1, negative (regenerative effects are excluded).
  • Single-pole dominant behavior around f_L so textbook bandwidth scaling applies.


Concept / Approach:
For a simple first-order low-frequency pole, negative feedback reduces the effective time constant by approximately the factor (1 + Aβ). Thus the lower cutoff shifts downward by the same factor, improving low-frequency response. Closed-loop gain also reduces to A_cl ≈ A / (1 + Aβ).


Step-by-Step Solution:

Compute desensitivity: 1 + Aβ = 1 + 200 * 0.1 = 21.New lower cutoff: f_L,new = f_L / (1 + Aβ) = 50 / 21 ≈ 2.38 Hz.Closed-loop midband gain (for reference): A_cl ≈ 200 / 21 ≈ 9.52.


Verification / Alternative check:

If you sketch Bode plots, the low-frequency pole moves left by a factor of ~21, consistent with the calculated ~2.4 Hz.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

About 50 Hz: ignores bandwidth extension from feedback.About 5 Hz: uses a factor of 10 instead of 21.About 70.5 Hz: would be a narrowing of bandwidth (contrary to negative feedback benefits).About 21 Hz: misapplies (1 + Aβ) as a multiplier rather than a divider.


Common Pitfalls:

Forgetting that negative feedback broadens bandwidth while reducing midband gain; mixing up low- and high-frequency corner shifts.


Final Answer:

about 2.38 Hz

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