Book reviewDesign of high-performance negative-feedback ampli-fiersErnst H. NordholtElsevier Scientific, 1983, 234 pp., $57.50ISBN: 0-444-42140-8

This revised version of the author's Ph.D. thesis (DelftUniversity, 1980) comprises seven chapters: 1—basicamplifier configurations for the optimum transfer of infor-mation from source to load; 2—a classification and someproperties of configurations with one active device, someactive-feedback stages; 3—design considerations foroptimum noise performance of negative-feedback ampli-fiers; 4—design considerations regarding optimum accu-racy and linearity of negative-feedback amplifiers;5—design considerations regarding optimum high-frequency performance of negative-feedback amplifiers;6—the design of bias circuitry; 7—outline of the designmethod.

The design approach is inspired by the well regardedbook by E.M. Cherry and D.E. Hooper and attempts tomake a useful qualitative contribution to amplifier design.The treatment is almost entirely theoretical, with numeri-cal values appearing on perhaps 10 pages out of 216. Tran-sistors are described by two-port chain-matrix elements orby simple hybrid-7i models, with no indication of frequencydependence or magnitudes given. Although DC amplifiersare excluded, the only curves with axes scaled have cut-offfrequencies around 10 Hz. An inventory of feedback struc-tures with one to four loops stabilising up to four chain-matrix transfer functions is based on four classes oftheoretical or practical components: ideal transformersand gyrators, transformers, impedances, transistors, one ormore of these 'components' occurring in each 'loop'. Non-linearity, two-port parameter dependence on bias currents

and voltages, temperature and ageing are mentioned butnever quantified.

The reviewer found difficulty understanding the designapproach which is seldom related to terms commonly usedby other authors such as H.W. Bode. For example, theauthor's transfer function (ratio of load to sourcequantities) is the sum of a direct transmission term and again before feedback divided by return difference for achosen controlled source. Again, the decision to treat thecommon emitter or source configurations as nonfeedbackstages appears contrary to the facts; in particular, to thepossibility of self oscillation in such stages.

In the last two pages of text the author mentions severalexamples designed by his approach; these are preamplifiersfor a moving-coil phonograph cartridge and a cameratube, and active antennas in the band 5 kHz-30 MHz.There appears to be little to interest designers of amplifiersfor communication systems at carrier or microwave fre-quencies, for receivers in optical-fibre systems or for radarsystems.

The reproduction of the camera-ready text is ratherfaint for comfortable reading, although the figures arebetter in this respect, but fail to distinguish between wireswhich merely cross over and connection points. Eachchapter ends with a list of refererences, but unfortunatelythese do not give the title of the paper or book cited: thisis distinctly unhelpful for the busy reader.

This book is number 7 in the Elsevier series, 'Studies inelectrical and electronic engineering', but it compares veryunfavourably in content, clarity and usefulness withKovacs 'High frequency application of semiconductordevices', (number 5 in the series). A book on design whichcontains so little evidence of practical applications includ-ing CAD and parameters of real transistors cannot berecommended.

D.J.H. MACLEAN

276 1EE PROCEEDINGS, Vol. 130, Pt. G, No. 6, DECEMBER 1983