4Designing Vacuum Tube Systems

4.1 Introduction

Any number of configurations may be used to generate radio frequency (RF) signals using vacuum tubes. Circuit design is dictated primarily by the operating frequency, output power, type of modulation, duty cycle, and available power supply. Tube circuits can be divided generally by their operating class and type of modulation employed. The angle of plate current flow determines the class of operation:

  • Class A = 360° conduction angle

  • Class B = 180° conduction angle

  • Class C = conduction angle less than 180°

  • Class AB = conduction angle between 180° and 360°

The class of operation has nothing to do with whether the amplifier is grid driven or cathode driven [1]. A cathode-driven amplifier, for ...

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