Electronics Engineering (ELEX) Board Practice Exam

What type of amplifier is characterized by a cascading arrangement of stages?

1. Inverting amplifier

2. Non-inverting amplifier

3. Cascade amplifier

4. Operational amplifier

The correct answer is: Cascade amplifier

A cascade amplifier is defined by its arrangement of multiple amplifier stages connected in series, allowing for increased gain and better performance characteristics than a single-stage amplifier. This configuration leverages the strengths of each stage, making it particularly effective in applications where high gain is essential without compromising bandwidth or stability. The use of cascading stages allows for better control over the frequency response and can also improve linearity. Each stage can be designed to amplify a specific frequency range or signal characteristic, thus working together to produce an overall enhanced output. In contrast, inverting and non-inverting amplifiers refer to basic operational amplifier configurations used to provide specific functionality, often within a single stage. While operational amplifiers can certainly be part of a cascade configuration, on their own, they do not inherently contain multiple stages. Therefore, the correct identification of a cascade amplifier is pertinent because it highlights the operational principle of connecting multiple amplifiers to achieve desired circuit performance parameters.