− | [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''amplifien'', from Middle French ''amplifier'', from [[Latin]] ''amplificare'', from ''amplus'' | + | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''amplifien'', from Middle French ''amplifier'', from [[Latin]] ''amplificare'', from ''amplus'' |
| Generally, an '''amplifier''' or simply amp, is a device for increasing the [[power]] of a [[signal]] by use of an external [[energy]] source. | | Generally, an '''amplifier''' or simply amp, is a device for increasing the [[power]] of a [[signal]] by use of an external [[energy]] source. |
− | In popular use, the term usually [[describes]] an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_amplifier electronic amplifier], in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PA_system PA systems] to make the human [[voice]] louder or play recorded [[music]]. Amplifiers may be [[classified]] according to the input (source) they are [[designed]] to amplify (such as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_amplifier guitar amplifier], to [[perform]] with an electric guitar), the device they are intended to drive (such as a headphone amplifier), the [[frequency]] range of the [[signals]] (Audio, IF, RF, and VHF amplifiers, for example), whether they invert the signal ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverting_amplifier inverting amplifiers] and non-inverting amplifiers), or the type of device used in the amplification ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_amplifier valve or tube amplifiers], FET amplifiers, etc.). | + | In popular use, the term usually [[describes]] an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_amplifier electronic amplifier], in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PA_system PA systems] to make the human [[voice]] louder or play recorded [[music]]. Amplifiers may be [[classified]] according to the input (source) they are [[designed]] to amplify (such as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_amplifier guitar amplifier], to [[perform]] with an electric guitar), the device they are intended to drive (such as a headphone amplifier), the [[frequency]] range of the [[signals]] (Audio, IF, RF, and VHF amplifiers, for example), whether they invert the signal ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverting_amplifier inverting amplifiers] and non-inverting amplifiers), or the type of device used in the amplification ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_amplifier valve or tube amplifiers], FET amplifiers, etc.). |
− | A related device that emphasizes [[conversion]] of [[signals]] of one type to another (for example, a [[light]] signal in photons to a DC signal in amperes) is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transducer transducer], a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer transformer], or a sensor. However, none of these amplify [[power]].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amplifier] | + | A related device that emphasizes [[conversion]] of [[signals]] of one type to another (for example, a [[light]] signal in photons to a DC signal in amperes) is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transducer transducer], a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer transformer], or a sensor. However, none of these amplify [[power]].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amplifier] |