Which amplifier class has the highest efficiency of the four classes of amplifier operations?

Class C amplifiers are designed for high efficiency, making them suitable for applications where maximizing power output while minimizing heat generation is crucial. In a Class C amplifier, the output stage conducts for less than half of the input signal cycle, resulting in higher efficiency than Class A or Class AB amplifiers, which conduct over a greater portion of the signal waveform. This operation allows Class C amplifiers to achieve efficiencies of up to 80% or more, particularly in RF applications where distortion can be managed, as they are not typically used for audio signals due to their non-linear characteristics.

In contrast, Class A amplifiers, while providing high fidelity, operate on the linear range over the entire signal cycle, resulting in significant power losses as heat, and thus have efficiencies typically around 25-30%. Class B amplifiers improve on Class A by conducting only for half of the signal cycle, increasing efficiency to around 50-70%, but they still cannot match the efficiency of Class C. Class AB amplifiers strive to combine the benefits of both Class A and Class B, achieving efficiencies between the two but still falling short of Class C.

Given this context, Class C amplifiers stand out for their ability to operate efficiently in specific scenarios, particularly in RF transmission