5 Transistor Bias Circuits

UAE University Dr. Naser Naim Qamhieh 1

Department of Physics
 Objectives

➢ Discuss the concept of dc bias of a transistor for proper

linear operation of an amplifier.
➢Explain the Q-point
➢Explain the condiction for linear operation
➢Explain the condiction for saturation and cutoff
➢Discuss the reasons for output waveform distortion

UAE University Dr. Naser Naim Qamhieh 2

Department of Physics
 Introduction
For the transistor to properly operate it must be
biased in order to operates as an amplifier.
Bias means: to establish a steady level of
transistor current and voltage called the
operating point (Q-point).
There are several methods (circuits) to establish
the DC operating point.

UAE University Dr. Naser Naim Qamhieh 3

Department of Physics
 5-1 The DC Operating point
Bias establishes the dc Q-point for proper linear operation of
an amplifier.

The transistor is correctly biased (Linear operation)

The output signal is larger an dhas the same shape as the
input, except that it is inverted.

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Department of Physics
 Improper biasing of an amplifier (nonlinear operation)

The Q-point is too close to the cutoff

The output voltage (signal) is cliped by the cutoff

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Department of Physics
 Improper biasing of an amplifier (nonlinear operation)

The Q-point is too close to the saturation

The output voltage (signal) is cliped by the saturation

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Department of Physics
 The DC Operating Point
For a transistor circuit to amplify it must be properly biased
with dc voltages. The dc operating point between saturation
and cutoff is called the Q-point. The goal is to set the Q-point
such that that it does not go into saturation or cutoff when an
a ac signal is applied.

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Department of Physics
Graphical Analysis
A dc-biased transistor circuit with variable bias voltages (VBB and VCC)
for generating the collector characteristic curves shown in part (b).

I C  I B VCE  VCC  I C RC

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Department of Physics
Illustration of Q-point adjustments.

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Department of Physics
DC Load Line: Notice that when IB increases, IC increases and VCE
decreases. So, VBB is adjusted up or down, the dc operating point moves
along a sloping straight line, called the dc load line, connecting each
separate Q-point. At any Q - point along the line, values of IBQ, ICQ, and IEQ
and VCEQ can be determined from the graph

The collector loop gives: VCC – ICRC-VCE =0

IC = -(1/RC)VCE + VCC/RC
At IC = 0, VCE = VCC cutoff
At VCE = 0, IC = VCC/RC saturation
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Department of Physics
 Linear Operation
With a good Q-point established, let’s look at the effect of a
superimposed ac voltage on the circuit. Note the collector current
swings do not exceed the limits of operation(saturation and cutoff).
However, as you might already know, applying too much ac voltage to the base would
result in driving the collector current into saturation or cutoff resulting in a distorted or
clipped waveform.

UAE University Dr. Naser Naim Qamhieh 11

Department of Physics
Waveform Distortion Graphical load line illustration of a transistor
being driven into saturation and/or cutoff.

Transistor is driven into saturation

because the Q-point is too close
to saturation for the given input
signal

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Department of Physics
 Waveform Distortion

Transistor is driven into cutoff

because the Q-point is too close to
cutpff for the given input signal

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Department of Physics
 Waveform Distortion

Transistor is driven into cutoff

because the Q-point is too close to
cutpff for the given input signal

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Department of Physics
Example Determine the Q-point in the figure below, and
find the maximum peak value of base current for linear operation.
Assume DC = 200.
IB = (VBB – VBE)/RB VBE = 0.7V
= 198 A
IC = DC IB = 39.6 mA
VCE = VCC – ICRC = 6.93 V
So, ICQ = 39.6 mA, VCEQ = 6.93 V

Since IC(cutoff) = 0, you need to know IC(sat)

to determine how much variation in
collector current can occur and still
maintain linear operation of the transistor
IC(sat) = VCC/RC = 60.6 mA
Before saturation IC can increased
by: IC(sat) – ICQ = 21 mA
Ib(peak) = IC(peak)/ = 105 A
UAE University Dr. Naser Naim Qamhieh 15
Department of Physics