BJT Amplifier

Objectives

 Understand the concept of amplifiers

 Identify and apply internal transistor parameters
 Understand and analyze common-emitter

Introduction

One of the primary uses of a transistor is to amplify AC signals. This could be an audio signal or
perhaps some high frequency radio signal. It has to be able to do this without distorting the original
input.

Amplifier Operation

The purpose of DC biasing was to establish the Q-point for operation. The collector curves and load
lines help us to relate the Q-point and its proximity to cut off and saturation. The Q-point is best
established where the signal variations do not cause the transistor to go into saturation or cut off.

What we are most interested in is the AC signal itself. Since the DC part of the over all signal is filtered
out in most cases, we can view a transistor circuit in terms of just its AC component.

Amplifier Operation

For the analysis of transistor circuits from both AC and DC perspective, the AC subscripts are lower
case and italicized. Instantaneous values use both italicized lower case letters and subscript.
Amplifier Operation

The boundary of cut off and saturation is called linear region. A transistor which operates in linear
region is called linear amplifier. Note that only the AC component reaches the load because of the
capacitive coupling and that the output is 180° out of phase with input.

Transistor Equivalent Circuit

We can view transistor circuits by use of resistance or r parameters for better understanding. Since
the base resistance, rb is small it normally is not considered and since the collector resistance, rc is
fairly high we consider it as an open. The emitter resistance, rc is the main parameter that is viewed.

You can determine re from the simplified equation.

Re= 25mV/Ie
Transistor Equivalent Circuit

The two graphs best illustrates the difference between Beta DC and Beta AC. The two only differs
slightly.

Transistor Equivalent Circuit

This formulas can be use to convert h parameter to r parameter.

The Common-Emitter Amplifier

The common-emitter amplifier exhibits high voltage and current gain. The output signal is 180° out of
phase with the input.

Let us use our dc and ac analysis method to view this type of transistor circuit.
The Common-Emitter Amplifier

DC Analysis

The dc component of the circuit “sees” only the part of the circuit that is within the boundaries of C1,
C2, C3, as the dc will not pass through these components. the equivalent circuit for dc analysis is
shown. The methods for dc analysis are just the same as dealing with a voltage divider circuit.

Common Emitter Amplifier

AC Equivalent Circuit

The ac equivalent circuit basically replaces the capacitors with the shorts, being that ac passes through
easily through them. The power supplies are also effectively short to ground for ac analysis.
Common Emitter Amplifier
AC Equivalent Analysis

We can look at the output voltage in terms of the equivalent base

circuit. Note the use of simple series-parallel analysis skills for
determining Vin.

Common Emitter Amplifier

AC Equivalent Analysis
The input resistance as seen by the input voltage can be illustrated by the r parameter equivalent
circuit.

Common Emitter Amplifier

AC Equivalent Analysis

Voltage gain can be easily determined by dividing the ac output voltage by the ac input voltage.
Common Emitter Amplifier

AC Equivalent Analysis

Taking the attenuation from the ac supply internal resistance and input resistance into consideration
is included in the over all gain.

Summary

 Most transistors amplifiers are designed to operate in the linear region

 Transistor circuits can be view in terms of its ac equivalent for better understanding
 The common-emitter amplifier has high voltage and current gain
 The common-collector has a high current gain and voltage gain of 1. It has a high input
impedance and a low output impedance.
 The common-base has a high voltage gain and current gain of 1. It has a low input impedance
and a high output impedance.

Thank you!

Ardie Ann Sunga

BSEE-4

ECEE-513