NMK20203

Analog Electronic 1
Chapter 2 (Part 3)
AC ANALYSIS - BJTS

Aim of this lecture

● Understand the concept of an analog signal and the

principle of a linear amplifier.
○ Investigate how a transistor circuit can amplify a
small, time-varying input signal (ac signal).
● Discuss and compare the three basic transistor
amplifier configurations.
○ Analyze the common-emitter amplifier.
■ Understand the ac load line & determine the
maximum symmetrical swing of the output.
○ Analyze the emitter-follower amplifier.
○ Analyze the common-base amplifier.
 Review
● To use circuit as an amplifier, transistor needs to
be biased with DC voltage at quiescent point
(Q-point)

● Transistor is biased in forward-active region

(BC junction is reverse biased and BE
junction is forward biased )

Definition of AC signal

● Also known as small signal

● Usually the AS signal is in the order of :

±10% of Q-point values.

 Important Variables

Variable Meaning
iB, vBE Total instantaneous values
I ,V DC values
B BE
ib, vbe Instantaneous ac values
I ,V Phasor values
b be

Common Emitter with Time-Varying Input

AC signal superimposed on the DC signal

 Circuit Analysis
The AC signals are linearly related and
superimposed on the DC values

iB = I BQ + ib
iC = ICQ + ic
vCE = VCEQ + vce
vBE = VBEQ + vbe

Circuit Analysis

● If signal source vs=0:

VBB = I BQ RB + VBEQ (B - E loop)

VCC = ICQ RC + VCEQ (C - E loop)
 Circuit Analysis
● When VBB=0 (AC equivalent circuit):

vs = ib RB + vbe
RC ic ic Rc + vce = 0
v i R v
s b B be
v
O
RB v+
ce

v v
i + be - -
s b

Small-Signal Hybrid π Model for npn BJT using gm

(transconductance) parameter
 Small-Signal Equivalent Circuit Using
Common-Emitter Current Gain (β)

Problem-Solving Technique:
BJT AC Analysis

1. Analyze circuit with only dc sources to find Q point.

2. Replace each element in circuit with small-signal
model, including the hybrid π model for the
transistor.
3. Analyze the small-signal equivalent circuit after
setting dc source components to zero.
 Rules for AC analysis to find the small signal gain of the
amplifier:

i. Replace all capacitors with short circuit

ii. Replace all inductors with open circuit
iii. Replace DC voltage sources with ground connection
iv. Replace DC current sources with open circuit

How to construct the small signal hybrid-π of a

transistor circuit
 The small signal hybrid-π equivalent circuit

Exercise 1
Hybrid-π model and Early effect
Early voltage
 Solution

Small signal voltage gain:

● To get a stabilized Q-point, emitter resistance is included in the

previous circuit.
Assume VA is infinite, then ro is neglected.
Common Emitter Amplifier with Emitter
Bypass Capacitor
END OF CHAPTER 2