ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
EXPERIMENT 6: Differential Amplifier Circuits
Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity
a. ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve
engineering problems
b. ability to design and conduct fieldworks, as well as to analyse and
interpret data
c. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
d. ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering
practice
Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)
At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. identify the DC and AC voltages in differential circuits.
b. calculate DC and AC voltages
c. evaluate the precision of the experiment conducted
Objective
-To measure DC and AC voltages in differential circuits.
Equipments
Instruments
Oscilloscope
DMM
Function Generator
DC Supply
Components
Resistors
(1) 4.3 kΩ
(2) 10 kΩ
(2) 20 kΩ
Transistors
(3) 2N3823, or equivalent
Resume of theory
A differential amplifier is a circuit with plus(+) or minus(-) inputs. In typical
operation, inputs that are opposite in-phase are amplified greatly, while inputs
that are in-phase are cancelled are the output. Figure 6-1 is the circuit of a single
BJT differential amplifier with plus (Vi+) input and minus (Vi-) input, and opposite
outputs, Vo1 and Vo2. typically no capacitor is needed, the input signals being
DC coupled, and the positive (VCC) and negative (VEE) supplies providing DC
bias. Using the value of re assumed in this experiment to b the same for both
transistors, the differential voltage gain is of magnitude.
AV= RC equation 6.1
2re
The gain for signals which are common at both inputs is magnitude
AV=Rc equation 6.1
2re
Figure 6-1
For AV can be calculated
AV =9mRD equation 6-3
2
Procedure
Part1. DC Bias of BJT Differential Amplifier
a. For the circuit of Figure 6.1, calculate the DC bias voltages and currents
for one transistor.
(calculated) VB = 0 V
(calculated) VE = -0.7 V
(calculated) VC = 5.35 V
(calculated) IE = 9.3× 10−4
(calculated) re = 55.91
b. Construct the circuit of Figure 6.1. (Record measured values for all
resistors in Figure 27.1). Set both supplies, VCC = 10 V and VEE = 10 V.
Measure and record DC bias voltages for each transistor.
Q1 Q2
(measured) VB = 22.6 mV VB = 0 V
(measured) VE = -0.7 V VE = -0.7V
(measured) VC = 5.39 V VC = 5.39 V
Using measured values, determine:
IE = 9.39 × 10−4 IE = 9.39 × 10−4
re = 55.37 re = 55.37
Compare values for each transistor to determine if they are well matched.
Compare the values calculated in step a with those measured in step b.
the calculated values are almost the same with measured values.
Part 2. AC Operation of BJT Differential Amplifier
a. Using Equations (6.1) and (6.2) calculate the differential and common-
mode gain of the circuit in Figure 27.1
(calculated) AV,d = 89.43
(calculated) AV,C = 96.13369
b. Apply input of Vi = 20mV, rms at frequency ƒ = 10 kHz to the plus (+) input
and 0 V to the minus (-) input in the circuit of Fig.6.1. Using a DMM
measure, record output voltages.
(measured) VO1 = 1.635 V
(measured) VO2 = -1.633 V
Calculate an average value of Void
Void = (Vo1 + Vo2)/2
Vo,d = 1mV
Calculate differential voltage gain
Av,d = Vo,d/Vi
(measured) AV,d = 0.0495
c.Apply common inputs of Vi = 1 V, peak to both input terminals in the circuit
Fig. 6.1. Measured and record the output from one side of the circuit
(measured) Vv,c = 1.642V
Compare the voltage gains calculated in step a with those measured in steps
b and c.
the values on step a are almost the same with step b with slight difference on values.
Part 3. DC bias of BJT Differential Amplifier With Current Source
a.Calculate DC bias voltages and currents for the amplifier of Fig. 6.2.
Figure 6-2
For either Q1:
(calculated) VB = 0 V
(calculated) VE = -0.7 V
(calculated) VC = 1.08 V
(calculated) IE = 2.16
(calculated) re = 24.074
For Q3
(calculated) VB = 5 V
(calculated) VE = 1.08 V
(calculated) VC = -0.7 V
(calculated) IE = 1 V
(calculated) re = 0.052
b.With DC power turned off, construct the circuit of Fig. 6.2 (or just modify the
circuit of Part 2). (Record measured resistor values in Fig. 6.2). Restore
DC power (10 V and -10 V) and measure DC bias voltages.
For both transistor Q1 and Q2:
Q1 Q2
(measured) VB = 14.3 mV VB = 0 V
(measured) VE = -1.15 V VE = -1.15 V
(measured) VC = -1.13 V VC = -1.13V
Using measured values, determine
IE = 83.1 × 10−3 IE = 83.1 × 10−3
re = 0.258 re = 0.258
Compare values for both transistors to determine if transistors are well
matched.
For transistors Q3:
(measured) VB = 66.2uV
(measured) VE = -9.64 V
(measured) VC = -1.15 V
Using measured values, determine
IE = 83.1 × 10−3
re = 0.258
Compare the values calculated in step a with those measured in step b.
There is a big difference on calculated values and measured values the values are not
the same but it have a slight similarities.
Part 4. AC Operation of Differential Amplifier With Transistor Current Source
a.Using Equation (6.1) calculate
(calculated) Avid = 237.259
b.Apply input of Vi = 10 mV, rms at frequency ƒ = 10 kHz. Measure and
record AC voltages.
(measured) Vo,d = 9.5 mV
Av,d = Vo,d/VI
(calculated) Avid = 0.9515
c.Apply common input of Vi = 1 V, rms at frequency ƒ = 10 kHz to both input
terminals in the circuit of Fig. 6.2. Measure and record the output from one
side of the circuit
(measured) Voic = 7.905 V
Calculate the common voltage gain
Av,d = Vo,c/VI
(calculated) Avic = -25.498
d.Using the AC coupled input of the oscilloscope, measure and record the
waveforms at each output and at the common-emitter point of the circuit.
Record the waveforms in Fig. 6.3 showing proper relations.
Part 5. JFET Differential Amplifier
a.Obtain the values of IDSS and VP for each of the transistors in the circuit of
Fig. 6.4 using previous procedures in Lab Experiment 12 or 13. Record
the values obtained.
Figure 6-4
For Q1:
IDSS = 833 uA
VP = 9V
For Q2:
IDSS = 833 uA
VP = 9V
For Q3:
IDSS = 1.67 mA
VP = 601 mV
b.Calculate the DC bias voltages and currents for the circuit of Fig. 6.4 using
the voltages obtained in step a.
(measured) VD,1 = 9 V
(measured) VD,2 = 9 V
(measured) VS,1 = 601 mV
c.Construct the circuit of Fig. 6.4. (Record measured resistor values in
Fig.6.3). Measure and record the DC voltages.
(measured) VG,1 = 133 nV
(measured) VD,1 = 9 V
(measured) VD,2 = 9 V
(measured) VD,3 = 601 mV
d.Calculate the value of the circuit differential voltage gain
(calculated) Av,d = 3756
e.Using AC coupling, apply an input, Vi = 50 mV, rms at frequency ƒ = 10
kHz. Using DMM measure, record the output voltages.
(measured) Vo,I = 41.824 mV
(measured) Vo,2 = -41.562 mV
Determine AC differential voltage gain (using V o,I and then Vo,2):
Av1,d = 0.8411
Av2,d = 0.8325
Compare the values of differential voltages gain measured in step c with that
calculated instep d.
f.For input of Vi = 50 mV, peak observe waveforms at all three transistors
drain terminals and record in Fig. 6.5 showing proper phase relations.
CONCLUSION:
The differential amplifier reduces noise by cancellation technique and extracts the useful
information for amplification purposes. this is the reason that mostly it is used as the first
stage amplifier.
Therefore, the differential gain is actually the amplification done on the difference of the
input given to the first transistor and second transistor.
Single ended gain is the gain calculated from output over the input of the single transistor.
Differential gain stage is usually followed single stage amplifier to amplify and stabilize the
overall output signal and to increase further the gain of the total amplifier.
MEASURED
Q1 Q2
𝑉𝐵 = 22.6 𝑚𝑉 𝑉𝐵 = 0𝑉
𝑉𝐶 = 5.39 𝑉 𝑉𝐶 = 5.39 𝑉
𝑉𝐸 = −607𝑚𝑉 ≈ −0.7 𝑉𝐸 = −607𝑚𝑉 ≈ −0.7
𝐼𝐶 = 488𝑢𝐴 ≈ 4.88 × 10−4 𝐼𝐶 = 488𝑢𝐴 ≈ 4.88 × 10−4
𝐼𝐸 = 939𝑢𝐴 ≈ 9.39 × 10−4 𝐼𝐸 = 939𝑢𝐴 ≈ 9.39 × 10−4
26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉
𝑟𝑒 ′ = 𝐼𝐸 = 9.39×10−4 = 55.37 𝑟𝑒 ′ = 𝐼𝐸 = 9.39×10−4 = 55.37
2 2 2 2
CALCULATED
𝑉𝐸𝐸 − 𝑉𝐵𝐸 − 𝐼𝐸 𝑅𝐸 = 0
|𝑉𝐸𝐸 | − 𝑉𝐵𝐸 | − 10| − 0.7
𝐼𝐸 = = = 9.3 × 10−4
𝑅𝐸 10000
26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉
𝑟𝑒 ′ = = = 55.91
𝐼𝐸 9.3 × 10−4
2 2
𝐼𝐸 9.3 × 10−4
𝐼𝐶 = = = 4.65 × 10−4
2 2
𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝑉𝐶 − 𝐼𝐶 𝑅𝐶 = 0
𝑉𝐶 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝐼𝐶 𝑅𝐶 = 10𝑉 − (4.65 × 10−4 )(10𝑘 ) = 5.35 𝑉
𝑉𝐸 = −0.7
𝑉𝐵 = 0𝑉
𝑅𝐶 10𝑘
𝐴𝑉 = ′
= = 89.43
2𝑟𝑒 2(55.91)
Getting the Beta
𝐼𝐶 = 545 𝑢𝐴
𝐼𝐵 = 9.39𝑢𝐴
𝐼𝐶 545 𝑢𝐴
𝛽= = = 58.0405
𝐼𝐵 9.39𝑢𝐴
𝛽𝑅𝐶 (58.0405)(10𝑘)
𝐴𝑉 = = = 96.13369
(𝑅𝐵 ||𝛽𝑟𝑒 ′ ) + 𝛽𝑟𝑒 ′ 20𝑘 ||(58.0405)(55.91) + (58.0405)(55.91)
Apply input of Vi = 20mV, rms at frequency ƒ = 10 kHz to the plus (+) input
and 0 V to the minus (-) input in the circuit of Fig.6.1. Using a DMM
measure, record output voltages.
𝑉𝑜1 = 1.635 𝑉 𝑉𝑜2 = −1.633 𝑉
(𝑉𝑜1 + 𝑉𝑜2 ) (1.635 + −1.633)
𝑉𝑜𝑖𝑑 = = = 1𝑚𝑉
2 2
𝑉𝑜 1𝑚𝑉
𝐴𝑉 = = = 0.0495
𝑉𝑖 20.204 𝑚𝑉
𝑉𝑉𝐶 = 1.642 𝑉
Calculate DC bias voltages and currents for the amplifier of Fig. 6.2.
MEASURED
Q1 Q2
𝑉𝐵 = 14.3 𝑚𝑉 𝑉𝐵 = 0𝑉
𝑉𝐶 = −1.13 𝑉 𝑉𝐶 = −1.13 𝑉
𝑉𝐸 = −1.15𝑉 𝑉𝐸 = −1.15 𝑉
𝐼𝐶 = 1.11𝑚𝐴 ≈ 1.11 × 10−3 𝐼𝐶 = 1.11𝑚𝐴 ≈ 1.11 × 10−3
𝐼𝐸 = 83.1𝑚𝐴 ≈ 83.1 × 10−3 𝐼𝐸 = 83.1𝑚𝐴 ≈ 83.1 × 10−3
26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉
𝑟𝑒 ′ = 𝐼𝐸 = 83.1×10−3 = 0.258 𝑟𝑒 ′ = 𝐼𝐸 = 83.1×10−3 = 0.258
2 2 2 2
Q3
𝑉𝐵 = 66.2 𝑢𝑉
𝑉𝐶 = −1.15 𝑉
𝑉𝐸 = −9.64𝑉
𝐼𝐶 = 1.11𝑚𝐴 ≈ 1.11 × 10−3
𝐼𝐸 = 83.1𝑚𝐴 ≈ 83.9 × 10−3
26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉
𝑟𝑒 ′ = 𝐼𝐸 = 83.1×10−3 = 0.258
2 2
Q1
𝑉𝐸𝐸 − 𝑉𝐵𝐸 − 𝐼𝐸 𝑅𝐸 = 0
|𝑉𝐸𝐸 | − 𝑉𝐵𝐸 | − 10| − 0.7
𝐼𝐸 = = = 2.16
𝑅𝐸 4.3
26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉
𝑟𝑒 ′ = = = 24.074
𝐼𝐸 2.16
2 2
𝐼𝐸 2.16
𝐼𝐶 = = = 1.08
2 2
𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝑉𝐶 − 𝐼𝐶 𝑅𝐶 = 0
𝑉𝐶 = 𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝐼𝐶 𝑅𝐶 = (1.08 × 10−4 )(10𝑘) = 1.08 𝑉
𝑉𝐸 = −0.7
𝑉𝐵 = 0𝑉
Q3
𝑉𝐶1 = 𝑉𝐸3 = 1.08 𝑉
𝑅2 −10𝑘(−10)
𝑉𝐵3 = (−𝑉𝐸𝐸 ) = = 5𝑉
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 10𝑘 + 10𝑘
𝑉𝐸𝐸 − 𝑉𝐵𝐸 − 𝐼𝐸 𝑅𝐸 = 0
|𝑉𝐸𝐸 | − 𝑉𝐵𝐸 − 𝑉𝐵 |−10| − 0.7 − 5𝑉
𝐼𝐸 = = =1
𝑅𝐸 4.3
𝐼𝐸 ≈ 𝐼𝐶
26𝑚𝑉 26𝑚𝑉
𝑟𝑒 ′ = = = 0.052
𝐼𝐸 1
2 2
𝑅𝐶 10𝑘
𝐴𝑉 = = = 237.259
2𝑟𝑒 ′ 2(24.074)
.Apply input of Vi = 10 mV, rms at frequency ƒ = 10 kHz. Measure and record AC
voltages
𝑉𝑜1 = 4.936 𝑉 𝑉𝑜2 = −4.917 𝑉
(𝑉𝑜1 + 𝑉𝑜2 ) (4.936 + −4.917)
𝑉𝑜𝑖𝑑 = = = 9.5𝑚𝑉
2 2
𝑉𝑜 9.5𝑚𝑉
𝐴𝑉 = = = 0.9515
𝑉𝑖 9.984 𝑚𝑉
Apply common input of Vi = 1 V, rms at frequency ƒ = 10 kHz to both input terminals
in the circuit of Fig. 6.2. Measure and record the output from one side of the circuit
𝑉𝑜𝑖𝑑 = 7.905 𝑉
𝑉𝑜 7.905𝑉
𝐴𝑉 = = = −25.498
𝑉𝑖 −310.025 𝑚𝑉
𝑉𝐷𝑆 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝐼𝐷 (𝑅𝐷 + 𝑅𝑆 )
𝐼𝐷 8.33𝑢𝐴
𝑔𝑚 = = = 6.26
𝑉𝐺𝑆 133𝑛𝑉
𝑔𝑚𝑅𝐷 (6.26 )(1.2𝑘)
𝐴𝑉 = = = 3756
2 2
Using AC coupling, apply an input, Vi = 50 mV, rms at frequency ƒ = 10 kHz.
Using DMM measure, record the output voltages.
𝑉𝑜1 = 41.824 𝑚𝑉 𝑉𝑜2 = −41.562 𝑚𝑉
𝑉𝑖1 = 49.724 𝑚𝑉 𝑉𝑖2 = −49.926 𝑚𝑉
𝑉𝑜 41.824 𝑚𝑉
𝐴𝑉 = = = 0.8411
𝑉𝑖 49.724 𝑚𝑉
𝑉𝑜 −41.562 𝑚𝑉
𝐴𝑉 = = = 0.8325
𝑉𝑖 −49.926 𝑚𝑉
