Physics 326

1
Transistor fundamentals

Reading
• Malvino: Ch. 6-7.

You will study bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) in this lab. Most of the exercises will be
done with the 2N3904 NPN transistor. The terminal connections are illustrated in Fig. 1 below.

Figure 1: The terminals of a BJT. Hold the flat face toward you and think “Eh-B-C.”

1 Using a transistor curve tracer to measure operating

characteristics
There are two transistor curve tracers available in the lab. See Sec. 3 for details of their operation.
a) Determine the collector characteristics, IC versus VCE with IB as a parameter. Save the
curves in your lab book and keep the particular transistor belonging to those curves.
Both curve tracers use a series load resistor to limit power dissipation. The maximum ratings
of the transistor are
VCE 40 V
VCB 60 V
VEB 6V
IC 200 mA
The slope of the collector curves is a measure of how imperfectly the transistor acts as a current
source. The parameter hoe = dIC /dVCE is called the output admittance. In the h-equivalent model
of the transistor the collector-emitter output is modelled by an ideal current source in parallel with
a resistance. The parameter hoe is the inverse of this resistance. Measure hoe from your curves
1
Last revised September 28, 2021, by JMM. Physics
c Dept., Simon Fraser University. All rights reserved.
1
PHYS 326 Electronics Laboratory Transistor fundamentals

(using cursors or digital data). What is the accuracy, and over what range of VCE is this result
valid?
b) Plot the transfer characteristics IC versus IB . Measure directly using the cursor to read
values of IC for the IB values at VCE = 0, 5 and 15 V. Plot these values on a graph. Calculate the
dc current gain hF E = βdc at IC = 1 mA, VCE = 5 V.
Compare this value of βdc with that measured by the curve tracer. At this point find another
transistor with βdc at least 20% different. Note the values of hF E measured by the curve tracer
for both transistors; label them and keep for later use.
c) Measure IC versus VBE .
Connect the base and collector of the first transistor together as shown in Fig. 2. Measure
its diode characteristic curve by making direct dc measurements with a voltmeter and ammeter.
Don’t forget to include a current-limiting resistor! This will give you IC versus VBE . The effective
emitter resistance should be approximately re0 = (25 mV)/IC . How closely does the transistor
obey this relationship?

Figure 2: A bipolar junction transistor connected like this acts like a diode.

2 Transistor biasing
a) If VBB = 5 V in the circuit of Fig. 3, calculate what values of RB to
i) put VC at 10 V
ii) put VC at 7.5 V
iii) put VC at 1 V
Note: Use the fixed and adjustable supplies on the the breadboard supply for VBB and VCC if
present. Otherwise, use the breadboard supply and an external supply.

b) Find standard resistor values closest to those calculated in (a), build the circuit, and measure
VC for each case. Do the actual voltages agree within the precision of component values and
the measurement accuracy?
Now replace the transistor with the other one with a different βdc . Compare VC with that of
the first transistor, leaving RB the same in both cases. Does the change match your predictions
based on the measured values of βdc ?

c) Investigate how well the transistor circuit acts as a current source. Measure the current flowing
through the collector resistor for RC = 500 Ω and 2 kΩ. Model the response with a Norton
equivalent circuit.
2
PHYS 326 Electronics Laboratory Transistor fundamentals

Figure 3: Basic base bias.

d) Connect VBB to 9 V and find RB which puts VC at 5 V.

e) Put an LED in the circuit and choose RB so it will light when VBB = 5 V.

f) Design and build an emitter-biased LED driver to switch off and on with 0 and 5 V.

g) Design a voltage divider biased circuit (Fig. 4) with the following specifications: VCC = 12 V,
IC = 2 mA, VC = 7.5 V and VE = 1 V. Build your circuit. Compare calculated and measured
values of VBB , VE , and VC for both of your transistors.

Figure 4: Voltage divider bias of a BJT.

3 Curve tracers
There are two curve tracers available in the lab: a) Tektronix 571 - an older analog device that
is more robust but doesn’t save digital data, and b) K and H Products KI-3020D - a newer
digital device that can output digital data but is sometimes a little fussy to operate.

3
PHYS 326 Electronics Laboratory Transistor fundamentals

3.1 Tektronix 571

Suggested settings:
Function Acquisition
NPN
VCE max 20 V
IC max 20 mA
IB /step 10 µA
Steps 10
Rload 100 Ω
P max 2W
The 571 curve tracer has cursors for on-screen measurements and a printer interface to make
a hard copy of your curves (Copy).

3.2 K&H KI-3020D

The KI-3020D can be a little finicky to use, but it has the advantage of producing digital data
for easy analysis later.
Directions:

(a) Use the blue terminals on the breakout board to connect your transistor. The TO-3P pad
seems to have better capacitive properties than the TO-220 (which is the case style of
your actual transistor). There is a lever that tightens/releases the terminals. Make sure
that the power on the breakout board is on, and that the selector switch on the main
unit is set to the same side as your transistor (A/B).
(b) Suggested settings:
Function Value
NPN
Horizontal sweep 20 V
Step base 10 µA
IC max 25 mA
To select, tap the appropriate button and adjust the right knob. You can adjust these
settings as needed to zoom in/out or get better resolution on the curves. (Note that the
bottom scale always reads 0-10, regardless of the actual sweep voltage setting.)
(c) Turn the left knob to min (counterclockwise) to display the entire range. Then tap Start.
You may need to hit it twice to accept the changed settings and then start. Wait a few
seconds for the device to collect and display data.
(d) To make cursor measurements, select Tools → Trace. The right knob moves the cursor.
(e) To export data, run the KI-3020D program. This program reads data only, and doesn’t
control anything. Save data via Tools → Save on the unit. The data is saved in the
flash memory location indicated. Load this memory location on the computer with the
4
PHYS 326 Electronics Laboratory Transistor fundamentals

readm button. To save, right-click and select Copy Data to copy a screenshot or Export
Data to... to export the numerical data.

Troubleshooting: If you see only flat lines, check that the transistor is plugged in correctly, all
the correct switches are on, and the main unit is set to npn. If you see curves shooting off to
really high currents, your transistor may be blown. If you see collector curves that have some
weird dips in them, you may be having capacitance issues; check to make sure the transistor
is firmly mounted and no extraneous connections are in use. Note also that because of the
sweep speed and parasitic capacitances, there is some hysteresis in the curves.