ELEC 301 Mini Project 3

Section: 101
Due: Nov 18th, 2022
Name Student Number Signature
Aman Edward Nangia 43754290
Part 1
We must design a Cascode Amplifier with the following specifications:
Rout = 2.5kΩ, Rin = 5k, Av = 50, fL = 500 Hz
Using the SPICE data for the 2N3904 transistor in CircuitMaker we find β = 300. For biassing, we
also know that VCC = 20V, VBE = 0.7V and RL = 50 kΩ. We can then apply ¼ Rule.
VC2 VB2 VE2 VC1 VB1 VE1
¾ VCC VE2 + VBE ½ VCC ½ VCC VE1 + VBE ¼ VCC
15 V 10.7 V 10 V 10 V 5.7 V 5V

RC must equal Rout, so we set it to 2.4kΩ as it the closest standard resistor value. From this we may
find the currents and other resistances.
IC2 IB2 IE2 IC1 IB1 IE1
(VCC - VC2)/RC IC2/ β IC2 + IB2 IC2 + IB2 IC1/ β IC1 + IB1
2.08 mA 6.93 µA 2.09 mA 2.09 mA 6.96 µA 2.10 mA

Using more definitions from the ¼ Rule we obtain the currents through R B1, RB2 and RB3.
I1 I2 I3
0.1IE1 I1 - IB2 I2 - IB1
0.210 mA 0.203 mA 0.196 mA

With these we can compute the Resistances. The bolded values are the closest standard resistances.
RE RB1 RB2 RB3 RC
VE1/ IE1 (VCC – VB2)/ I1 (VB2 - VB1)/I2 VB1/I3 Rout
2.380 kΩ 44.29 kΩ 24.63 kΩ 29.08 kΩ 2.5kΩ
2.4kΩ 43.0 kΩ 24.0 kΩ 27.0 kΩ 2.4kΩ

Now we determine the capacitances using the small signal model for analysis. We start by
determining the small signal parameters for each transistor. V T = 25 mV
gm1 gm2 rπ1 rπ2
IC1/VT IC2/VT β/ gm1 β/ gm2
0.0836 S 0.0832 S 3.588 kΩ 3.605 kΩ

Since both are so close in value, we can say gm2 = gm1=0.084 S and rπ2 = rπ1 = 3.6 kΩ. With these
values we can construct the low frequency circuit, where every high frequency capacitor is opened.
We do not need the values of Cπ or Cµ.
We then apply method of OC and SC Time Constants to determine the capacitances. We need to
first find the capacitor responsible for the dominant pole. This is the one that sees the lowest
resistance.
Resistance Seen (approximate)
τ CC1 OC CC1× (RS +( RB2|| RB3)||( rπ+(301)RE)) 12.5 kΩ
τ CC2 SC CC2× (RL + RC) 52.4 kΩ
τ CE SC CE × [(0.003)( RS||RB2|| RB3 + rπ)]||RE 10Ω

We see that CE has the dominant pole as its associated resistance is the lowest. Using the following
equations we can solve for CE = 31.83 µF. We set the remaining coupling capacitors to this value
as well.

ωL3dB = fL × 2π = ω − 2ω
1
ω =
10 × CE
1
ω =
RE × CE
CC1 = CC2 = CE = 33 µF (closest standard value). With all these values we have our fully
constructed Cascode Amplifier in CircuitMaker.

Figure 1. Cascode Amplifier with 2N3904

A.) DC Operating Point
The values in the table below are for Q1 and Q2 shown in Figure 1.
VC VB VE IC IB IE
Q1 15.45 V 10.33 V 9.66 V 1.898 mA 14.48 µA 1.912 mA
Q2 9.66 V 5.284 V 4.62 V 1.912 mA 14.66 µA 1.927 mA
Table 1. DC Operating Point
B.) Cut-Off Frequencies
Using the time constants calculated in earlier to find the capacitance, we use the following
equations to find ωL3dB. Begin with the low frequency response. Note that zeroes for C C1 and CC2
are 0.
ω CC1 LP = 1/ τ CC1 OC
ω CC2 LP = 1/ τ CC2 SC
ω CE LP = 1/ τ CE SC
ω CC1 LP 1/ τ CC1 OC 2.424 Rad/s
ω CC2 LP 1/ τ CC2 SC 0.578 Rad/s
ω CE LP 1/ τ CE SC 3030.3 Rad/s
ω CE Lz 1/(RE × CE) 12.62 Rad/s
ωL3dB 3030.24 Rad/s = 482.27 Hz

For the High Frequency response, we first look at the data sheet for the 2N3904 and find that Cπ
= 25 pF & Cμ = 2 pF. All low frequency capacitors are shorted to obtain our equivalent circuit.
Knowing that Miller gain K = -1, we may use the following relations to find ωH3dB.
ωHp1 1/[( Cπ + 2 Cμ) × (Rs|| R B2|| RB3|| rπ)] 689.65 MRad/s
ωHp2 1/[(0.0033)(rπ) ×( Cπ + 2 Cμ)] 2902.58 MRad/s
ωHp3 1/( Cμ× (RL|| RC)) 218.33 MRad/s
ωH3dB 207.615 MRad/s = 33.04 MHz
Now we measure the Cut off Frequencies using the Bode Plot in Figure 2. The Magnitude Plot is
on the left and the Phase Plot is on the left.

Figure 2. Cascode Amplifier Magnitude & Phase Plot.

Using the Plot we find measure ωL3dB = 400 Hz, and ωH3dB = 31.62 MHz. These measured values
line up very closely to those calculated. The small inaccuracy is perhaps due to using the small
signal model and Millers theorem.
C.) Vout vs Vin at Midband
We select a midband frequency of 100 kHz and input amplitudes ranging from 1mV to 1V to
construct the voltage transfer curve in shown Figure 3. We observe linear operation until 10mV
with a midband gain of around 140, thus meeting the requirement.

Voltage Transfer Curve

12000

10000
Vout Amplitude [mV]

8000

6000

4000

2000

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Vin Amplitude [mV]

Figure 3. Voltage Transfer Curve

D.) Input and Output Impedence
We calculate these values as follows from the small signal model of the circuit at midband,
meaning all high frequency capacitors are open and all low freqeuncy capacitors are shorted.
Rin RB2|| RB3|| rπ 2.81 kΩ
Rout RC 2.4 kΩ

Using a test voltage source we find Rout measured to be 2.34 kΩ and Rin to be 2.71 kΩ. In order
to meet the specifications, we can add a 2.4 kΩ resistor in series with R S, thus making Rin
greater that 5 kΩ.
Part 2
We now design a Common Base followed by Common Collector Cascaded Amplifier with
2N3904 BJTs. It must meet the following specifications:
Rin = Rout= 50 Ω ± 5 Ω, VCC = 12V, fL3dB ≤ 1000 Hz,
A.) Biassing and Capacitor Values
We begin by applying 1/3 Rule to determine the voltages
VC1 VB1 VE1 VC2 VB2 VE2
2VCC/3 VE1 + VBE VCC/3 VCC 2VCC/3 VB2- VBE
8V 4.7 V 4V 12 V 8V 7.3 V

We have the same value for rπ as in Part 1. Using the formula for Rin we can find out the value
for RE1.
Rin = (rπ/β+1)||(RE1)
rπ = β(VT/IC1)
RE1 = VE1/IE1
We use the IE1= VT/ Rin. setting Rin to be 50 Ω we get IE1= 0.5 mA. Using this IE1 will reflect the
specification condition on the calculations. Then we use the equation for R out and the following
to find RE2 to meet the specification is 6.96 k Ω. .
Rout = ((RC1 + rπ)/(301))||RE2 = 50Ω

RC1= (VCC - VC1)/( IC1 + IB2)

rπ = β(VT/IC1)

IC1 IB1 IE1 I1 I2 IB2 IE2

IE1(β/β+1) IC1/ β 0.5 mA 0.1 IE1 I1 - IB1 IE2(1/β+1) VE2/RE2
0.498 mA 1.66 µA 0.5 mA 0.05 mA 0.048 mA 3.48 µA 1.04 mA

Using the above information we find the values of the resistors. The bolded values are the
standard values to be used in Part 2 B.
RE1 RB1 RB2 RC1 RE2
VE1/ IE1 (VCC – VB1)/( I1) VB1/ I2 (VCC – VC1)/( IC1 + IB2) 6.96 kΩ
14.6 kΩ 146 kΩ 97.9 kΩ 7.979 kΩ 6.96 kΩ
15 kΩ 150 kΩ 100 kΩ 8.2 kΩ 6.8 kΩ
To find capacitance, We see that CC1 and CC2 must have the same equivalent resistance. This
means that if we set these coupling capacitors equal to each other then ω CC1 LP = ω CC2 LP =
1/(C × Rin). using the following equation, we find C:

ωL3dB = (2/(C×50))-1= 2000π

CC1= CC2= 4.5 µF
ω CC1 LP = 4444.4 Rad/s
We know method of OC and SC time constants works best if poles are a factor of 4 or more
away from each other. To get a small value for C B we can set its pole as a decade lower.
ω CB LP = ω CC1 LP/10 = 444.4 Rad/s
ω CB LP = 1/(CB × (RB2|| RB1|| rπ))
CB= 62.5 nF
B.) Wiring up the circuit
For the coupling capacitors we chose a standard value of 4.7 µF and 0.068μF. We get the
following circuit.

Figure 4. Cascaded Amplifier

Performing the measurement for Rin, we get a value of 72.04 Ω. By adjusting R E2 to be 1kΩ and
RE1 =RC1 = 8.2 kΩ, we get an Rin of 53.21 Ω. The output impedance is about 51.4 Ω. We measure
the midband gain at 50 kHz and see that AM = 128 V/V.
C.) Bode Plots and Cut-Off Frequencies
The following are the magnitude and phase plots after R s and RL of 50 Ω is attached. We measure
the fL3dB = 670 Hz and fH3dB = 3.6 MHz. The condition of having the low cut in being less that
1000 Hz is met.

Figure 5. Magnitude and Phase Plot for Cascaded Amplifier

Part 3
A.)Wire up Circuit
We begin by solving for RREF in the Current Mirror. We know that Io = IE1 + IE2 = 2 mA. β is still
300 as we are still using 2N3904. We use the following equations:

RREF = VREF/ IREF

IREF = Io(1 +2/ β)
VREF = VE + VBE = 14.7 V
RREF = 7.1 kΩ
We then get the following circuit using gain and summation function blocks:
 Figure 6. Differential Amplifier

Figure 7. Magnitude and Phase plots for Differential Amp

We see using the magnitude plot that fH3dB = 7.30 MHz. we find AD = 370 V/V
B.) Calculating Differential Gain and fH3dB
We may use high frequency pole equations for the Differential Amplifier derived in class. Cπ,
Cμ, rπ & gm have the same values as in previous parts. We will also take R S = 50Ω and RL to be
very large.
ωHP1 1 48.1 MRad/s
[0.5𝐶 + 0.5𝐶 (1 − 𝑘)2𝑟 ||𝑅
ωHP2 1 49.87 MRad/s
0.5𝐶 (1 − 1/𝑘)𝑅 ||2𝑅
AD 𝑟 𝑅 -414.12
−𝑔 𝑅 [ ][ ]
2𝑟 + 2𝑅 𝑅 + 2𝑅
k 𝑅 -840
−𝑔 𝑅
𝑅 + 2𝑅
From these results we see fH3dB = 5.51 MHz. This about 2 MHz off from the measured value,
perhaps due to small signal approximations and use of Millers theorem. The gain calculated is
also much about 40 V/V higher in the calculated value, again perhaps due to errors inherent in
our approximations.
D.) Vin vs Vout at Midband.
We can select a midband frequency of 1 kHz and sweep through various amplitudes of V in and
observe Vout. We can see linear function up until around an input amplitude of 20 mV.

Vin Vs Vout Amplitude

16000
14000
12000
10000
Vout [mV]

8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Vin [mV]

Figure 8. Vin vs. Vout for Differential Amp

Part 4
We construct the following AM Modulator. It works as a Differential Amplifier, with the input
signal controlling the tail current of the Diff. Amp, Thus controlling the voltage drop across R1
and R2 and influencing the gain. A sinusoidal inpit
 Figure 9. AM Modulator

A.) First, we observe the input signal with 50 mV amplitude and 1 kHz. After running the
simulation for 0.5s we obtain the following plot for V out. Note that measurement is taken
between the collectors of Q1 and Q2 in Figure 9.

Figure 10. Output Signal for 50mV, 1 kHz Sinusoidal Input

We observe the Carrier signal is enveloped by the input signals frequency.

B.)
We now vary the amplitude of the input signal from 10 mV to 100 mV. We find that the Output
signal is distorted at an input amplitude of around 90 mV. This Phenomenon tends to occur due
to the amplitude of the input exceeding that of the carrier wave.
 Figure 11. Output Signal for 90mV, 1 kHz Sinusoidal Input

C.)
We apply a square wave input at various frequencies. We observe a similar phenomenon where
the output begins distorting once the amplitude of the input wave exceed the carrier. We see this
occur here at about 70 mV.

Figure 12. Output Signal for 70mV, 1 kHz Square Wave Input

Conclusion
In this project we learnt the various characteristics of the Cascode, Cascaded, and Differential
amplifier. We observed the Cascode’s wide bandwidth and its ability to avoid the Miller Effect.
We also observed the Differential Amplifiers ability to function without any coupling capacitors.
We saw an instance of a Common Collector Amp being used in the output stage of a Cascaded
Amp due to its high input Impedance and low output Impedance. We lastly saw an application of
a differential amp as an AM Modulator and observe that when input amplitude exceeds that of
the carrier we get distortions.