Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

Lab 2 – Basic modes of BJT amplifiers

Aims:
[1] To understand the polarized circuits of BJT, basic BJT amplifier configurations
and their characteristic parameters.
[2] To understand the effects of feedback on characteristic parameters (Av, Zi, Zo and
frequency response) of an amplifier circuit.
[3] To measure characteristic parameters (Av, Zi, Zo and frequency response) and to
compare basic amplifier configurations.

1. Background
1.1 Introduction
BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor) is a semiconductor device, consists of two pn
junctions with three terminals: Base (B), Collector (C) and Emitter (E), which are shown
in figure H1.1. There are two types of BJT: pnp and npn (this experiment is based on a npn
BJT).

A simplified structure of the npn transistor

Depend on the bias conditions (forward or reverse) of EB-junction and CB-junction,

different modes of operation of the BJT are obtained, as shown on Table 1.1.
Figure H1.2 illustrates two important parameters of a npn transistor, the hfe (i.e
hybrid parameter forward current gain, common emitter, or the current gain for short)
and iC-vCE characteristic.
Quiescent point (or bias point, dc operating point) Q: a point in the iC-vCE
characteristic where the BJT circuit is in DC mode (i.e no AC signal component is present).
Polarization (or biasing): setting the quiescent point Q using appropriate DC
voltage and DC current.
Small signal amplifier: amplifying a small input signal, and the output signal must be in
active region of the BJT.
Table 1.1 BJT Modes of Operation

Mode EB-Junction CB-Junction

Cutoff Reverse Reverse

Active (or Linear) Forward Reverse

Saturation Forward Forward

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

1.2 BJT bias circuits

Bias circuits are used to create DC current at C-terminal of a BJT. This current is
sensitive to the changes of temperature and current gain  . If a bias circuit where IC
changes significantly with the change of , it will be an unstable bias circuit.
There are three common types of bias circuits:
1.2.1 Fixed bias circuit

VCC  VBE
IB  ; IC   IB ; VCE  VCC  IC RC
RB
The above formulas deduce that quiescent point Q(IC,VCE)
changes rapidly when  changes, so this type of bias circuit is
unstable and rarely used.

1.2.2 Collector feedback bias circuit

V V
IB  CE BE ; IE  (   1) IB ; VCE  VCC  IERC
RB
VCC  VBE
 IE 
RC  RB /(   1)
If resistors are chosen so that RB/(  + 1) << RC,
quiescent point will change just slightly when  changes.
But if the value of RC is too large, the voltage VCE will be limited, reducing the amplitude
of output signal. In reality, RC is chosen not very large in order to achieve required VCE,
accepting the change of Q, fortunately, this is smaller than the change in fixed bias
circuit.
1.2.3 Self-bias circuit
VBB  VBE
IB  ; IE  (   1) IB ;
RB  RE (   1)
VBB  VBE
 IE 
RE  RB /(   1)
If resistors are chosen so that
RB/(  + 1) << RE, quiescent point can be

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

regarded as a fixed point. This type of bias circuit is also called a beta independent bias
circuit and widely used in reality.

1.3 Basic amplifier configurations

There are three common amplifier configurations: common emitter (CE), common
base (CB) and common collector (CC – or emitter follower EF), which are shown in
figures H1.6a, b & c respectively.

Common emitter:
 RC
- With CE, without RL: Av   ; Zi  RB // r  (R1 // R2 ) // r ; Zo  RC
r
RC
- Without CE, without RL: Av   ; Zi  (R1 // R2 ) //r  RE (   1); Zo  RC
r  RE (   1)
Common base:
R
- Without RL: Av  C ; Zi  RE // re ; Zo  RC
re
Common collector:
(   1)RE r
- Without RL: Av  ; Zi  RB //r  (   1)RE ; Zo   // RE
r  (   1)  1

2. Experiment preparation
- Review the BJT theories: Microelectronic Circuits 6th Edition, Sedra/Smith, pages
351-489.
- Read the Experiment procedure carefully.
- Download the datasheets of following BJTs: [1] 2SD468; [2] 2SC1815; [3] 2N3904,
read them carefully.
- Review the oscilloscope and multimeter manual.
- Write the experiment preparation, including:
 Principle schemes of all experiment circuits.
 Formulas and calculated results (if available).
 Method for measuring circuit parameters.
 Photo all the tables in lab manual (in order to record or draw the results
immediately while doing the experiments).

3. Materials
- Main kit: ELECTRONIC LAB ANA-MAIN.
- Module: Diode & Power supply

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

- Oscilloscope: GRS-6052A
- Multimeter: Fluke 45
- Connectors

4. Experiment procedure
4.1 BJT bias circuits
- Implement the fixed bias circuit on figure H4.1a as shown on figure H4.1d using
module Basic modes of BJT AMP. Measure IB, IC and VCE then fill in Table 4.1.

- Implement the collector feedback bias circuit on figure H4.1b as shown on figure
H4.1e using module Basic modes of BJT AMP. Adjust VR2 so that 3.0V < VCE < 4.0V, then
measure IB, IC and VCE and fill in Table 4.1.

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

- Implement the self-bias circuit on figure H4.1c as shown on figure H4.1f using
module Basic modes of BJT AMP. Adjust VR2 so that 3.0V < VCE < 4.0V, then measure IB, IC
and VCE and fill in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1 – BJT bias circuit

Types Parameter Measured values Calculated values

(with  = 300)

Fixed bias IB[µA]

circuit
IC[mA]

VCE[V]

 300

Collector IB[µA]
feedback bias
circuit IC[mA]

VCE[V]

 300

Self-bias circuit IB[µA]

IC[mA]

VCE[V]

 300

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

4.2 Basic amplifier configurations of BJT

4.2.1 Common Emitter – without feedback
- Construct the circuit on figure H4.2a using module Basic mode of BJT AMP as
shown on figure H4.2b. When K1 and K2 are off (i.e the generator and capacitor C4 are
not connected to the circuit), adjust VR2 so that 3.0V < VCE < 4.0V. Switch on K1 and K2
(connect the generator and the capacitor C4 to the circuit), the frequency is set to 5kHz.
Use the oscilloscope (in AC mode) to watch the output vo, adjust the amplitude of the
input signal in order to achieve vop-p = 4V (p-p: peak-to-peak value), measure and fill in
Table 4.2a.
Note that you have to choose suitable attenuation (0dB, -20dB or -40dB)!

Table 4.2a - Common Emitter - without feedback

vip-p[mV]

vop-p[V]

Av

Zi[]

Zo[] AC

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

- Keep the amplitude of input signal unchanged, connect VR1 in series with C1,
adjust VR1 so that vop-p = 2V. Isolate and measure VR1, this is the input impedance of the
circuit. Fill in Table 4.2a.
- Keep the amplitude of input signal unchanged, connect VR4 to the output, adjust
VR4 so that vop-p = 2V. Isolate and measure VR4, this is the output impedance of the
circuit. Fill in Table 4.2a.

4.2.2 Common Emitter - with feedback

- Construct the circuit on figure H4.2c using module Basic mode of BJT AMP as
shown on figure H4.2d. When K1 and K2 are off (i.e the generator and capacitor C4 are
not connected to the circuit), adjust VR2 so that 3.0V < VCE < 4.0V. Switch on K1 and K2
(connect the generator and the capacitor C4 to the circuit), the frequency is set to 5kHz.
Use the oscilloscope (in AC mode) to watch the output vo, adjust the amplitude of the
input signal in order to achieve vop-p = 4V (p-p: peak-to-peak value), measure and fill in
Table 4.2b.

- Keep the amplitude of input signal unchanged, connect VR1 in series with C1,
adjust VR1 so that vop-p = 2V. Isolate and measure VR1, this is the input impedance of the
circuit. Fill in Table 4.2b.
- Keep the amplitude of input signal unchanged, connect VR4 to the output, adjust
VR4 so that vop-p = 2V. Isolate and measure VR4, this is the output impedance of the
circuit. Fill in Table 4.2b.

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

Table 4.2b - Common Emitter - with feedback

vip-p[mV]

vop-p[V]

Av

Zi[]

Zo[] AC

4.2.3 Common Base

- Construct the circuit on figure H4.2e using module Basic mode of BJT AMP as
shown on figure H4.2f. When K is off (i.e the generator is not connected to the circuit),
adjust VR2 so that 3.0V < VCE < 4.0V. Switch on K (connect the generator), the frequency
is set to 5kHz. Use the oscilloscope (in AC mode) to watch the output vo, adjust the
amplitude of the input signal in order to achieve vop-p = 4V (p-p: peak-to-peak value),
measure and fill in Table 4.2c.

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

- Keep the amplitude of input signal unchanged, connect VR1 in series with C1,
adjust VR1 so that vop-p = 2V. Isolate and measure VR1, this is the input impedance of the
circuit. Fill in Table 4.2c.
- Keep the amplitude of input signal unchanged, connect VR4 to the output, adjust
VR4 so that vop-p = 2V. Isolate and measure VR4, this is the output impedance of the
circuit. Fill in Table 4.2c.
Table 4.2c - Common Base

vip-p[mV]

vop-p[V]

Av

Zi[]

Zo[] AC

4.2.4 Common collector

- Construct the circuit on figure H4.2g using module Basic mode of BJT AMP as
shown on figure H4.2h. Disconnect the function generator, adjust VR2 so that 3.0V < VCE
< 4.0V. Connect the generator to the circuit, the frequency is set to 5kHz. Use the
oscilloscope (in AC mode) to watch the output vo, adjust the amplitude of the input
signal in order to achieve vop-p = 4V (p-p: peak-to-peak value), measure and fill in Table
4.2d.

- Keep the amplitude of input signal unchanged, connect VR1 in series with C1,
adjust VR1 so that vop-p = 2V. Isolate and measure VR1, this is the input impedance of the
circuit. Fill in Table 4.2d.
- Keep the amplitude of input signal unchanged, connect VR4 and C6 (in series) to
the output, adjust VR4 so that vop-p = 2V. Isolate and measure VR4, this is the output
impedance of the circuit. Fill in Table 4.2d.

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Electronic Circuit Labs Basic modes of BJT Amplifiers

Table 4.2d - Common Collector

vip-p[V]

vop-p[V]

Av

Zi[]

Zo[] AC

5. Further questions for the experiment report

- Analysis and compare experiment results with calculated values.
- Compare different types of bias circuits
- Compare different types of amplifier configurations using BJT.
- Draw conclusions and explain the roles of feedback.

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