© TVET CDACC 2024

061906T4TEL
TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING LEVEL 6
ENG/OS/TLE/CC/05/6/A
DEMONSTRATE UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTRONICS
July /August 2024

TVET CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION

COUNCIL (TVET CDACC)

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WRITTEN ASSESSMENT
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TIME: 3 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
This assessment tool consists of TWO sections; A & B
You are provided with a separate answer booklet
Marks for each question are as indicated
DO NOT write on the tool.

This paper consists of FIVE printed pages

Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all pages are
printed as indicated and that no questions are missing

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 © TVET CDACC 2024

SECTION A: (40 MARKS)

Answer ALL the questions in this section.

1. Extrinsic semiconductors are materials that have been doped with specific impurities to enhance
their conductivity. List TWO types of materials used in extrinsic semiconductors. (2 Marks)
2. An oscillator is an electronic device that works on the principal of periodic fluctuation between
two things based on changes in energy. Sinusoidal oscillators can be classified in four
categories. Name THREE of these categories. (3 Marks)
3. LED is a semiconductor material that has a wide range of applications and come in various
forms. Briefly describe how a LED operates. (2 Marks)
4. Power supply or source is an outlet that give energy. Define the term rectification with respect
to power supplies. (2 Marks)
5. Power supplies can be categorized into various types based on their functionality, production
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design and application. State any THREE types of power supply with reference to mode of
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production. (3 Marks)
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6. In Electronics, materials are classified based on their electrical properties and their behavior
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under various conditions. Highlight THREE classifications based on their electrical properties.
(3 Marks)
7. Optoelectronic devices harness the interaction between light and electronics to perform a wide
variety of functions. State FOUR major optoelectronic devices (4 Mark)
8. Find the power rating of the diode in the given circuit. The breakdown voltage of the diode is
5V. (4 Marks)

9. A transistor is an electronic semiconductor device that can amplify or switch electronic signals
and electrical power. Draw the circuit symbols of the following transistors. (2 Marks)
a) NPN transistor
b) PNP transistor

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 © TVET CDACC 2024

10. While both FETs and BJTs have their unique strengths and applications, the advantages of FETs
make them highly desirable for more electronic applications. State THREE of these advantages
(3 Marks)
11. Thermal run-away is a dangerous condition with reference to transistor amplifier, explain what
this condition. (3 Marks)
12. D.C load line plays a vital role in designing and analyzing a transistor amplifier. Explain what
a D.C load line is. (2 Marks)
13. Transistor biasing is the process of setting a transistor's operating point (Q-point) to ensure it
functions correctly. State TWO reasons for biasing a transistor. (2 Marks)
14. Thyristors are semiconductor devices that act as switches, controlling the flow of electric
current in a circuit. With reference to your knowledge on their mode of operation, explain the
difference between latching current and holding current. (3 Marks)
15. Draw the circuit symbols for each of the following special semiconductor devices.
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(2 Marks)
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i. UJT
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ii. Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)

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 © TVET CDACC 2024

SECTION B: (60 MARKS)

Answer any THREE questions from this section.
16.
a) The Voltage/Current characteristic curve illustrate how current through a component
varies with the voltage applied across it. Using the V/I characteristic curve, describe
how a P-N junction diode operates. (10 Marks)
b) Table 1 shows the data for the transfer characteristics of a self-bias junction field effect

transistor (JFET) amplifier with a source resistor R s = 2.2 KΩ. (10 Marks)

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Table 1
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Gate-Source voltage, VGS (V) Drain Current, ID (mA)

-6 0.00
-5 0.14
-4 0.55
-3 1.25
-2 2.22
-1 3.47
0 5.00

i. Plot the curve for ID against VGS

ii. Draw the self-bias line
iii. Determine the quiescent values of the drain current and gate-source voltage
17.
a) Regulated power supply delivers constant voltage output regardless of variations in input
voltage or load. Draw a block diagram of a D.C regulated power supply.
(5 Marks)

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b) Power rectification is the process of converting alternating current into direct current
required for proper operation. Draw the circuit diagram of a single phase full wave bridge
rectifier and explain its operation. (10 Marks)
c) Sketch the input and output voltage waveforms for the rectifier in 17 (b) above.
(5 Marks)
18.
a) While germanium diodes have certain applications due to their lower forward voltage drop,
silicon diodes offer significant advantages. State THREE advantages of silicon diodes.
(3 Marks)
b) By controlling the type and concentration of dopants, semiconductor manufacturers can
tailor the electrical properties of the material to meet specific requirements for different
semiconductor devices. With the help of a diagram, describe the formation of an N-type
semiconductor. (7 Marks)
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c) In solid-state physics, particularly in the context of semiconductors and insulators, the
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concepts of the conduction band and valence band are fundamental. Differentiate between
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conduction band and valence band. (4 Marks)

d) Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) are versatile electronic components used for various
applications. Name THREE of them. (3 Marks)
e) Transistor configurations are extensively used in various electronic circuits, including
amplifiers, oscillators, digital logic circuits. Draw a circuit diagram showing the common
collector configuration of an N-P-N transistor. (3 Marks)
19.
a) Define the term clipping circuit. (2 Marks)
b) With the help of diagrams, describe the THREE types of diode clippers. (18 Marks)

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