Electronic Devices and Circuits

Name:__ABDULLAH___________ Class Number:_P16-6455_

Section:__EE-(B1)__________

LAB NO: 11
TO STUDY THE LARGE AND SMALL SIGNAL OPERATION OF BJT
COMMON BASE AMPLIFIER
________________________________________________________________________
OBJECTIVE:
The objective is to measure the ac and dc voltages in a common-base amplifier. To obtain
measured values of voltage amplification (Av).

EQUIPMENT:
Instruments
Oscilloscope
DMM
Function Generator
Components
Resistors: 1 kΩ (2), 3.3 kΩ (2), 12 kΩ, 56 kΩ
Capacitors: 10 μf (2), 100μf
Transistor: 2N3904 or equivalent

THEORY:
Bipolar transistors operate in three modes: cutoff, saturation and active. In each of these modes,
the physical characteristics of the transistor and the external circuit connected to it uniquely
specify the operating point of the transistor. In the cutoff mode, there is only a small amount of
reverse current from emitter to collector, making the device an open switch. In the saturation
mode there is a maximum current flow from collector to emitter, making the device a closed
switch. The amount of this current depends upon the external circuit connected to the transistor.
Both of these modes are used in digital circuits. The diagram below shows the basic Common-
base amplifier configuration.
VCC
RC

C
R1
C

Q2N2222

R2
RE RL

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 Electronic Devices and Circuits

The figure shows the CB amplifier with voltage divider bias and capacitor coupled input and
output. The output of the circuit is in phase with the input. Also note that the base is the common
terminal and is at AC ground because of the capacitor. The input is capacitively coupled to the
emitter terminal and the output signal is capacitively coupled from the collector terminal.
Generally the common base amplifier is characterized by its high voltage gain and a maximum
current gain of unity. Its input resistance is also low and is there most suitable for those
applications where sources tend to have low output resistances.

VOLTAGE GAIN:
Generally, the voltage gain of a common – Base is given by the following formula:-

Av = Rc/re

Here RC is the parallel combination of the RC and RL. This expression is the same as is for the
common emitter amplifier but there is no phase inversion in this case.

INPUT RESISTANCE:
The input resistance, looking in at the emitter is

Rin(emitter) ≈ (r’e ║ RE)

If Re >> r’e then,
Rin(emitter) ≈ r’e

OUTPUT RESISTANCE:
Looking into the collector terminal, the ac collector resistance r’c appears in parallel with RC.
Generally, r’c is very much greater than the RC therefore it is a good approximation that

Rout ≈ RC

CURRENT GAIN:
Since the output current divided by the input current, and in the case these are the currents IC and
IE, respectively. These currents are nearly equal and there for the current gain of the common
base amplifier is near to unity.

POWER GAIN:

National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, Peshawar

 Electronic Devices and Circuits

The Power gain of an amplifier is the product of the voltage gain and the current gain. Since in
the case of common – base Amplifier, the current gain is approximately 1 therefore the power
gain is equal to the voltage gain.

PROCEDURE:
Part 1: Common-base dc bias
a) Construct the circuit as shown in Figure-1.

Figure-1

R1=56k, R2=12k, RC=3.3k, RE=1k. C1=100µF, C2=10µF, C3=10µF. VCC=10Volts

b) Record the measured values of all the resistors.

R1=_____________
R2=_____________
RC=_____________
RE=_____________
c) Calculate dc bias values of the circuit. Record calculated values below:
(Calculated) VB = ____________
(Calculated) VE = ____________
(Calculated) VC = ____________
(Calculated) IE = ____________
(Calculated) re = ____________
National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, Peshawar
 Electronic Devices and Circuits

d) Measure the dc voltages

(Measured) VB = ____________
(Measured) VE = ____________
(Measured) VC = ____________
e) Calculate the dc emitter current using measured values of VE and RE
IE=VE/RE
IE = ____________
Part 2: AC Voltage Gain

A) Calculate the amplifier voltage gain

(Calculated) Av = ____________

b) Apply an ac input signal, Vsig=10mV at f=1 kHz. Observe and measure the ac output
voltage, Vout on the oscilloscope.
(Measured) Vout = ____________

c) Calculate the circuit no-load voltage gain using measured values.

Av =Vout/Vsig

(Measured) Av = ____________

d) Using the oscilloscope observe and record input waveform, Vsig and output voltage
waveform, Vout in Figure-2

Figure 2

Signature: ______________________ Date: ______________

Marks Awarded: ________________________

National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, Peshawar