Precious May B.

Morales
BSEE 3C

ECE 314 – Electronic Circuits: Devices and Analysis

Research Work No. 2

Answer the following questions:

1. Discuss the following with the aid of circuit diagrams:

(a.) Transistor Configurations
- The transistor configurations can be called the methods by which transistors are
used in electronic circuits for various functions. Of these, three primary types
include common emitter, common base, and common collector. All of these have
distinctive characteristics and advantages. To achieve proper circuit performance,
the proper configuration must be selected.
(a.1) Common Base
- Common Base Configuration places the base terminal between input and output in
transistor circuits. This configuration gives low input impedance and, thus, is
suitable for high frequency signals. It gives less than unity voltage gain but is useful
in RF applications since it can handle small input signals effectively with impedance
matching.

(a.2) Common Emitter

- In transistor circuits design, the Common Emitter Configuration identifies the
emitter terminal as a common point between input and output. Input signals are
applied to the base, while output signals are taken from the collector. It is a
configuration that provides both voltage and current amplification and thus is
widely used in amplifier circuits. It has reasonable input and output impedance
thus is able to operate for most applications, including voltage amplification
and signal inversion.
(a.3) Common Collector
- The configuration referenced as the Common Collector Configuration or Emitter
Follower has its collector terminal as a common point for both input and output
circuits. The input signal is given to the base while the output is tapped from the
emitter. This arrangement has a same voltage gain of one while providing high
input resistance and low output resistance. It is widely employed for these
purposes - signal buffering, impedance matching and as a voltage follower since it
can provide an output identical to the input with a gain of one, while keeping the
high input and low output resistances.

(b.) Typical Transistor Biasing Circuits

- Transistor Biasing indicates the setting of a transistor's DC voltage or current to the
correct levels that allow AC input signals to be amplified accurately by the
transistor. This process determines the transistor's operating conditions, allowing it
to work in a way that guarantees the efficient amplification of input signals and no
distortion.
(b.1) Fixed Bias Circuit
- A set DC voltage placed at the base of a transistor via a resistor is the, a fixed bias
circuit, a technique that ensures a transistor operates in its working range.
However, it is a passive one and is rather prone to changes that often are brought
by the signal paths. In this way, distortion and instability may occur. Furthermore,
other methods might also require additional stabilization to be implemented for
more robust operation.
(b.2) Collector-to-Base Bias Circuit
- The Collector-to-Base Bias Circuit comes with a feedback resistor between the
collector and base of the transistor which makes it possible for the operating point
of the transistor to be stable despite the temperature and parameter changes. This
setting not only brings pioneering stability to a transistor but also predictability to
the performance of the transistor, especially in amplifier cases.

(b.3) Voltage Divider Bias Circuit (VDB)

- The Voltage Divider Bias Circuit (VDB) is a circuit that adopts a resistive network to
form a bias voltage for the transistor base. A voltage division is caused by two series
resistors, thus, the operating point of the transistor is set. This configuration gives
the advantage of stability with respect to parameter change and supply voltage
fluctuation, therefore, consistent and controlled biasing is provided for a
trustworthy transistor to work in amplifier circuits.
2. Discuss briefly the input and output characteristics of the following transistor
configurations:

(a.) Common Base

 Input Characteristics: The device working is organized such that the input is
submitted to the emitter-base junction, with the base terminal being grounded. This
configuration which has low input impedance, although the current change would
be more easily detectable, the voltage change would be less easily detected.

 Output Characteristics: The high output impedance is connected to the collector and
the output is tapped. It is able to provide a high voltage gain but a low current gain
(close to 1) because it does not amplify the current.

 Application: Often used in the field where the technology allows for fast
transmitting as well as low phase shift.
(b.) Common Emitter
 The input signal is sent to the base-emitter junction, while the emitter is connected
to the ground. The emitter resistor is also earthed. The input impedance is medium;
it is generally higher than in the common base configuration.

 The output is drawn out of the collector. On the one hand, such a configuration
promises both high current and voltage gain, thus turning the amplifier into an
effective signal booster. On the other one, such an amplifier also inverts the input
signal (180° phase shift).

 Application: The common emitter is the most common amplification circuit because
of its high gain in both current and voltage, plus it can be used for all purposes for
general amplification.

(c.) Common Collector

 Input Characteristics: The input is injected into the base-emitter junction, and
the collector is tied to the ground. It has very high input impedance so it can
easily be interfaced to high-impedance sources.

 Output Characteristics: The output is obtained from the emitter. As a result of

this configuration, a high current gain can be obtained and the phase of the
input signal is not inverted, even though the phase of the output is in the same
direction. However, the voltage gain is only one.

 Application: As known as an emitter follower, it is used for impedance matching

and buffering, where the signal is intact and voltage does not rise significantly.
REFERENCES:
https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/amplifier/transistor-biasing.html
https://byjus.com/physics/characteristics-of-a-transistor/
https://www.electronicshub.org/common-base-amplifier/