Laboratory Activity No.

3
Small Signal Common-Source Amplifier
I. Objectives:
 To demonstrate the ac operation of a typical common-source amplifier.
 To demonstrate the differences between the ac operating characteristics of a typical JFET amplifier and those
of a typical BJT amplifier.
 To determine the JFET amplifier Lower and higher Critical Frequency Response?

II. Discussion:
There are several similarities between the common-source (CS) amplifier and the common-emitter (CE)
amplifier. Both amplifiers provide a measurable amount of voltage gain. Both amplifiers have 180 degrees voltage
phase shift between the input and output terminals. At the same time, there are several differences between the
two amplifier types.

The CS amplifier typically has much higher input impedance than the CE amplifier. Also, the means by which
the voltage gain of a CS amplifier is calculated are different from the CE voltage gain calculation.

In this exercise, we will observe the operation of a self-biased CS amplifier. While analyzing this operation, we
will pay close attention to those points of operation that separate the CS amplifier from the CE amplifier.

III. Tools:
 1 Variable dc power supply
 1 Variable ac signal generator
 1 Dual-trace oscilloscope
 1 VOM or DMM
 1 2N5485 n-channel JFET
 2 Resistors: 4.7k and 1 M
 2 Potentiometers: 5k and 2M
 2 Capacitors: 0.022 uF and 22 Uf

IV. Simulated/Actual Circuit

RS

V. Output
1. Construct the circuit, R s should initially be set to 1 k Ω.
2. Connect 1kHz, 20mVpp ac signal at point A.
3. The value of gm for a JFET is found as

Δ ID
gm =
Δ V GS
In this step, you will determine the value of gm for your JFET as follows:
a. With R s set to 1 kΩ , measure and record the following:
 V GS=¿ ____________
I D =¿ ____________
b. Adjust R s to a value of 1.5 kΩ . Then return it to the circuit and measure and record the following:

V GS=¿ ___________
I D =¿ ___________
c. Calculate the following:
Δ V GS=V GS (max )−V GS(min)=¿_____________
Δ I D=I D (max )−I D (max )=¿ _____________
Δ ID
gm = =¿ _____________
Δ V GS
4. Using the rated value of R D, calculate the voltage gain of your amplifier.
A v =¿ __________
5. Set R s to approximately 1.3kΩ
6. Set the amplitude of your signal generator to minimum. Set the output frequency of your signal generator to
approximately 1 kHz.
7. Connect your oscilloscope to the output of the amplifier. Then increase the amplitude of the input signal until
you get the maximum undistorted output from the amplifier. Measure and record the following:
V out =¿ _________ V PP
V ¿ =¿ _________V PP
8. Using the values obtained in step 7, calculate the value of A v for your amplifier.
A v =¿ _________
9. Adjust the vertical sensitivity of your oscilloscope channels so that you can observe both the input and output
waveforms on the CRT at the same time. Then neatly draw the two waveforms in their proper phase
relationships on the grid provided.
Note: For steps 10 through 12, use the X10 position on the scope probes. (optional)
10. Without disturbing the amplitude setting or your signal generator, insert the 2M Ω potentiometer between the
generator output and the input coupling capacitor.
11. Adjust the 2MΩ potentiometer until the output from the amplifier has an amplitude that is one-half of its
original value.
12. Without disturbing the potentiometer setting, remove it from the circuit and measure its resistance. This is
approximately equal to the input impedance of the amplifier.
R ≅ Z ¿ =¿ ¿
13. For frequency response place a voltage probe at the output node (typically at the drain) where you want to
measure the amplifier’s gain.
14. Ensure your Function generator parameters at 1kHz, 20mVpp ac signal at point A.
15. Go to the "Simulate" menu and select "Analyses and Simulation" → "AC Sweep".
16. Set Frequency Sweep Parameters:
 Sweep Type: Decade or Logarithmic (for a smooth Bode plot).
 Frequency Range:
 Start Frequency: Set to a low value (e.g., 10 Hz) to capture the low-frequency response.
 End Frequency: Set to a high value (e.g., 1 GHz) to capture the high-frequency response.
 Number of Points: Choose an adequate number (e.g., 100–200 points) to obtain good resolution on your
plot.
17. Go to output and choose the voltage probe as selected variables for analysis and click save.
18. Click "Simulate" to run the analysis. Multisim will generate a Bode plot (Magnitude and Phase) that displays
how the amplifier’s gain changes over the selected frequency range.
19. From magnitude graph determine the Lower and Higher Cutoff Frequency. (Find the frequency where the gain
is 3 dB lower than the mid-band gain on the low-frequency end and the high-frequency side)
VI. Questions and Problems
1. Calculate the percent of error between the values of A v obtained in steps 4 and 8 of the procedure.
% of error = _________
How would you account for this error?

2. Calculate the percent of error between the measured input impedance of the amplifier and the rated value of
RG .
% of error = ________
Why wasn’t the input impedance of the JFET considered in the percent of error calculation?
3. What are the lower and higher cutoff frequencies of the JFET circuit?
4. Discuss, in your own words, what you observed in this exercise.