NAME: Abdul-Hamid Opeoluwa Arowona

MATRIC NUMBER: 23120211035

GROUP NUMBER: 5
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: DR. JERIMIAH BANDELE
DATE: Tuesday, October 30th, 2024.

BJT CC and CB Circuits

Introduction
BJTs are versatile components in electronic circuits, capable of operating in various
configurations to achieve specific performance characteristics. Two important
configurations are the Common-Collector (CC), also known as the Emitter Follower,
and the Common-Base (CB) circuits. These configurations offer distinct features in
terms of voltage gain, input impedance, and output impedance.
Common-Collector Circuit (Emitter Follower)
The Common-Collector (CC) configuration is widely used as a buffer due to its high
input impedance and low output impedance. This makes it suitable for impedance
matching. The circuit provides a voltage gain close to unity (approximately 1), ensuring
that the output voltage closely follows the input voltage. Despite its low voltage gain,
the current gain is high, making it effective for driving low-impedance loads.

Figure 1. Common-Collector Circuit (Emitter Follower) Configuration.

Common-Base Circuit
In the Common-Base (CB) configuration, the input is applied to the emitter, and the
output is taken from the collector. This configuration is characterized by a low input
impedance and a high output impedance, with a significant voltage gain. It is
commonly used in high-frequency applications due to its superior bandwidth.

1
 Figure 2. Common-Base configuration.

Aim
To construct and analyse CC and CB circuits, measure their performance in terms of
voltage gain (Av), input impedance (Zi), and output impedance (Zo), and compare the
experimental results with theoretical predictions.

Materials and Methods

Materials
• DC Power Supply (0–20V)
• Digital multimeters
• Oscilloscope
• Signal Generator
• Resistors: 56Ω, 120Ω, 910Ω, 1KΩ, 1.2KΩ, 3.9KΩ, 4.7KΩ (x2), 15KΩ, 27KΩ, 56KΩ, 68KΩ,
82KΩ
• Capacitors: 15V (0.33µF, 10µF, 220µF)
• Low-current NPN BJT: BC548
• Breadboard

Procedure
The lab consisted of two experiments: Common-Collector Circuit (Emitter Follower)
and Common-Base Circuit.
Experiment 1: Common-Collector Circuit (Emitter Follower)
The CC circuit was first constructed as shown in Figure 3.0. Initially, the signal
generator and oscilloscope were disconnected. The DC power supply was set to 12V,
and the DC voltages VB, VE, and VC were measured and recorded.
Next, the signal generator was connected, and the frequency was set to 3 kHz. The
signal amplitude was adjusted to achieve a 0.5V output. The input and output
waveforms were sketched, and their peak voltages recorded.

2
To measure the input impedance (Zi), a 27kΩ resistor (Ra) was connected in series with
the signal generator. The signal amplitude was adjusted until the output voltage was
half of its original amplitude, and the resistance was recorded as Zi.
For output impedance (Zo), a 56Ω resistor (Rb) was temporarily placed in parallel with
the load resistor (RL). The input amplitude was readjusted to ensure maximum
undistorted output. The resistance of Rb was varied until the output was reduced by
half, and the corresponding resistance was recorded as Zo.

Figure 3. Common-Collector Circuit (Emitter Follower) Circuit.

Experiment 2: Common-Base Circuit

The CC circuit was modified into a CB circuit as per the schematic provided in Figure
4.0. Again, the power supply was set to 12V, and the DC voltages VB, VE, and VC were
measured.
The signal generator and oscilloscope were then connected, with the signal generator
set to a 3 kHz sine wave. The signal amplitude was adjusted for a 1V output. The input
and output waveforms were sketched, and their peak levels were documented.
To determine input impedance (Zi), a 56Ω resistor (Ra) was connected in series with the
signal generator. The amplitude was adjusted to achieve half the original output
amplitude, and the resistance was recorded as Zi.
For output impedance (Zo), the load resistor was substituted with a 15kΩ resistor (Rb),
and the procedure was repeated to achieve half the original amplitude, recording the
resistance as Zo.

3
 Figure 4. Common-Base circuit.

Results

Experiment 1: Base Bias

Table 1. Common-Collector Circuit (Emitter Follower).

Parameter Value
VB (V) 5.33
VE (V) 4.69
VC (V) 12
Peak Input (mV) 502
Peak Output (mV) 496
Input Impedance, Zi (Ω) 27k
Output Impedance, Zo (Ω) 1k
Voltage Gain, Av 0.99

Experiment 2: Collector-to-Base Bias

Table 2. Common-Base Circuit.

Parameter Value
VB (V) 5.32
VE (V) 4.68
VC (V) 8.13
Peak Input (V) 1.00
Peak Output (V) 8.1
Input Impedance, Zi (Ω) 56
Output Impedance, Zo (Ω) 15k
Voltage Gain, Av 8.1

4
 Table 3. Theoretical Values.

Input Impedance, Zi
Output Impedance, Zi (Ω)
(Ω)
Experiment 1 4700 30,000
Experiment 2 4700 1000

Figure 5. Sketch the input and output waveforms for Exp 1.

Figure 6. Sketch the input and output waveforms for Exp 2.

5
Discussion
Common-Collector Circuit
The Common-Collector Circuit demonstrated a voltage gain (Av) close to unity, as
expected. The input impedance (Zi) was measured at 27 kΩ, aligning with the
theoretical prediction of a high input impedance typical for this configuration. The high
Zi makes the circuit suitable for buffering applications, where the objective is to match
high impedance sources with low impedance loads.
The output impedance (Zo) was low, at 1kΩ, which confirms the Common-Collector
circuit’s capability to drive low-impedance loads effectively. The output closely
followed the input voltage, corroborating the expected voltage follower behaviour.
These characteristics make the Common-Collector circuit an excellent choice for
impedance matching and signal buffering.

Common-Base Circuit
The Common-Base Circuit displayed a high voltage gain (Av), with the output signal
amplitude significantly exceeding the input. This high gain is a hallmark of Common-
Base configurations, suitable for amplification tasks in high-frequency applications due
to the minimal Miller effect.
The input impedance (Zi) was measured at 56Ω, reflecting the low input impedance
typical of Common-Base circuits. This feature allows the circuit to handle high-
frequency signals efficiently. The output impedance (Zo) was high, at 15 kΩ, indicating
that the circuit is better suited for driving high-impedance loads. This high Zo ensures
minimal loading effects on the subsequent stages of the circuit.

The experimental results closely matched theoretical predictions. The Common-

Collector circuit’s low Zo and high Zi are ideal for buffer applications, while the
Common-Base circuit's high gain and low Zi make it suitable for high-frequency
amplifications. The practical measurements confirmed the suitability of both
configurations for their intended applications.

Conclusion
The experiments provided valuable insights into the characteristics of Common-
Collector and Common-Base circuits. The CC circuit is ideal for applications requiring
high input impedance and low output impedance, making it an excellent choice for
buffering. The CB circuit, with its high voltage gain and low input impedance, is suitable
for specialized high-frequency applications.
These findings align with theoretical models, reinforcing the practical understanding of
BJT amplifier configurations.

6
References
Boylestad, R. L. (2014). Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory (11th ed.). Pearson.
Floyd, T. L., & Pearson. (2018). Electronic Devices: Conventional Current Version.
Pearson Education Limited.
Manufacturer Datasheets for BC547 and 2N3904.

Appendix

7
8
9
10
11
12