Sri venkateswara college of engineering

Department of ECE
EC -6401 Electronic Circuits II
2 mark questions unit wise

UNIT I Feedback Amplifiers

1. Define feedback?
A portion of the output signal is taken from the output of the amplifier and is combined with the
normal input signal. This is known as feedback.
2. Define positive feedback?
If the feedback signal is in phase with input signal, then the net effect of the feedback will
increase the input signal given to the amplifier. This type of feedback is said to be positive or
regenerative feedback.
3. Define negative feedback?
If the feedback signal is out of phase with the input signal then the input voltage applied to the
basic amplifier is decreased and correspondingly the output is decreased. This type of feedback
is known as negative or degenerative feedback.
4. Define sensitivity?
Sensitivity is defined as the ratio of percentage change in voltage gain with feedback to the
percentage change in voltage gain without feedback.
dAf/A=( dA/A)(1/1+A)
5.What are the types of feedback?
i. Voltage-series feedback
ii. Voltage-shunt feedback
iii. Current-series feedback

iv. Current-shunt feedback

6. What are the basic amplifiers?
The basic amplifiers are
i.
ii.
iii.

Voltage amplifier
Current amplifier
Transconductance amplifier

iv.

Transresistance amplifier.

7. What are the components of feedback amplifier?

The components are
i.
ii.

sampling network,
Feedback network, and
iii.

mixer network.

8. What are two types of sampling?

i.Voltage sampling or node sampling
ii.Current sampling or loop sampling
9. State the two types of mixing?
Series mixing
Shunt mixing
10. What is transfer gain?
It is the ratio of the output signal to the input signal. It is denoted by A
A=Xo/Xi
11. List out the characteristics of feedback amplifier?
Desensitivity
Nonlinear distortion
Noise distortion
Frequency distortion

12. What is the effect of input resistance due to series mixing?

The input resistance increases due to series mixing irrespective of the type of sampling. The
feedback signal opposes the source signal and the input current decreases and due to this input
resistance increases.
Rif>Ri
Where Rif = input resistance with feedback
Ri = input resistance without feedback
13. What is the effect of input resistance due to shunt mixing?
The input resistance decreases due to shunt mixing irrespective of the type of sampling. The
feedback signal opposes the source signal and the input current decreases as a consequence
Voltage reduces leading to a reduction in input resistance.
Rif<Ri; Where Rif = input resistance with feedback
Ri = input resistance without feedback
14. What happens to output resistance due to current sampling?
The output resistance increases due to current sampling.
Rof>Ro
Rof = input resistance with feedback
Ro= input resistance without feedback
15. What happens to output resistance due to voltage sampling?
The output resistance decreases due to current sampling.
Rof<Ro
Rof = input resistance with feedback
Ro= input resistance without feedback
16. What happens to output resistance due to current sampling?
The output resistance increases due to current sampling.
Rof>Ro
Rof = input resistance with feedback

Ro= input resistance without feedback

17. Write the expression for input and output resistance of voltage series feedback
amplifier.
Input resistance with feedback, Rif = Ri(1+A)
Output resistance with feedback, Rof = Ro(1+A)
18. Give the properties of negative feedback.
i. Negative feedback reduces the gain
ii. Distortion is very much reduced
19. Give the effect of negative feedback on amplifier characteristics.

Characteristics

Types of feedback

Current-series

Voltage-series Voltage-shunt

Current-shunt

Voltage gain

Decreases

Decreases

Decreases

Decreases

Bandwidth

Increases

Increases

Increases

Increases

Input resistance

Increases

Increases

Decreases

Decreases

Output Resistance

Increases

Decreases

Decreases

Increases

20. What are the effects of negative feedback? (Or) What are the advantages of negative
feedback?
1. It improves the stability of the circuit.
2. It improves the frequency response of the amplifier.
3. It improves the percentage of harmonic distortion.
4. It improves the signal to noise ratio (SNR).
5. It reduces the gain of the circuit.

21.Define the feedback factor ?

It is the ratio between the feedback voltages to the output voltage of the amplifier.
= Vf/ Vo
Where, is a feedback factor (or) feedback ratio, Vf is the feedback voltage, Vo is the
output voltage.
23) . Define Desensitivity D?
Desensitivity is defined as the reciprocal of sensitivity. It indicates the factor by which
the voltage gain has been reduced due to feedback network.
Desensitivity factor (D) = 1+A .
Where, A = Amplifier gain.
.

= Feedback factor.

23) Define loop gain. (Or) What is meant by return ratio?

The signal Vi is multiplied by A in passing through the amplifier is multiplier by .
In transmission through the feedback network and is multiplied by -1 in the mixer. The product
of - A is called the loop gain (or) return ratio.
24). What is the nature of input and output resistance in negative feedback?
(1) Voltage series feedback:
Input impedance: Zif = Zi / (1+A )
Output impedance: Zof = Zo / (1+A )
(2) Voltage shunt feedback:
Input impedance: Rif = Ri * (1+A )
Output impedance: Zof = Zo * (1+ A )
(3) Current series feedback:
Input impedance:

Rif = Zi / (1+A )

Output impedance:

Zof = Zo / (1+A )

(4) Current shunt feedback:

Input impedance:

Rif = Ri / (1+A )

Output impedance:

Rof = Ro / (1+A )

UNIT II Oscillators

1. How does an oscillator differ from an amplifier?

Oscillators
1. They are self-generating circuits. They generate
waveforms like sine, square and triangular
waveforms of their own. Without having input
signal.
2. It have infinite gain
3. Oscillator uses positive feedback.

Amplifiers
1. They are not self-generating
circuits. They need a signal at the input and
they just increase the level of the input
waveform.
2. It have finite gain
3. Amplifier uses negative feedback.

2.What is an Oscillator?
An Oscillator is a Circuit, which generates an alternating voltage of any
desired frequency. It can generate an a.c output signal without requiring any externally applied
input signal.
3. What is Barkhausan criterion?
The conditions for oscillator to produce oscillation are given by
Barkhausan criterion. They are:
(i). the total phase shift produced by the circuit should be 360o or 0o
(ii).The Magnitude of loop gain must be greater than or equal to 1
. 1.

i.e. A

3. What are the types of sinusoidal oscillator? Mention the different types of sinusoidal
oscillator?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

RC phase shift Oscillator.

Wein Bridge Oscillator.
Hartley Oscillator
Colpitts Oscillator
Crystal Oscillator

4. Name two low frequency Oscillators.

1. RC phase shift.

2. Wein bridge Oscillator.

5. Name two high frequency Oscillators.

i. Hartley Oscillator

ii. Colpitts Oscillator

iii.Crystal Oscillator

6.What did you understand by the term stability of an Oscillator? (Or) ii). Define stability
of an Oscillator. (Or) iii). Why is amplitude stabilization required?
The frequency stability of an Oscillation is a measure of its ability to maintain the required
frequency as precisely constant as possible over a long period of time interval.
7. What are the essential parts of an Oscillator?
i.
ii.
iii.

Tank circuit (or) Oscillatory circuit.

. Amplifier (Transistor amplifier)
. Feedback Circuit.

8. What are the advantages of Rc phase shift Oscillator?

i. It is best suited for generating fixed frequency signals in the audio frequency range.
ii.Simple Circuit. Iii Pure sine wave output is possible.
9. What is piezo electric effect?
The piezo electric Crystals exhibit a property that if a mechanical stress is applied across
one face the electric potential is developed across opposite face. The inverse is also live. This
phenomenon is called piezo electric effect.
10.

Draw the equivalent circuit of a Crystal.

Where
R

internal frictional losses.

Mass of the crystal.

Cs

Stiffness of the crystal.

Cp

Shunt capacitance.

11. List the disadvantages of crystal Oscillator.

1. It is suitable for only low power circuits
2. Large amplitude of vibrations may crack the crystal.
3. It large in frequency is only possible replacing the crystal with another one by different
frequency.
12. What is meant by resonant Circuit Oscillators?
LC Oscillators are known as resonant circuit oscillator because the frequency of operation of LC
Oscillator is nothing but a resonant frequency of tank circuit or LC tank circuit produces
sustained Oscillation at the resonant circuit oscillator.
13 Classify the different types of Oscillators.
i. According to waveform generation
a. Sinusoidal Oscillator.
b. Relaxation Oscillator.
ii. According to the fundamental mechanism involved
a. Negative resistance Oscillator.
b. Feedback Oscillator.
iii. According to frequency generated
a. Audio frequency Oscillator (Up to 20KHZ)
b. Radio frequency Oscillator (20KHZ)
c. Very high frequency oscillator (30 MHZ to 300 MHZ).
d. Ultra high frequency Oscillator (300 MHX to 3 GHZ).
e. Microwave frequency Oscillator (> 3 GHZ).
iv. According to type coupling.

a. LC Oscillator.
b. RC Oscillator.
14. Why RC phase shift is needed in a RC phase shift Oscillator?
The amplifier used causes a phase shift of 180o than the feedback network should create
phase shift of 180o, to satisfy the Barkhausen Criterion. Hence in a phase shift oscillators, three
sections of RC circuit are connected in cascade, each introducing a shift of 60o, thus introducing
a total phase shift of 180o, due to feedback network.
15 What are the advantages of crystal Oscillators over other Oscillator?
To maintain the output frequency of an oscillator at a constant value, a crystal may be
used to control the frequency of oscillation.
16. What is negative resistance? Name a few devices which offer this resistance.
It is defined as the resistance of a device which offers when operated in
resistance region.

the negative

Ex: - Tunnel diodes, UJT... Etc.,

17 Define gain and phase Margin.
Gain Margin: It is defined as the value of /A/ in decibels at the frequency at which the
phase angle of A is 180o, negative gain margin signifies decibel rise in open loop gain a
theoretical possibility without oscillation. A positive gain margin signifies that amplifier is
potentially unstable.
Phase Margin: It is defined as 180o minus the Magnitude of angle of A at the frequency at
which /A/ is unity.
18. What is a beat frequency oscillator?
Beat frequency Oscillator (BFO) is an Oscillator in which a deserved signals frequency
such as the beat frequency produced by combining the different signal frequencies such as on
different radio frequencies.

UNIT III Tuned amplifiers

1. What is meant by tuned amplifiers?
Tuned amplifiers are amplifiers that are designed to reject a certain range of frequencies
below a lower cut off frequency L and above a upper cut off frequency H and allows only a
narrow band of frequencies.
2. Classify tuned amplifiers.
1. Single tuned amplifier.
2. Double tuned amplifier.
3. Synchronously tuned amplifier.
4. Stagger tuned amplifier.
3. What are the advantages of double tuned amplifier?

In double tuned amplifiers, the tuning is done both at the primary and secondary.
The double tuned amplifiers provide a wider bandwidth, flatter pass band and a greater
selectivity.

4. Define resonance.
The reactance of the capacitor equals that of the inductor
reactance.
i.e C. = 1 / L.
5. What is Quality factor?
The ratio of inductive reactance of the coil at resonance to its resistance is known as
quality factor.
Q = XL / R
6. Define gain bandwidth product of a tuned amplifier.
The gain bandwidth (GBW) product is a figure of merit defined in terms of mid band
gain and upper 3-db frequency fh as
GBW = | Aim fh | = gm / 2c
7. What is the other name for tuned amplifier?
Tuned amplifiers used for amplifying narrow band of frequencies hence it is also known
as narrow band amplifier or Band pass amplifier.

8. What is a synchronously tuned amplifier?

When tuned amplifiers are cascaded if all the amplifier stages are identical and tuned to
same frequency fo then it is called as synchronously tuned amplifier. This results in a increased
in gain and reduction in bandwidth.
9. What is meant by neutralization?
It is the process by which feedback can be cancelled by introducing a current that is equal
in magnitude but 180o out of phase with the feedback signal at the input of the active device. The
two signals will cancel and the effect of feedback will be eliminated. This technique is termed as
neutralization.
10. What is unilateralisation?
It is the phenomenon by which a signal can be transmitted from the input to the output
alone and not vice versa. In a unilateralised amplifier both resistive and reactive effects are
cancelled.
11. What is stagger tuned amplifier?
In this configuration one or more tuned amplifiers are cascaded each amplifier stage is
tuned to different frequencies. This results in decreased gain and increased bandwidth.
12. What is the effect of Q on stability?
Higher the value of Q provides better selectivity, but smaller bandwidth and larger gain.
Hence it provides less stability.
13. What is the application of tuned amplifiers?
The application of tuned amplifiers to obtain a desired frequency and rejecting all other
frequency in
(i). Radio and T .V broadcasting as tuning circuit.
(ii). Wireless communication system.
14. What is meant by unloaded and loaded Q of tank circuit?

[APR 2003]

Unloaded Q is the ratio of stored energy to dissipated energy in a reactor or resonator.

The loaded Q (or) QL of a resonator is determined by how tightly the resonator is coupled
to its terminations.

15. Mention the applications of class c tuned amplifier.[APR 2003]

One of the most common applications for mixer is in radio receivers. The mixer is used
to convert incoming signal to a lower frequency where it is easier to obtain the high gain
and selectivity required.
Mixer circuits are used to translate signal frequency to some lower frequency or to some
higher frequency. When it is used to translate signal to lower frequency it is called down
converter. When it is used to translate signal to higher frequency, it is called up converter.

16. Mention the need for stagger-tuned amplifier.

The double tuned amplifier gives greater 3 db bandwidth having steeper sides and flat
top. But alignment of double tuned amplifier is difficult. To overcome this problem two single
tuned amplifiers are cascaded.
17. What are the advantages of tuned circuit?

High selectivity
Smaller collector supply voltage
Small power gain.

18. Mention the bandwidth of a double tuned amplifier.

Bandwidth (2 1) = o / Q (b2 1) + 2b
Where, o is the resonance frequency in cycle per sec.
Q is the Quality factor of the coil alone.
B is a constant.
19. What is principle of Hazel tine neutralization?
Hazel tine introduced a circuit in which the troublesome effect of the collector to base
capacitance of the transistor was neutralized by introducing a signal which cancels the signal
coupled through the collector to base capacitance.
20. List the performance measure of a tuned amplifier.

Selection of a desired radio frequency signal.

Effective quality factor.
Gain
Bandwidth.

21. What are the characteristics of an ideal tuned amplifier?

Selects a single radio frequency and amplifiers the same by rejecting all other
frequencies.

Bandwidth is zero.
Harmonic distortion is zero.

22. Write down the relationship between bandwidth and effective Q of a tuned amplifier?
Bandwidth = o / Q effective.
23. What are the different methods of coupling? (or) Point out different methods of
coupling the load to a tuned amplifier.
The different methods of coupling the load to a tuned amplifier are:
Capacitive coupling, Inductive coupling.
24. Why tuned amplifier cannot be used at low frequency?
For low frequencies the size L and C are large. So the circuit will be bulky and
expensive, hence the tuned amplifiers cannot be used at low frequency.
25. What are band pass amplifiers?
Band pass amplifiers are amplifiers circuits which allow a certain range of frequencies in
between two cut off frequencies (f1, f2) and attenuates all the other frequencies or rejects all other
frequencies.
26. What are the drawbacks of a single tuned amplifier?

Narrow bandwidth on smaller pass band, which will result in poor production of the
audio signal.
The sides (and the top) of a gain versus frequency curve are not steeper.

27. The band width of sing tuned amplifier is 10 KHz. If four such stages are connected in
series, What is its effective bandwidth.
The bandwidth of n number of tuned amplifiers connected in series is,
BWT = BW1
Where, BWT = Total (effective) Bandwidth.
Bw1 = Single tuned amplifier bandwidth.
n = number of stages.
BWT = 10*103

BWT = 43.5 KHz

28. The bandwidth of a bouble-tuned amplifier is 10 KHz. Calculate the number of such
stages to be connected to obtain the bandwidth of 5.098 KHz.
BWT = BW1 (21/n - 1)1/4
21/n = 1.0676.
Taking log on both sides,
1/n log (2) = log (1.0676)

n = 10

29. Calculate the resonant frequency of a class c tuned amplifier whose capacitor
c=10pf and inductor L=1mH.
The resonant frequency of class-c tuned amplifier is fr = 1 / 2 = 1/ 2*3.14
fr = 1.59 MHz

UNIT IV Wave shaping and Multivibrator circuits

1. What is a linear waveform-shaping circuit?
The process by which the shape of a nonsinusoidal signal is changed by passing the
signal through the network consisting of linear elements is called Linear Wave Shaping.
2. Define integrator.
Integrator is a circuit that passes low frequencies of the input and attenuates high
frequencies. Integrator implies that the output voltage is an integral of the input voltage.
3. Define differentiator.

Differentiator is a circuit that passes high frequencies of the input and attenuates low
frequencies. It implies that the output voltage is the differential of the input.
4. What is meant by clippers?
The circuit with which the waveform is shaped by removing a portion of the input signal
without distorting the removing part of the alternating waveform is called a clipper.
5. What is meant by clampers?
Clamping network shifts (clamp) a signal to a different d.c level, i.e., it introduces a d.c
level to an a.c signal.Hence,the clamping network is known as d.c restorer.
6. What is meant by multivibrator?
Multivibrators are two stage switching circuits in which the output of the first stage is fed
to the input of the second state and vice-versa. The outputs of two stages are complementary.
7. List the types of multivibrator.
1. Astable multivibrator
2. Bistable multivibrator.
3. Monostable multivibrator.
8. Define Astable multivibrator.

Astable multivibrator is a multivibrator in which neither state is stable. There are two
temporary states. The circuit changes state continuously from one quasi stables state to another at
regular intervals without any triggering. This generates continuous square waveform without any
external signal.
9. Define monostable multivibrator.
When a trigger pulse is applied to the input circuit, the circuit state is changed abruptly to
unstable state for a predetermined time after which the circuit returned to its original stable state
automatically.
10. Define the Bistable multivibrator.
Bistable multivibrator signifies a circuit which can exist indefinitely in either of two
stable states and which can be induced to make an abrupt transition from one state to other by
applying an external triggering signal.

11.What is the use of commutating capacitors?

The Commutating capacitors can be used to reduce the transition time in a low to high
level and vice versa.
12. What are the features of a collector coupled Astable multivibrator?

In the circuit there exists a capacitive coupling between the stages. So both the transistors
cannot remain at cut off.
The circuit has two quasi-stable states, between which it can make transitions.

13. What is delay time?

The time required for the current to rise to 10% of its maximum (saturation) value Ics is
called the delay time td.
14. What is the total turn on time?
The total turn on time is ton is the sum of the delay time and rise time,
Where,

td = Delay time.

ton = td + tr

tr = Rise time.

15. What is storage time?

The interval that elapses between the transition of the input waveform and the time when
the collector current has dropped to 90 % of total output is called the storage time ts.
16. Define transition time.
The time interval during which the conduction transfer from one transistor to another transistor
is defined as transition time.
17.. Define resolving time.
It is the minimum time interval between two consecutive trigger pulses and equals to
transition time plus the settling time.
18. What is meant by linear wave shaping circuit?
The action of a linear network in producing a waveform at its outputs different from its
output is known as linear wave shaping circuit.
19. What is meant by Schmitt trigger?

In a circuit which converts sine wave into a square wave. It also has two opposite
operating states as in all multivibrator. In this case the triggering signal is a slowly varying a.c
voltage.
20. Define UTP and LTP.
UTP [Upper trigger point] is the point at which the transistor enters into conduction.i.e. OFF
to ON state.
LTP [Lower trigger point] is the point at which the transistor enters from ON to OFF state.
21. What are different types of triggering of bistable multivibrator?
1. Asymmetrical triggering. 2. Symmetrical triggering.
22. Define Symmetrical triggering.
It is the method of triggering, by which pulses are applied at only one input and these are
steered or directed to appropriate transistors sequentially.
23. What is meant by unsymmetrical triggering?
If two signals from two separate trigger source are used, one signal to cause the change in
one direction.i.e. from ON to OFF and the other signal cause change from OFF to On. It is used
in logic circuit.
24. What is meant by hysteresis?
The input voltage difference between UTP and LTP is known as hysteresis.
25. Define Settling time.
It is defined as the time required for recharging of commutating capacitors after transfer
of conduction.
26.. Distinguish oscillator and multivibrator.
Multivibrator operates in non-linear region of transfer characteristics and oscillator
operators linear or active region of its transfer characteristics.
UNIT V Blocking Oscillators and Time base Generators
1. What is blocking oscillator?
The circuit which uses a regenerative feedback, producing a single pulse or pulse train is called
a blocking oscillator.

2. Which are the two important elements of a blocking oscillator?

1. Active element like transistor.

2. A pulse transformer.

3. What is the function of pulse transformer in blocking oscillator?

A pulse transformer is used to couple output of the transistor back to the input. The nature
of such feedback through pulse transformer is controlled by relative winding polarities of a pulse
transformer.
4.What is pulse transformer?
A pulse transformer is basically a transformer which couples a source of pulses of electrical
energy to the load, keeping the shape and other properties of pulses unchanged. The voltage level
of the pulse can be raised or lowered by designing the proper turns ratio for the pulse
transformer.
5. State the features of pulse transformer.
1. Generally iron cored and small in size.
2. The leakage inductance is minimum.
3. The interwinding capacitance is low.
4. The cores have high permeability.
5. They have high magnetizing inductance.
6. Draw the equivalent circuit of pulse transformer. Explain the various elements in it. ?
In this circuit,
R1 = Resistance of primary winding.
R2 = Resistance referred to primary.
= Series inductance which is leakage inductance.
L = Shunt inductance which is magnetizing inductance.
C = Transformer and external loading capacitive effect.
7. What is Leading edge response?

At start there is an overshoot and then the pulse settles down. The response till it settles
down after the overshoot is called leading edge response.
8. What is trailing edge response?
The response generally extends below the zero amplitude after the end of pulse width is
called back swing. The portion of response from backswing till it settles down is trailing edge
response.
9. What is flat top response?
The portion of the response between the trailing edge and the leading edge is called flat
top response.
10. Define rise time of a pulse.
The rise time is an important parameter related to this part of the response. It is defined
by the time required by the pulse to rise from 10 % of its amplitude to 90 % of its amplitude.
11. Define the displacement error( ed ) of a sweep voltage.
It is defined as the maximum difference between the actual sweep voltage and linear
sweep voltage which passes through the beginning and end points of the actual sweep. It is
another way of specifying the linearity of a sweep waveform.
12. Mention the application of the pulse transformer.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

To change the amplitude and impedance level of a pulse.

To invert the polarity of the pulse.
To provide dc isolation between source and a load.
To differentiate a pulse.
for coupling the stages of a pulse amplifier
Also used in digital signal transmission.

13. What is current time base generator?

The circuit which produces current which linearly increases with time is called current time
base generator.

14. What are the applications of the blocking oscillator?

1. The blocking oscillator can be used as low impedance switch used to discharge a
capacitor very quickly.
2. To produce large peak power pulses, both the types of oscillators cab be used.

3. The output of the blocking oscillator can be used to produce gating waveform with very
low mark space ratio.
4. It may be used as frequency divider or counter in digital circuits.
15. List various sweep circuits

Exponential charging circuit

Constant-current charging circuit.
Miller circuit
boot strap circuit
Inductor circuit.

16. What do you mean by voltage time base generators?

Circuits used to generate a linear variation of voltage with time are called voltage timebase generators.
17. What do you mean by linear time base generator?
Circuits provide an output waveform which exhibits a linear variation of voltage with
time is called linear time base generators.