ASSIGNMENT NO 2

APPLIED PHYSICS

Program: BSCS
Class: BSCS-l (A)
Submitted To: Dr Khurram Baig
Submitted By: Anus Raza
Submission Date: OCT 09, 2023
 Transistor as an Amplifier
A transistor can be used to increase the strength or amplitude of an electrical signal
(hence the name amplifier). Amplifiers are vital components in a wide range of electronic
devices, including radios, audio equipment, telecommunications systems and various other
systems.

Amplification Characteristics:

The major factors on which the amplification of a transistor amplifier depends, are
written bellow:

 The transistor type (NPN or PNP).

 The configuration of the amplifier.
 The transistor's physical properties and specifications.
 The biasing network and operating point.

Type of Amplifier:

A transistor can be used as an amplifier in various configurations but the three most
common types or configurations are written below:

1. Common Emitter.
2. Common Base.
3. Common Collector.

1. Common Emitter:
 Definition:

A Common Emitter Amplifier is a type of bipolar junction transistor (BJT) amplifier

circuit which is used to amplify weak AC signals in electronic appliances. It is called a "common
emitter" amplifier because the emitter terminal of the transistor is a common terminal for both
the input and output signals.

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 Circuit Diagram:

 Key Components:
I. NPN Transistor: In a common emitter amplifier using an NPN transistor, a small input
signal is applied to the base terminal (B), while the collector (C) is connected to the
positive supply voltage (Vcc), and the emitter (E) is grounded.
II. Input Signal (Vin): The input signal, typically an AC voltage or current, is applied
between the base (B) and emitter (E) terminals of the transistor.
III. Biasing Network: A biasing network, consisting of resistors and/or voltage sources, is
used to establish the DC operating point of the transistor. It ensures that the transistor
operates in its active region, allowing it to conduct a constant DC current.
IV. Output Signal (Vout): The amplified output signal is taken from the collector (C)
terminal with respect to the emitter (E). This is where the amplified AC component of
the input signal is found.
 Working:
I. Biasing: The biasing network sets the DC voltage at the base-emitter junction (VBE) to
forward-bias the transistor. This biasing ensures that the transistor remains "on" and
conducts a constant collector current (IC) even when there's no input signal.

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 II. Transistor Action: When an AC input signal (Vin) is applied to the base-emitter
junction, it modulates the forward biasing of the transistor. As the input signal varies, it
causes variations in the base current (IB).
III. Amplification: The transistor's property amplifies these variations in the base current,
resulting in proportional variations in the collector current (IC). This amplification
process occurs because the transistor has a current gain known as "beta" (β), which
represents the ratio of IC to IB. Typically, β is much greater than 1.
IV. Output Voltage (Vout): The collector current variations lead to variations in the
collector-emitter voltage (VCE). The amplified output signal (Vout) is developed across
the collector resistor (RC).
 Applications:
I. Audio Amplification
II. Microphone Preamplifiers
III. Light Sensing Applications
IV. Signal Processing

2. Common Base:
 Definition:

A Common Base Amplifier is a type of bipolar junction transistor (BJT) amplifier circuit
configuration used in electronics to amplify weak AC signals. It is called a "common base"
amplifier because the base terminal of the transistor is a common terminal for both the input
and output signals.

 Key Components:
I. NPN Transistor: A Common Base Amplifier typically uses an NPN transistor. The
emitter (E) is connected to the input source, the collector (C) is connected to the supply
voltage, and the base (B) is common to both input and output.
II. Input Signal (Vin): The input signal, which is usually an AC voltage or current, is
applied between the emitter (E) and base (B) terminals of the transistor.

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III. Biasing Network: A biasing network consisting of resistors and/or voltage sources is
used to establish the DC operating point of the transistor. This network ensures that the
transistor remains in its active region and conducts a constant collector current (IC).
IV. Output Signal (Iout): The output signal represents the amplified current variations in
the collector circuit. It is typically measured in terms of the collector current (IC).
 Working:
I. Biasing: The biasing network sets the DC voltage at the emitter-base junction (VBE) to
forward-bias the transistor. This biasing ensures that the transistor operates in its active
region, allowing it to conduct a constant DC current (IC).
II. Transistor Action: When an AC input signal (Vin) is applied to the emitter-base
junction, it modulates the forward biasing of the transistor. As the input signal varies, it
causes variations in the emitter current (IE).
III. Amplification: The transistor's property amplifies these variations in the emitter
current, resulting in proportional variations in the collector current (IC). This
amplification process occurs because the transistor has a current gain known as "alpha"
(α), which represents the ratio of IC to IE. Typically, α is less than 1.
IV. Output Current (Iout): The amplified output current (Iout) represents the variations in
IC, which is the current flowing from the collector to the supply voltage.
 Circuit Diagram:

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  Applications:
I. Wideband Amplification.
II. High-Frequency Amplification.
III. Ultrasonic Amplification.
IV. Ultraviolet Amplification.

3. Common Collector:
 Definition:

The Common Collector Amplifier is another type of bipolar junction transistor, (BJT)
configuration where the input signal is applied to the base terminal and the output signal taken
from the emitter terminal.

 Circuit Diagram:

 Key Components:
I. Bipolar junction transistor (BJT): A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is used in the
common collector configuration.
II. Input source: The signal you want to amplify is applied to the base-emitter (BE)
junction.
III. DC power supply (Vcc): Provides the collector current (IC) and establishes the
collector-emitter voltage (VCE).

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IV. Load resistor (RL): Connected between the collector and the positive supply, it
receives the amplified output signal (Vout).
V. Collector resistor (RC): Sometimes included for biasing purposes.
 Working:
I. Biasing: Proper biasing is essential to set the transistor in its active region of operation.
It ensures that the transistor remains "on" and conducts current even in the absence of
an input signal. Biasing can be achieved by applying a suitable voltage to the base-
emitter junction and setting the DC operating point.
II. Transistor Operation:
o When an input signal is applied to the base-emitter junction, it modulates the base
current (IB).
o The transistor amplifies this base current and produces a proportionally larger
collector current (IC).
o The collector current flows through the collector resistor (RC) and develops a
voltage across it.
III. Output Signal (Vout):
o The voltage developed across the collector resistor (RC) is the amplified output
signal (Vout).
o Importantly, Vout closely follows the input signal but is at a lower impedance level.
 Applications:
I. Impedance Matching
II. Voltage Level Shifting
III. Transmitting Antenna Matching
IV. Voltage Regulation

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