BJT CC and CB Circuits

NAME: Uzodinma Maryjane Akunna

MATRIC NUMBER: 23120211038

COURSE CODE: PAU-EEE 313

COURSE TITLE: Laboratory Practicals 1

GROUP NUMBER: 1

GROUP MEMBERS: Nasiru Saleem

Ojo Ayandolapo

INSTRUCTOR’S NAMES:
Dr. Jeremiah Bandele
Mr. Ekene Igwebuobi
Mr. Anthony Achike

SUBMISSION DATE: Sunday 10th of November 2024

Aim and Objectives
Investigating the properties and behaviour of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) in both
common-collector (CC) and common-base (CB) configurations was the goal of this investigation.

Objectives
1. Construct BJT common-collector and common-base circuits.
2. Examine the DC and AC performance of each circuit.
3. Determine and analyse the voltage gain, input impedance, and output impedance of the CC and CB
configurations.
4. Compare experimental results with theoretical calculations.

Introduction
In electronic circuits, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are frequently employed as switches and
amplifiers. Designing circuits with particular amplification and impedance needs requires an
understanding of how they behave in various configurations. Two configurations were investigated
in this experiment:

The emitter-follower, or common-collector (CC), is frequently used for impedance matching

because of its low output impedance and high input impedance, which results in a voltage gain that
is nearly equal to unity.

Compared to CC, Common-Base (CB) usually has a higher voltage gain and a lower input
impedance.

To ascertain AC properties such as input impedance, output impedance, and voltage gain,
small-signal analysis was used. The behaviour of a BJT when an AC signal is delivered while the
transistor is still in its active area is examined in the small-signal analysis.

Materials and Methods

● DC Power Supply (0 to 20V)
● Multimeter
● Oscilloscope
● Signal Generator
● Resistors: 56Ω, 120Ω, 910Ω, 1 KΩ, 1.2 KΩ, 3.9 KΩ, 4.7 KΩ (x2), 15KΩ, 27KΩ, 56KΩ, 68KΩ,
82KΩ
● Capacitors: 0.33µF, 10µF, 220µF (15 V)
● Low-current npn BJT (BC548)
● Breadboard
Procedure

Experiment 1: Common-Collector (CC) Circuit (Emitter Follower):

Fig. 1: Common-collector test circuit

As seen by the circuit schematic, the process started with building the common-collector circuit on a
breadboard. The DC voltages were measured at three critical points: VB = 5.33V, VE = 4.71V, and VC
= 12.05V. The power supply was adjusted at VCC at 12V.

After setting the frequency to 3.14 kHz and adjusting the amplitude to yield a 0.5 V output, the input
and output waveforms were monitored using an oscilloscope and signal generator. Peak input and
output voltages of 0.504 V and 0.473 V, respectively, were noted.

A 27 kΩ resistor was connected in series with the input and adjusted until the output amplitude was
half, yielding an input impedance of 26.9 kΩ, which was used to measure the input impedance Zi.

An output impedance of 37Ω was obtained by connecting a 56Ω resistor in parallel with the load
and adjusting the input amplitude to obtain the highest undistorted output for the output
impedance Zo.
Experiment 2: Common-Base (CB) Circuit:

Fig. 2: Common-base test circuit

By changing the connections as indicated in the common-base circuit schematic, the

common-collector circuit was transformed into a common-base configuration. The DC voltages at
the base, emitter, and collector were measured, and the power supply was adjusted to 12V. With
sporadic changes up to 8.10 V, the observed values were VB = 5.27V, VE = 4.66V, and VC = 3.81V.

An oscilloscope was then connected to the signal generator so that the waveforms could be seen. A 1
V output was obtained by adjusting the amplitude and setting the frequency to 3 kHz. Peak voltage
readings for the input and output were 1.07 V and 9.97 V, respectively.
To determine the input impedance Zi, connect a 56Ω resistor in series with the input and adjust
until the output amplitude is reduced by half. The resulting input impedance was 1.42 kΩ. To adjust
the output impedance Zo, a 15 kΩ resistor was briefly used instead of RL. Adjustments were done
until the output amplitude was half, yielding an output impedance with a peak of roughly 9.11 V.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints, the output impedance of the collector base was not
measured.
Results:

Parameter Common-Collector Common-Base

Base Voltage (VB) 5.33 V 5.27 V

Emitter Voltage (VE) 4.71 V 4.66 V

Collector Voltage (VC) 12.05 V 3.81 V

Input Peak Voltage 0.504 V 1.07 V

Output Peak Voltage 0.473 V 9.97 V

Input Impedance (Zi) 26.9 kΩ 1.42 kΩ

Output Impedance (Zo) 37 Ω N/A

Voltage gain(Av) - 0.969 V 143.2 V

Theoretical

Voltage gain(Av) - Measured 0.94 V 9.32 V

Input Impedance (Zi) 247.368kΩ N/A

Theoretical

Output Impedance N/A 3.72kΩ

(Zo)Theoretical
Fig 3: The input and output waveforms for a Common Collector Test Circuit

Fig 4: The input and output waveforms for a Common Collector Test Circuit
Discussion
The voltage gain in the common-collector design was near unity, as expected for an emitter-follower
circuit. This arrangement had a high input impedance and a low output impedance, which was
suitable for impedance matching in amplifier stages. The measured

Zi (26.9 kΩ) and Zo (37 Ω) were consistent with the expected results.

The common-base arrangement had a high voltage gain but a much lower input impedance

(1.42 kΩ). This arrangement is usually utilized in applications that require high-frequency stability
and gain but have a low input impedance. Unfortunately, we were unable to measure the output
impedance because we ran out of time during the experiment.

In summary, the experimental results closely matched the theoretical values.

Any outliers could be due to component tolerances, measurement inaccuracies, or limitations of the
testing equipment.

Conclusion

The studies successfully revealed the distinct properties of common-collector and common-base
BJT circuits. The common-collector circuit, with its low output impedance and high input
impedance, is ideal for impedance matching, whereas the common-base circuit offers higher voltage
gain at the tradeoff of low input impedance. These findings support the theoretical understanding of
BJT designs, with results that nearly match expected values.
This must be because our common collector's input and output impedance values do not appear to
entirely adhere to the standard, as our input impedance is lower than our output impedance.

Appendix (Analysis):

Theoretical calculations for Common Collector circuit:

Zi = 247.368kΩ
Av = 0.969V
Theoretical calculations for Common Base circuit:

Zo = 3.72kΩ
Av = 143.2V
Voltage Gain

● CC Circuit: Because this is an emitter follower, the voltage gain should be near to 1.
According to the data, the measured gain is 0.94V, which is consistent with theoretical
expectations of 0.969V.
● The CB circuit typically delivers a moderate voltage gain due to the direct coupling
between the emitter input and the collector output. The measured gain is 9.32 volts.

Input Impedance (Zi​)

● The base-emitter junction causes a CC circuit to have a high input impedance. The
measured input impedance was 26.9 kΩ, consistent with the expected behaviour.
● CB Circuit: A CB circuit's input impedance is low because the input signal is applied to
the emitter, resulting in a lower impedance path. The observed input impedance is
1.42kΩ.

Output Impedance (Zo​)

● CC Circuit: The CC circuit's output impedance is usually low, making it useful for
driving loads. The measured output impedance was 37Ω.
● CB Circuit: The CB circuit's output impedance is higher due to the collector connection
at the output. The measured output impedance was not measured.

References
1. Boylestad, R. L., & Nashelsky, L. (2015). Electronic devices and circuit theory (11th ed.).
Pearson Education.
2. Sedra, A. S., & Smith, K. C. (2010). Microelectronic circuits (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
3. Horowitz, P., & Hill, W. (2015). The art of electronics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.