Analogue

Electronics
(15B11EC411)
Lecture 8: Low Frequency Response
of CE Amplifier
Table of Contents
• Amplifier Frequency Response
• Frequency Response of CE Amplifier
• Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
• Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
• Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
• Frequency Response of CE Amplifier- All capacitors
• Amplifier Frequency Response- Summary
 Amplifier Frequency Response
We have assumed till this point that gain of amplifier is independent of frequency

That is BJT amplifier have infinite bandwidth

But that is not true
𝑣𝑜
Gain is a function of frequency and when plotted against in dB, the curve 𝐺 𝑑𝐵 =
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔
looks like
Amplifier Frequency Response
Gain is nearly constant over the mid-band region so that mid-band remains in the
operating frequency band
Here, low-frequency band
And high-frequency band

Then,

As,

Then,

Figure-of-merit for the amplifier is its gain-bandwidth product

Defined as:𝐺𝐵=¿ 𝐴𝑀 ∨ 𝐵𝑊
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier

Here, are the coupling capacitors and is the

bypass capacitor

We will neglect the effect of to keep the analysis

simple

We will also take another approximation by taking

only one capacitor at a time
 Frequency Response of CE Amplifier
Now, preparing circuit for small signal analysis 1. Taking into consideration and
neglecting and
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
1. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

Capacitor in the circuit will be handled using Laplace transform

𝑅𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋
Now, 𝑣 𝜋= 𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔
1
𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 +
𝑠 𝐶𝐶 1

And 𝑣 𝑜 =−𝑔 𝑚 𝑣 𝜋 ( 𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )

Then, 𝑣𝑜 𝑔𝑚 ( 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 ) ( 𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )
=−
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1
𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑔 +
𝑠 𝐶𝐶 1

Now, we can compare the equation with normal RC circuit then

 Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
1. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

Now, we can compare the equation with normal RC circuit

then

and For low-pass

Then, and For high-pass

𝑣𝑜 1
=−𝑔 𝑚 ( 𝑅 𝐵∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 )( 𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1
𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 +
𝑠 𝐶𝐶 1

𝑣𝑜 𝑔𝑚 ( 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 )( 𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 ) 1 𝑔 𝑚 ( 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 )( 𝑅 𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 ) 𝑠
=− =−
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1
1+ 𝑠+
𝑠 𝐶 𝐶1 ( 𝑅 𝐵∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑔 ) 𝐶 𝐶1 ( 𝑅 𝐵∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑔 )
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
1. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

From eqn. we can write 𝑔𝑚 ( 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 )( 𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )

𝐴𝑀 =−
𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 +𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔
And,

We know, and Then

1
𝜔 𝑝1 =
𝐶 𝐶1 (𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑔 )

i.e. capacitor will roll-off the gain at lower frequency at the rate of 6db/octave or 20
dB/decade
𝜔𝑝1
The 3-dB frequency 𝑓 𝑝 1=
2𝜋
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
1. Taking into consideration and neglecting and
𝑣𝑜 𝑔𝑚 ( 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 ) ( 𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 ) 𝑠 𝑠
=− = 𝐴𝑀
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1 𝑠 +𝜔 𝑝1
𝑠+
𝐶 𝐶 1 (𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑟 𝜋 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 )
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
2. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

Using T-model to find the small signal equivalent model

In T-model and will remain in series

Now, applying Thevenin theorem to find

First and

Now, 𝑣𝜋 𝑣 𝑡h 1
𝐼 𝐵= = , 𝑅𝑖𝑛 =( 𝛽 +1)(𝑟 𝑒 + )
𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝑅 𝑖𝑛 + 𝑅𝑡h where 𝑠 𝐶 𝐸

Substituting,
𝑣𝜋 𝑅𝐵 𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔
𝐼 𝐵= =
𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝑅 𝐵 + 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑔 1
𝑅 𝐵∨¿ 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑔 +( 𝛽+1)(𝑟 𝑒+ )
𝑠𝐶𝐸
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
2. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

𝑣𝜋 𝑅𝐵 𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔
𝐼 𝑏= =
𝑅 𝑖𝑛 𝑅 𝐵 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1
𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 +( 𝛽 +1) (𝑟 𝑒 + )
𝑠 𝐶𝐸
Now, we know

And, then, 𝑣 𝑜 =− 𝛽 𝐼 𝑏 (𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )

𝑅𝐵 𝛽( 𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )
𝑣 0 =− 𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔
𝑅 𝐵 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1
𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 +( 𝛽 +1)(𝑟 𝑒 + )
𝑠 𝐶𝐸

𝑣0 𝑅𝐵 𝛽 ( 𝑅 𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )
=−
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1
𝑅 𝐵∨¿ 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 +( 𝛽+ 1)( 𝑟 𝑒 + )
𝑠 𝐶𝐸
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
2. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

𝑣0 𝑅𝐵 𝛽 ( 𝑅 𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )
=−
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1
𝑅 𝐵∨¿ 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 +( 𝛽+ 1)( 𝑟 𝑒 + )
𝑠 𝐶𝐸

Can be written as,

𝑣0 𝑅𝐵 𝛽( 𝑅𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 ) 𝑠
=−
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵∨¿ 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 +( 𝛽+ 1) 𝑟 𝑒 1
𝑠+
𝐶𝐸 ( 𝑟 𝑒+
𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔
𝛽+1 )
Also matches with STC high pass circuits

i.e. causes gain to roll off at 6 dB/Octave with a 3-dB

frequency
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
2. Taking into consideration and neglecting and
1
Hence, 𝜔𝑝 =
( 𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔
)
2

𝐶 𝐸 𝑟 𝑒+
𝛽+1
Here,

Is the resistance seen

between
terminals of for
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
3. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵 ¿∨𝑅 𝜋
Her 𝑣 𝜋=
𝑅 𝐵 ¿∨𝑅 𝜋 +𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔
e,

And 𝑣 𝑜 =−𝑔 𝑚 𝑣 𝜋
( 𝑅 𝐶+
1
)
𝑠 𝐶𝑐 2
𝑅𝐿

1
, 𝑅𝐶 + + 𝑅𝐿
𝑠 𝐶 𝑐2
𝑅𝐶 𝑅 𝐿 1
𝑣 𝑜 =−𝑔 𝑚 𝑣 𝜋 ( + )
1 𝑠 𝐶𝑐 2
𝑅 𝐶+ + 𝑅𝐿
𝑠 𝐶𝑐 2 1
𝑅𝐶 + + 𝑅𝐿
𝑠 𝐶𝑐 2

𝑣 𝑜 =− 𝑔 𝑚 𝑣 𝜋 ¿
1 1
Now 𝜔 𝑝 3= =
𝜏 𝐶𝑐 2 ( 𝑅 𝐶 + 𝑅 𝐿)
,
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
3. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

1 1
For 𝜔 𝑝 3= =
𝜏 𝐶𝑐 2 ( 𝑅 𝐶 + 𝑅 𝐿)
,

𝑠 1
𝑣 𝑜 =−𝑔 𝑚 𝑣 𝜋 ( 𝑅 ¿ 𝐶∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 + )¿
¿ 𝑠 +𝜔𝑝 3 𝑠
+1
𝜔 𝑝3

Taking HPC into consideration only

𝑠
Then, 𝑣 𝑜 =−𝑔 𝑚 𝑣 𝜋 ( 𝑅 ¿ ¿ 𝐶∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿 )¿
𝑠+𝜔𝑝 3

Substitutin
g, 𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵 ¿∨𝑅 𝜋
𝑣 𝜋=
𝑅 𝐵 ¿∨𝑅 𝜋 +𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
3. Taking into consideration and neglecting and

𝑣𝑜 𝑅 𝐵 ¿∨ 𝑅 𝜋 𝑠
=−𝑔 𝑚 𝑅 𝐶 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝐿
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑅 𝐵 ¿∨𝑅 𝜋 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑠+ 𝜔𝑝 3
Now for
1 1
𝜔 𝑝 3= 𝑓 𝑝 3=
𝐶 𝑐 2 ( 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅 𝐿 ) 2 𝜋 𝐶 𝑐 2 ( 𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅 𝐿 )

And resistance seen across the capacitance for

𝑅 𝑐2 =𝑅𝐶 + 𝑅 𝐿
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
All capacitors
4. Taking case when all capacitors are present
CASE They do not interact
-I 𝑣 𝑜 𝑠 𝑠 𝑠
=− 𝐴 𝑀 ( )( )( ) This transfer function has three poles
𝑣 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑠 +𝜔 𝑝 1 𝑠+ 𝜔 𝑝 2 𝑠+ 𝜔𝑝 3

If poles are distinct and widely

separated then their effect can be
seen
3-dB frequency is defined by
highest of the three and in general
which is a pole caused by

As the resistance seen by is very

small
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
All capacitors
4. Taking case when all capacitors are present

CASE-II If they are close together then we have to calculate

And taking the assumption we have taken already that capacitances are non-
interactive

Solving poles together with taking assumption is not justified to perform

complex mathematics
Frequency Response of CE Amplifier-
All capacitors
4. Taking case when all capacitors are present

CASE-IIIIn this case assuming that capacitors are interacting with one another

In general and interacts and hence and differs from the what we calculated
earlier

And can be written as: 𝑓 𝐿 =

1
[ 1
+
1
+
1
2 𝜋 𝐶𝑐 1 𝑅𝑐 1 𝐶 𝐸 𝑅𝐸 ′ 𝐶𝑐 2 𝑅𝑐 2 ]
i.e.
Amplifier Frequency Response-
Summary
Frequency response of an amplifier is the graph of
its gain versus the frequency.
𝐴 𝑚𝑖𝑑For below midband
𝐴=
Cutoff frequencies : the frequencies at which the
√ 1+ ( 𝑓 1 / 𝑓 ) 2

voltage gain equals 0.707 of its maximum value.

Midband : the band of frequencies between 10fL

and 0.1fH where the voltage gain is maximum. The
region where coupling & bypass capacitors act as
short circuits and the stray capacitance and
transistor capacitance effects act as open circuits.

Bandwidth : the band between upper and lower

cutoff frequencies Outside the midband, the
voltage gain can be determined by these 𝐴 𝑚𝑖𝑑
equations: For above midband 𝐴=
√ 2
1+ ( 𝑓 / 𝑓 2 )
Amplifier Frequency Response-
Summary
Critical frequency a.k.a the cutoff frequency

The frequency at which output power drops by 3 dB. [in real number, 0.5 of it’s
midrange value.]

An output voltage drop of 3dB represents about a 0.707 drop from the midrange value
in real number.
Power is often measured in units of dBm. This is decibels with reference to 1mW of power.
[0 dBm = 1mW], where;

10 log ( 1 mW
1 mW)=0 dBm .
Gain-bandwidth product : constant value of the product of the voltage gain and the
bandwidth.

Unity-gain frequency : the frequency at which the amplifier’s gain is 1

Example
We wish to select appropriate values for and for the common-emitter amplifier, which
has , , , , , , and . It is required to have

First calculate the resistances seen by all three capacitors

𝑅 𝑐 =¿ ¿ 100 ×2.5 +5 ¿ 7.44 𝐾 Ω

1
100+ 2.5

𝑅 𝐵 ∨¿ 𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑔 1 100∨¿ 5
𝑅 𝐸 =𝑟 𝑒 + ¿
𝑔𝑚
+
10 1 ¿ 72 Ω
𝛽 +1

𝑅 𝑐 =𝑅 𝐶 + 𝑅 𝐿=13 𝐾 Ω
2
We can see that will see the minimum
resistance:
is 103.33 times smaller than the resistance seen
by
is 180.5 times smaller than the resistance seen by

1 1
By seeing: 𝜔= = will contribute the majorly for the value of ranging in
𝜏 𝑅𝐶

Nearest available value Nearest available value Nearest available value

Next we can determine the values of and from the remaining

For

Nearest available value Nearest available value

For

Nearest available value Nearest available value

 Reference
1. Sedra, Smith, Microelectronics Circuits, Sixth Edition, Oxford.