Title of the experiment: Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT): Study of Single Stage

Transistor Common Emitter Amplifier.

Abstract:
This experiment focuses on the design, analysis, and performance evaluation of a single-stage
common-emitter (CE) amplifier using a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT). The common-
emitter configuration is widely used for its ability to provide significant voltage gain, making
it a cornerstone in analog electronics. The study involves biasing the BJT in its active region
to ensure linear amplification, determining key parameters such as input impedance, output
impedance, voltage gain, and frequency response. Experimental procedures include circuit
assembly, measurement of AC and DC characteristics, and performance analysis under
varying load and signal conditions. The aim of the ac analysis is to determine the Q point of a
common emitter configuration which will ensure an undistorted amplification of a signal. In
this regard a Dc analysis will be performed to adjust Q at a suitable location on the
characteristic curve.

Theory and Methodology:

The most common circuit configuration for an NPN transistor is that of the Common Emitter
Amplifier and that a family of curves known commonly as the Output Characteristics Curves,
relates the Collector current (IC), to the output or Collector voltage (VCE), for different
values of Base current (IB). All types of transistor amplifiers operate using AC signal inputs
which alternate between a positive value and a negative value. Presetting the amplifier circuit
to operate between these two maximum or peak values is achieved using a process known as
Biasing. Biasing is very important in amplifier design as it establishes the correct operating
point of the transistor amplifier ready to receive signals, thereby reducing any distortion to
the output signal.

The single stage common emitter amplifier circuit shown below uses what is commonly
called "Voltage Divider Biasing". The Base voltage (VB) can be easily calculated using the
simple voltage divider formula below:

v CC R2
v B=
R1 + R2

Thus, the base voltage is fixed by biasing and independent of base current provided the
current in the divider circuit is large compared to the base current. Thus, assuming IB ≈0, one
can do the approximate analysis of the voltage divider network without using the transistor
gain, β, in the calculation. Note that the approximate approach can be applied with a high
degree of accuracy when the following condition is satisfied: βRE ≥ 10R2.

Fig. 1: Circuit diagram for an npn transistor-based common emitter amplifier

Load line and Q-Point:

A static or DC load line can be drawn onto the output characteristics curves of the transistor

(
to show all the possible operating points of the transistor from fully "ON” I c =
v cc
)
( Rc + R E )
to

fully "OFF" ( I c = 0). The quiescent operating point or Q-point is a point on this load line
which represents the values of IC and VCE that exist in the circuit when no input signal is
applied. Knowing VB, IC and VCE can be calculated to locate the operating point of the
circuit as follows:

vE
So, the emitter current, I E =I c = and v E =v B −v BE
RE

v CE=V c⋅ c −I c ( Rċ + R E )

It can be noted here that the sequence of calculation does not need the knowledge of β and IB
is not calculated. So, the Q-point is stable against any replacement of the transistor. Since the
aim of any small signal amplifier is to generate an amplified input signal at the output with
minimum distortion possible, the best position for this Q-point is as close to the center
position of the load line as reasonably possible, thereby producing a Class A type amplifier
operation,

1
i. e. v CE= v cc.
2

Coupling and Bypass Capacitors:

In CE amplifier circuits, capacitors C1 and C2 are used as Coupling Capacitors to separate

the AC signals from the DC biasing voltage. The capacitors will only pass AC signals and
block any DC component. Thus, they allow coupling of the AC signal into an amplifier stage
without disturbing its Q point. The output AC signal is then superimposed on the biasing of
the following stages. Also, a bypass capacitor, CE, is included in the Emitter leg circuit. This
capacitor is an open circuit component for DC bias, meaning that the biasing currents and
voltages are not affected by the addition of the capacitor maintaining a good Q-point stability.
However, this bypass capacitor acts as a short circuit path across the emitter resistor at high
frequency signals increasing the voltage gain to its maximum. Generally, the value of the
bypass capacitor, CE is chosen to provide a reactance of at most, 1/10th the value of RE at
the lowest operating signal frequency.

Amplifier Operation:

Once the Q-point is fixed through DC bias, an AC signal is applied at the input using
coupling capacitor C1. During positive half cycle of the signal VBE increases leading to
increased IB. Therefore, IC increases by β times leading to decrease in the output voltage,
VCE. Thus, the CE amplifier produces an amplified output with a phase reversal. The voltage
Gain of the common emitter amplifier is equal to the ratio of the change in the output voltage
to the change in the input voltage. Thus,

v 0 Δ v CE
A v= =
v i Δ v BE

The input (Zi) and output (Zo) impedances of the circuit can be computed for the case
when the emitter resistor RE is completely bypassed by the capacitor, CE:

z i=R1‖R2‖ β r e and 𝑍0 = 𝑅𝐶 || r0
Where, re (26mV/IE) and ro are the emitter diode resistance and output dynamic resistance
(can be determined from output characteristics of transistor). Usually r o≥10 RC, thus the
gain can be approximated as

The negative sign accounts for the phase reversal at the output. In the circuit diagram
provided below, the emitter resistor is split into two in order to reduce the gain to avoid
distortion. So, the expression for gain is modified as,

Apparatus:

No. Apparatus Quantity

1 Transistor (C828) 1

2 Resistance (RB,POT =0-500kΩ ,RL,POT =0-100kΩ, RC = 1 for each

470Ω RE = 560Ω ,R = 33 kΩ ,RB2 = 3.3 kΩ)

3 Project Board 1

4 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) 1

5 Multimeter 1

6 Signal Generator 1

7 100μF Capacitor 1

8 Probes 2
 9 Power Supply Cable 2

Equipment picture:

Circuit Diagram:
 Fig. 3: Single Stage CE Amplifier

Experimental Procedure:
Experimental Procedures:
1. Measured the actual values of the base, emitter, and collector resistors.
2. Identified the terminals of the transistor and measure the value of Beta (β).
3. Connected the circuit and connect the microammeter and milliammeter as shown in Fig.
3.
4. Connected the multimeter (voltmeter mode) to measure the base resistance voltage (VB)
and input voltage (VBE).
5. Turned on both the DC power supply with the voltage control nob at 0 V and then set the
collector supply voltage, VCC to 15 V.
6. Then,adjusted the 500 kΩ potentiometer until the collector-to-emitter voltage, VCE is
approximately equal to the half of the collector supply voltage, VCC that is, VCE = VCC/2.
7. Measured collector-to-emitter voltage, VCE, base-to-emitter voltage, VBE, base current, IB,
emitter current, IE, and collector current, IC. Calculate the based current, IB from the
collector current, IC using the value of β. Recorded the measured values in Table 1.
8. Then, fed a sinusoidal AC signal of 1 kHz at the input with 10 mV peak value as shown
in Fig. 3.
9. Observed the input and output signals on the oscilloscope screen in DUAL mode.
10. Increased the input signal till the output wave shape starts getting distorted. Measured
this input signal. This is the maximum input signal that the amplifier can amplify without
any distortion.
11. Then fed an AC signal that is less than the maximum signal handling capacity of the
amplifier. Fixed the input signal frequency at 1 kHz, Drew the input and output voltage
wave shape, and calculate the voltage gain, AV.
12. Connectd a potentiometer (0-100 kΩ) as the load resistor, vary the potentiometer knob,
and measure the output voltages for each case. Recorded them in Table 2. Also, find the
voltage gain, AV of the amplifier for each case.
13. Computed the voltage gain, AV of the amplifier circuit for each case in decibels (𝐴𝑉,𝑑𝐵 =
20𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝐴𝑉). 14. Recorded the images of the hardware and simulation circuit diagrams as
well as various wave shapes.
15. Turned off the DC power supply, function generator, and oscilloscope.

Data Table:
Table-1: Measured data of the voltage divider bias circuit, operating point, and transistor
parameter
VCC β VCE VBE IB IC IE
15V 135 7.8V 0.7V 0.5µA 7.11mA 7mA

Table 2 Measured data of the voltage gain of the amplifier circuit against the load resistances.

𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡
Gain,
Gain in dB
𝐴𝑣 =
Load Resistor,
𝐴𝑉,𝑑𝐵= 20𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝐴𝑉
Input voltage, Output Voltage,

𝑉𝑖𝑛
RL (k) Vi (mV) Vo (V)

3.3

4.7

5.6

8.2

10

20

33

47

75

90

100

Result and Discussion:

Experimental results are based on real experimental results, which is the primary distinction
between experimental and theoretical outcomes. Conversely, the theoretical result is
predicated on plausible, assumption-based outcomes. The formula has also been modified.
Additionally, an experiment is conducted to learn from the experimental outcome; however,
the theoretical result does not reflect this. The transistor amplifier's DC signal is turned off
via capacitors. The purpose of resistors is to limit the current flow.

Questions:

1.Show the difference between your simulated and measured values. Comment on the
results and interpret the experimental and simulation data.

2.From the obtained data, draw the load characteristic curve of the voltage gain in dB
(𝐴𝑉,𝑑𝐵) vs. the load resistance (RL) for a BJT common emitter (CE) amplifier circuit.

3.Explain the behavior of the CE amplifier circuit in the active, saturation, and cut-off
regions of operation.

4.Determine the BJT parameters from the data sheet. Compare it with the experimental
values.

5.Why biasing is necessary for BJT amplifier circuit?

6.Why do we need all the capacitors and resistors shown in the circuit? Explain with
necessary equations.

7.Give your suggestions regarding this experiment.

8.Discuss the overall aspects of the experiment. Did your results match the expected
ones? If not, explain.

Conclusion:
The primary distinction between experimental and theoretical results is that experimental
results are based on actual experimental results. The theoretical result, on the other hand, is
based on conceivable outcomes based on assumptions. The formula has also changed.
Additionally, an experiment is conducted to learn from the experimental outcome; however,
the theoretical result does not reflect this. Capacitors are used to cut off the DC signal in the
transistor amplifier. Resistors are used to limit the flow of current.

References:

 American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) Electronic

Devices Lab Manual.

 A.S. Sedra, K.C. Smith, “Microelectronic Circuits,” Oxford University

Press (1998).

 J. Keown, ORCAD PSpice and Circuit Analysis, Prentice Hall Press (2001)

 P. Horowitz, W. Hill, “The Art of Electronics,” Cambridge University

Press (1989).