Transistor biasing is crucial for ensuring proper operation of transistors as linear amplifiers by establishing a stable Quiescent Operating Point (Q-point). Various biasing methods, including fixed bias, collector feedback bias, and voltage divider bias, are used to maintain the correct operating conditions, with each method offering different levels of stability and dependence on transistor characteristics. The ultimate goal of biasing is to achieve an efficient and undistorted output signal while accommodating variations in transistor beta and temperature.
Transistor biasing is crucial for ensuring proper operation of transistors as linear amplifiers by establishing a stable Quiescent Operating Point (Q-point). Various biasing methods, including fixed bias, collector feedback bias, and voltage divider bias, are used to maintain the correct operating conditions, with each method offering different levels of stability and dependence on transistor characteristics. The ultimate goal of biasing is to achieve an efficient and undistorted output signal while accommodating variations in transistor beta and temperature.
Transistor biasing is crucial for ensuring proper operation of transistors as linear amplifiers by establishing a stable Quiescent Operating Point (Q-point). Various biasing methods, including fixed bias, collector feedback bias, and voltage divider bias, are used to maintain the correct operating conditions, with each method offering different levels of stability and dependence on transistor characteristics. The ultimate goal of biasing is to achieve an efficient and undistorted output signal while accommodating variations in transistor beta and temperature.
Transistor biasing is crucial for ensuring proper operation of transistors as linear amplifiers by establishing a stable Quiescent Operating Point (Q-point). Various biasing methods, including fixed bias, collector feedback bias, and voltage divider bias, are used to maintain the correct operating conditions, with each method offering different levels of stability and dependence on transistor characteristics. The ultimate goal of biasing is to achieve an efficient and undistorted output signal while accommodating variations in transistor beta and temperature.
The steady state operation of a transistor depends a great deal on its base current, collector voltage, and collector current values and therefore, if the transistor is to operate correctly as a linear amplifier, it must be properly biased around its operating point. Establishing the correct operating point requires the selection of bias resistors and load resistors to provide the appropriate input current and collector voltage conditions. The correct biasing point for a bipolar transistor, either NPN or PNP, generally lies somewhere between the two extremes of operation with respect to it being either “fully- ON” or “fully-OFF” along its DC load line. This central operating point is called the “Quiescent Operating Point”, or Q-point for short. When a bipolar transistor is biased so that the Q-point is near the middle of its operating range, that is approximately halfway between cut-off and saturation, it is said to be operating as a Class-A amplifier. This mode of operation allows the output voltage to increase and decrease around the amplifiers Q-point without distortion as the input signal swings through one complete cycle. In other words, the output is available for the full 360o of the input cycle. 1. Fixed Bias
The circuit shown is called as a “fixed base bias circuit”, because the transistors base current, IB remains constant for given values of Vcc, and therefore the transistors operating point must also remain fixed. This two resistor biasing network is used to establish the initial operating region of the transistor using a fixed current bias. This type of transistor biasing arrangement is also beta dependent biasing as the steady- state condition of operation is a function of the transistors beta β value, so the biasing point will vary over a wide range for transistors of the same type as the characteristics of the transistors will not be exactly the same. The emitter diode of the transistor is forward biased by applying the required positive base bias voltage via the current limiting resistor RB. Assuming a standard bipolar transistor, the forward base-emitter voltage drop would be 0.7V. Then the value of RB is simply: (VCC – VBE)/IB where IB is defined as IC/β. With this single resistor type of biasing arrangement the biasing voltages and currents do not remain stable during transistor operation and can vary enormously. Also the operating temperature of the transistor can adversely affect the operating point.
2. Collector Feedback Biasing a Transistor
This self-biasing collector feedback configuration is another beta dependent biasing
method which requires two resistors to provide the necessary DC bias for the transistor. The collector to base feedback configuration ensures that the transistor is always biased in the active region regardless of the value of Beta (β). The DC base bias voltage is derived from the collector voltage VC, thus providing good stability. In this circuit, the base bias resistor, RB is connected to the transistors collector C, instead of to the supply voltage rail, Vcc. Now if the collector current increases, the collector voltage drops, reducing the base drive and thereby automatically reducing the collector current to keep the transistors Q-point fixed. Therefore this method of collector feedback biasing produces negative feedback round the transistor as there is a direct feedback from the output terminal to the input terminal via resistor, RB. Since the biasing voltage is derived from the voltage drop across the load resistor, RL, if the load current increases there will be a larger voltage drop across RL, and a corresponding reduced collector voltage, VC. This effect will cause a corresponding drop in the base current, IB which in turn, brings IC back to normal. The opposite reaction will also occur when the transistors collector current reduces. Then this method of biasing is called self-biasing with the transistors stability using this type of feedback bias network being generally good for most amplifier designs. 3. Voltage Divider Transistor Biasing
Here the common emitter transistor configuration is biased using a voltage divider network to increase stability. The name of this biasing configuration comes from the fact that the two resistors RB1 and RB2 form a voltage or potential divider network across the supply with their center point junction connected the transistors base terminal as shown. This voltage divider biasing configuration is the most widely used transistor biasing method. The emitter diode of the transistor is forward biased by the voltage value developed across resistor RB2. Also, voltage divider network biasing makes the transistor circuit independent of changes in beta as the biasing voltages set at the transistors base, emitter, and collector terminals are not dependent on external circuit values. To calculate the voltage developed across resistor RB2 and therefore the voltage applied to the base terminal we simply use the voltage divider formula for resistors in series. Generally the voltage drop across resistor RB2 is much less than for resistor RB1. Clearly the transistors base voltage VB with respect to ground, will be equal to the voltage across RB2. The amount of biasing current flowing through resistor RB2 is generally set to 10 times the value of the required base current IB so that it is sufficiently high enough to have no effect on the voltage divider current or changes in Beta. The goal of Transistor Biasing is to establish a known quiescent operating point, or Q- point for the bipolar transistor to work efficiently and produce an undistorted output signal. Correct DC biasing of the transistor also establishes its initial AC operating region with practical biasing circuits using either a two or four-resistor bias network. In bipolar transistor circuits, the Q-point is represented by ( VCE, IC ) for the NPN transistors or ( VEC, IC ) for PNP transistors. The stability of the base bias network and therefore the Q-point is generally assessed by considering the collector current as a function of both Beta (β) and temperature.
