JFET Theory and Applications
JFET Theory and Applications
4.0 Introduction
Like bipolar junction transistor, junction field effect transistor JFET is also a
three-terminal device but it is a unipolar device, which shall mean that the
current is made of either electron or hole carrier.
There are two types of JFET namely n-channel and p-channel. n-channel
type means the carrier type in the conducting channel is electron. Likewise, for
p-channel type, the carrier type in conducting channel is hole.
JFET has three terminals, which are gate G, drain D and source S. The gate
is used to control the flow of carrier from source to drain. Source is the terminal
that emits carrier and the drain is the terminal that receives carrier.
The structures of n-channel and p-channel JFET are shown in Fig. 4.1.
The source and drain are biased according to the channel type or carrier
type. If it is an n-channel JFET (electron as carrier), the source is biased with
negative voltage while the drain is biased with positive voltage. Alternatively, it
can be biased such that the drain voltage V D is greater than the source voltage
VS. i.e. VD > VS.
- 112 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
- 113 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
Between point A and B, it is the ohmic region of the JFET. It is the region where
the voltage and current relationship follows ohm's law. At point B, the drain
current is at maximum for VGS = 0 condition and is defined as IDSS. It is the
pinch-off point, where there is no increase of current as drain-to-source voltage
VDS is further increased. The VDS voltage at this point is called pinch-off voltage
VP. It is also the voltage point where drain-to-gate voltage V DG produces enough
depletion thickness to narrow the channel so that the resistance of the channel
will increase significantly. Since VGS = 0, VDS is also equal to VDG. Thus, in
general the pinch-off voltage Vp is
where VDS(P) is the pinch-off drain-to-source voltage for a VGS value. IDSS and VP
are constant values listed by the manufacturer for a given JFET type, which are
the drain current and pinch-off voltage at gate-to-source voltage VGS = 0.
At ohmic region of the drain characteristic curve for n-channel type follows
equation (4.2a), which is
W
ID = AqNDµnEX = 2bqNDµn VDS (4.2a)
L
where A is the effective cross sectional area of the channel for a given V GS
voltage and b is the effective channel width for a given gate-to-source voltage
and zero drain current. At gate-to-source voltage equals to zero volt i.e. V GS = 0
volt, the effective channel width b is equal to h. Thus, the channel on-resistance
is defined as rDS on( ) = .
2hqNDµn W
Figure 4.6 shows the set-up for obtaining cut-off condition whereby the drain
current ID is equal to zero.
- 115 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
Example 4.1
For the JFET circuit shown in the figure, V P = 8.0V and IDSS = 12.0mA. (a)
Determine the value of VDS when pinch-off begins. (b) If the gate is grounded,
what is the value of ID for VDD = 12.0V when VDS is above pinch-off?
Solution
From the circuit, VGS = -5V and apply equation (4.1),
VDS(P) = VP + VGS
= 8V + (-5V)
= 3V
The VDS voltage when pinch-off occurred is 3.0 V.
When the gate is grounded, VGS = 0V, the drain current ID is equal to IDSS =
12mA. For any value of drain-to-source voltage VDS above pinch-off voltage of
8V, the drain current ID remains as IDSS = 12.0mA. This is true as long as the
drain-to-source voltage VDS is below breakdown voltage.
- 116 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
VGS 2
ID = IDSS 1− (4.3)
VGS off()
∆ID
gm = (4.4)
∆VGS
From the transfer characteristic curve, one will realize that the transconductance
of the device is at maximum when V GS is at zero voltage. The value of g m at VGS
= 0 is always given in the manufacturer data sheet of the device, which is
- 117 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
denoted as gm0. If gm0 is given, gm for a given VGS can be calculated from
equation (4.5).
VGS
gm = gm0 1− (4.5)
VGS off()
dI 2I V
gm = D =− DSS 1−
GS (4.6)
dVGS VGS Off( ) VGS off()
2IDSS
gm0 = − (4.7)
VGS off(
)
Thus, given the values of IDSS and VGS(off), the transconductance of the device at
VGS = 0 can be determined.
Thus, the transconductance gm of JFET for a given drain current ID value, can be
obtained.
Since the gate of JFET is reverse-biased, the input impedance is very high. This
is one advantage of JFET over bipolar junction transistor. In JFET data sheet,
the input impedance is given by gate reverse current I GSS for a given gate-source
voltage VGS. Thus, input impedance can be expressed as
VGS
RIN gate() = (4.9)
IGSS
- 118 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
The purpose of biasing the device is to select the right dc gate-to-source voltage
for the JFET in order to establish a desired value of drain current. Listed here
are some standard methods.
4.3.1 Self-Biasing of JFET
The self-biasing circuits for n-channel and p-channel JFET are shown in Fig.
4.8. The gate of the JFET is connected to the ground via a gate resistor RG.
The gate voltage VG is closed to zero since the voltage dropped across RG by
IGSS can be ignored. Thus,
VGS = VG - VS (4.10)
VGS = 0V - IDRS
and
- 119 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
VDS = VD -VS
= VDD - IDRD -IDRS
= VDD - ID(RD + RS) (4.11)
As mentioned earlier, the purpose of biasing is to select the right dc gate-source
voltage for the JFET to establish a desired value of drain current. Once it is
established. The source resistance RS can be calculated using equation (4.12).
VGS
RS = (4.12)
ID
Example 4.2
Determine the value of RS required to self-bias an n-channel JFET with IDSS =
25mA, VGS(off) = -10V, VGS = -5V and its transconductance gm.
Solution
Drain current ID at gate-to-source VGS = -5V is
VGS 2 −5V 2
ID = IDSS 1− GS off() = 25mA1− −10V = 625. mA
V
VGS 5V
RS = = = 800Ω
ID 625.mA
2IDSS 2 25xmA
Transconductance gm at VGS = 0, gm0 = − =− = 5mA / V VGS off( ) −10V
- 120 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
The purpose of midpoint bias is to allow maximum drain current I D swing. From
the drain transfer characteristic curve, the midpoint bias occurred at drain
current ID corresponds to IDSS/2 and at approximately gate-to-source voltage V GS
equals to VGS(off)/4. Indeed when drain current equals to I D = IDSS/2, gate-tosource
voltage is VGS = 0.29 time of gate-to-source cutoff voltage V GS(off). The
illustration is shown in Fig. 4.9.
Figure 4.9: The transfer characteristic curve showing midpoint-bias values for JFET
An n-channel JFET with voltage-divider bias is shown in Fig. 4.10. The voltage
at the source of the JFET must be more positive than the voltage at the gate in
order to keep the gate-source junction reverse-biased.
- 121 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
VS = IDRS (4.13)
R2
VG = VDD (4.14)
R1 + R2
and
VG − VGS
ID = (4.17)
- 122 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
RS
Example 4. 3
Determine the dc Q-point of the amplifier shown in figure and draw its dc load
line. Given the IDSS and VGS(off) of JFET are 20mA and - 4.0V respectively.
- 123 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
Solution
Since RIN(gate) is extremely large, it does not cause any significant effect to gate
resistor RG.
− 15 . V
ID = 20mA1− − 4 V 2 = 78. mA
From the results above, the Q (quiescent)-point and dc load line are drawn
and shown in Fig. 4.11.
- 124 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
Figure 4.11: The graph shows the dc load line and Q-point of the amplifier shown in Fig.
4.10
Example 4.4
Determine the approximate Q-point for the JFET biased with a voltage divider
circuit as shown in the figure, given that the particular device has transfer
characteristic curve as shown.
Solution
From equation (4.13), for drain current ID = 0A, the gate-to-source voltage VGS is
R2 2 2. MΩ
VGS = VG = R1 + R2 VDD = 2 2. MΩ + 2 2. MΩ8V = 4.0V
VG
ID = = 4V/3.3kΩ = 1.2mA
RS
- 125 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
From graphic plot, ID for Q-point is 1.8mA. Thus, from equation (4.14)
- 126 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
Figure 4.12: Transfer characteristic curve of n-channel JFET showing signal amplification
Similarly, once can see that the above-mentioned change would also show in the
change of drain-to-source voltage VDS as shown in Fig. 4.13.
Like in the case of bipolar junction transistor, the Q-point of the amplifier
should be designed to set at the linear region of the transfer characteristic curve
to avoid non-linearity distortion.
- 127 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
∆ID
Equation (4.4) defines dc transconductance as gm = . Thus, ac
∆VGS
Id transconductance is defined as gm =
. By rearranging the equation, ac drain
Vgs
current is Id = gmVgs.
The hybrid π-model equivalent circuits of JFET are shown in Fig. 4.14. These
circuits are applicable for JFET and MOSFET. The drain current I d is equal to
gmVgs gate-source resistance rgs and output impedance = ro are introduced as
shown in Fig. 4.14(a). If gate-to-source resistance r gs is assumed to be infinitely
large and rO is large enough to be neglected, then the simplified equivalent
circuit shall be Fig. 4.14(b). Output impedance r o of the JFET can be determined
from the Early voltage VM and drain current ID using equation
VM + VDS VM .
- 128 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
r0 = ≅
ID ID
(a) (b)
Figure 4.14: π-model of JFET/MOSFET ac equivalent circuit
The T-model of the JFET device, which is also the model for the MOSFET
device, is shown in Fig. 4.15. The model is derived based on the fact the ac
source resistance Rin(source) of the JFET/MOSFET is equal to Rin(source)
Vgs Vgs 1
= = = .
IS gmVgs gm
- 129 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
The voltage gain AV of the JFET with an external ac source as input is defined as
AV = Vout/Vin. For a self bias JFET amplifier, its ac equivalent circuit is shown in
Fig. 4.16.
From the circuit, the output voltage V out is Vout = -Vds = -IdRD and the input
voltage Vin is Vin = Vgs = Id/gm. Thus, the voltage gain is equal to AV = Vout/Vin is
I Rd D
AV = − = −g RmD (4.18)
Id / g m
R rD O
AV = −gm (4.19)
R D + rO
If there is a source resistance RS, where the ac equivalent circuit is shown in Fig.
4.17, voltage gain AV is reduced further because input voltage Vin is not just
equal to gate-to-source voltage Vgs. The input voltage Vin is Vin =Vgs + VgsgmRS
R rD O
= Vgs(1 + gmRS). Since output voltage Vout is Vout = -gmVgs . Therefore,
R D + rO
the ac voltage gain AV is
- 130 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
- 131 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
IDRS
(4.3), it yields the drain current as ID = IDSS 1+ 2 . Expanding the
square
VGS(off )
term of the equation, it yields drain current ID = IDSS 1+ 2 IDRS + I2D2 RS2 .
VGS(off) VGS(off )
Rearrange this quadratic equation in the forms of ax2 +bx+c=0, it becomes
I2 RS
= VGSDSS(off ) 1 , and c = IDSS respectively. Thus, drain-current ID is obtained
from
−
− b ± b2 − 4ac
ID = . It yields two values for drain current ID. One needs to
2a
consider the value of IDSS before the right value of ID to be chosen. The drain
current shall not be greater than IDSS current.
- 132 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
- 133 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
gmRS
AV = (4.22)
1+ gmRS
Thus, one can see that the gain is always less than one. If gmRs >> 1 then Av ≅ 1.
The input impedance of the gate R IN(gate) is very high and it can be calculated
from the gate reverse current IGSS value for a specified VGS value from data sheet
of the JFET using equation (4.9). If these data are given for a specified JFET
then the input impedance R IN for the amplifier shall be R IN(gate) parallel with gate
resistance RG.
- 134 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
The voltage gain AV is AV = -Vout/Vin and taking equation (4.4) for the drain
current Id, which is equal to gmVgs. The voltage gain shall be
The input impedance Rin(source) = Vin/Iin. Since the input voltage Vin is Vin = Vgs
and Iin = Id = gmVgs. The ac source resistance Rin(source) shall be
From equation (4.24), it tells us that the input impedance R in(source) is small, which
true because the source should have low impedance.
- 135 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
Example 4.5
From the circuit of common source JFET amplifier shown in the figure, its has
VGS(off) = -2.0V, IDSS = 1.4mA. If you need this amplifier to be biased with I D =
0.7mA, VDD = 20V, and voltage gain of 20dB, what is the value of RS, and RD?
- 136 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
- 137 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
4.1. Describe and draw the diagrams to illustrate, how the n-channel and
pchannel JFET should be biased for normal operation.
4.2. The data sheet for certain type of JFET indicates that I DSS = 25mA, VGS(off) =
-10V, and gm0 = 5000µS.
Determine
(i) The type of JFET
(ii) Drain current ID at VGS = 0
(iii) Drain current ID and transconductance gm at VGS = - 4V.
VGS 2 ∆I D VGS
m
4.3. Given that ID = IDSS 1− ∆VGS ,g= , and gm =
gm0 1− ,
I D I/ DSS
VGS(off) VGS(off )
- 138 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
4.6. Given a common drain JFET amplifier has V GS(off) = -8.0V, gm0 =
6000µS, R1 = R2 = 500kΩ, VDD = 20V, and C1 = C2 = 0.1µF.
(i) Calculate the values of output impedance and input impedance of the
amplifier when gate-to-source voltage VGS are -1.0V and -0.5V?
(ii) Calculate the drain-to-source current IDS when VGS is -1.5V?
(iii) What is the ac voltage gain AV of this amplifier when a load RL of
15.0kΩ is connected at VGS = -1.5V?
References
1. Thomas L. Floyd, "Electronic Devices", Prentice Hall International,
Inc.,1999.
2. Robert T. Paynter,"Electronic Devices and Circuits", fifth edition,
McGrawHill, 1997.
- 139 -
4 Junction Field Effect Transistor Theory and Applications
- 140 -