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Unit - III BJT Amplifiers
MARKS 16( WITH EXTRA 22 MARKS)
Course Outcome:
Use of BJT as amplifier and switch .
3.1 Classification of amplifier, BJT as an amplifier.
3.2 Single Stage Amplifier: Working , various currents
(Ib, Ic,Ie), Voltage gain of CE amplifier (no derivations
required), Frequency response of CE amplifier.
Simple numericals.
3.3 Multistage amplifiers: General Multistage BJT
based amplifiers
3.4 Types of BJT amplifier coupling: Circuit diagram,
operation frequency response and applications of
Direct coupled, RC coupled and transformer coupled.
3.5 BJT as a Switch
Introduction:
An amplifier is used to increase the signal level. It is
used to obtain a large signal output from a
small signal input.
A sinusoidal signal is applied to the input of the
amplifier. At the output, the signal waveform
must remain sinusoidal at the same frequency as the
input.
For a transistor to act as an amplifier, it must be biased
to operate in the active region. This
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means the base-emitter junction is forward biased and
the base-collector junction is reverse biased.
3.1 Amplifier:-
Definition:- An electronic circuit which amplifies the input
signal is called "Amplifier". It is important that the
shape of the magnified output signal should be the
same as the input signal.
For example :- If the input signal is a sine wave then the
magnified output signal must also be a sine wave
and also their frequency must be same.
Figure 3.1 Block diagram of an amplifier
Amplification:-
Definition Amplification is the process of increasing the
power of an input signal.
State classification of Amplifiers.
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPLIFIERS:
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A] Based on input signal
1. Small signal amplifiers
2. Large signal amplifiers
B] Based on output signal
1. Voltage amplifier
2. Power amplifier
C] Based on biasing conditions
1. Class A amplifier
2. Class B amplifier
3. Class AB amplifier
4. Class C amplifier
D] Based on frequency response
1. Audio frequency amplifier
2. Radio frequency amplifier
E] Based on coupling
1. Direct coupled amplifiers
2. R-C Coupled amplifier
3. Transformer coupled amplifier
State & explain classification of Amplifiers.
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Amplifiers Classification
An Amplifier circuit is one which strengthens the signal.
Understand the classification of amplifiers. Amplifiers
are classified according to many considerations.
Based on number of stages
Depending upon the number of stages of Amplification,
there are Single-stage amplifiers and Multi-stage
amplifiers.
● Single-stage Amplifiers − This has only one transistor
circuit, which is a single stage amplification.
● Multi-stage Amplifiers − This has multiple transistor
circuit, which provides multi-stage amplification.
Based on its output
Depending upon the parameter that is amplified at the
output, there are voltage and power amplifiers.
● Voltage Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that
increases the voltage level of the input signal, is called as
Voltage amplifier.
● Power Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that
increases the power level of the input signal, is called as
Power amplifier.
Based on the input signals
Depending upon the magnitude of the input signal
applied, they can be categorized as Small signal and large
signal amplifiers.
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● Small signal Amplifiers − When the input signal is so
weak so as to produce small fluctuations in the collector
current compared to its quiescent value, the amplifier is
known as Small signal amplifier.
● Large signal amplifiers − When the fluctuations in
collector current are large i.e. beyond the linear portion
of the characteristics, the amplifier is known as large
signal amplifier.
Based on the frequency range
Depending upon the frequency range of the signals being
used, there are audio and radio amplifiers.
● Audio Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that
amplifies the signals that lie in the audio frequency range
i.e. from 20Hz to 20 KHz frequency range, is called as
audio amplifier.
● Power Amplifiers − The amplifier circuit that
amplifies the signals that lie in a very high frequency
range, is called as Power amplifier.
Based on Biasing Conditions
Depending upon their mode of operation, there are class
A, class B and class C amplifiers.
● Class A amplifier − The biasing conditions in class A
power amplifier are such that the collector current flows
for the entire AC signal applied.
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● Class B amplifier − The biasing conditions in class B
power amplifier are such that the collector current flows
for half-cycle of input AC signal applied.
● Class C amplifier − The biasing conditions in class C
power amplifier are such that the collector current flows
for less than half cycle of input AC signal applied.
● Class AB amplifier − The class AB power amplifier is
one which is created by combining both class A and class
B in order to have all the advantages of both the classes
and to minimize the problems they have.
Based on the Transistor Configuration
Depending upon the type of transistor configuration,
there are CE CB and CC amplifiers.
● CE amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed
using a CE configured transistor combination is called
as CE amplifier.
● CB amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed
using a CB configured transistor combination is called
as CB amplifier.
● CC amplifier − The amplifier circuit that is formed
using a CC configured transistor combination is called
as CC amplifier.
Explain with the help of waveforms, the working
principle of single stage CE amplifier. 4M
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CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION:
The input a.c. signal is applied across the base
emitter terminals of the transistor& output is taken
across collector emitter terminals of the transistor.
VBB supply forward biases the emitter base junction
& VCC supply reverse biases the output junction.
The Q point is determined by the VCC supply along
with the resistance RC. The resistances R1,R2, RE
form the biasing & stabilization circuit & thus
establishes proper operating point.
Input capacitor (Cin≈ 10µf) : It blocks DC voltage to
the base,if it is not provided the source resistance
comes across R2,so that transistor gets unbiased. It
allows A.C. to pass & isolates source resistance from
R2.
Emitter capacitance (CE≈ 100µf): it is used in parallel
with RE to provide a low reactance path to the
amplified a.c. signal. If it is not used then amplified
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a.c. signal flowing through RE will cause a voltage
drop across it, thus reducing the output voltage.
Coupling capacitor (CC≈ 10µf): it couples one stage of
amplification to the next stage. If it is not used, RC
comes across with the R1 of next stage & biasing of
2nd stage gets disturbed. In short it isolates the d.c.
of one stage from the next stage but allows the A.C.
signal.
PHASE REVERSAL / WORKING: Consider above
common emitter amplifier circuit. The input a.c. signal
is applied across the base emitter terminals of the
transistor & output is taken across collector emitter
terminals of the transistor.
VBB supply forward biases the emitter base junction
& VCC supply reverse biases the output junction.
Now apply KVL to collector to emitter loop
VCC – IC RC – VCE = 0.
∴ VCC – IC RC = VCE --------------------- (1)
When the input a.c. signal voltage increases, the
base current increases as a result collector current
increases (as IC = βIB). Hence voltage drop ICRC
increases. As VCC is constant, from equation 1
output voltage VCE decreases. From above in
common emitter amplifier when the input increases
in the positive, the output voltage decreases. i.e.
output is 180° out of phase with input.
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Figure-Single stage CE amplifier input output waveform
Phase reversal:-
During the positive half cycle of the input signal, when
the voltage of the input AC signal increases, as a result
the base current (Current IB) increases, the collector
current (IC) increases. Hence the voltage drop IcRc
increases, hence the output voltage VCE decreases and
we get a negative half cycle on the output signal.
Similarly, during the negative half cycle of the input
signal, when the voltage of the input AC signal decreases,
resulting in a decrease in the base current (IB), the
collector current (IC) decreases. So the voltage drop IcRc
decreases, so the output voltage VCE increases and we
get a positive half cycle on the output signal.
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Extra questions for above topic
Sketch circuit diagram of RC coupled single
stage CE amplifier. State the function of each
component
Draw circuit diagram of single stage RC coupled
CE amplifier and describe with the help of input
and output waveform.
Draw frequency response of RC coupled two stage
amplifier. Write formula to calculate bandwidth and
state any two methods to improve bandwidth.
Two methods to improve bandwidth: 1.Direct coupled
Amplifier 2.The basic bootstrapping principle is to use an
additional buffer amplifier to actively
charge and discharge to input capacitance as required.
By doing so the effective source capacitance is reduced,
enabling the overall bandwidth of the circuit to be
increased.
Frequency Response:-
Definition:- The frequency response of an amplifier is a
graph of the frequency of the input signal versus the
increase in voltage output from the amplifier.
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Figure 3.5 Single stage CE amplifier frequency response
1) Low frequency region:-
At low frequencies, the reactance of capacitor Cin and
coupling capacitor Cc is very high for the inflow current,
thus reducing the outflow and gain. As the incoming
current increases in frequency of the AC message, the
reactance of the capacitor decreases and therefore the
outgoing current increases and increases, which is
shown in the low frequency region.
2) Medium frequency region:- In this region input
capacitor Cin and coupling capacitor CC works almost
as a short circuit. Therefore, the output current and gain
remain constant, which is characterized by a flat
frequency response in the middle frequency region.
3) High frequency region:-
At very high frequencies the output current and gain will
decrease due to the internal capacitance and stray
capacitance of the transistor, which is shown in the high
frequency region.
Definition:- The difference between upper cut off
frequency and lower cut off frequency is called
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bandwidth. Bandwidth can be calculated from the
frequency response of the amplifier.
Bandwidth of the amplifier = Higher frequency – Lower
frequency =fH - fL OR f2 - f1
Bandwidth (BW) = FH-FL
Where,
FH= Upper or higher cutoff frequency
FL= Lower cutoff frequency
Examples:
Question 1:- In an amplifier, the maximum voltage gain
is 2000 and occurs at 2 kHz. falls to 1414 at 10 kHz and
50 Hz. Find: (i) Bandwidth (ii) Lower cut-off frequency (iii)
Upper cut-off frequency.
Ans:-
given:- F2= 10 KHz=10000 Hz
F1= 50 Hz
Bandwidth=F2-F1=10000-50=9950 Hz
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Question 2:- CE amplifier has input 1mv and output 1v,
calculate the voltage gain of the amplifier.
Answer- Given- Input =1 mV
Output = 1 V
Gain voltage Gain = output / input=1V/1mV=1000
Multi-Stage Transistor Amplifier
State the need of multistage amplifier.
Ans :-Need of multistage amplifier: The voltage (or power)
gain, obtained from a single stage small signal amplifier,
is limited. Therefore, it is not sufficient for all practical
applications. Therefore, in order to obtain greater voltage
and power gain, we have to use more than one stage of
amplification. Such an amplifier is called a MULTISTAGE
AMPLIFIER‟.
In Multi-stage amplifiers, the output of first stage is
coupled to the input of next stage using a coupling
device. These coupling devices can usually be a capacitor
or a transformer. This process of joining two amplifier
stages using a coupling device can be called as
Cascading.
Definition:- A circuit which has more than one stage of
amplifier is called multistage amplifie
The following figure shows a two-stage amplifier
connected in cascade.
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The overall gain is the product of voltage gain of
individual stages.
𝑉2 𝑉𝑂 𝑉𝑂
AV=AV1×AV2= 1× =
𝑉1 𝑉2 𝑉1
Where AV = Overall gain, AV1 = Voltage gain of 1st stage,
and AV2 = Voltage gain of 2nd stage.
If there are n number of stages, the product of voltage
gains of those nstages will be the overall gain of that
multistage amplifier circuit.
Purpose of coupling device
The basic purposes of a coupling device are
● To transfer the AC from the output of one stage to
the input of next stage.
● To block the DC to pass from the output of one
stage to the input of next stage, which means to isolate
the DC conditions.
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List the types of coupling used in BJT amplifier.
2M
Types of coupling used in BJT amplifier: Resistance
capacitance (RC)coupling , Impedance coupling
,Transformer coupling ,Direct coupling
Explain types of coupling used in BJT amplifier
Depending upon the method of coupling one stage to the
other, there are RC coupled, Transformer coupled and
direct coupled amplifier.
● RC Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage amplifier
circuit that is coupled to the next stage using resistor
and capacitor (RC) combination can be called as a RC
coupled amplifier.
● Transformer Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage
amplifier circuit that is coupled to the next stage, with
the help of a transformer, can be called as a Transformer
coupled amplifier.
● Direct Coupled amplifier − A Multi-stage amplifier
circuit that is coupled to the next stage directly, can be
called as a direct coupled amplifier.
Draw the two stage BJT amplifier. State the formula
for overall gain of this amplifier.
Draw & Explain two stage RC coupled BJT amplifier.
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Figure : RC coupled amplifier
Let Av1-Voltage gain of first amplifier Av2-voltage gain of
second amplifier Overall voltage gain, Av = Av1 * Av2
Figure shows a two stage RC coupled amplifier. The
outflow from the first stage is connected to the inflow
from the second stage. A resistor and a capacitor are
used to connect the two stages so it is called an RC
coupled amplifier.
The functions of various components used in the circuit
are as follows-
1) Resistors R1, R2 and RE form voltage divider biasing.
This provides better stabilization of the operating point
(stable Q point).
2) Input capacitor C1:- Input capacitor C1 acts as a
coupling capacitor, it couples the incoming current to the
base of the message transistor. It only passes AC
messages and blocks DC messages.
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3) Bypass capacitor CE: - Capacitor CE is called bypass
capacitor. This capacitor is connected in parallel with the
resistor RE. This creates a low resistance path for AC
messages. If this capacitor is not used, as the amplified
AC message continues to flow through the resistor RE,
the voltage drop IERE will increase across it, and hence
the output current will decrease.
4) Output capacitor C2:- The output capacitor C2 also
acts as a coupling capacitor, it connects the magnified
message formed to the collector of the transistor to the
load (RL).
5) Coupling capacitor CC:- Coupling capacitor Cc works
to couple two stages.
Operation of RC Coupled Amplifier
When an AC input signal is applied to the base of
first transistor, it gets amplified and appears at the
collector load RL which is then passed through the
coupling capacitor CC to the next stage.
This becomes the input of the next stage, whose
amplified output again appears across its collector
load. Thus the signal is amplified in stage by stage
action.
Total gain is less than the product of the gains of
individual stages.
This is because when a second stage is made to
follow the first stage, the effective load resistance of
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the first stage is reduced due to the shunting effect
of the input resistance of the second stage.
Hence, in a multistage amplifier, only the gain of the
last stage remains unchanged.
As we consider a two stage amplifier here, the output
phase is same as input. Because the phase reversal
is done two times by the two stage CE configured
amplifier circuit.
Draw & explain Frequency Response of RC Coupled
Amplifier
Frequency Response of RC Coupled Amplifier
Frequency response curve is a graph that indicates the
relationship between voltage gain and function of
frequency. The frequency response of a RC coupled
amplifier is as shown in the following graph.
Figure 3.9 RC coupled amplifier frequency response
From the above graph, it is understood that the
frequency rolls off or decreases for the frequencies below
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50Hz and for the frequencies above 20 KHz. whereas the
voltage gain for the range of frequencies between 50Hz
and 20 KHz is constant.
We know that,
1
XC=
2πfC
It means that the capacitive reactance is inversely
proportional to the frequency.
At Low frequencies (i.e. below 50 Hz)
The capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to the
frequency.
At low frequencies, the reactance is quite high. The
reactance of input capacitor Cinand the coupling
capacitor CC are so high that only small part of the input
signal is allowed.
The reactance of the emitter by pass capacitor CE is also
very high during low frequencies. Hence it cannot shunt
the emitter resistance effectively. With all these factors,
the voltage gain rolls off at low frequencies.
At High frequencies (i.e. above 20 KHz)
Again considering the same point, we know that the
capacitive reactance is low at high frequencies. So, a
capacitor behaves as a short circuit, at high frequencies.
As a result of this, the loading effect of the next stage
increases, which reduces the voltage gain.
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Along with this, as the capacitance of emitter diode
decreases, it increases the base current of the transistor
due to which the current gain (β) reduces.
Hence the voltage gain rolls off at high frequencies.
At Mid-frequencies (i.e. 50 Hz to 20 KHz)
The voltage gain of the capacitors is maintained constant
in this range of frequencies, as shown in figure.
If the frequency increases, the reactance of the capacitor
CC decreases which tends to increase the gain.
But this lower capacitance reactive increases the loading
effect of the next stage by which there is a reduction in
gain.
Due to these two factors, the gain is maintained
constant.
List Advantages & disadvantages of RC Coupled
Amplifier:-
Advantages of RC Coupled Amplifier:-
i. The least expensive is the multistage amplifier.
ii. This amplifier has wide frequency response and large
bandwidth.
iii. Provides excellent audio fidelity.
iv. There is no core distortion in this amplifier.]
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v. An RC coupled amplifier provides low frequency
distortion.
Disadvantages of RC Coupled Amplifier:-
i. The overall gain of the amplifier due to loading effect is
relatively small.
ii. Poor impedance matching.
iii. Because of the coupling capacitor, the amplifier
provides low gain for low frequencies.
List any four applications of RC coupled amplifier.
Applications of RC Coupled Amplifier:
i. Widely used as an electric pressure amplifier.
ii. It is used in the early stages of PA (Public Address
System) system.
iii. Used in CD players, DVD players etc.
iv. Also used in radio and television receivers.
v. Also used in stereo amplifiers.
Ex:-For a BJT ac amplifier, with a midband voltage
gain of 200, if the cutoff frequencies are f1=20Hz and
f2=20KHz.Draw the frequency response for amplifier.
Draw the frequency response in case of mid gain of
100 and f1=500Hz to f2=5KHz.
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Frequency response for amplifier with mid-band voltage
gain of 200, if the cutoff frequencies are f1=20Hz and f2=
20KHz.
ii)Frequency response for amplifier with mid-band
voltage gain of 100, if the cutoff frequencies are f1=500Hz
and f2= 5KHz.
Transformer Coupled Amplifier
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The main drawback of RC coupled amplifier is that the
effective load resistance gets reduced. This is because,
the input impedance of an amplifier is low, while its
output impedance is high.
When they are coupled to make a multistage amplifier,
the high output impedance of one stage comes in parallel
with the low input impedance of next stage. Hence,
effective load resistance is decreased. This problem can
be overcome by a transformer coupled amplifier.
The amplifier circuit in which, the previous stage is
connected to the next stage using a coupling
transformer, is called as Transformer coupled amplifier.
Draw & explain Transformer Coupled Amplifier
Two stage transformer coupled transistor amplifier
consists of two single stages of transformer coupled CE
amplifiers.
The primary winding of a transformer connected in a
collector circuit acts as a collector load.
The function of the coupling transformer T1 is to make
the outgoing current A.C. Switching the message from
the outgoing current of the first phase to the incoming
current of the second phase, the output A.C. to the
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transformer T2 Load RL.
Figure - Transformer Coupled Amplifiers Circuit
The input signal is connected to the base of
transistor Q1.
Bypass capacitors CE connected to the emitters of
transistors Q1 and Q2 are used to reduce the
resistance.
Resistor R1, R2, RE and capacitor CE , D.C. Creates
biasing and stabilization (stable Q point).
When an input signal is applied to the base of the
first transistor Q1, it appears in an amplified form
across the primary winding P of the coupling
transformer T1.
The voltage developed on the primary winding is then
transferred to the current flowing into the next
phase.
The second stage also amplifies in the same way
through the secondary winding (S) of the coupling
transformer T1.
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Figure - Transformer coupled amplifier frequency
response
In transformer coupled amplifiers the voltage drops
at low frequencies as well as at high frequencies,
while it remains constant in the mid-frequency
range.
At a certain frequency level (fo) the voltage rises
sharply, it is called resonant rise. And then the gain
is continuously reduced (Gain roll off).
List Advantages,disadvantages & applications of
Transformer Coupled Amplifier
Advantages of Transformer Coupled Amplifier
The following are the advantages of a transformer
coupled amplifier −
● An excellent impedance matching is provided.
● Gain achieved is higher.
● There will be no power loss in collector and base
resistors.
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● Efficient in operation.
Disadvantages of Transformer Coupled Amplifier
The following are the disadvantages of a transformer
coupled amplifier −
● Though the gain is high, it varies considerably
with frequency. Hence a poor frequency response.
● Frequency distortion is higher.
● Transformers tend to produce hum noise.
● Transformers are bulky and costly.
Applications
The following are the applications of a transformer
coupled amplifier −
● Mostly used for impedance matching purposes.
● Used for Power amplification.
● Used in applications where maximum power
transfer is needed.
Draw & explain Transformer Coupled Amplifier
The other type of coupling amplifier is the direct coupled
amplifier, which is especially used to amplify lower
frequencies, such as amplifying photo-electric current or
thermo-couple current or so.
Direct Coupled Amplifier:-
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Figure - Direct coupled amplifier
Transformer coupled amplifiers have a limitation
that they cannot amplify DC messages or low
frequency signals. This limitation is overcome by the
use of direct coupled amplifier.
In a two-stage direct coupled amplifier, the output
signal of the first stage is directly connected to the
base of the next transistor Q2.
Also, no input or output coupling capacitors and
emitter bypass capacitors are used in this circuit.
The input signal is connected to the base of the first
stage transistor Q1 for amplification.
This input signal amplifies transistor Q1 and is
applied to the base of second stage transistor Q2.
Transistor Q2 further amplifies the signal.
The amplified output signal is made available to the
collector of transistor Q2.
Thus, the direct coupled amplifier amplifies the
strength of weak messages of very low frequencies.
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Figure - Direct Coupled (D.C.) Amplifier Frequency
Response
Figure shows the frequency response of a direct coupled
amplifier.
It can be noted that the voltage rise is flat up to a certain
high frequency denoted by f2.
Beyond this frequency, the voltage rise gradually
decreases. Gain decreases with increasing frequency due
to base-to-emitter junction capacitance and stray
capacitance.
List Advantages, disadvantages & applications of
Direct Coupled Amplifier
Advantages of Direct Coupled Amplifier:-
1) Due to absence of coupling capacitor, gain is not
reduced for low frequency signal.
2) An amplifier can also amplify a DC signal.
3) Wide frequency band (Large Bandwidth).
4) Low cost due to absence of coupling capacitor.
Disadvantages:
1) The output signal waveform has a DC signal shift.
2) At higher frequencies the gain decreases.
Applications:
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1) Used in operational amplifiers (Operational
amplifiers).
2) Used in linear voltage regulators.
Compare RC coupled, transformer coupled, direct
Coupled amplifier on the basis of:
(i) Type of coupling
(ii) Frequency response
(iii) Gain
(iv) Application
Sr.No. Paramete RC Coupling Transformer DC Coupling
r Coupling
1 Coupling R and C (resistor and Transformers do not use coupling
element capacitor) element
2 Types of AC Signal AC Signal AC and DC Signal
coupling
messages
3 Cost Low High More less
4 space Less More Less
and
weight
5 frequenc Best in Audio frequency Not good Excellent
y
response
6 Applicati Voltage Amplification power Amplification low frequency
ons Amplification
7 Gain Overall gain is less due to It provides high Uniform gain till certain
loading effect voltage gain than RC frequency .Gain rolls off
at high frequency
8 Frequenc
y
response
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With neat diagram explain transistor as switch
From the circuit it can be seen that the control input
Vin is given to base through a current limiting resistor
Rb and Rc is the collector resistor which limits the
current through the transistor.
In most cases output is taken from collector but in some
cases load is connected in the place of Rc.
ON = Saturation
OFF = Cutoff
Transistor as a Switch – ON:
Transistor will become ON (saturation) when a sufficient
voltage V is given to input. During this condition the
Collector Emitter voltage Vce will be approximately equal
to zero, ie the transistor acts as a short circuit. For a
silicon transistor it is equal to 0.3v. Thus collector
current Ic = Vcc/Rc will flows.
Transistor will be in OFF (cutoff) when the input Vin
equal to zero. During this state transistor acts as an open
circuit and thus the entire voltage Vcc will be available
at collector
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● Input and base are grounded (0v)
● Base-emitter voltage VBE < 0.7v
● base-emitter junction reverse biased
● base-collector junction reverse biased
● Transistors are "full-off" (cut-off region).
● No collector current flow (IC = 0)
● VOUT = VCE = VCC = “1”
● Transistor works as an "open switch"
● Input and Base are connected to VCC
● Base-emitter voltage VBE > 0.7v
● Base-emitter junction is forward biased
● Base-collector junction is forward biased
● The transistor is "full-on" (saturation zone).
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● Amazing collector current flow (IC = VCC /RL )
● VCE = 0 (ideal saturation)
● VOUT = VCE = "0"
Transistor works as "off switch"
OR
1. Transistor in cut- off region is an open switch. Here Vin
is 0 V.
2. In the cut –off region both the junction of a transistor
are reverse biased and very small reverse current flows
through the transistors.
3. The voltage drop across the transistor (VCE) is high.
Thus, in the cut off region the transistor is equivalent to
an open switch as shown in figure.
In saturation the transistor is equivalent to a closed
switch.
When Vin is positive a large base current flows and
transistor saturates.
In the saturation region both the junctions of a transistor
are forward biased.
The voltage drop across the transistor (VCE) is very
small, of the order of 0.2 V to 1V depending on the type
of transistor and collector current is very large.
In detail the coupling methods(EXTRA)
Resistance-Capacitance Coupling
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This is the mostly used method of coupling, formed using
simple resistor-capacitor combination. The capacitor
which allows AC and blocks DC is the main coupling
element used here.
The coupling capacitor passes the AC from the output of
one stage to the input of its next stage. While blocking
the DC components from DC bias voltages to effect the
next stage. Let us get into the details of this method of
coupling in the coming chapters.
Impedance Coupling
The coupling network that uses inductance and
capacitance as coupling elements can be called as
Impedance coupling network.
In this impedance coupling method, the impedance of
coupling coil depends on its inductance and signal
frequency which is jwL. This method is not so popular
and is seldom employed.
Transformer Coupling
The coupling method that uses a transformer as the
coupling device can be called as Transformer coupling.
There is no capacitor used in this method of coupling
because the transformer itself conveys the AC
component directly to the base of second stage.
The secondary winding of the transformer provides a
base return path and hence there is no need of base
resistance. This coupling is popular for its efficiency and
its impedance matching and hence it is mostly used.
33 | P a g e Sheetal Kokate
BEL(312314) EJ dept
Direct Coupling
If the previous amplifier stage is connected to the next
amplifier stage directly, it is called as direct coupling.
The individual amplifier stage bias conditions are so
designed that the stages can be directly connected
without DC isolation.
The direct coupling method is mostly used when the load
is connected in series, with the output terminal of the
active circuit element. For example, head-phones, loud
speakers etc
34 | P a g e Sheetal Kokate