Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

UNIT IV – ELECTRONIC DEVICES & CIRCUITS

PART A
1. Define Semiconductors.
Semiconductors are materials having conducting properties lies between conductors and
insulators. These materials are separated by a small energy gap (=1ev).Germanium and
Silicon are commonly used semiconductors.
2. Define: valence band, conduction band.
The range of energies possessed by valence electrons is called valence band. The range of
energies possessed by conduction electrons is called conduction band. The free electrons
which are left in the valence band are occupying the conduction band.
3. Define: forbidden energy gap
The energy gap between the valence band and conduction band is defined as forbidden
energy gap. For insulators. It is around 6ev, for semiconductors, its value is comparatively
low. Germanium has energy gap 0.7 eV and silicon has 1.1 eV. For conductors, since
conduction and valence bands are overlapping the energy gap is zero.
4. What is intrinsic semiconductor?
Intrinsic semiconductors are pure form of semiconductors. The conductivity of a
semiconductor lies between an insulator and a conductor. As temperature increases, the
conductivity of the semiconductor also increases. Semiconductors have negative
temperature co-efficient of resistance.
5. Explain the significance of Base width modulation (Early effect)
It reduces the charges recombination of electrons with holes in the base region; hence the
current gain increases with the increase in collector -base voltage. The charge gradient is
increased within base hence the current due to minority carriers injected across emitter
junction increases.
6. What are the three types of transistor configuration? Among those which is most
important?
Common base configuration, Common emitter configuration, Common collector
configuration are the three types of transistor configuration. The CE configuration is
important because it has high current gain and its Output to input impedance ratio is
moderate therefore easy coupling is possible between various transistor stages. It finds
excellent usage in audio frequency applications hence used in receivers and transmitters.
7. How a transistor is used as a switch?
A transistor should be operated in saturation and cutoff regions to use it as a switch.
While operating in saturation region, transistor carry heavy current hence considered as
ON state. In cutoff it doesn't carry current and it is equivalent to open.
8. Which configuration is known as emitter follower and why it is named so?
CC configuration is known as emitter follower, whatever may be the signal applied at the
input, may produce same signal at the output. In other words, the gain of the circuit is
unity. So that the common circuit the so called emitter follower is named as emitter
follower (output follows the input).
9. Compare the performance of CE, CB, CC
Parameters CB CE CC
Current gain (Ai) Low High High
Voltage gain (Vi) High High Low
Input resistance (Ri) Low Medium High
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10. What is Zener breakdown? (Nov 2015)
When a PN junction is heavily doped the depletion region is very narrow. So under
reverse bias condition, the electric field across the depletion layer is very intense. Electric
field is voltage per distance and due to narrow depletion region and high reverse voltage,
it is intense. Such an intense field is enough to pull the electrons out of the valence bands
of the stable atoms. So this is not due to the collision of carriers with atoms. Such a
creation of free electrons is called Zener effect which is different that the avalanche
effect. These minority carriers constitute very large current and mechanism is called
Zener Breakdown.
11. Give the applications of Zener diode (Nov 2015)
* Used as a constant voltage source.
* Used as voltage regulator.
12. Define the different operating regions of transistor.
Active region: It is defined in which transistor collector junction is biased in reverse
direction and emitter junction in forward direction.
Cutoff region: The region in which the collector and emitter junctions are both reverse-
biased
Saturation region: The region in which both the collector and emitter jns are forward
biased.
13. Write any two salient points on a p-n junction. (May 2013)
A junction is formed between a sample of ‘P’ type semiconductor and a sample of ‘N’
type semiconductor joined together then this device is called the PN junction.
The formation of PN junction is also called as Diode, because it has two electrodes and
for P region named as Anode and the other for ‘N’ region named as Cathode.
14. When should a transistor be biased? Name two common biasing circuits. (May 2013)
For proper operation of transistor, input junction should be forward biased and the output
junction should be reverse biased.
Common base and common emitter configuration are the two common biasing circuits.
15. What is doping? (May 2014)
Doping means adding an impurity to pure semiconductor to impure its electrical
conductivity.
16. Give the other names of depletion region. (May 2014)
*Potential barrier region.
*Space charge region or charge free region.
17.What is cut in voltage?
The forward voltage at which the current through the junction starts increasing rapidly is
called knee voltage or cut in voltage.
18. Draw the characteristics of zener diode. (May 2015).
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19. Find the values of IC , IB , β. Transistor values are α =0.95, IE = 1mA. (May 2015).
IC = α . IE = 0.95 * 1mA= 0.95 mA
β = α /(1-α)= 0.95/(1-0.95)= 19.
IB = IC/ β =0.05/ 19= 0.05 mA
20. List various hybrid parameters of transistor. (May 2016).
Voltage gain, input resistance, output resistance, output conductance and current gain.
20. What is an op-amp? List its functions.
The op-amp is a multi terminal device, which internally is quite complex. It is a direct
coupled high gain amplifier consisting of one or more differential amplifiers, followed by
a level translator and an output stage. Function: Op-amp amplifies the difference between
two input signals and can perform
21. List the ideal characteristics of an op-amp. (Dec 2015)
The ideal characteristics of an op-amp are as follows:
Open loop voltage gain, AOL= ; Output impedance, RO = 0; Input impedance, Ri=;
Bandwidth, BW =  Zero offset voltage, i.e. VO = 0 when V1 = V2 = 0;
22. What are the factors that affect the stability of an op-amp?
The factors that affect the stability of an op-amp are closed loop gain and phase shift.
23. Mention some applications of op-amp.
Some of the applications of op-amp in open loop mode are as follows: Comparator, Zero
crossing detectors, Window detector, Time marker generator  Some of the applications
of op-amp in closed loop mode are as follows: Amplifiers, Basic arithmetic operations –
summer, subtractor, multiplier, integrator, differentiator, Rectifiers, Waveform
generators, Filters
24. What is the input impedance of a non-inverting amplifier? (May 2013)
Rif = Ri(1+Aβ) where Rif is the input resistance with feedback and Ri is the input
resistance without feedback of a non-inverting amplifier. The input impedance of a non-
inverting amplifier is extremely large (=infinity) as the op-amp draws negligible current
from the signal source.
25. How many comparators are required for n bits flash type ADC.
For n bit comparators, number of comparators required are 2n-1.
26. Define conversion time.
It is defined as the total time required converting an analog signal into its digital output.
It depends on the conversion technique used and the propagation delay of circuit
components
28. Mention the type of Analog to Digital convertor.
1. Flash type converter
2. Staircase type converter Direct type ADC
3. Tracking or servo converter
4. Successive approximation type
5. Charge balancing ADC
6. Dual slope ADC Indirect type ADC
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PART B
1. Explain the mechanism of avalanche breakdown and zener breakdown. (May 2016).
2. With neat diagrams explain how a voltage regulator circuits regulates the output voltage
under the following conditionsi) Load resistance increases. (ii) Input voltage decreases.
(May 2013).
3. Using the two diode analogy explain why the base emitter junction has to be forward
biased to provide collector current. (May 2013).
4. Sketch a common emitter circuit with an NPN transistor. (May 2013) & (May 2016).
5. (i) Explain the avalanche effect that accents for the reverse break down voltage (PIV) of
a diode.
(ii) What is the effect on capacitance of a PN junction diode as forward and reverse bias
are applied?
6. (i) Explain the amplifying action of a transistor. (May 2013).
(ii) In a CE IB changes from 100µA to 150µA which causes a change in Ic from 5mA to
7.5mA. If VCE held constant at 10 volt, find βac (hfe). (May 2013).
7. Describe the working of a PN junction diode with neat diagrams. Also explain its V-I
characteristics. (May 2014) ,(May 2015) & (Nov 2015).
8. Explain the working of the CB configuration BJT. Draw its input and output
characteristics.(May 2014) & (May 2015).
9. Explain the construction, principle of operation of MOSFET with a neat diagram
10. Explain the construction, principle of operation of JFET with a neat diagram
11. Describe the working of Inverting and Non Inverting Amplifier
12. Explain with neat diagram the working of (i) R-2R Ladder type DAC converter (ii)
Weighted resistor type DAC.
13. Explain with neat diagram the working of Successive approximation type ADC.
14. Explain with neat diagram the working of Dual slope type ADC.

UNIT IV – MEASUREMENTS & INSTRUMENTATION

PART A
1. Define Transducer.
Transducers are defined as a device which when actuated, transforms energy from one
form to another. Generally, any physical parameters are converted into electrical form.
2. Give the factors to be considered for selecting a transducer.
1. According to principle used in transduction.
2. Basic of the output which may be continuous function of time or the output may be
in discrete steps.
3. Define inverse transducer with example.
An inverse transducer is defined as device which converts an electrical quantity into a
non-electrical quantity. It is a precision actuator which has an electrical input and a low
power non-electrical output.
4. Explain the principle of piezo electric transducer and name any two piezoelectric
materials.
If a varying potential is applied to the axis of a crystal, it will change the dimension of
the crystal thereby deforming it. this effect is known as piezo-electric effect.
1. Rochelle salts
2. Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate.
5. State piezoelectric effect.
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When two opposite faces of a thin slice of certain crystals are subjected to a mechanical
force then opposite charges are developed on the forces of the slice. The magnitude of the
electric potential between the two faces is proportional to the deformation produced. This
phenomenon is called piezoelectric effect.
6. How the transducers are classified on the basic of principle of transduction?
1. Linear displacement
2. Rotary displacement.
7. Differentiate sensor from transducer.
Transducer will convert one form of energy into another form while sensors will sense
receive the signal from receiver.
Transducer will not required any external supply as that of sensors.
8. What is the output out of an LVDT provided with unidirectional excitation, while
measuring a displacement 3cm?
In general 1mm displacement produces the voltage of 300mv
3cm produce=30*300mv
=9000mv
=9v.
9. How is strain gauge used for pressure measurement?
If a metal conductor is stretched or compressed its resistance changes on account of the
fact that both length and diameter of the conductor change. The moving principle is piezo
resistive effect (Change in the value of resistivity of the conductor when it is strained).
10. List the characteristic of transducers.
The characteristics of transducer are,
i)Accuracy
ii) Ruggedness
iii)Linearity
iv)Repeatability
v) High reliability &Output stability
vi)Sensitivity
vii) Dynamic range
viii) Speed of response.
11.Define factor of strain gauge.
The gauge factor of the strain gauge is define as the unit charge in resistance for per
unit change in length of the strain gauge wire mathematically it is defined as,
∆𝑅/𝑅
G.F= ∆𝑙/𝑙
12. Mention the uses of capacitive transducer
1) Using variable distance capacitance transducer can be used for the measurement of force
and weight up to 50N.
2) Using variable area capacitive transducer thin installation measurement can be carried out.
3) The variable permittivity capacitive transducer are used for the measurement of moisture in
wood.
4) Leaky capacitance hydrometer is used for the measurement of humidity.
13. Name some of the active transducers which are used in the measurement of
temperature 1.Thermistors
2.Tranducer
14. Mention the three torques required for the proper operation of indicating
instrument.(June 2011)
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1. Deflecting torque, 2. Controlling torque, 3.Damping torque.
15. What are the advantages of electromechanical measuring instruments? (Dec 2012)
1. Torque to weight ratio is high and hence error due to friction is very small.
2. Cheap in cost.
3. Simple in operation.
4. Unaffected by temperature variation.
16. Mention the errors in Moving iron instruments. (May 2015)
 Hysteresis error  Temperature error  Stray magnetic field error 
Frequency error  Eddy current error
17. Mention any two advantages of moving Iron instruments?
i) The instrument can be used for both a.c. and d.c measurement.
ii) As the torque to weight ratio is high, errors due to friction are very less
iii) A signal type of moving element can cover the wide rage hence these instruments are
cheaper than other types of instruments.
iv) These are no current carrying parts in the moving system hence these meters are
extremely rugged and reliable.
18. Why PMMC instrument are not used for a.c. measurement? (NON/DEC 2006)
When the PMMC instruments are connected to a.c, the torque reverse as the current reveres
and the pointer cannot follow the rapid reversals. Hence the deflection corresponding to
mean torque is zero thus making the PMMC instrument not suitable for a.c measurements.
19. What precaution must be taken while using CT and why?
 The current transformer not only extends the range of low range instruments but
also isolate them from high current and high voltage a.c. circuits
 The secondary of CT should not kept open
 Ground the C.T. on the secondary side to avoid danger.
 The transformation ratio must be exactly equal to turns ratio and phase of the
secondary terms must be displayed by 180° from out of phase that of primary
terms.
20. Write any four types of analog ammeter used for instrumentation?
 Permanent magnet moving coil ammeter
 Moving iron type ammeter
 Electro dynamo meter type ammeter
 Hot wire type ammeter
21. Define creeping in energy meter.
Creeping in energy meters is phenomena due to which the disc of energy meter rotates
even in absence of any load current in the current coil (CC) and only pressure coil (PC)
is energized.
22. Distinguish between active and passive transducer.
Active transducer Passive transducer
They do not require any external They require an source of power their
source or power for their operation.
operation
They are all self generating type They are not self generating type transducer
transducer
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They produce electrical parameter They produce electrical parameter such as
such as voltage or current inductance, resistance or capacitance in
proportional to the physical response to the physical parameter under
parameter under measurement. measurement.
Eg:Thermocouple, photocell Eg: thermister, RTD, LDR, LVDT,
piezoelectric transducer phototransistor.
23.What are the merits and demerits of digital storage oscilloscope?
Merits;-
1. Infinite storage time
2. easy to operate
3. Signal processing is possible
4. Cursor measurement is possible.
5. Pretriggering failure allows the display of the waveform, before the trigger
pulse.
Demerits;
1. Cost is high
24. What are the main parts of CRT?
The main parts of cathode ray tube are
1. Electron gun assembly
2. Deflection plate assembly
3. Fluorescent screen
4. Glass envelops.
25. What is meant by deflection sensitivity of a CRT?
The deflection sensitivity of a CRT is defined as the deflection of the screen per
unit deflection voltage.
PART B
1. Explain the different criteria for selection transducer for a particular application
2. Explain the resistive transducer with respectively to potentiometer
3. Explain the working principle of LVDT with neat sketch and characteristics. Give
advantage and disadvantage and applications.
4. Explain how using a differential arrange a capacitive transducer which works the
principle of vibration of capacitance displacement between two plates, the
response can be made linear.
5. Explain the construction and working of unbounded and bounded type stains
gauges.
6. Write a short note on Thermocouple?
7. Write briefly of Thermistor as temperature transducer.
8. Draw and explain the operating principle of moving iron instruments. Also list its
advantages.
9. Explain the principle and operation of PMMC instrument. How ammeter and voltmeter
can be constructed using PMMC instruments.
10. With neat sketch explain the working of dynamometer type wattmeter.
11. With neat figure explain the working principle of a digital storage oscilloscope.
What are the advantages over analog CRO?