Scribd
Upload
22 views3 pages

Transistor

This document provides an overview of transistors, defining them as electronic components used to amplify or switch electrical signals. It discusses two main types of transistors: Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) and Field Effect Transistors (FETs), highlighting their differences and applications. Additionally, it explains how transistors function as amplifiers and switches in various electronic devices, including their role in computer chips and hearing aids.

Uploaded by

candilada joemar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
22 views3 pages

Transistor

This document provides an overview of transistors, defining them as electronic components used to amplify or switch electrical signals. It discusses two main types of transistors: Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) and Field Effect Transistors (FETs), highlighting their differences and applications. Additionally, it explains how transistors function as amplifiers and switches in various electronic devices, including their role in computer chips and hearing aids.

Uploaded by

candilada joemar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Information Sheet 1.

1-8

Transistor
Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. identify what is a transistor.

2. Determine different types of transistor and its function.

What is a Transistor?
A transistor is an electronic component
that is used in circuits to either amplify or
switch electrical signals or power, allowing
it to be used in a wide array of electronic
devices. A transistor consists of two PN
diodes connected back to back. It has three
terminals namely emitter, base and
collector. The basic idea behind a transistor
is that it lets you control the flow of current
through one channel by varying the
intensity of a much smaller current that’s
flowing through a second channel.

Different Types of Transistors and their Applications


There are many types of transistors and each transistor specializes in its
application. But, the main classification of transistors is as follows:

Date Developed: Document No.

Date Revised:
ELEX 231/234 Transistors Page 1
Developed by:
Lauria, Eljon T.
Revision # 00
Bipolar Junction Transistor
A bipolar junction transistor, shortly
termed as BJT is a current controlled
device that consists of two PN junction
for its function. It is configured in two
ways as NPN and PNP. Among the two,
NPN transistor is the most preferred for
the sake of convenience. The NPN
transistor is made by placing a p-type
material between two n-type materials. Likewise, the PNP transistor is
made by placing an n-type material between two p-type materials.

Field Effect Transistor


A field-effect transistor shortly termed
as FET is a voltage-controlled device,
unlike BJT which is a current controlled
device. The FET is a unipolar device,
which means that it is made using
either p-type or n-type material as the
main substrate. One of the many of its
advantages is that it has a very high
input impedance, which is in the order
of Mega Ohms. It has many other advantages such as low heat
dissipation and low power consumption.

Bipolar Junction Transistor vs Field Effect Transistor


Now, let us look at the various differences between BJT and FET

Bipolar Junction Transistor Field Effect Transistor

It is a bipolar device It is a unipolar device

It is a current-driven device It is a voltage-driven device

Low input impedance High input impedance

Low noise level High noise level

Date Developed: Document No.

Date Revised:
ELEX 231/234 Transistors Page 2
Developed by:
Lauria, Eljon T.
Revision # 00
Less thermal stability Better thermal stability

Transistor as an Amplifier and a Switch


Modes of operation of Transistor

Active – works as an amplifier


Saturation – works as a switch (ON state)
Cut-off – works as a switch (OFF state)

Transistor as an amplifier serves as an energy booster. It comes in useful


things like hearing aids, which is one of the prior gadgets people use for a
transistor. Hearing aids consist of a tiny microphone that picks up
sounds for your world and converts them into varying electric currents.
Microphones are also fed into a transistor that boosts a tiny loudspeaker,
and you hear a much louder version of sound around you.
Transistors also work as switches. A small electric current flowing
through one part of a transistor can make a much larger current flow
through the other part. This is how all computer chips work. For
instance, a memory chip includes hundreds of transistors, each of which
can be switched on or off individually. Since every transistor can be in
two separate states, it can store two numbers zero and one separately. A
chip can store billions of zeros and ones with billions of transistors and
as many letters and numbers.

Date Developed: Document No.

Date Revised:
ELEX 231/234 Transistors Page 3
Developed by:
Lauria, Eljon T.
Revision # 00

You might also like