Bipolar Junction

Transistor (BJT)
AC ANALYSIS & BASIC AMPLIFIER
PARAMETERS
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this topic, students will be able to

 explain the basic amplifier circuits & parameters

 transform amplifier circuits into ac equivalent circuits
using the hybrid- model for middle frequency
 conduct AC analysis for BJT amplifier circuits &
determine
AVOC, AV, Ai, Zi & Zo
Transistors as Small Signal Amplifiers
Introduction
Amplifier - the circuit used to perform amplifying function (makes signal
levels greater)

Microphone (source) produces The BJT must be biased in its’ active

an electrical voltage (ac signal) region to function as an active device
in response to its acoustic input (has amplifying effect)

Preamplifier is designed to increase Power amplifier must

very small signal to a useful value deliver enough power to
& further increase the signal strength drive the speaker (load)
and shape the frequency response
Transistors as Small Signal Amplifiers
Introduction
BJT Amplifier FET Amplifier
+VDD

+ vo
vi vo
- vi

• Common Source
• Common Emitter +VEE • Common Gate
• Common Base • Common Drain
• Common Collector Operational Amplifier

• Linear
• Non-linear
 Small Signal Amplifiers
An amplifier is a device that provides amplification (the increase in
current, voltage, or power of a signal) without appreciably altering the
original signal.

Transconductance Amplifier
Total change Total Total Total

Transresistance Amplifier
Voltage Amplifier

Current Amplifier

in the output change in change in change in

voltage is the output the output the output
greater than current is current is voltage is
the total greater than greater than greater than
change in the total the total the total
the input change in change in change in
voltage
the input the input the input
current voltage current
 BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Amplifier Operation

• The BJT must be biased in its active region to function as an amplifier before
applying the ac signal.

• The biasing of a transistor is purely a DC operation. The purpose of biasing is to

establish a Q- point about which variations in current and voltage can occur in
response to an ac input signal.

• Therefore, the ac input causes the output voltage to vary above and below the
bias voltage.
vo(t) = V + A sin t
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Effect of Q-point Location on AC Operation
If Q-point is close to If Q-point is close to If Q-point is at the
the bottom of the load the top of the load line centre of the load ine
line but the input is
overdriven
-ve clipping can occur +ve clipping can occur +ve & - ve clipping
when when can occur when
• IC < 0 • IC > IC(sat) • IC > IC(sat) & IC < 0
• VCE > VCC • VCE < 0 • VCE < 0 & VCE > VCC
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Effect of Capacitors on Amplifier Operation

• At frequencies above and below the

mid-range, capacitance and any
inductance will affect the gain of the
amplifier.
• At low frequencies the coupling and
bypass capacitors lower the gain.
• At high frequencies stray capacitances
associated with the active device lower
the gain.
• Also, cascading amplifiers limits the
gain at high and low frequencies.
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Effect of Capacitors on Amplifier Operation

Amplifier Circuit

DC Biasing Mid Frequency Low Frequency High Frequency

BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Amplifier Fundamental Parameters

• Gain, A
the ratio of the change in output signal
to the change in input signal
Zo

+ + +
• Input impedance, Zi
Zi AV(oc)Vin the total equivalent resistance at its
Vin
- Vout input terminals

- -
• Output impedance, Zo
the total equivalent resistance at its
output terminals

These properties can be combined to form a general amplifier model

 BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Characteristics of An Ideal Amplifier

•Infinite input impedance

•Zero output impedance
•Infinite voltage gain
Zo •Infinite bandwidth (voltage gain that is not

+ + + affected by the signal frequency)

Zi AV(oc)Vin •Zero output offset voltage (zero volts

Vin
- Vout output with zero volts applied at the input)
•No drift in these parameters when a

- - change in temperature occurs

BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Unloaded Voltage Gain

• Voltage amplifier with no input or output loading.

 v
out = Av(oc)vin
 v = v
in s

Rs = 0
Zo

+ + +
Zi Av(oc)vin
+
vin
- vout = Av(oc)vin
vs
-
- -
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Input Loading Effect
• Every source has its internal resistance
• Voltage source is shown as a Thevenin equivalent voltage circuit
(voltage source in series with Rs)
• The amplifier’s input voltage, vin will be less than vs because of the
voltage division between Rs and Zi.
• Is determined by using voltage divider rule where:
Zi
v in  vs Rs Zo
R S  Zi
v out  A v ( oc) v in + + +
Zi Av(oc)vin
Zi +
 A v ( oc) vs vin - vout = Av(oc)vin
R S  Zi vs
-
v out Zi - -
A vs   A v ( oc)
vs R S  Zi
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Output Loading Effect

• Output voltage produced by controlled source will be divided between

RL and Zo

RL
v out  Av ( oc )v in
Z o  RL
v out RL
Av   A v ( oc) Rs Zo
v in Zo  R L
+ +
+ Zi Av(oc)vin
v v RL Zi - +
A vs  out . in  A v ( oc) vs vin RL vout
v in v s Z o  R L R s  Zi - -
-
v out  Zi 
A vs   A v  
vs  R S  Zi 
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Current Gain of A Voltage Amplifier
• Every source has its internal resistance
• Current source is shown as a Norton equivalent current circuit
(current source in parallel with Rs)
i out i in  Zi  R S 
Av ( oc )v in Rs A is  .  A v ( oc)   
i out  i in  is i in i s Z
 o  R L  R S  Z i 
Zo  RL Rs  Zi
i out  RS 
v in  i in Zi A is   A i  
is R
 S  Z i 

A v ( oc)
i out  i in Zi
Zo  R L iin iout
Zo
i out Zi
Ai   A v ( oc) + +
i in Zo  R L
Zi Av(oc)vin +
is Rs vin - RL vout
-
-
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Example 19

Given Av(OC) =320, Rs =1.2k, Vs = 40mV, Vout =7.68V

Determine the values of :
• Vin
• ii
• Zi
Rs Zo
• Avs
+ + +
Zi Av(oc)vin
+ -
vs vin vout = Av(oc)vin
Answers
• Vin = 24 mV -
- -
• ii = 13.33 uA
• Zi = 1.8 k
• Avs =192
Exercise 1 (Solution):

17
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Example 20
RS Zo
Determine the values of :
50 W 300 W • Av
• Avs
+ •+ vi & vs if vL = 4.11Vac
Zi RL
vS vi A vi vL
800 W V(OC) 3k W
_ _

A V(OC)
= 400 Answers
• Av = 363.6
• Avs = 342.2
• vi = 11.3 Vac
• vs =12 Vac
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Gain in Decibels
• A logarithmic measure that indicates ratio or gain, called decibel is used
to simplify the analysis of electronic amplifiers and systems
Amplitude ratio
• The ratio of quantities like voltage, current and Voltage Gain Av  20 log10 Av
sound pressure level are calculated as ratio of dB

squares.
• The amplitude ratio in decibels (dB) is 20 times Current Gain Ai dB
 20 log10 Ai
base 10 logarithm of the ratio of Vo and Vi or
Io and Ii:
AvdB = 10 log10(Vo2 / Vi2) = 20 log10(Vo / Vi)
AidB = 10 log10(Io2 / Ii2) = 20 log10(Io / Ii)
Power ratio
• The power ratio in decibels (dB) is 10 times Power Gain AP  10 log10 Av Ai
dB
base 10 logarithm of the ratio of Po and Pi:
ApdB = 10 log10(Po / Pi)
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
BJT Transistor Modelling

• A model is an equivalent circuit that represents the AC

characteristics of the transistor

• A model uses circuit elements that approximate the behavior of the

transistor.

• Linear transistor can be replaced by an ac equivalent model

• Transistor models
- Parameter-h model
- r model
e
- Parameter-y model
- Hybrid- model
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Hybrid -  Model

i c = g m v
gm v
r

r

• The hybrid- model is most useful for analysis of high-frequency transistor

applications.
• Limited to specified operating condition in order to obtain accurate results.
• At lower frequencies the hybrid- model closely approximate the re
parameters, and can be replaced by them.
 BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Hybrid -  Model
gm – Transconductance
NPN C
VA - Early voltage
iC
2N4124
VT - Voltage equivalent of
B
+
Þ temperature
vp IC IC
gm  
- VT 26mV
E
VA 200V
ro  
IC IC
How about PNP?

r 
VT 
kT
 26mV gm
q

q – Electron Charge (1.6x10-19 C) in the Current Controlled Current

T = 273O + TC Kelvin Source (CCCS) model βib= gmv

k – Boltzmann Constant (1.38x10 -23 J/K)

BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Hybrid -  Model
Common Emitter Transistor Model

Common Base

pnp

Common Collector
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Amplifier Circuit Analysis

Analyze circuit with DC sources only

Replace capacitors with open circuit

Determine the Q-points

Calculate IBQ, ICQ and VCEQ

Draw ac equivalent circuit (at mid frequency)

Replace DC voltage source with Replace coupling & bypass Replace transistor with its equivalent
short circuit and ground it capacitors with short-circuit model (hybrid- model)

Analyze the small-signal equivalent circuit.

Develop equations from the general amplifier model Calculate desired amplifier model parameters
 BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
Amplifier Circuit Analysis
DC Equivalent Circuit AC Equivalent Circuit

• Replace coupling capacitors & • Replace coupling capacitors &

bypass capacitor with open circuits bypass capacitor with short circuits

• Set ac voltage source to zero • Set DC voltage source to zero

• Determine Q-points • Analyze ac parameters

 BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis
Capacitors are replaced
- Voltage source grounded with short circuit as the
- All capacitors shorted reactance for capacitors
are small at the
frequency of
application

AC equivalent IC IC
gm  
VT 26mV

- All other components remain 

- Transistor is replaced with r 
gm
hybrid-π model
+ VA 200V
vp rp gmVp ro  
-
IC IC

Hybrid-p model
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis
Example 15
Draw the midband ac equivalent circuit using the hybrid- model
 BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter

• The input is applied to the base terminal

• The output is from the collector terminal
• Input impedance and output impedance
not too high and not too low (medium)
• High voltage and current gain
• Phase shift between input and output is
180.
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Fixed Bias
- Voltage source grounded
- All capacitors shorted

AC equivalent

+
vp rp gmVp
-

Hybrid-p model
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Fixed Bias
Input impedance
Zi  RB r +
vp rp gm V p
Output impedance -

Zo  RC rO
Hybrid-p model
Zo  RC ro 10R C Voltage gain: v o  g mv  (ro RC )  g mv i (ro RC )
ro too large
vo
Av ( oc )   g m (ro RC )
vi
Current gain from voltage gain
(with presence of RL)  Zi   Zi 
Ai  Av(oc)    g m (ro RC ) 
 Zo  RL   Zo  RL 
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 16
Draw the midband ac equivalent circuit using the hybrid- model.
Determine the Zi, Zo and Av

Answer
Zi = 1.275 k
Zo = 2 k 
Av = -152
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 16  KVL at input loop
Conducting DC analysis

 KVL at output loop

 BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 16
Conducting AC analysis

Simplified AC equivalent
circuit
AC equivalent circuit

Hybrid- AC equivalent circuit model

BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 16
Conducting AC analysis
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 16
Conducting AC analysis
Output impedance , Zo is determined
when voltage source, vi is short-
circuit and load resistance, RL is
removed (open circuit).
When vi = 0, v = 0 and gmv = 0. The
equivalent circuit to find Zo is as
below:
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 16
Conducting AC analysis
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 16
Conducting AC analysis
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Voltage Divider Bias

- Voltage source grounded

- All capacitors shorted
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Voltage Divider Bias

r
g mv

Hybrid -  model
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Voltage Divider Bias
Input impedance
Zi = R1//R2//r r
g mv
Output impedance
Zo  RC rO
Zo  RC ro 10R C
ro too large

Voltage gain:
v vo  RL 
A v ( oc )  o  g m R C Av   g m R C  
vi vi  Zo  R L 
(without RL) (with RL)
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 17
Determine the values of Zi, Zo, Av(oc), Av, Avs, Ai, and Ais and Ap for
the amplifier circuit below. Given IC = 2.37mA , VA = 200V

VCC
Answer 20V
Zi = 647  R1 RC
8.2kW 4.3kW C2
Zo = 4.09 k 
RS C1
Av(oc) = -373 b =120
Av = -265 + 600W + +
RL
Avs = -137.5 vs vin R2 RE 10kW
vout
C3 -
Ai = -373 - - 1.5kW 1kW

Ais = -265
Ap = -137.5 Zi Zo
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 17
RS

+ 600W +
+ +
vs vin R1//R2 vp rp gmvp ro RC RL vout
-
- - -

Zi Zo

Input impedance: Zi  R1 R2 r  8.2k 1.5k 1.32k  647

Output impedance: Zo  rO RC  84.4k 4.3k  4.09k

BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 17
RS

+ 600W +
+ +
vs vin R1//R2 vp rp gmvp ro RC RL vout
-
- - -

Z Zo
Voltage gain:i v out
A v ( oc )   g m (ro R C )  -(91.2mS )(4.09k)  373
v in
 RL  10k
  (373) 
v out
Av   A v ( oc )    265
v in Z
 o  R L   4 . 09 k   10 k 
v out  Zi   647 
Avs   Av    ( 265)   137.5
vs  Rs  Zi   600  647 
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 17
RS

+ 600W +
+ +
vs vin R1//R2 vp rp gmvp ro RC RL vout
-
- - -

Zi Zo
Current gain:
i out  Zi   647 
Ai   Av(oc)    (  373)   17.13
i in  Zo  RL   4.09k  10k 
i out  Rs   600 
Ais   Ai    (  17.13)   8.24
is  Rs  Z i   600  647 
Power gain: pout
Ap   Av Ai  (  265)(  17.13)  4539.45
pin
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 18

Draw a small signal AC equivalent

circuit. Assume VA= 
BJT As A Small Signal Amplifier
AC Analysis – Common Emitter
Example 19

Draw the small signal ac equivalent circuit. If

+VCC = 12V, VA = , VBE = 0.7V and  = 80,
calculate the values of :
• Input and output impedances
• Voltage gain AV and AVS
What we have discussed?

• AC analysis at mid frequency

using hybrid- model for common
emitter configurations