BJT Switching Circuits

The BJT as a Switch

The BJT can be used as a switch by driving it back and

forth between saturation (closed) and cutoff (open).

Open and Closed BJT Switch

When operated in
saturation, the BJT
acts as a closed
switch.
When operated in
cutoff, the BJT acts
as an open switch.

Saturation

Transistor saturation can be guaranteed by designing the

circuit so that:

+Vpk = VCC

IB is greater than IC(sat) / hFE

BJT disposicin fsica

Caracterstica en conexin directa

Completo: directa + reversa

Modelo Ebers-Moll

Regiones de operacin

En corte (simplificado)

En saturacin (simplificado)

En saturacin (simplificado)

Velocidad de conmutacin de un Diodo

NOTA: diodos PN no shottky

Velocidad de conmutacin de un BJT

Conmutacin del BJT

Conmutacin del BJT

Td->sale del corte 0.1ICS

Tr->acumulacin de carga en la base
Ts->eliminacin de sobresaturacin
Tf->reduccin de carga en la base

Transistor Schottky

En saturacin

Waveform Time Measurements

Delay time (td)

Rise time (tr)

Storage time (ts)

Fall time (tf)

Wave Shape vs. Operating

Frequency
Cutoff frequency:

0.35
fC
tr

Practical frequency limit:

0.35
fC
100 t r

Reducing BJT Switching Time

BJT delay time is reduced by:

BJT storage time is reduced by:

Applying a high initial value of base current.

Using the minimum value of reverse bias required to hold
the component in cutoff.
Limiting base current to a value lower than that required to
completely saturate the BJT.
Applying a high initial reverse bias to the component.

Rise time and fall time are functions of BJT construction,

and cannot effectively be reduced.

Speed-Up Capacitors

Speed-up capacitor A component used to

reduce delay time and storage time.

1
CS
20 RB f m ax

Practical Waveform
Measurements

Pulse width (PW) The time spent in the active (high) dc

voltage state.
Space width (SW) The time spent in the passive (low)
dc voltage state.
Period (T) The sum of PW and SW. Also referred to as
cycle time.

Duty Cycle

Duty cycle The ratio of pulse width (PW) to period (T),

measured as a percentage.

pulse width
duty cycle
100
period

Buffers

Buffer A switching circuit that does not produce a

voltage phase shift.

Schmitt Triggers

Schmitt trigger A voltage-level detector.

The output of a Schmitt trigger changes state when

When a positive-going input passes the upper trigger point

(UTP) voltage.
When a negative-going input passes the lower trigger point
(LTP) voltage.

Trigger Point Voltages

Trigger point voltages may be equal or unequal in

magnitude, and are opposite in polarity.

Hysteresis

Hysteresis A term that is often used to describe the

range of voltages between the UTP and LTP of a Schmitt
trigger.

Noninverting Schmitt Trigger

(Symmetrical trigger points)
UTP

Rin
( Vout )
Rf

LTP

Rin
(Vout )
Rf

Noninverting Schmitt Trigger

(Asymmetrical trigger points)
UTP

Rin
(Vout 0.7 V)
Rf 1

LTP

Rin
(Vout 0.7 V)
Rf 2

Inverting Schmitt Trigger

(Symmetrical trigger points)
UTP

Rf 2
Rf 1 Rf 2

(Vout )

LTP

Rf 2
Rf 1 Rf 2

(Vout )

Inverting Schmitt Trigger

(Asymmetrical trigger points)
UTP

Rf 3
Rf 1 Rf 3

(Vout 0.7 V)

LTP

Rf 3
Rf 2 Rf 3

(Vout 0.7 V)

Schmidt trigger con transistores

Multivibrators

Multivibrator A circuit designed to have zero, one,

or two stable output states.
There are three types of multivibrators.

Astable (or Free-Running Multivibrator)

Monostable (or One-Shot)
Bistable (or Flip-Flop)

Astable Multivibrators

Astable multivibrator A switching circuit that has no

stable output state.

The astable multivibrator is a rectangular-wave oscillator.

Also referred to as a free-running multivibrator.

Monostable Multivibrators

Monostable multivibrator A switching circuit with

one stable output state.

Also referred to as a one-shot.

The one-shot produces a single output pulse when it
receives a valid input trigger signal.

Bistable Multivibrators

Bistable multivibrator A switching circuit with two

stable output states.

Also referred to as a flip-flop.

The output changes state when it receives a valid input
trigger signal, and remains in that state until another valid
trigger signal is received.

The 555 Timer

555 timer An 8-pin IC designed for use in a variety of

switching applications.

Comparator Input/Output
Relationships

Flip-Flop Input/Output
Relationships

555 Timer One-Shot

555 Timer One-Shot Waveforms

PW 1.1RC

Intermittent One-Shot Operation

A valid input trigger fulfills one of these relationships:

VT 13 VCC
VT 1 2 Vcon

Invalid input signals may result in intermittent operation.

Decoupling Capacitors

Decoupling capacitor A
capacitor connected between the
supply voltage and ground pins
of an IC to prevent intermittent
high-frequency operation.

555 Timer Astable Multivibrator

Astable Multivibrator Waveforms

Astable Multivibrator
Relationships

1.44
f0
( R A 2 RB )C1
R A RB
duty cycle
100
R A 2 RB
PW 0.693(R A RB )C1

Voltage-Controlled Oscillators
(VCOs)

Voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) A free-running

oscillator whose output frequency is controlled by a dc
input voltage.