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BJT Amplifier Circuits: ECE65 Lecture Notes (F. Najmabadi), Winter 2006
BJT Amplifier Circuits: ECE65 Lecture Notes (F. Najmabadi), Winter 2006
As we have developed different models for DC signals (simple large-signal model) and AC
signals (small-signal model), analysis of BJT circuits follows these steps:
DC biasing analysis: Assume all capacitors are open circuit. Analyze the transistor circuit
using the simple large signal mode as described in pages 77-78.
AC analysis:
1) Kill all DC sources
2) Assume coupling capacitors are short circuit. The effect of these capacitors is to set a
lower cut-off frequency for the circuit. This is analyzed in the last step.
3) Inspect the circuit. If you identify the circuit as a prototype circuit, you can directly use
the formulas for that circuit. Otherwise go to step 4.
4) Replace the BJT with its small signal model.
5) Solve for voltage and current transfer functions and input and output impedances (node-
voltage method is the best).
6) Compute the cut-off frequency of the amplifier circuit.
Several standard BJT amplifier configurations are discussed below and are analyzed. For
completeness, circuits include standard bias resistors R1 and R2 . For bias configurations
that do not utilize these resistors (e.g., current mirror), simply set RB = R1 k R2 .
Common Collector Amplifier (Emitter Follower)
VCC
DC analysis: With the capacitors open circuit, this circuit is the
same as our good biasing circuit of page 110 with RC = 0. The R1
R2 RE
AC analysis: To start the analysis, we kill all DC sources:
VCC = 0
R1
vi Cc vi Cc C
B
vo vo
E
R2 RE R1 R2 RE
C
RE
The figure above shows why this is a common collector configuration: collector is shared
between input and output AC signals. We can now proceed with the analysis. Node voltage
method is usually the best approach to solve these circuits. For example, the above circuit
will have only one node equation for node at point E with a voltage vo :
vo v i vo 0 vo 0
+ iB + =0
r ro RE
Because of the controlled source, we need to write an auxiliary equation relating the control
current (iB ) to node voltages:
vi v o
iB =
r
Substituting the expression for iB in our node equation, multiplying both sides by r , and
collecting terms, we get:
" #
1 1 r
vi (1 + ) = vo 1 + + r + = vo 1++
ro RE ro k R E
vo 1
Av = r
vi 1+
(1 + )(ro k RE )
Unless RE is very small (tens of ), the fraction in the denominator is quite small compared
to 1 and Av 1.
To find the input impedance, we calculate ii by KCL:
vi vi v o
ii = i1 + iB = +
RB r
vi
Ri = RB
ii
Note that RB is the combination of our biasing resistors R1 and R2 . With alternative biasing
schemes which do not require R1 and R2 , (and, therefore RB ), the input resistance of
the emitter follower circuit will become large. In this case, we cannot use vo vi . Using the
full expression for vo from above, the input resistance of the emitter follower circuit becomes:
vi
Ri = RB k [r + (RE k ro )(1 + )]
ii
R1 R1
vi Cc vi Cc
vo vo
R2 RE = RL R2 RE RL
vi Cc B r vi Cc B r
E vo E vo
i i i i
B B B B
RB ro RE RB ro RE RL
C C
Ro Ro
Alternatively, the load can be placed in parallel to RE . This is done when the common
collector amplifier is used as a buffer (Av 1, Ri large). In this case, the output resistance
is denoted by Ro0 (see figure). For this circuit, BJT sees a resistance of RE k RL . Obviously,
if we want the load not to affect the emitter follower circuit, we should use RL to be much
Ro
vT
KCL: iT = iB + iB
ro
KVL (outside loop): r iB = vT
Substituting for iB from the 2nd equation in the first and rearranging terms we get:
vT (ro ) r
Ro =
iT (1 + )(ro ) + r
(ro ) r r r
Ro = = re
(1 + )(ro ) (1 + )
As mentioned above, when RE is the load the common collector is used as a current ampli-
fier to raise the current and power levels . This can be seen by checking the current gain
in this amplifier: io = vo /RE , ii vi /RB and
io RB vi Cc B r iT
E
Ai =
ii RE i iB vT
B
RB ro RE +
We can calculate Ro0 , the output resistance
C
when an additional load is attached to the cir-
cuit (i.e., RE is not the load) with a similar Ro
Cc r iT
procedure: we need to find the Thevenin re- vi B E
sistance of the two-terminal network (using a i iB vT
B
test voltage source). RB ro +
We can use our previous results by noting that C
we can replace ro and RE with ro0 = ro k RE
Ro
which results in a circuit similar to the case
with no RL . Therefore, Ro0 has a similar ex-
pression as RO if we replace ro withro0 :
In most circuits, (1 + )(ro0 ) r (unless we choose a small value for RE ) and Ro0 re
In summary, the general properties of the common collector amplifier (emitter follower)
include a voltage gain of unity (Av 1), a very large input resistance Ri RB (and can
be made much larger with alternate biasing schemes). This circuit can be used as buffer for
matching impedance, at the first stage of an amplifier to provide very large input resistance
(such in 741 OpAmp). The common collector amplifier can be also used as the last stage
of some amplifier system to amplify the current (and thus, power) and drive a load. In this
case, RE is the load, Ro is small: Ro = re and current gain can be substantial: Ai = RB /RE .
Impact of Coupling Capacitor:
Up to now, we have neglected the impact of the coupling capacitor in the circuit (assumed
it was a short circuit). This is not a correct assumption at low frequencies. The coupling
capacitor results in a lower cut-off frequency for the transistor amplifiers. In order to find the
cut-off frequency, we need to repeat the above analysis and include the coupling capacitor
impedance in the calculation. In most cases, however, the impact of the coupling capacitor
and the lower cut-off frequency can be deduced be examining the amplifier circuit model.
amplifier), vi0 = vi .
Voltage Amplifier Model
When we account for impedance of the capacitor, we have set up a high pass filter in the
input part of the circuit (combination of the coupling capacitor and the input resistance of
the amplifier). This combination introduces a lower cut-off frequency for our amplifier which
is the same as the cut-off frequency of the high-pass filter:
1
l = 2 fl =
Ri Cc
Lastly, our small signal model is a low-frequency model. As such, our analysis indicates
that the amplifier has no upper cut-off frequency (which is not true). At high frequencies,
the capacitance between BE , BC, CE layers become important and a high-frequency small-
signal model for BJT should be used for analysis. You will see these models in upper division
For this new circuit and with the capacitors open circuit, this circuit is the same as our
good biasing circuit of page 110. The bias point currents and voltages can be found using
procedure of pages 110-112.
AC analysis: To start the analysis, we kill all DC sources, combine R1 and R2 into RB and
replace the BJT with its small signal model. We see that emitter is now common between
input and output AC signals (thus, common emitter amplifier. Analysis of this circuit is
straightforward. Examination of the circuit shows that:
vi Cc B C vo
vi = r iB vo = (RC k ro ) iB i
B iB
RB r ro RC
vo RC
Av = (RC k ro ) RC =
vi r r re
E
Ri = R B k r Ro Ro
The negative sign in Av indicates 180 phase shift between input and output. The circuit
has a large voltage gain but has a medium value for input resistance.
As with the emitter follower circuit, the load can be configured in two ways: 1) RC is the
load; or 2) load is placed in parallel to RC . The output resistance can be found by killing
the source (short vi ) and finding the Thevenin resistance of the two-terminal network. For
this circuit, we see that if vi = 0 (killing the source), iB = 0. In this case, the strength of
Ro = r o Ro0 = RC k ro
Lower cut-off frequency: Both the coupling and bypass capacitors contribute to setting
the lower cut-off frequency for this amplifier, both act as a high-pass filter with:
1
l (coupling) = 2 fl =
Ri Cc
1
l (bypass) = 2 fl = 0
RE Cb
0
where RE RE k re
1
l (bypass) l (coupling) l = 2 fl =
Ri Cc
1
l (coupling) l (bypass) l = 2 fl = 0
RE Cb
When the two frequencies are close to each other, there is no exact analytical formulas, the
cut-off frequency should be found from simulations. An approximate formula for the cut-off
frequency (accurate within a factor of two and exact at the limits) is:
1 1
l = 2 fl = + 0
Ri Cc RE Cb
vi Cc
pact of negative feedback on OpAmp circuits: we traded gain
for stability of the output. Same principles apply here.
R2
DC analysis: With the capacitors open circuit, this circuit is the
RE
same as our good biasing circuit of page 110. The bias point
currents and voltages can be found using procedure of pages
110-112.
AC analysis: To start the analysis, we kill all DC sources, combine R1 and R2 into RB and
replace the BJT with its small signal model. Analysis is straight forward using node-voltage
method.
C1 i i
vi B B C C vo
vE v i vE vE v o +
iB
+ iB + =0 v r ro
r RE ro BE
RB _ E
vo vo v E
+ + iB = 0 RC
RC ro RE
vi v E
iB = (Controlled source aux. Eq.)
r
vE vE v i vE v o
+ + =0
RE r ro
vo vo v E vE v i
+ =0
RC ro r
Above are two equations in two unknowns (vE and vo ). Adding the two equation together
we get vE = (RE /RC )vo and substituting that in either equations we can find vo . Using
r / = re , we get:
vo RC RC
Av = =
vi re (1 + RC /ro ) + RE (1 + re /ro ) re (1 + RC /ro ) + RE
where we have simplified the equation noting re ro . For most circuits, RC ro and
re RE . In this case, the voltage gain is simply Av = RC /RE .
Noting that iB = (vi vE )/r and vE = (RE /RC )vo = (RE /RC )Av vi , we get:
r
Ri = R B k
1 + Av RC /RE
Substituting for Av from above (complete expression for Av with re /ro 1), we get:
" !#
RE
Ri = R B k + re
1 + RC /ro
For most circuits, RC ro and re RE . In this case, the input resistance is simply
Ri = RB k (RE ).
As before the minus sign in Av indicates a 180 phase shift between input and output
signals. Note the impact of negative feedback introduced by the emitter resistance: The
voltage gain is independent of BJT parameters and is set by RC and RE (recall OpAmp
inverting amplifier!). The input resistance is also increased dramatically.
i iT
B B C
As with the emitter follower circuit, the load can
iB
be configured in two ways: 1) RC is the load. 2)
r ro vT
Load is placed in parallel to RC . The output re- i2
+
E
sistance can be found by killing the source (short
vi ) and finding the Thevenin resistance of the i1 RE
Then:
vT 1 + ro /re
Ro = = ro + RE
iT 1 + RE /r
RE /re RE ro RE
Ro r o + r o ro + = ro +1
1 + RE /r re re
Value of Ro0 can be found by a similar procedure. Alternatively, examination of the circuit
shows that
Ro0 = RC k Ro RC
Lower cut-off frequency: The coupling capacitor together with the input resistance of
the amplifier lead to a lower cut-off frequency for this amplifier (similar to emitter follower).
The lower cut-off frequency is given by:
1
l = 2 fl =
Ri Cc
RC /RE . For cases when a high gain (gains larger than 5-10) is vo
The addition of by-pass capacitor, however, modifies the lower cut-off frequency of the circuit.
Similar to a regular common emitter amplifier with no emitter resistance, both the coupling
and bypass capacitors contribute to setting the lower cut-off frequency for this amplifier.
Similarly we find that an approximate formula for the cut-off frequency (accurate within a
factor of two and exact at the limits) is:
1 1
l = 2 fl = + 0
Ri Cc RE Cb
0
where RE RE2 k (RE1 + re )
Ri = RB k [r + (RE k ro )(1 + )] RB
R2 RE
(ro ) r r 1
Ro = = re 2 fl =
(1 + )(ro ) + r Ri Cc
(ro0 ) r r
Ro0 = where ro = ro k RC VCC
(1 + )(ro0 ) + r
Common Emitter: R1 RC
vo
RC Cc
Av = (RC k ro ) RC = vi
r r re
Ri = R B k r R2
RE Cb
Ro = r o Ro0 = RC k ro RC
1 1 0
2 fl = + 0 where RE RE k re
Ri Cc RE Cb
VCC
1 1 vi Cc
2 fl = + 0
Ri Cc RE Cb
R2
0 R E1
where RE RE2 k (RE1 + re )
R E2 Cb
?
If bias resistors are not present (e.g., bias with current mirror),
let RB in the full expression for Ri .
Example 1: Find the bias point and AC amplifier parameters of this circuit (Manufacturers
spec sheets give: hf e = 200, hie = 5 k, hoe = 10 S).
1 r
r = hie = 5 k ro = = 100 k = hf e = 200 re = = 25
hoe
DC analysis:
9V
RB = 18 k k 22 k = 9.9 k
22k 1k
22
VBB = 9 = 4.95 V
18 + 22
IE IE
KVL: VBB = RB IB + VBE + 103 IE IB = =
1+ 201 9V
3
! IC
9.9 10 +
4.95 0.7 = IE + 103 RB IB
201 VCE
+
VBE _ _
IC +
IE = 4 mA IC , IB = = 20 A 1k
VBB
KVL: VCC = VCE + 103 IE
VCE = 9 103 4 103 = 5 V
DC Bias summary: IE IC = 4 mA, IB = 20 A, VCE = 5 V
AC analysis: The circuit is a common collector amplifier. Using the formulas in page 134,
Av 1
Ri RB = 9.9 k
Ro re = 25
l 1 1
fl = = = = 36 Hz
2 2RB Cc 2 9.9 10 0.47 106
3
1 r
r = hie = 5 k ro = = 100 k = hf e = 200 re = = 25
hoe
15 V
DC analysis: Replace R1 and R2 with their Thevenin equivalent
and proceed with DC analysis (all DC current and voltages are
34 k 1k
denoted by capital letters). Since all capacitors are replaced with
vo
open circuit, the emitter resistance for DC analysis is 270+240 = vi 4.7 F
510 .
RB = 5.9 k k 34 k = 5.0 k 5.9 k 270
5.9
VBB = 15 = 2.22 V
5.9 + 34 240 47 F
IE IE
KVL: VBB = RB IB + VBE + 510IE IB = =
1+ 201
!
5.0 103 15 V
2.22 0.7 = IE + 510
201
1k
IC IC
IE = 3 mA IC , IB = = 15 A
RB IB +
VCE
KVL: VCC = 1000IC + VCE + 510IE +
VBE _ _
3 +
VCE = 15 1, 510 3 10 = 10.5 V 270 + 240
VBB = 510
DC Bias: IE IC = 3 mA, IB = 15 A, VCE = 10.5 V
AC analysis: The circuit is a common collector amplifier with an emitter resistance. Note
that the 240 resistor is shorted out with the by-pass capacitor. It only enters the formula
for the lower cut-off frequency. Using the formulas in page 134 (with RE1 = 270 ):
RC 1, 000
Av = = = 3.70
RE1 270
RE1
Ri RB k RE1 RB = 5.0 k R o re + 1 = 1.2 M
re
0
RE = RE2 k (RE1 + re ) = 240 k (270 + 25) = 132
l 1 1
fl = = + =
2 2Ri Cc 2RE 0
Cb
1 1
+ = 31.5 Hz
2 5, 000 4.7 10 6 2 132 47 106
1 r
r = hie = 5 k ro = = 100 k re = = 25
hoe R1 RC
vo
vi Cc
The prototype of this circuit is a common emitter amplifier with an
emitter resistance. Using formulas of page 134 R2
RE
RC
|Av | =4
RE
RC
=4 4RE + RE = 2.5 k RE = 500 , RC = 2. k
RE
Commercial values are RE = 510 and RC = 2 k. Use these commercial values for the
rest of analysis.
We need to check if VE > 1 V, the condition for good biasing. VE = RE IE = 5103103 =
1.5 > 1, it is OK (See next example for the case when VE is smaller than 1 V).
We now proceed to find RB and VBB . RB is found from good bias condition and VBB from
a KVL in BE loop:
R1 R2
RB = R 1 k R 2 = = 5 k
R1 + R 2
VBB R2 2.28
= = = 0.152
VCC R1 + R 2 15
R1 can be found by dividing the two equations: R1 = 33 k. R2 is found from the equation
for VBB to be R2 = 5.9 k. Commercial values are R1 = 33 k and R2 = 6.2 k.
Lastly, we have to find the value of the coupling capacitor:
1
l = = 2 100
Ri Cc
1 r
r = hie = 5 k ro = = 100 k re = = 25
hoe R1 RC
vo
The prototype of this circuit is a common emitter amplifier with an vi Cc
VCC = RC IC + VCE + RE IE
15 7.5 = 3 103 (RC + RE ) RC + RE = 2.5 k
RC
= 10 10RE + RE = 2.5 k RE = 227 , RC = 2.27 k
RE
We need to check if VE > 1 V which is the condition for good VCC
biasing: VE = RE IE = 227 3 103 = 0.69 < 1. Therefore,
we need to use a bypass capacitor and modify our circuits as is R1 RC
shown. vo
Cc
For DC analysis, the emitter resistance is RE1 + RE2 while for vi
RC
VE = (RE1 + RE2 )IE
iC
1 RB +
RE1 + RE2 = = 333 iB
3 103 vCE
+
vBE _ _
+
Now, solving for RC , RE1 , and RE2 , we find RC = 2.2 k, R E1 + R E2
VBB
RE1 = 220 , and RE2 = 110 (All commercial values).
We can now proceed to find RB and VBB :
RB ( + 1)(RE1 + RE2 )
RB = 0.1(min + 1)(RE1 + RE2 ) = 0.1 101 330 = 3.3 k
KVL: VBB = RB IB + VBE + RE IE
3 103
VBB = 3.3 103 + 0.7 + 330 3 103 = 1.7 V
201
R1 R2
RB = R 1 k R 2 = = 3.3 k
R1 + R 2
VBB R2 1
= = = 0.066
VCC R1 + R 2 15
0
RE = RE2 k (RE1 + re ) = 110 k (220 + 25) = 76
Ri RB = 3.3 k
1 1
l = + 0 = 2 100
Ri Cc RE Cb
This is one equation in two unknown (Cc and CB ) so one can be chosen freely. Typically
Cb Cc as Ri RB RE RE 0
. This means that unless we choose Cc to be very small,
the cut-off frequency is set by the bypass capacitor. The usual approach is the choose C b
based on the cut-off frequency of the amplifier and choose Cc such that cut-off frequency of
the Ri Cc filter is at least a factor of ten lower than that of the bypass capacitor. Note that
in this case, our formula for the cut-off frequency is quite accurate (see discussion in page
129) and is
1
l = 2 100
RE
0
Cb
1 1
0
Ri Cc RE Cb
1 1
= 0.1 0
Ri Cc RE Cb
0
Ri Cc = 10RE Cb Cc = 4.7 106 = 4.7 F
So, are design values are: R1 = 50 k, R2 = 3.6 k, RE1 = 220 , RE2 = 110 , RC =
2.2 k, Cb = 20 F, and Cc = 4.7 F.
An alternative approach is to choose Cb (or Cc ) and compute the value of the other from
the formula for the cut-off frequency. For example, if we choose Cb = 47 F, we find
Cc = 0.86 F.
DC analysis: Tr1 vo
6.2
RB1 = 6.2 k k 33 k = 5.22 k and VBB1 = 15 = 2.37 V
6.2 + 33
IE1 IE1
BE-KVL: VBB1 = RB1 IB1 + VBE1 + 103 IE1 IB1 = =
1+ 201
!
5.22 103
2.37 0.7 = IE1 + 500
201
IC1
IE1 = 3.17 mA IC1 , IB1 = = 16 A
CE-KVL: VCC = 2 103 IC1 + VCE1 + 500IE1
VCE1 = 15 2.5 103 3.17 103 = 7.1 V
DC Bias summary for Tr1: IE1 IC1 = 3.17 mA, IB1 = 16 A, VCE1 = 7.1 V
22
RB2 = 18 k k 22 k = 9.9 k and VBB2 = 15 = 8.25 V
18 + 22
IE2 IE2
BE-KVL: VBB2 = RB2 IB2 + VBE2 + 103 IE2 IB2 = =
1+ 201
!
9.9 103
8.25 0.7 = IE2 + 103
201
AC analysis:
We start with the emitter follower circuit (Tr2) as the input resistance of this circuit will
appear as the load for the common emitter amplifier (Tr1). Using the formulas in page 134:
Av2 1
Ri2 RB2 = 9.9 k
l2 1 1
fl2 = = = = 34 Hz
2 2RB2 Cc2 2 9.9 10 0.47 106
3
Since Ri2 = 9.9 k is NOT much larger than the collector resistor of common emitter
amplifier (Tr1), it will affect the first circuit. Following discussion in pages 125 and 128, the
effect of this load can be taken into by replacing RC in common emitter amplifiers formulas
with RC0 = RC k RL = RC1 k Ri2 = 2 k k 9.9 k = 1.66 k.
RC0 1.66k
|Av1 | = = 3.3
RE 500
Ri1 RB1 = 5.22 k
l1 1 1
fl1 = = = = 6.5 Hz
2 2RB1 Cc1 2 5.22 103 4.7 106
The overall gain of the two-stage amplifier is then Av = Av1 Av2 = 3.3. The input resistance
of the two-stage amplifier is the input resistance of the first-stage (Tr1), Ri = 9.9 k. To
find the lower cut-off frequency of the two-stage amplifier, we note that:
Av1 Av2
Av1 (j) = and Av2 (j) =
1 jl1 / 1 jl2 /
Av1 Av2
Av (j) = Av1 (j) Av2 (j) =
(1 jl1 /)(1 jl2 /)
From above, it is clear that the maximum value of Av (j) is Av1 Av2 and the cut-off frequency,
l can be found from |Av (j = l )| = Av1 Av2 / 2 (similar to procedure we used for filters).
For the circuit above, since l2 l1 the lower cut-off frequency would be very close to l2 .
So, the lower-cut-off frequency of this amplifier is 34 Hz.
6.2
RB1 = 6.2 k k 33 k = 5.22 k and VBB1 = 15 = 2.37 V
6.2 + 33
IE1 IE1
BE-KVL: VBB1 = RB1 IB1 + VBE1 + 103 IE1 IB1 = =
1+ 201
!
5.22 103
2.37 0.7 = IE1 + 500
201
IC1
IE1 = 3.17 mA IC1 , IB1 = = 16 A
CE-KVL: VCC = 2 103 IC1 + VCE1 + 500IE1
VCE1 = 15 2.5 103 3.17 103 = 7.1 V
DC Bias summary for Tr1: IE1 IC1 = 3.17 mA, IB1 = 16 A, VCE1 = 7.1 V
We now check our assumption of IC1 IB2 . We find IC1 = 3.17 mA IB2 = 41 A. So,
our assumption was justified.
It should be noted that this bias arrangement is also stable to variation in transistor . The
bias resistors in the first stage will ensure that IC1 ( IE1 ) and VCE1 is stable to variation
of TR1 . Since VB2 = VCE1 + RE1 IE1 , VB2 will also be stable to variation in transistor
. Finally, VB2 = VBE2 + RE2 IE2 . Thus, IC2 ( IE2 ) will also be stable (and VCE2 because
of CE-KVL).
AC analysis:
As in Example 5, we start with the emitter follower circuit (Tr2) as the input resistance
of this circuit will appear as the load for the common emitter amplifier (Tr1). Using the
formulas in page 134 and noting that this amplifier does not have bias resistors (RB1 ):
Av2 1
Ri2 = r + (RE k ro )(1 + ) = 5 103 + 201 103 = 201 k
Note that because of the absence of the bias resistors, the input resistance of the circuit is
very large, and because of the absence of the coupling capacitors, there is no lower cut-off
frequency for this stage.
Since Ri2 = 201 k is much larger than the collector resistor of common emitter amplifier
(Tr1), it will NOT affect the first circuit. The parameters of the first-stage common emitter
amplifier can be found using formulas of page 134.
RC 2, 000
|Av1 | = =4
RE 500
Ri1 RB1 = 5.22 k
l1 1 1
fl1 = = = = 6.5 Hz
2 2RB1 Cc1 2 5.22 103 4.7 106