Discussion

We learned from the previous experiment that a properly biased transistor raises the strength
of a weak signal and thus acts as an amplifier and the main purpose of bjt biasing is establish a known Q-
point for its efficient operation.This experiment mainly focused on a CE(common emitter) BJT amplifier
which thought us how a transistor amplifies a weak ac signal. The CE amplifier circuit used for the
experiment as shown in the figure has the emitter as the common terminal for the bypassed capacitor,
or from ground to an ac signal which is connected to the base terminal.

figure

According to our research a small-signal amplifier uses only a small portion of its load line under
signal conditions. And the one that is responsible for the high gain is the bypassed capacitor connected
in parallel with RE2, This bypass capacitor helps increase the gain by allowing the ac signal to pass more
easily by providing a low reactance path to the amplifies AC signal. Also, we learned that to lower the
gain of the circuit we can add another emitter resistance which is also known as swamping to increase
the input resistance and make the output more stable. Finally, the ac load line differs from the dc load
line because the effective ac collector resistance is less than the dc collector resistance.

Observations

At first our measured values didn’t match our computed values because we used dc analysis
instead of ac analysis. By comparing our computed and measured values we observed that the acquired
values were very near to the real value and very slightly diverse. All the values we obtained were within
the range of what we expected, and we can all attribute the slight variations to uncertainties.The voltage
gain is the ratio of ac output voltage at the collector to ac input voltage at the base. We also observed
that the the CE amplifier exhibits high voltage and current gain and output signal is 180º out of phase
with the input. Finally, we observed that when c2 is open the amplified a.c signal flowing through R E will
cause a voltage drop across it which will result to a lower output voltage.

Conclusion

The experiment enhanced our practical and analyzing skills by connecting the given circuit to the
breadboard and compare our measured and computed values. The experiment thought us what a
common emitter amplifier is, we also learned how to compute the AC parameters of an CE amplifier,
and observed that r parameters are used in AC computations because they are easily identifiable and
applicable with a transistor’s circuit operation. Through observation we saw that the CE amplifier
produces a phase difference of 180 degrees between the input signal voltage and output signal voltage
which is also known as phase reversal. Finally, we learned that the CE amplifier is always used in practical
uses mainly because of its good voltage, current, and power gain.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:

1 WHEN THE BYPASSSED CAPACITOR C2 IS OPEN, THE AMPLIFIED AC SIGNAL FLOWING THROUGH RE
WILL BE CAUSING A VOLTAGE DROP, THAT WILL CAUSE AN REDUCED OUTPUT VOLTAGE, WHICH WILL
LEAD TO A REDUCED GAIN.

2. THE INPUT RESISTANCE WAS WAS MEASURED WHILE THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE IS BEING MONITORED
BECAUSE THE INPUT RESISTANCE IS THE RESISTANCE “SEEN” BY AN AC SOURCE CONNECTED TO THE
INPUT. A HIGH VALUE OF INPUT RESISTANCE IS DESIRABLE SO THAT THE AMPLIFIER WILL NOT
EXCESSIVELY LOAD THE SIGNAL SOURCE.

REFERENCES:

FLOYD, THOMAS L., ELECTRONIC DEVICES, 9TH ED. CHAPTER 6 BJT AMPLIFIERS

BOYLESTAD, R.L., ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUIT THEORY, 7TH ED. CHAPTER 11 BJT AND JFET
FREQUENCY RESPONSE

TALKING ELECTRONICS, CH-11 MULTISTAGE TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIERS