9 Common Base Amplifier

Objective
The objective of this exercise is to examine the characteristics of a common base amplifier, specifically voltage gain,
input impedance and output impedance. A method for experimentally determining input and output impedance is
investigated along with various potential troubleshooting issues.

Theory Overview
The common-base (CB) amplifier provides high voltage gain with a maximum current gain of 1. Since it has a low input
resistance, the CB amplifier is the most appropriate type for certain applications where sources tend to have very low-
resistance outputs. A typical common-base amplifier is shown in Figure 1. The base is the common terminal and is at
ac ground because of capacitor C2. The input signal is capacitively coupled to the emitter. The output is capacitively
coupled from the collector to a load resistor. The CB amplifier is useful at high frequencies when impedance matching
is required because input impedance can be controlled and because noninverting amps have better frequency response
than inverting amps.

Equipment
Dual Adjustable DC Power Supply model: ________________ srn: __________________

Digital Multimeter model: ________________ srn: __________________

Dual Channel Oscilloscope model: ________________ srn: __________________

Function Generator model: ________________ srn: __________________

Small signal transistors

22 k Ω resistor ¼ watt actual: ________________________

6.8 k Ω resistor ¼ watt actual: ________________________

1 k Ω resistor ¼ watt actual: ________________________

560 Ω resistor ¼ watt actual: ________________________

20 k Ω resistor ¼ watt actual: ________________________

10 µF capacitors actual: ________________________

1 µF capacitor actual: ________________________

Schematics

Figure 1
Procedure
DC Circuit Voltages

1. Consider the circuit of Figure 1 using Vcc = 12 Volts, R1 = 22 kΩ, R2 = 6.8 kΩ, Re = 560 Ω, Rc = 1 kΩ, Rload =
20 kΩ, C1 = C3 = 1 µF and C2 = 10 µF. Using the approximation of a negligible base voltage, determine the DC
voltages at the base, emitter, and collector along with the collector current, and record these in Table 1.

2. Build the circuit of Figure 1 using Vcc = 12 Volts, R1 = 22 kΩ, R2 = 6.8 kΩ, Re = 560 Ω, Rc = 1 kΩ, Rload = 20
kΩ, C1 = C3 = 1 µF and C2 = 10 µF. Make sure that the AC source is turned off or disconnected. Measure the DC
voltages at the base, emitter, and collector along with the collector current, and record these in Table 1. Note, you
may wish to use a transistor curve tracer or beta checker to get approximate values of beta for each of the three
transistors to be used.

AC Circuit Voltages

3. Based on the calculated collector current, determine the resulting theoretical r’e, Av, Zin and Zout, and record these in
Table 2. Assume a beta of approximately 150 for the Zin calculation.

4. Continuing with the values in Table 2 and using an AC source voltage of a 40 mV peak-peak 1 kHz sine wave,
compute the theoretical AC base, emitter and load voltages, and record them in Table 3 (Theory). Note that Rs will
create a voltage divider effect with Zin, thus reducing the signal that reaches the base. This reduced signal is then
multiplied by the voltage gain and appears at the collector.

5. Set the source to a 40 mV peak-peak 1 kHz sine wave and apply to the circuit. Using the oscilloscope, place one
probe at the base and the second at the emitter. Record the resulting peak-peak voltages in the first row of Table 3
(Experimental). The oscilloscope inputs should be set for AC coupling with the bandwidth limit engaged. Capture
an image of the oscilloscope display.

6. Move the second probe to the load and record its peak-peak value in the first row of Table 3. Also include whether
the signal is in phase or out of phase with the base signal. Capture an image of the oscilloscope display.

7. Unhook the load resistor from the output capacitor and measure the resulting collector voltage (do not connect the
output capacitor to ground-simply leave it dangling). Record this value in the final column of Table 3.

8. Reattach the load resistor. Swap the transistor with the second transistor and repeat steps 5 through 7 using the
second row of Table 3.

9. Reattach the load resistor. Swap the transistor with the third transistor and repeat steps 5 through 7 using the third
row of Table 3.

Computer Simulation

10. Simulate the above circuit in software. Compare the results and attach the results in copy.

Characteristics
Data Tables

IC
Transistor IB Theory IB Exp IC Exp IE Theory IE Exp
Theory

1 3uA 4.6uA 5mA 4.8mA 5mA 4.8mA

2 4uA 2.45uA 5mA 4.6mA 5mA 4.6mA

3 3.2uA 1.59uA 6mA 6.4mA 6mA 6.4mA

Table 1

Transistor VBE Thry VBE Exp VCE Thry VCE Exp β Theory β Exp

1 0.7 0.8 0.2 0.23 100 100

2 0.7 0.86 0.2 0.23 100 100

3 0.7 0.87 0.2 0.26 100 100

Table 2

IB sim IC sim IE sim VCE sim

3uA 4.3mA 4.23mA 0.23V

Table 3