Transistor

Bias Circuits
 Voltage divider bias
Definition
A potential divider bias, also known as voltage divider bias, is a device used in a simple amplifier
circuit for biasing bipolar junction transistors (BJT) to dc. In a voltage divider network, the circui
t usually consists of biasing resistors whose values are determined through circuit analysis.

Circuit and Formula

Advantages and disadvantages
Again, voltage divider bias is the most popular and used way to bias BJT transistors. The resistors help to
give complete control over the voltage and current that each region receives in the transistor. And the
emitter resistor, RE, allows for stability of the gain of the transistor, despite fluctuations in the β values.
On the other hand, the disadvantage of this bias is that signals tend to get mixed up at times

Emitter Bias
Definition
Bias of a BJT Transistor emitter. One way a BJT transistor can be biased is a method known as emitter
bias. Emitter bias is a very good and stable way to bias transistors when there are supplies of both positive
and negative power. Emitter bias fluctuates very little with varying temperature and replacing the
transistor.

Circuit and Formula

Examples
Example
We calculate a value for RC and choose a close standard value. An emitter resistor which is 10-50% of
the collector load resistor usually works well.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Emitter bias provides excellent bias stability in spite of changes in or temperature. It uses both a positive
and a negative supply voltage. To obtain a reasonable estimate of the key DC. The collector current does
not remain constant with variation in temperature or power supply voltage. Changes in Vbe will change
IB and thus cause IE to change. When the transistor is replaced with another one, considerable change in
the value of β can be expected.

Collector feedback bias

Definition
Collector Feedback Biasing a Transistor The base feedback configuration collector ensures the
transistor is always biased in the active region regardless of the Beta (β) value.

Circuit and Formula

Examples
Find the required collector feedback bias resistor for an emitter current of 1 mA, a 4.7K collector load
resistor, and a transistor with β=100. Find the collector voltage VC. It should be approximately midway
between VCC and ground
Find the Q-point values ( IC and VCE) for the collector feedback bias circuit

Solution :
Fig. 14 shows the currents in the three resistors (RC, RB and RE) in the circuit. By following the path
through VCC , RC, RB, VBE and RE and applying Kirchhoff’s voltage law, we have,
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantage
• The circuit is simple as it needs only one resistor.
• This circuit provides some stabilization, for lesser changes.
Disadvantage
• The circuit doesn’t provide good stabilization.
• The circuit provides negative feedback.
Base Bias
Definition
Base bias ensures that the voltage fed to the base, VBB, is the correct voltage which then provides the cor
rect current so that the BJT has sufficient base current to switch the transistor on.

Circuit and Formula

Examples
1.)
2.) Assuming that we have a β=100 transistor, what value of the base-bias resistor is required to yield an
emitter current of 1mA? Solving the IE base-bias equation for RB and substituting β, VBB, VBE, and IE
yield 930kΩ. The closest standard value is 910kΩ

What is the emitter current with a 910kΩ resistor? What is the emitter current if we randomly get a β=300
transistor?

3.) A base bias circuit in Fig. 6 is subjected to an increase in temperature from 25°C
to 75°C. If β = 100 at 25°C and 150 at 75°C, determine the percentage change in Q-point values
( VCE and IC) over this temperature range. Neglect any change in VBE and the effects of any
leakage current.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Although base bias is one of the simplest and easiest methods of biasing transistors, this is the least
popular way of doing so. This is because the transistor's βdc determines the collector value, IC. Transistor
βdc is one of the transistor's most unstable and unpredictable parameters. βdc can vary significantly
across transistors, even with the same exact model and type.
Emitter-Feedback Bias
If an emitter resistor is added to the base-bias circuit, the result is emitter-feedback bias. If the
collector current tries to increase, the emitter voltage increases, causing an increase in base
voltage because VB = VE + VBE.

To

calculate 𝐼𝐸 , you can write Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL) around the base circuit.

Examples:
1. For the emitter bias circuit shown in Fig. 10, find IE, IC, VC and VC and VCE for β= 85 and
VBE = 0.7V.
2. Determine how much the Q-point will change over a temperature range where β
increases from 85 to 100 and VBE, decreases from 0.7V to 0.6V.
For β = 85 and VBE = 0.7V
As calculated in the above Question.12, IC = 1.73 mA and VCE = 14.6V.

For β = 100 and VBE = 0.6V

 3. Fig. 12 shows a silicon transistor biased by collector feedback resistor method.
Determine the operating point. Given that β = 100.

Advantages: Emitter resistance reduces much of the circuit gain variability that otherwise is
highly dependent on actual transistor current gain.

Disadvantage: The emitter resistor causes a reduction in circuit gain.

Common Collector Configuration

The configuration in which the collector is common between emitter and base is known as CC
configuration. In CC configuration, the input circuit is connected between emitter and base and
the output is taken from the collector and emitter.
Sample Problems:
1. For the circuit shown below, find the operating point. What is the stability factor of
the circuit? Given that β = 50 and VBE = 0.7V.
The circuit shown in Fig. 21 uses silicon transistor having β = 100. Find the operating point and stability
factor.

2. It is desired to set the operating point at 2V, 1mA by biasing a silicon transistor with
collector feedback resistor RB. If β = 100, find the value of RB.

Advantages: High input impedance, low output impedance, high current gain,
and unity voltage gain.

Disadvantages: The voltage gain is approximately 1. However, the input

resistance and current gain are high, and this is why you use an emitter
follower.

Common Base Configuration

The common base configuration is less common as an amplifier than compared to the more
popular common emitter, (CE) or common collector, (CC) configurations but is still used due to
its unique input/output characteristics.

The electrical relationship between the three transistor currents can be

shown to give the expressions for alpha, α and Beta, β as shown.

Common Base Amplifier Voltage Gain

As IC/IE is alpha, we can present the amplifiers voltage gain as:

Sample Problems:
1. A common base transistor amplifier has an input resistance of 20 Ω and output
resistance of 100 kΩ. The collector load is 1 kΩ. If a signal of 500 mV is applied
between emitter and base, find the voltage amplification. Assume αac to be nearly
one.

2. In a common base connection, current amplification factor is 0.9. If the emitter

current is 1mA, determine the value of base current.
 3. In a common base connection, the emitter current is 1mA. If the emitter circuit is
open, the collector current is 50 μA. Find the total collector current. Given that α =
0.92.

Advantages: low input impedance, high output impedance, high voltage gain, unity
current gain.
Disadvantages: The input signal source must carry the full emitter current of the transistor.

Common Emitter Configuration

The configuration in which the emitter is connected between the collector and base is known as
a common emitter configuration. The input circuit is connected between emitter and base, and
the output circuit is taken from the collector and emitter.
 Base Current Amplification Factor (β)

Relation Between Current Amplification Factor (α) & Base Amplification Factor (β). The relation
between Β and α can be derived as
We known,

Now,
Sample Problems:
1. Calculate the emitter current in the voltage divider circuit. Also find the value of VCE
and collector potential VC.
2. For the circuit shown below, find the operating point. What is the stability factor of the
circuit? Given that β = 50 and VBE = 0.7V.

3. A common emitter amplifier has the following characteristics, β = 100, Vcc = 30V and RL
= 1kΩ. If the amplifier circuit uses an emitter resistance to improve its stability, calculate
its resistance.
The amplifiers quiescent current, ICQ is given as:
The voltage drop across the emitter resistance is generally between 1 and 2 volts, so lets
assume a voltage drop, VE of 1.5 volts.

Advantages: high input impedance, high voltage and current gain.

Disadvantages: It has a high output resistance, responds poorly to high frequencies, has
high thermal instabilities, and it's voltage gain is very unstable.