Experiment (4)

Multi-stage BJT Amplifier

Objectives
• To study the gain spectrum and bandwidth of a common-emitter amplifier.
• To verify the conner frequency relations of the common-emitter amplifier.
• To investigate the response of a CE-buffer multi-stage amplifier.

Pre-lab Work
For the CE amplifier circuit in figure (1), find general expressions for the voltage midband gain, low-
end and high-end corner frequencies, bandwidth and gain-bandwidth product. Repeat the
calculations including the buffer stage.

Solution:

Circuit
+5 𝑉

𝑅(% 4.3𝑘 𝑅&% 30𝑘

𝑅%% 30𝑘 𝐶(&

𝐶(%
1𝜇 Q2 1𝜇
𝑣!
𝑅"#$
1𝜇 𝑅&& 10𝑘
1𝑘 𝐶()
𝑅'& 1.3𝑘 𝑅+
𝑅%& 10𝑘
𝑅'% 1.3𝑘 𝐶*
𝑣"#$ 100𝑘
47𝜇

Figure 1: A Common-emitter Amplifier with a buffer stage Circuit.

Laboratory Manual EE 3012: Electronics II.

Equipment
Table 1. Equipment for experiment 4.
Equipment Model Serial No. Stock No.
1 BreadBoard Station
2 Resistors (10, assorted)
3 BJT transistor (2) 2N3904 https://www.onsemi.com/pub/Collateral/2N3903-D.PDF
4 Capacitors (4, assorted)
5 Multi-meter and oscilloscope
6 Probes and cables

Experimental Procedure
Part (1): The CE Frequency Response.
1. Connect the CE circuit in figure 1 (excluding the buffer stage). Refer to the BJT datasheet for
proper connection of its terminals. The input signal 𝑣!"# is a sinusoidal ac source of a small
amplitude and a frequency around the middle of the midband (𝑓$ ). Make sure the transistor is
in active mode.
2. Connect both the input voltage signal and the output voltage signal (across 𝑅%% ) to the
oscilloscope using two channels.
3. Observe both waveforms simultaneously to calculate the voltage gain.
4. Vary the frequency slightly below and above 𝑓$ . Make sure that the gain is constant and that
its value is indeed the midband gain 𝐴$ . Use table 2 to record your results.
5. Now, vary the frequency more below and above 𝑓$ to find the amplifier corner frequencies
and the bandwidth. Use table 2 to record your results.

Part (2): The CE-buffer Frequency Response.

1. Connect the full circuit in figure 1 (including the buffer stage).
2. Repeat steps 2 to 5 as in part (1). The output is taken across 𝑅& . Record your results in table
3.
3. Study the effect of the two resistors 𝑅%% and 𝑅& on the midband gain, bandwidth and the gain-
bandwidth product of the multi-stage amplifier by using another value (say 10 𝑘Ω). Record the
results in table 4.

Results and Analysis

Part (1): The CE Frequency Response.

1. Calculate the voltage gain of this amplifier (𝑣' /𝑣!"# ) and record your results in table 2.
2. Find the experimental values for the corner frequencies. Calculate the differences between the
experimental, simulated and theoretical values of the midband gain, the corner frequencies
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and the gain-bandwidth product. Comment on these results.

Laboratory Manual EE 3012: Electronics II.

Table 2. Frequency Response of the CE stage.

𝑓 𝑣!"# 𝑣' Gain

𝑓! = 𝐴! =

Answer:

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Laboratory Manual EE 3012: Electronics II.

Part (2): The CE-buffer Frequency Response.

1. Calculate the voltage gain of this amplifier (𝑣' /𝑣!"# ) and record your results in table 3.
2. Find the experimental values for the corner frequencies. Calculate the differences between the
experimental, simulated and theoretical values of the midband gain, the corner frequencies
and the gain-bandwidth product. Comment on these results.
Answer:

Table 3. Frequency Response of the CE-buffer Circuit.

𝑓 𝑣!"# 𝑣' Gain

𝑓! = 𝐴! =

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Laboratory Manual EE 3012: Electronics II.

3. Examine the values in table 4 and give your observations and conclusions regarding the effect
of the load resistance on the properties of the multistage amplifier.
Answer:

Table 4. Effect of Load Resistance

𝑅%% 𝑅& 𝐴$ 𝐵𝑊 𝐺𝐵
10 𝑘Ω 100 𝑘Ω
10 𝑘Ω 10 𝑘Ω
100 𝑘Ω 10 𝑘Ω
100 𝑘Ω 100 𝑘Ω

LTspice Simulations

Include with your report LTspice simulation results of all parts of this experiment.

Conclusions and Remarks

Write below all your conclusions/remarks on this experiment.

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Laboratory Manual EE 3012: Electronics II.

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