Pre-Lab Homework

In this experiment, we are going to use a 2N3904 BJT. Examine the data sheet for this device
carefully. In particular, make a note of the current gain (identified by ℎ𝐹𝐸 ).
1. Obtain the curve trace for a “Darlington Pair” of Bipolar Junction Transistors. A Darlington
Pair consists of two transistors with the first BJT driving the base terminal of the second
transistor as shown in Figure 1 below.
A. Set up the primary sweep voltages for V1 the same as shown in the lecture notes (see
the Darlington pair IV curve).
B. Set up the secondary sweep currents for I1 to be an order of magnitude smaller than
for the single BJT. In the Sweep Type box choose linear and enter the following 3
values: Start Value: 0, End Value: 8u and Increment: 1u (see lecture notes).
C. Describe the primary differences you observe between the single BJT Curve Trace and
that of the Darlington Pair. Discuss what might cause each difference.

Q1
Q2 V1
I1 Q2N3904

Figure 1. A Darlington Pair of 2N3904 transistors in a circuit designed to obtain the curve trace.

2. Using the IV plots shown in Fig. 3 (and found in the reintroduction to PSpice) design a BJT
biasing circuit that results in the following parameters: 𝑣𝐶𝐸 = 2 𝑉and 𝑖𝐵 = 40 𝜇𝐴. We
also require the power supply to be fixed at 5 Volts (this is where the load line intercepts
the 𝑖𝐵 = 𝑖 𝑐 = 0 line). You may use the circuit shown in Example 1. Note that all resistor
values in Example 1 must be recalculated. Your solution for the base to ground and base
to collector resistors may not be unique.
3. From the results obtained for question 2, determine 𝛽 (ℎ𝐹𝐸 ) for this transistor. Comment
on whether the number you have computed is within the range specified by the
datasheet.
4. Repeat Question 2 using the same load line but change the base current to 𝑖𝐵 = 20 𝜇𝐴.
Find 𝑣𝐶𝐸 and 𝑖𝑐 . Note that since we are not changing the load line, the collector to supply
resistance is not changing. However, since 𝑖𝐵 is changed, a new design is needed for the
rest of the circuit.
5. Now, compute 𝛽 (ℎ𝐹𝐸 ) for the circuit of Question 4 and compare it to your results in
Question 3. Comment on whether your BJT maintains a linear behavior (note that the
 equivalent circuit shown in Fig. 7 suggests a linear model, where 𝛽 is fixed). Is your result
in Question 4 consistent with the datasheet?
6. Build the circuit shown in Figure 2 below in PSpice. Note that the power supply V1 is a
VSIN power supply in the SOURCE library. Vcc is a VDC supply found in the SOURCE
library. Model this circuit using the Time Domain (Transient) Analysis Type with a Run To
Time of 2 ms.
A. Paste your output graph showing the voltage at the base terminal, collector terminal
and at the load.
B. What is the voltage gain of the circuit? (Compare the voltage amplitude at the base
terminal input (across Rb2) to that at the collector terminal.
C. What happens to the output voltage at the collector terminal if the value of Rb1 is
reduced by a factor of 10 (to 14.7 kΩ)? Simulate this situation and explain the result.
D. What happens to the output voltage at the collector terminal if the value of Rb1 is
increased by a factor of 3 (to 441 kΩ)? Simulate this situation and explain the result.

Rb1 Rc
147k 1k C2
C1 Q1 Vcc
V
1u
VOFF = 0 Q2N3904 10Vdc
1u V V

VAMPL = 0.1
V1
FREQ = 2k R_load
Rb2 Re
AC = 0 250
40k 20

Figure 2. A single BJT amplifier.