MODULE II

Syllabus: Small signal Amplifiers: Introduction to amplifiers – Analysis of transistor amplifier using
h-parameters – Exact and approximate model of CE amplifier – Design and analysis of single stage CE
amplifier…
Introduction to amplifiers:
 An amplifier is an electronic circuit that increases/amplifies/boosts the amplitude of the given
input signal without changing the frequency.i.e.an amplifier raise the strength of a weak signal to
produce a strong signal.
 And the process of converting the relatively weaker signal to a stronger signal is called
amplification.
 Gain/Amplification factor (A): The amount of amplification provided by an amplifier. It is the
ratio of output to the input.
For example, if the input signal with amplitude of 50 mV and frequency of 1 KHz is applied to the
amplifier, it may produce output signal with amplitude of 5 V and frequency of 1 KHz as shown in
fig 2.1.Here,the voltage gain(or voltage amplification factor) is A V = = 100

Fig 2.1: Example for Amplifier circuit

 Amplifiers constitute an essential part of radios, televisions, CD/DVD players, stereo systems, mobile
phones and other communication circuits.
 In an amplifier circuits, Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) and Field Effect Transistors (FETs) are
commonly used as amplifying elements.
 Classification of amplifiers: According to the mode of operation, amplifiers are classified as,
o Based on the input signal amplitude
 Small signal amplifier  Large signal amplifier
o Based on the output quantity
Voltage amplifier Current amplifier Power amplifier
o Based on the transistor configuration
 CB amplifier  CE amplifier  CC amplifier
 CG amplifier  CS amplifier  CD amplifier
o Based on number of stages
 Single-stage amplifier  Multi-stage amplifier

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 o Based on the method of coupling between the stages
 Direct-coupled amplifier  RC Coupled amplifier
 Transformer coupled amplifier

Small signal amplifiers:

 Amplifiers designed to handle small AC signals are called small signal amplifiers. i.e. Small signal
amplifiers accept low-voltage ac inputs and produces amplified outputs.
o A single stage BJT (only one transistor with associated circuitry is used for amplification)
circuit may be employed as a small-signal amplifier.
o Transistor used in small signal amplifier is a small signal/low power transistor.
o The h-parameter equivalent model is commonly used in the small signal AC analysis of BJTs.
o h-parameters are normally specified by transistor manufactures.
Two port network & h-parameters:
 The terminal behavior of any two port network can be specified by the terminal voltages V1 and V2
at input (1-1’) and output (2-2’) port respectively, and by the currents I1 and I2, entering input and
output ports.

Fig 2.2: Two-port network and parameters

 The two-port active device can be represented by hybrid model or h-parameter model for
amplifier circuit analysis.
Hybrid parameters (h-parameters):
The two-port network equations in terms of h-parameters (hybrid parameters) can be written as
V1 = h11I1 + h12V2 ...………………… (1)
I2 = h21I1 + h22V2 ...………………… (2)
Case I: When output port is short circuited, i.e. V2 = 0.

Then, 𝒉𝟏𝟏 =
𝐕𝟏
𝐈𝟏
| 𝑽𝟐 = 𝟎 ...………………… (3)

And 𝒉𝟐𝟏 =
𝐈𝟐
𝐈𝟏
|𝑽𝟐 = 𝟎 ...………………… (4)

Case II: When input port is open circuited, i.e. I1 = 0.

Then, 𝒉𝟏𝟐 =
𝐕𝟏
𝐕𝟐
| 𝑰𝟏 = 𝟎 ...………………… (5)

And 𝒉𝟐𝟐 =
𝐈𝟐
𝐕𝟐
| 𝑰𝟏 = 𝟎 ...………………… (6)

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 The four hybrid parameters ℎ ,ℎ , ℎ and ℎ are defined as follows:
𝑽𝟏
o 𝒉𝟏𝟏 = 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑽𝟐 = 𝟎; Input impedance with output port short circuited, denoted by hi.
𝑰𝟏
𝑽𝟏
o 𝒉𝟏𝟐 = 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑰𝟏 = 𝟎, Reverse voltage gain with input port open circuited, denoted by hr.
𝑽𝟐
𝑰𝟐
o 𝒉𝟐𝟏 = 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑽𝟐 = 𝟎, Forward current gain with output port short circuited, denoted by hf.
𝑰𝟏
𝑰𝟐
o 𝒉𝟐𝟐 = 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑰𝟏 = 𝟎, Output admittance with input port open circuited, denoted by ho.
𝑽𝟐

Then, equations (1) and (2) can be written as

V 1 = h i I 1 + h rV 2 ...………………… (7)
I 2 = hf I 1 + h oV 2 ...………………… (8)
Equation (7) represents Kirchhoff’s voltage law to the input circuit, which can be
𝟏
represented as shown in fig 2.3.
𝒉𝒐

Equation (8) represents Kirchhoff’s current law to the

output circuit, which can be represented as shown in
fig 2.4.

Fig 2.3: Input circuit Fig 2.4: Output circuit

Combining these two circuits (Fig 2.3 & Fig 2.4) the hybrid model is obtained (fig 2.5)

Fig 2.5: Hybrid model for a two-port network (Exact hybrid model for 2-port network)
Transistor Hybrid model:
 Advantages of Transistor Hybrid model:
o They can be determined from the static (input & output) characteristics curves of transistor.
o They are convenient to use in circuit analysis and design using KVL & KCL since h-parameter
model consists of all linear elements.
o h-parameters are normally specified by transistor manufacturer.
o Easily convertible from one configuration to other.
o It is useful at low frequency operations.

Disadvantages of Transistor Hybrid model:

o It is not suitable at high frequency operations.
o h-parameter vary with device & temperature.

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 The CE,CC & CB configurations, their hybrid models and hybrid equations are summarized in Table
1.From Kirchhoff’s current law, the sum of three currents in a transistor must be zero.
Ib +Ic +Ie =0

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 h-parameter equations& typical h-
Circuit Schematic Transistor Hybrid model
parameter values

Vb= hieIb + hreVc

CE Configuration

Ic= hfeIb + hoeVc

hie =11,00 Ω hfe =50

hre =2.5x10-4 hoe =25μA/V

Vb= hicIb + hrcVe

CC Configuration

Ie= hfcIb + hocVe

hic =11,00 Ω hfc =51

hrc =1 hoc =25μA/V

Ve= hibIe + hrbVc

CB Configuration

Ic= hfbIe + hobVc

hib =21.6 Ω hfb =0.98

hrb =2.9x10-4 hob =0.49μA/V

Table.1: Transistor configurations & their hybrid models.

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 Analysis of transistor amplifier circuit using h- parameters

Fig 2.6 shows the basic amplifier circuit. A signal source(VS)& an external load(ZL) is connected to the
transistor network (properly biased) to form transistor amplifier.

Fig 2.6: Basic amplifier circuit

 The two port active network represents a BJT transistor in any one of its configuration.
Exact analysis of transistor amplifier:
 The hybrid equivalent circuit is valid for any type of load whether it is pure resistance or impedance
or another transistor.
 Fig 2.7 shows the general h-parameter equivalent circuit with load ZL connected to the output.

Fig 2.7: Circuit of Basic amplifier with transistor replaced by its hybrid model (Exact hybrid model)

1) Current gain or Current Amplification (AI): It is defined as the ratio of output current IL to the
input current I1.
𝐈𝐋
AI =
𝐈𝟏

Applying KCL to the output circuit (at node ‘x’ in fig 2.8),
I2 = -IL = hfI1 + hoV2
But, V2 = ILZL
Then, -IL = hfI1 + hoILZL
Rearranging, -IL(1+ hoZL) = hfI1

Then,
𝐈𝐋 = AI =
𝐡𝐟
𝐈𝟏 𝟏 𝐡𝐨𝐙𝐋
Fig 2.8

𝐈𝐋 𝐡𝐟
Current gain or Current Amplification (AI) = = ...………………… (9)
𝐈𝟏 𝟏 𝐡𝐨 𝐙𝐋

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2) Input impedance (Zin): It is defined as the ratio of the input voltage V1 to the input current I1.It is
the impedance we see looking into the amplifier input terminals(1-1’) .
𝐕𝟏
Zin =
𝐈𝟏

Applying KVL to the input circuit (fig 2.9),V1 = hiI1 + hrV2

But, V2 = ILZL
V1 = hiI1+ hrILZL..………… (a)
From equation (9), IL =AII1 ..………… (b)
Fig 2.9 Substituting equation (b) in (a), V1 = hiI1 + hrAII1ZL

Rearranging, V1 =( hi+hrAIZL)I1 Then, =Zin= hi+ hrAIZL

𝐕𝟏
Input impedance (Zin)= = hi+ hrAIZL...………………… (10)
𝐈𝟏

3) Voltage gain or Voltage Amplification (AV): It is defined as the ratio of output voltage V2 to the
input voltage V1.
𝐕𝟐
AV =
𝐕𝟏
𝐕𝟐 𝐈𝐋 .𝐙𝐋
Voltage gain AV = = ( Since V2= ILZL)
𝐕𝟏 𝐕𝟏

=
𝐈𝐋 .𝐙𝐋 ( Since V1=I1Zin)
𝐈𝟏 𝐙𝐢𝐧
𝐀𝐈 .𝐙𝐋
= ( Since AI = )
𝐙𝐢𝐧

𝐕𝟐 𝐀𝐈 𝐙𝐋
Voltage gain,AV = = ...………………… (11)
𝐕𝟏 𝐙𝐢𝐧

4) Output impedance (Zout): It is defined as the ratio of the output voltage V2 to the output current
I2.It is obtained by setting the source voltage to zero (Vs =0) & load resistance to infinity (ZL=∞).

𝐕𝟐
Zout =
𝐈𝟐

Applying KCL to the output circuit (at node ‘x’ in fig 2.10),
Applying KVL to the input circuit I2 = hfI1 + hoV2 ..………… (c)
(fig 2.11),
-I1Rs -I1hi –hrV2 = 0
Fig 2.10
-I1Rs -I1hi –hrV2 = 0

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 Then I1 = ..………… (d)

Substituting equation (d) in (c), I2 = hf + hoV2

= + hoV2

=( + ho )V2
Fig 2.11
𝟏
Then, =Zout= 𝐡𝐟 𝐡𝐫
𝐑 𝐬 𝐡𝐢
𝐡𝐨
𝐕𝟐
Output impedance (Zout)=
𝐈𝟐
𝟏
= 𝐡𝐟 𝐡𝐫 ...………………… (12)
𝐡𝐨
𝐑𝐬 𝐡𝐢

 If the output impedance of the amplifier stage with ZL included is desired, this load impedance can
be calculated as the parallel combination of ZL and Zout.
Approximate analysis of transistor amplifier:
 The parameters AV, AI, Zin & Zout are only slightly affected if hr and ho are not included in the model
(for CE & CB configurations) and the resultant model is called approximate hybrid model.
 Exact hybrid model is shown in fig 2.11.

Fig 2.11:Exact hybrid model

 It is justified to make approximations and simplify the expressions for the parameters A V, AI, Zin &
Zout .
o Since the value of hr is very small, controlled source hrV2becomes very small. This is
approximated by hrV2 = 0 and is replaced by a short circuit.
o Since the value of ho is very small, the impedance 1/ ho becomes very large and can be ignored
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in comparison to the parallel load ZL(i. e. if ho
≫ ZL , then the term h may be neglected

provided that h Z ≪ 1). This is approximated by 1/ho= ∞ and is replaced by an open

circuit.
o The approximate(simplified) hybrid model is shown in figure 2.12

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 Fig 2.12:approximate hybrid model
1) Current gain or Current Amplification (AI):
For exact model, current gain (AI) is
𝐡𝐟
AI = 𝟏 𝐡
𝐨𝐙𝐋

Then, for the approximate model, current gain is

AI = -hf ……………..(13)

2) Input impedance (Zin):

For exact model, input impedance (Zin) is, Where, hO≈0
Zin =hi+ hrAIZL

Then, for the approximate model, input impedance is, Where, hr≈0
Zin =hi ………………..(14)

3) Voltage gain or Voltage Amplification (AV):

For exact model, voltage gain (AV) is
𝐀𝐈 𝐙𝐋
AV =
𝐙𝐢𝐧

Then, for the approximate model, current gain is

𝐡𝐟 𝐙 𝐋
AV = ………………..(15)
𝐡𝐢

4) Output impedance (Zout):

For exact model, output impedance (Zout) is
𝟏
Zout = 𝐡𝐟 𝐡𝐫
𝐡𝐨
𝐑 𝐬 𝐡𝐢

Then, for the approximate model, output impedance is

Zout =∞………………..(16)
Where,ho≈0 &hr≈0

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Parameters Exact hybrid model Approximate hybrid model(ho≈0 &hr≈0)

Circuit
diagram

Current −𝐡𝐟
Gain, AI
-hf
𝟏 + 𝐡𝐨 𝐙𝐋
Input
impedance, hi+ hrAIZL hi
Zin

Voltage 𝐀𝐈 𝐙𝐋 −𝐡𝐟 𝐙𝐋
gain, AV 𝐙𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢
Output
𝟏
impedance, 𝐡𝐟 𝐡𝐫 ∞
Zout
+ 𝐡𝐨
𝐑𝐬 𝐡𝐢

Table.2: Comparison between exact & approximate hybrid models

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