MEASURING INPUT & OUTPUT IMPEDANCE OF A NON-LINEAR CIRCUIT

I.

OBJECTIVES
1. To analyze a base-biased amplifier
2. To measure the input and output impedance of a non-linear circuit
experimentally and compare it with the calculated values

II.

TEST EQUIPMENT
(1) Power Supply
(1) Dual-Trace Oscilloscope
(1) RadioShack Console

III.

PARTS NEEDED

(1) 1K brn.blk.red

(1) 1 m brn.blk.grn

(2) 10F
IV.

(1) 10K brn.blk.org

Q1-2N3904

PROCEDURES
1. Calculate the ZIN , ZOUT , AV and VO of the base-biased amplifier (common
emitter) circuit shown in Figure

2. Set up the circuit of Figure 1.Measure & Draw the output voltage together
with the input signal.

3. MEASURING INPUT IMPEDANCE, when a circuit test is made of nonlinear elements such as transistors and capacitors, an ohmmeter cannot
be used to measure input or output impedance. A technique shown in
Figure 2 can be used to measure such when 50% of voltage supplied by
function VGEN generator is measured when a rheostat or a potentiometer is

varied, disconnect the potentiometer (or rheostat) and measure its ohmic
value. This is equivalent to the input impedance of the circuit under test.
Measure the input impedance of the V GEN circuit set up in step 1 by
using the potentiometer of the console as shown in Figure 3. Vary the
amplitude of VGEN until you get a fixed whole number such as 1V or 2V in
order to get a 0.5 V or 1V at the output voltage.

4. MEASURING AN OUTPUT VOLTAGE. First remove the load (R L) from the

circuit under test. Measure the output voltage. Connect a variable resistor
(or potentiometer) in place of R L and measure the output voltage. Vary the
potentiometer until VOUT becomes 50% of the output voltage when the load
is removed. See Figure 4.

Set up the circuit of Figure 5. Measure V O when RL is removed and

connect 100K pot and vary it until VO= 50% VO.

5. Compare your computed values for ZIN & ZOUT.

6. Turn-off function generator and then the power supply.

V.

QUESTION TO PONDER
1. Could an ohmmeter be used to directly measure the circuits (amplifier)
input and output impedance? Explain.

2. Name the three most important characteristic of a transistor.

3. Why is it necessary to turn off first any signal source before an DC source
and vice versa turning of first a DC source before any signal source
when using transistor or IC?