ELE222E INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS (21271)

Midterm Exam #1  10 March 2004 10.00-12.00

nci LESZ, PhD, Tolga KAYA, MSE
SOLUTIONS

1. Explain in a few sentences the physical events underlying the growth of depletion layer in a pn
junction under open-circuit conditions? What happens to the depletion layer when the pn junction is
biased? Explain the physical meaning of potential barrier. (7 sentences maximum, 30 points)
THE ANSWERS ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE IN BOOKS.
2. Assuming the diodes shown below are all ideal, utilize Thvenins Theorem to simplify the circuits
and find the values of the labeled currents and voltages. (2x 20 points)
+15 V

+15 V

+10 V

10k
10k

10k
I

V
20k

20k

For the circuit on the left, Vanode =

10k

+
10k

20k
15V = 10V and Ranode = 10k || 20k = 6k 7 .
20k + 10k

Vanode > V = Vcathode. , therefore 0,6 V may drop acress the diode and it is forward biased.
10V 0,6V
= 0,35mA .
That means the current that flows through can be calculated from I =
6k 7 + 20k
Thus, V = I 20k = 7,04V which proves Vanode > V = Vcathode and forward bias.
For the circuit on the right, Vcathode =

10k
15V = 7,5V and Rcathode = 10k || 10k = 5k and
10k + 10k

10k
10V = 5V and Ranode = 10k || 10k = 5k . Since Vanode < Vcathode the diode is
10k + 10k
reverse biased and no current flows through. V = Vanode Vcathode = -2,5 V.
Vanode =

3. For the circuit shown below right,

find the labeled node voltages for
(3x 10 points)
a.

b.

= 100

c.

= 10

Remember: |VBE| = 0,6 V.

+10V
9k1

5k1

V2

V1
T1

V5

100k
T2

V3

(a)hFE = =
Automatically, V1 = 0V and thus V2 =
0.6 V. IE1 = (VCC-V2)/9k1 = 1,03 mA.
THUS IC1 = 1,03 mA.
V3 = -VEE + IC1*9k1 = -0,6 V.
Therefore V4 = -1,2 V.

V4
9k1

4k3
-10V

IE2 = (V4-VEE)/4k3 = 2,05 mA. THUS IC2 = 2,05 mA. V5 = VCC - IC2*5k1 = -0,45 V.
This last value makes sure that T2 is still in the active region because CB junction is
reverse biased.
(b) hFE = = 100
Direction 1: From ground over 100k to Vcc.
V (V BE1 )
= 0,93 mA. V1 = IB1*100k = 0,93 V and V2 = 1,53 V.
I C1 = hFE CC
100k + hFE 9k1
Loop 2: From VEE over C1 to B2 to E2 to VEE.
9k1 * I C1 VBE 2
= 1,77 mA. V3 = -VEE + 9k1 (IC1 IB2) = -1,70 V.
I C 2 = hFE
9k1 + (1 + hFE )4k 3
Therefore V4 = -2,30 V. V5 = VCC 5k1*IC2 = 0,95 V.
(c) hFE = = 10
Direction 1: From ground over 100k to Vcc.
V (V BE1 )
= 0,49 mA. V1 = IB1*100k = 4,92 V and V2 = 5,52 V.
I C1 = hFE CC
100k + hFE 9k1
Loop 2: From VEE over C1 to B2 to E2 to VEE.
9k1 * I C1 VBE 2
= 0,69 mA. V3 = -VEE + 9k1 (IC1 IB2) = -6,15 V.
I C 2 = hFE
9k1 + (1 + hFE )4k 3
Therefore V4 = -6,75 V. V5 = VCC 5k1*IC2 = 6,49 V.