EEL3303L Electronics I

Date: 5/28/11
Project: The Big Muff Pi Analyzed and Modified
`Professor: Omar Dube

Name: Courtney Crichton
PID: 3281258








Abstract
The objective of the project is to explore the use of high gain transistors for audio filtering and
manipulation purposes. I will implement and analyze a previously designed version of a guitar distortion
pedal manufactured by Electro Harmonix. After implementing this design, I will modify the project by
adding the upgraded transisters. I will then simulate the various parts of my modification and show the
plots in Multisim. By using electronic circuit analysis learned in this course, I hope to analyze and explain
the creative take on this popular distortion pedal. Below is an original schematic that I will use as a
guide.

Theory
A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals. It is made
of a solid piece of semiconductor material, with at least three terminals for connection to an
external circuit. A voltage or current applied to one pair of the transistor's terminals changes
the current flowing through another pair of terminals. Because the controlled (output) power
can be much more than the controlling (input) power, the transistor provides amplification of a
signal.
The essential usefulness of a transistor comes from its ability to use a small signal applied between one
pair of its terminals to control a much larger signal at another pair of terminals. This property is called
gain. A transistor can control its output in proportion to the input signal; that is, it can act as an
amplifier. Alternatively, the transistor can be used to turn current on or off in a circuit as an electrically
controlled switch, where the amount of current is determined by other circuit elements.
The transistors used are the 2SD1073 Darlington configuration transistor; used because of their
low saturation voltage and their frequency response. They terminals labeled base, collector, and
emitter. A small current at the base terminal (that is, flowing from the base to the emitter) can control
or switch a much larger current between the collector and emitter terminals.
Parts used
An MPSW45A Darlington transistor
A small speaker
Two 100,000 ohm resistors
A 10,000 ohm resistor
A 50 ohm resistor
A 9 volt DC battery


Procedure
The circuit was constructed as shown in the diagram below:

V2 represents the source input
R5 represents the speaker output
The first voltage and current markers represent the input and the second set the output.
Scope of work involved
If I simply put the signal into the base, the transistor will turn off completely when the signal is
low, and turn on completely when the signal is high. This behavior is useful when one wants to
use the transistor as a switch, but I have to change the behavior to make a good audio
amplifier. When the signal is at zero, I want the output of the amplifier to be halfway between 0
and 9 volts (4.5 volts). I can arrange for this to happen by using a voltage divider. Since current
flows through the resistors all the time, I want their values to be high, so that not much current
flows through them. This will prevent them from getting hot, and make the battery last longer.
In my circuit I use 100,000 ohms.
Large resistors in the voltage divider also make it easier for the signal to push the voltage higher
or lower. This is a good thing, since it means my amplifier will be more sensitive. In my case, if
the signal from the source is a little too strong, and the signal pushes the voltage too high or
too low, causing distortion. Therefore, I add another resistor, with 10,000 ohms, to match the
signal to the amplifier.
The transistor can handle 1 watt before it gets too hot, reducing its lifetime. If I let the full 9
volts get in, the circuit would draw over 2 watts, and while the sound would be nice and loud,
the transistor would get quite hot, and the battery would not last long. To make the amplifier
draw only one watt, a 50 ohm resistor was put in to lower the current. You can think of this
resistor as a volume control, although I can't adjust it without using a variable resistor that can
handle 2 watts and could go from 50 ohms to 150 ohms, thus varying the volume.


Simulations
V
in


V
out












I
in










I
out


Conclusion
The circuit behaved as expected. Essentially the small frequency induced showed that a significant gain
was outputted.

References
Microelectronic Circuits, Sedra & Smith, Oxford University Press, 6th Ed., 2010
Wikipedia.org