Whites, EE 320

Lecture 12

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Lecture 12: DC Analysis of BJT Circuits.

In this lecture we will consider a number of BJT circuits and
perform the DC circuit analysis. For those circuits with an active
mode BJT, well assume that VBE = 0.7 V (npn) or VEB = 0.7 V
(pnp).

Example N12.1 (text example 5.4). Compute the node voltages

and currents in the circuit below assuming = 100.

(Fig. 5.34a)
Well assume the device is operating in the active mode, then
well check this assumption at the end of the problem by
calculating the bias of the EBJ and CBJ.
If the BJT is in the active mode, VBE = 0.7 V then
V
3.3
VE = 4 VBE = 3.3 V and I E = E =
= 1 mA.
3
RE 3.3 10
With I C = I E then
2009 Keith W. Whites

Whites, EE 320

Lecture 12

IC =

+1

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1 mA=0.99 mA

Consequently, using KVL

VC = 10 I C RC = 10 0.99 103 4.7 103 = 5.3 V
Finally, using KCL I B + I C = I E , or
I B = I E I C = 1 0.99 = 0.01 mA
Now well check to see if these values mean the BJT is in the
active mode (as assumed).
VCB = 5.3 4 = 1.3 V. This is greater than zero, which means
the CBJ is reversed biased.
VBE = 0.7 V. This is greater than zero, which means the
EBJ is forward biased.
Because the CBJ is reversed biased and the EBJ is forward
biased, the BJT is operating in the active mode.
Note that in the text, they show a technique for analyzing such
circuits right on the circuit diagram in Fig. 5.34c. Very useful.

(Fig. 5.34c)

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Lecture 12

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Example N12.2 (text example 5.5). Repeat the previous

example but with VB = 6 V. Assuming the BJT is operating in
the active mode:
I C = I E = 0.99 1.6 mA = 1.58 mA

10 I C 4.7 k = 2.57 V

6 0.7 = 5.3 V

IE =

5.3 V
= 1.6 mA
3.3 k

From the last calculation VC = 2.57 V VCB = 3.43 V.

Consequently, the BJT is not in the active mode because the
CBJ is forward biased.
A better assumption is the transistor is operating in the
saturation mode. Well talk more about this later. For now,
suffice it to say that in the saturation mode VCE sat 0.2 V (see
Section 5.3.4).

Assuming this and reanalyzing the circuit:

Whites, EE 320

Lecture 12

IC =

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10 5.5
=0.96 mA
4700

VC = 5.3 + 0.2 = 5.5 V

I B = I E IC
= 0.64 mA

VCE

sat

= 0.2 V

6 0.7 = 5.3 V

IE =

5.3 V
= 1.6 mA
3.3 k

Notice that
I C 0.96
=
= 1.5
I B 0.64
This ratio is often called forced . Observe that its not equal to
100, as this ratio would be if the transistor were operating in the
active mode (see Section 5.3.4).

Example N12.3 (text example 5.7). Compute the node voltages

and currents in the circuit below assuming = 100. To begin,
well assume the pnp transistor is operating in the active mode.

Whites, EE 320

Lecture 12

IE =

I B = I E IC
= 0.05 mA

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10 0.7
=4.65 mA
2000

0.7 V
10 + 4.6 mA 1 k = 5.4 V

I C = I E = 0.99 4.65 mA = 4.6 mA

Now check if the BJT is in the active mode:

EBJ? Forward biased.
CBJ? Reversed biased.
So the BJT is in the active mode, as originally assumed.

Example N12.4 (text exercise D5.25). Determine the largest RC

that can be used in the circuit below so that the BJT remains in
the active mode. (This circuit is very similar to the one in the
previous example.)

Whites, EE 320

Lecture 12

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I E = 4.65 mA

0.7 V

I C = I E = 4.6 mA

Well begin by assuming the BJT is operating in the active

mode. In the active mode, the CBJ needs to be reversed biased.
The lowest voltage across this junction for operation in the
active mode is VCB = 0 VC = VB = 0 V.
Therefore, by KVL

10 + RC I C = 0

or
10
10
=
= 2,174
3
I C 4.6 10
This value of RC and smaller is required for the BJT to operate
in the active mode.
RC =

Example N12.5 (text example 5.10). Determine the node

voltages and currents in the circuit shown below. Assume the
BJT is operating in the active mode with = 100 .

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Lecture 12

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First, well use Thvenins theorem to simplify the base circuit

15 V

100 k
+
50 k

RTH

VTH
-

The Thvenin equivalent resistance and voltage are then

RTH = 100 k || 50 k = 33.33 k
50
VTH =
and
15 = 5 V
100 + 50
Using this Thvenin equivalent for the base circuit, the overall
circuit is then

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Lecture 12

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15 V
IC

5k
5V

VC

33.3 k
IB

VB
VE
KVL

3k
IE

To find the emitter current, well apply KVL over the loop
shown giving
5 = 33.3 103 I B + 0.7 + 3,000 I E
The quantity of interest is IB. With I C = I B and I C = I E for a
BJT in the active mode, we find
I

IE = C = IB =
IB

( + 1)
I E = ( + 1) I B
or
Using this in the KVL equation
5 0.7 = 33.3 103 + 3,000 ( + 1) I B
With = 100 then solving this equation we find
I B = 12.8 A I E = ( + 1) I B = 1.29 mA.
Next, by KCL
I C = I E I B = 1.29 m 12.8 A = 1.28 mA
The node voltages are then

Whites, EE 320

Lecture 12

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VC = 15 I C 5 k = 8.6 V
VE = I E 3 k = 3.87 V
VB = 5 I B 33.3 k = 4.57 V

Lastly, lets check if the BJT is operating in the active mode.

VBE = VB VE = 4.57 3.87 = 0.7 V. This is 0.7 V originally
assumed for a forward biased EBJ.
VBC = VB VC = 4.57 8.6 = 4.03 V. This is less than zero,
which means the CBJ is reversed biased.
Therefore the BJT is operating in the active mode, as originally
assumed.