Lab 4

BJT Amplifiers

Purpose
This experiment will investigate the characteristics of the common-emitter and common-
collector amplifier. This includes both DC and AC characteristics.

Material and Equipment

NI ELVIS
2N3904 NPN Transistor
Resistors: 96 k, 20 k, 10 k, 1k (2), 500, 47
Capacitors: 0.01µF,1µF,10µF(2)

Theory
In this lab, two BJT amplifier configurations will be investigated; the common-emitter, and
the common-collector amplifier. Both amplifiers typically use a self biasing scheme and
have a relatively linear output.

Common-Emitter Amplifier

The common-emitter amplifier is characterized by high voltage(Av) and current gain(Ai).

The amplifier typically has a relatively high input resistance(1 to 10 kohms) and is
generally used to drive medium to high resistance loads. The circuit for the common
emitter can be seen in Figure 4-1. It is used in applications where a small voltage signal
needs to be amplified to a large voltage signal. Since the amplifier cannot drive low
resistance loads, it is usually cascaded with a buffer that can acts as a driver.

Figure 4-1: Common Emitter Amplifier.

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Common-Collector Amplifier

The common-collector amplifier, or the emitter-follower as it sometimes called, is a unity

gain, high current gain amplifier. The input resistance for this type of amp is usually 1k to
100kohms. A typical common-collector amplifier can be seen in Figure 4-2. Because the
amplifier has unity voltage gain, it is useful as a buffer amplifier providing isolation
between two circuits while providing driving capability for low resistance loads.

Figure 4-2 : Common-Collector Amplifier

Procedure

1) Common-emitter amplifier

a) Obtain the transconductance from the previous lab.

b) Build the circuit as in Figure 4-1. Use the following resistor values:
R1=10 k , R2=1 k, RC=1k, RE = 47 ohms ; Vcc = 12 V. Use a 10 µF
capacitor for coupling, meaning Cc= 10µF..

c) Measure the amplifier’s Q point. Do not apply any vs from signal

generator source, apply VCC and measure VCEQ and ICQ and IBQ quiescent
(DC) values. Also determine the current gain using ICQ and IBQ.

d) To measure the small signal quantities use the frequency generator to

produce a 5kHz sinusoidal signal with a 0.1-1 Vp-p amplitude. Using
the waveforms on the scope screen, calculate the voltage gain when
there is a clear signal at the output. Then to find the maximum output
swing, slowly increase signal generator output until the distortion at the
output just occurs. Then, measure the maximum output swing on the
scope.

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 e) Capture the input and the output waveforms.

f) Then connect a 1 µF bypass capacitor in parallel with RE. Repear steps

d and e. Compare the two results you obtained with and without bypass
capacitor.

2) Common-collector amplifier:

a) Build the circuit as in Figure 4-2. Use 10 microfarad capacitor for

coupling, resistor values:R1 = 96 kohm , R2 = 20 kohm, RE = 500 ohms ;
Vcc = 12 V.

b) Measure the amplifier’s Q point, voltage gain, current gain, input

resistance, and the maximum output swing. To measure the small signal
quantities use the frequency generator to produce a 5kHz sinusoidal
signal with a 0.1-1 Vp-p amplitude.

c) Capture the input and the output waveforms.

d) Calculate the Voltage gain.

Questions for the Lab Report

1) Compare the measured values for each amplifier with the values calculated. Explain
any differences.

2) How does using a transistor with a different β affect the operation of the common-
emitter amplifier? Explain the results.

3) Discuss the difference you noticed between the two types of amplifiers.

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