E330 ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN LAB 2 DESIGN OF A CURRENT MIRROR CONTINUITY TESTER 1.

Introduction

A continuity tester is a useful instrument for any electronics trouble shooter. It gives an audible sound whenever its probes are shorted or whenever the resistance across its probes is low. Continuity may therefore be defined as the presence of a resistance between the probes of less than a certain low value (say <10). Some digital multimeters incorporate a continuity test function. Continuity testers should be incapable of destroying components in the circuit. So careful attention should be paid to the voltage at the probes and the current allowed to flow in the circuit under test. 2. Specifications for the Tester

In this lab we shall design a continuity tester with the following requirements: 1. It should draw as little current from the supply as possible when on standby. 2. It will operate from 5V initially for test purposes, but eventually should be modified to operate from a single 1.5 V battery. 3. It uses the sound of a d.c. buzzer to indicate continuity. 4. It indicates continuity whenever the resistance between the probes is less than 10. 3. Basic Circuits 3.1 On/Standby Switch
VCC Q1

The suggested circuit to be used as a switch R2 Vo is indicated on the right. Probe tips (a) With Vcc = 5V and R1 = 4k7, R1 Calculate the value of R2 which ensures that when the probes are shorted the current in the probes is less than 35 A. (b) What is the value of Vo when the probes are open and when shorted. (c) Briefly explain how this circuit can be used as on/standby switch to power another circuit.

3.2

Current Mirror
R3

VCC R4
Vo

The Current mirror is a common circuit in electronic design. It operates on the principle that if two matched transistors have the same base-emitter voltage their collector currents will be the same. Because of the exponential relationship I c = I s eqVbe / kT small changes in Vbe will cause large changes in Ic. Here we shall use a current mirror to detect changes of Vbe as small as 5 mV generated across a resistance as small as of 10 . The circuit we shall use is as shown. For detailed explanation see the attached sheet. (a) (b) (c) 3.3

Q3 Q2
Probe tips

Using the value of Vo found in 2.1(b) as Vcc calculate the value of R3 such if the probes tips are shorted then the current in the probe tips in no more than 500 A. Calculate a value for R4 so that Vo2 is about 0.8 V when the probe tips are shorted. Build the circuit and measure Vo2 when the probes are open, shorted, and when a 10 resistor is connected. Comment on your results. Buzzer Circuit
VCC U1

We shall use a d.c. piezoelectric buzzer (note polarity is important). Use a transistor switching circuit such as the C1 one shown here. Note that R5 is only to avoid applying more than say 0.7 V as Vbe for the transistor otherwise if one was sure Vin never exceeds this R5 would not be R5 necessary. Vin (a) Test the buzzer on its own by applying a low d.c. voltage to it with the correct polarity. (b) Connect the circuit and modify it if necessary so that you can find out at what value of Vbe the buzzer starts to sound. 4. (a) (b) (c) Continuity Tester

Q4

Based on the information obtained from the above circuits, work out a complete design of a continuity tester which should meet the specifications given. Build the circuit and take appropriate measurements to show that your design meets the specifications. Make conclusions and any other recommendations about the tester you have designed and built.

Appendix The current-mirror configuration is a fundamental circuit in electronic design and is a variant of the constant current source circuit. Figure A shows a constant current source circuit where the output current Io is a function of the base-emitter voltage Vbe of the transistor and the emitter resistor Re expressed in the formula: Io = (Vb Vbe)/Re This current source is not too stable because it ignores the fact that the Vbe for the transistor varies with temperature by a coefficient of 2 mV/C. If we could somehow vary the base voltage Vb with temperature to compensate exactly for this drift in the transistor characteristics then the current source would be more stable. The standard method of achieving this is to include another p-n junction (it could either be a silicon diode or better still a transistor with its base and collector shorted together) in the voltage generator that produces Vb. This ensures that Vb will track with Vbe so that their difference (Vb Vbe) will be constant as the temperature changes. The constant current generator shown in Figure B includes this modification and is very close to our final current mirror circuit. Vb = IiRM+Vd = IeRe + Vbe or IiRM IeRe and Io Ie = RM/Re Ii The current flowing into the base of T2 is so small it can be ignored. The circuit can also function without an emitter resistor (with a loss of accuracy, however). Figure C is now the basic circuit of our continuity tester where the input and output current are: Io Ii RM is the measured resistance between the probes and will be either an open-circuit (no input current will flow) or a short-circuit, in which case the input current will be governed by the value of R1 and the supply (battery) voltage VB.

The Current-Mirror