DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : P.Anuradha
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : Electronics & Communication Engg
Institute : G.P.W.Bheemunipatnam,
Year/Semester : III Semester
Subject : Electronics Circuits – 1
Subject Code : EC-302
Topic : Transistor Amplifiers
Duration : 50 Mnts
Sub Topic : Bias Stabilization
Teaching Aids : Diagrams
EC-302.22 1
RECAP

In the previous session we have discussed about

operating point& selection of operating point.

EC-302.22 2
Objectives

On completion of this period you would be able to

understand

• The need of bias stabilization.

• The factors affecting the operating point.

EC-302.22 3
STABILIZATION

Stabilization is nothing but keeping the

Q- point (operating point)stabe irrespetive of
the variation in temperature, β of the
transistor and vbe

EC-302.22 4
•In a transistor amplifier fixing suitable operating point
is not sufficient.

•The operating point should remain stable.

EC-302.22 5
Stabilization of operating point is essential
because, it may change due to

Instability of Collector current IC. With

temperature ,Ie., ICBO or ICO

• Variation of VBE
• Change of β with transistor replacement.

EC-302.22 6
Instability of IC

In a CE amplifier

IC = β IB + (1+β) * ICO.

The reverse saturation current ICO increases at a rate

of 7 % / ° C for both Ge & Si transistors.

Or

ICO doubles for every 10 °C rise in temperature.

EC-302.22 7
Variation of VBE with temperature /change of
transistor.

Base-Emitter voltage VBE decreases at a rate of 2.5 mv per°C.

EC-302.22 8
Change of β factor

• The value of β is not same for any two

transistors even of same type.

• For Ex : BC147 is a Silicon transistor with β

varying from 100 to 600.

EC-302.22 9
All the above factors can cause the bias point to shift
from the values originally fixed.

EC-302.22 10
 THERMAL RUNAWAY

• The collector current IC increases with increase in

temperature.

• This increases power dissipation and further

increases the temperature, and it will increase
icbo and hence finally ic.

• Being a cumulative process it can result in burn –out

of transistor.

EC-302.22 11
The self destruction of an un-stabilized transistor is called

THERMAL RUNWAY

EC-302.22 12
 Means of achieving stability for operating point

• Stabilization techniques.

• Compensation techniques.

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 STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES

• Use a resistive biasing circuit.

• It permits variation of base current IB to maintain

collector current Ic constant.

• IC is made constant against variations in ICO,VBE and β

EC-302.22 14
 COMPENSATION TECHNIQUES

• They use temperature sensitive devices such as diodes,

transistors & thermisters

• They produce compensating voltages and currents and

make operating point stable.

EC-302.22 15
SUMMARY

We have discussed about

• Need of stabilization of operating point.

• Different techniques used for stabilization of operating

point.

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QUIZ

EC-302.22 17
The operating point “Q” varies due to changes in

A. Ico

B. VBE

C. β

D. All the above

EC-302.22 18
The reverse saturation current Ico = 10 µA at 30°C for a

transistor. What is the value of Ico at 60°C ?

A. 20 µA

B. 40 µA

C. 80 µA

D. 160 µA

EC-302.22 19
 Thermal Runaway occurs in

A. un stabilized transistor.

B. Stabilized transistor.

C. In both cases.

D. None of the above.

EC-302.22 20
Frequently asked questions in examination

• Discuss the need of bias stabilization.

• What factors affect the variation of operating

point.

EC-302.22 21