Frequency Response Analysis of a Transistor Amplifier

Devanarayan Saljith
(Dated: November 14, 2023)
This report presents the design and analysis of a transistor amplifier circuit, focusing on the
frequency response and bandwidth calculations. The experiment employed a common emitter RC-
coupled amplifier using a BC107 NPN transistor. Theoretical concepts, circuit design, and Transistor
as touch sensitive switch is designed as a part of innovation.

I. INTRODUCTION Learn more about this in the article on how transistors

work.
Amplifiers are crucial in signal processing, classified
into small and large signal amplifiers based on operat-
ing point shifts caused by input signals. This experiment
centers on small signal amplifiers, specifically the com-
mon emitter configuration. Voltage amplifiers, a subset
of small signal amplifiers, form the basis of this experi-
ment.

II. APPARATUS

Resistors ,capacitors,Function generator,CRO , BC107

FIG. 1. Touch Sensor
(a npn, silicon transistor)

III. THEORY

Common emitter RC coupled amplifier The current in

a Bipolar Junction transistor is related as follows IE=IB
+ IC
Applying Kirchhoff’s Loop Law to the output loop of
the Transistor. We obtain the following equation VCE =
VCC – ICRC
When the input voltage VBE increases the current IB
also increases, which results in the increase of collector
current IC by a factor of (Current gain). This will result
in the decrease of the output voltage VCE and 1800
phase shift in the output voltage. Here the change in
the output voltage will be higher in the change in input FIG. 2. Common emitter amplifier
voltage. So we get an amplified output signal. We can
further use RC ladders to bring the input and output
back into phase.
IV. DESIGNING THE TRANSISTOR
AMPLIFIER
A. TOUCH SENSOR
To design a transistor amplifier of a given amplification
Your body has electric resistance. You can check by factor, we should know the output voltage Vcc and the
measuring the resistance between your fingers with a mul- collector current Ic. Half of Vcc is usually dropped as
timeter. VCE and the other half is dropped across the resistors
So when you touch the wires of the touchpad, your Rc and RE.
body behaves as a resistor. This means a small amount Take Vcc = 10v, IB = 2mA
of current can flow from the plus of the battery, through Applying Kirchhoff’s rule,
the transistor’s base, and turn on the transistor. ICRC + IERE = 50
When the transistor is on, current can flow from collec- This 50to be 4:1, it is just a condition.) So
tor to emitter of the transistor and the LED will turn on. IcRc = (40/100)V cc
 2

IERE = (10/100)V cc. only for middle range of frequencies. There is one low fre-
quency fL and one high frequency fH Fig 2. Frequency
Since IB is very small Ic is approximately equal to IE. response Electronic Circuits Lab, Department of Elec-
Ic = IE trical Engineering, College of Engineering Trivandrum
4 beyond which the gains, AL and AH are 1/2 times
RC = 2 ∗ 103 1 Ω the gain AM (maximum gain) at the middle frequencies.
RE = 5001 Ω The two frequencies are called lower and higher cut off
frequencies. The difference between them is called the
So we get Rc and RE from the above equations. To bandwidth.
bypass the AC current through CE, impedance of CE
should be less than that of RE.
(1/CE) ¡ RE , is the angular frequency of the input
VI. OBSERVATION
signal. CE ¿ 1/RE.
Suppose current through R1 is 10 IB, then current
through R2 =9 IB, since a current IB enter the base.
By applying Kirchhoff’s law, Frequency(KHZ ) Peak to Peak volatge(V)
0.56 0.4
1.01 0.8
β = 100
1.31 1
1.6 1.2
9IB ∗ R2 = VBE + IERE = VBE + IcRE 1.91 1.4
β = (Ic /IB ). 2.01 1.6
2.3 1.8
R2 = 9.4K1 Ω 2.9 2
3.6 2.4
From the above 2 equations, we can find R2, since all 4.5 2.6
other values are known. ( VBE = 0.7V in case of silicon 5.5 2.8
transistor). 7.5 3
9.3 3
By applying Kirchhoff’s law, 20 3
Vcc = (10IB ∗ R1 ) + (9IB ∗ R2 ). 30 3
40 2.8
R1 = 41.5K1 Ω 81 2.6
120 2.4
From the above equation, we can find R1 . From these 184 2.2
equations, we can design a transistor amplifier of a par- 250 2
440 1.6
ticular amplification factor β.
710 1.2
820 1
Vcc = 10V, IC = 2mA

Rc = 2K1 Ω, RE = 5001 Ω

R1 = 41.5K1 Ω, R2 = 9.4K1 Ω

V. FREQUENCY RESPONSE ANALYSIS

The gain of an ideal amplifier should remain the same

for any frequency of the input signal. Therefore, the
frequency response curve (gain in db plotted against fre-
quency) becomes a straight line parallel to the frequency
axis. In actual practice, the coupling capacitors and the
emitter bypass capacitor reduce the gain at lower fre-
quencies. The capacitance internal to the transistor and
stray capacitance due to the wiring reduce the gain at
FIG. 3. log(F) Vs Gain
higher frequencies. Fig 2 shows the typical frequency re-
sponse characteristics of CE amplifier. The curve is flat
 3

A. INNOVATION analysis, and practical aspects of a small signal voltage

amplifier.

FIG. 4. Touch Sensor

VII. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The common emitter amplifier is designed, and its fre-

quency response is plotted and designed touch sensor us-
ing amplifier circuit.

VIII. CONCLUSION
FIG. 5. Enter Caption
In conclusion, the Common Emitter (CE) Amplifier
experiment provided valuable insights into the design,