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Chapter 4
Introduction
The term biasing is used for application of dc voltages to
establish a fixed level of current and voltage.
Transistor must be properly biased with dc voltage to
operate as a linear amplifier.
If amplifier is not biased with correct dc voltages on input
and output, it can go into saturation or cutoff when the input
signal applied.
There are several methods to establish DC operating point.
In DC analysis all capacitor act as open circuit.
Biasing
Biasing: The DC voltages applied to a transistor in order
to turn it on so that it can amplify the AC signal or to
establish a fixed level of current and voltage.
The base current, is the first to be determined. Once
is known, the remaining quantities can be determined.
The basic relationships for a transistor
0.7; = + 1 ;
=
Operating Point
The DC input establishes an
operating point or quiescent
point called Q-point
Quiescent means quiet,
still, inactive
A transistors operating
point (Q-point) is defined by
IC, VCE, and IB
Saturation
When the transistor is operating in saturation, current
through the transistor is at its maximum possible values.
DC biasing circuit
Fixed-bias circuit
- highly dependent on dc
Emitter-stabilized bias circuit
Collector-emitter loop
BJT - DC Analysis
Using KVL for the input and output circuits and the transistor
characteristics, the following steps apply:
1. Draw the load lines on the transistor characteristics curve
2. For the input characteristics determine the Q point for the
input circuit from the intersection of the load line and the
characteristic curve where Q point is between saturation
and cut off(Note that some transistor do not need an input
characteristic curve.)
3. From the output characteristics, find the intersection of
the load line and characteristic curve determined from the
Q point found in step 2, determine the Q point for the
output circuit.
4. Best Q for a linear amplifier - Midway between saturation
and cut-off
Base/Fixed Bias
This type of circuit is very unstable since its changes
with temperature and collector current. Base biasing
circuits are mainly limited to switching applications.
Base/Fixed Bias
In a simple biasing circuit, VBB is eliminated by
connecting the resistor RB to the supply VCC
Base/Fixed bias
Applying KVL,
Therefore,
= +
= ; = ; since
= 0; = =
Collector-Emitter Loop
Collector current
=
From KVL
=
=0
=0
DC Load Line
Increasing
level of IB
Decreasing
value of VCC
Increasing
level of RC
IC IE ( -VEE-VBE)/(RE + RB/DC)
KVL at loop 1
+ + + = 0
Since = + 1 :
+ 1 = 0
Solving for IB
=
+(+1)
KVL at loop 2
+ = 0
Since :
= ( + )
Also
=
=
= + =
= = +
=0
=0
Voltage-Divider Bias
Voltage-divider bias is the most widely
used type of bias circuit..
DC bias voltage at base of transistor is
developed by a resistive voltage-divider
consists of R1 and R2.
Vcc is dc collector supply voltage. 2
current path between point A and
ground: one through R2 and the other
through BE junction and RE.
The current in the base-emitter circuit is
much smaller, so for all practical
purposes we say that IE approximately
equals IC.
IE IC
Voltage-Divider Bias
This is a very stable bias circuit.
The currents and voltages are
almost independent of
variations in .
There are two ways of analyzing
the voltage divider bias circuit : 1. Exact analysis
2. Approximate analysis
1. Exact Analysis
Step 1 : Redraw circuit
Substitute = ( + 1)
=
+ ( + 1)
= 1 //2
2
=
1 + 2
= ( + )
2. Approximate Analysis
Used for circuit that have a very small
IB due to large resistance between
base and ground.
If Ri R2, IB < I2. So approx. I1 I2
=
; = ;
=
1 + 2
And
Apply KVL at output loop:
=
Substitute
= ( + )
By Ohms Law,
And,
R
1
VB =
R +R R
DC E
2
1
V E = V B + V BE
IE
V EE V E
=
RE
VC = I C RC
V EC = V E VC
V EE
IC = + = ;
Troubleshooting
Shown is a typical voltage divider circuit with correct voltage readings.
Knowing these voltages is a requirement before logical troubleshooting can
be applied. We will discuss some of the faults and symptoms.
Troubleshooting
R1 Open
With no bias the
transistor is in cutoff.
Base voltage goes down
to 0 V.
Collector voltage goes
up to
10 V(VCC).
Emitter voltage goes
down to 0 V.
Troubleshooting
Resistor RE Open:
Transistor is in cutoff.
Base reading voltage will stay
approximately the same.
Collector voltage goes up to 10
V(VCC).
Emitter voltage will be
approximately the base voltage +
.7 V.
Troubleshooting
Base Open Internally:
Transistor is in cutoff.
Base voltage stays
approximately the same.
Collector voltage goes up to 10
V(VCC).
Emitter voltage goes down to 0
V.
Troubleshooting
Open BE Junction:
Transistor is in cutoff.
Base voltage stays
approximately the same.
Collector voltage goes up to 10
V(VCC)
Emitter voltage goes down to 0
V.
RC Open:
Troubleshooting
Summary
The purpose of biasing is to establish a stable operating point (Q-point).
The Q-point is the best point for operation of a transistor for a given collector
current.
The dc load line helps to establish the Q-point for a given collector current.
The linear region of a transistor is the region of operation within
saturation and cutoff.