Electronic Principles and Circuits – IPCC BEC-303
Mini-Project, Submitted in Partial Fulfilment for the Award of Internal Assessment
Particulars :
Design CC amplifier. Measure the input and output impedance
[Link] –08
Submitted to: Dr. Rajini V.H.
Submitted by : ADITYA CHANDRAKANT MAHENDRAKAR– USN: 1RN23EC011
1
Common Collector (CC) Amplifier Circuit Description
A Common Collector (CC) amplifier, also known as an Emitter Follower, is designed to
provide voltage gain with high input impedance and low output impedance. In this
configuration, the input is applied at the base of the transistor, and the output is taken
from the emitter. It is commonly used for impedance matching and as a buffer stage
between high impedance sources and low impedance loads.
Here is a description of the components and their working in the circuit:
1. Transistor (Q1)
Type: NPN transistor (e.g., 2N2222, BC547)
Base (B): Receives the input signal.
Collector (C): Connected to the supply voltage (VCCV_{CC}).
Emitter (E): Provides the output signal. This is where the signal is taken from the
circuit.
2. Biasing Network (R1, R2)
Purpose: The resistors R1R_1 and R2R_2 form a voltage divider that provides a
stable biasing voltage to the base of the transistor.
The base voltage VBV_B is set to ensure the transistor operates in its active region.
Voltage Divider Formula: VB=R2R1+R2×VCCV_B = \frac{R_2}{R_1 + R_2} \
times V_{CC} Where VCCV_{CC} is the supply voltage (e.g., 5V).
3. Emitter Resistor (R_E)
Purpose: The resistor RER_E is placed between the emitter of the transistor and
ground. It helps set the operating point of the transistor and provides stability.
The emitter resistor also determines the gain of the amplifier and contributes to the
input impedance.
4. Coupling Capacitors (C_in, C_out)
Purpose: The coupling capacitors are used to isolate the signal source from the
biasing network and to prevent any DC bias from being passed into or out of the
amplifier.
5. Load Resistor (R_L)
Purpose: The load resistor RLR_L is connected at the output to represent the load
that the amplifier drives.
The output impedance is a function of RER_E and RLR_L. If no external load is
connected, the output impedance will be approximately equal to RER_E.
6. Power Supply (V_{CC})
2
Purpose: The DC supply voltage, typically in the range of 5V to 12V (or higher),
powers the circuit. It is connected to the collector of the transistor.
Common Collector (CC) amplifier Circuit Diagram:
Explanation of the Operation:
Biasing: The voltage divider formed by R1R_1 and R2R_2 ensures that the transistor
is always operating in the active region, so it can amplify signals.
Input Signal: The AC input signal is coupled through CinC_{in} to the base of the
transistor. The base voltage is then set to a value slightly higher than the emitter
voltage, ensuring the transistor remains active.
Amplification: The input signal is amplified as it causes variations in the current
flowing through the transistor's collector. This results in an amplified version of the
signal at the emitter (though not inverted), and the signal appears at the emitter with
the same phase as the input signal.
3
Output: The output signal is taken from the emitter through the coupling capacitor
CoutC_{out}, ensuring that DC biasing is not transferred to the load resistor.
4. Impedance Analysis
Input Impedance (ZinZ_{in}):
The input impedance of a CC amplifier is primarily determined by the base-emitter
resistance of the transistor and the resistors in the biasing network.
The input impedance is given approximately by: Zin≈RB∥(rπ+(1+β)RE)Z_{in} \
approx R_B \parallel (r_{\pi} + (1+\beta) R_E) Where:
o RB=R1∥R2R_B = R_1 \parallel R_2 (The resistance of the biasing network),
o rπr_{\pi} is the small-signal base-emitter resistance of the transistor,
o β\beta is the current gain of the transistor,
o RER_E is the emitter resistor.
Output Impedance (ZoutZ_{out}):
The output impedance of the CC amplifier is approximately equal to the emitter
resistor RER_E because the transistor in a CC amplifier acts as a voltage follower.
If a load resistor RLR_L is present, the total output impedance will be the parallel
combination of RER_E and RLR_L: Zout≈RE∥RLZ_{out} \approx R_E \parallel
R_L
5. Example of Calculating Input and Output Impedance
Let’s assume the following values for the circuit:
VCC=5VV_{CC} = 5V,
R1=10kΩR_1 = 10k\Omega,
R2=5kΩR_2 = 5k\Omega,
RE=1.25kΩR_E = 1.25k\Omega,
β=100\beta = 100,
rπ≈2.5kΩr_{\pi} \approx 2.5k\Omega.
Input Impedance:
RB=R1×R2R1+R2=10kΩ×5kΩ10kΩ+5kΩ≈3.33kΩR_B = \frac{R_1 \times R_2}
{R_1 + R_2} = \frac{10k\Omega \times 5k\Omega}{10k\Omega + 5k\Omega} \
approx 3.33k\Omega
Zin≈RB∥(rπ+(1+β)RE)=3.33kΩ∥(2.5kΩ+(1+100)×1.25kΩ)Z_{in} \approx R_B \
parallel (r_{\pi} + (1 + \beta) R_E) = 3.33k\Omega \parallel (2.5k\Omega + (1 +
100) \times 1.25k\Omega) Zin≈3.33kΩ∥(2.5kΩ+126.25kΩ)≈3.33kΩZ_{in} \approx
3.33k\Omega \parallel (2.5k\Omega + 126.25k\Omega) \approx 3.33k\Omega
Output Impedance:
Zout≈RE=1.25kΩZ_{out} \approx R_E = 1.25k\Omega
If a load resistor RL=10kΩR_L = 10k\Omega is added, the output impedance will be:
4
Zout≈RE∥RL=1.25kΩ∥10kΩ≈1.14kΩZ_{out} \approx R_E \parallel R_L = 1.25k\
Omega \parallel 10k\Omega \approx 1.14k\Omega
Result :
The CC amplifier provides high input impedance, which makes it suitable for coupling
with high-impedance sources, and low output impedance, which makes it suitable for
driving low-impedance loads. Its main advantage is the buffering effect, where the output
closely follows the input signal in terms of amplitude, with no inversion.