PH3063- Electronics I
Transistor: as a switch and an amplifier
October 3 to 31, 2025
Purpose:
(1) To study the transistor characteristics in the common emitter (CE) configuration.
(2) To understand how to work a transistor as a switch.
(3) To observe input-output waveforms of the common emitter (CE) and common collector (CC)
amplifier
(4) To measure the gain of the amplifier at different frequencies and plot the frequency response
(5) To understand the basics of field-effect transistors, both in their linear and saturated regimes.
(6) To study the frequency response of a Common Source Field Effect Transistor and to find the
Bandwidth from the Response.
Equipment:
LED
Transistor (npn Si Transistor)
JFETs (2N5457)
Procedure
1. I–V characteristic of a transistor in a common emitter configuration
Figure 3-1. Circuit to measure the characteristics of a Common Emitter transistor
a) To find the input characteristics:
i. Construct the circuit as in Fig. 3-1. Here 𝑅𝐵 =10kΩ and 𝑅𝐶 =1kΩ. 𝑉𝐵𝐵 and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 are the DC
power supplies (0-30 V). Keep 𝑉𝐵𝐵 and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 in 0 V.
ii. Set 𝑉𝐶𝐸 = 1 V by changing 𝑉𝐶𝐶 . Then vary the 𝑉𝐵𝐵 smoothly such that the base current 𝐼𝐵
varies in steps of 5 μA from zero up to 200 μA, and write down the corresponding voltage
𝑉𝐵𝐸 for each step in the tabular form.
iii. Repeat the experiment for 𝑉𝐶𝐸 =2 V and 3 V.
iv. Draw a graph between 𝑉𝐵𝐸 Vs 𝐼𝐵 against 𝑉𝐶𝐸 = constant as shown in Figure 3-2a.
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PH3063- Electronics I
b) To find the output characteristics:
i. Start 𝑉𝐵𝐵 and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 from zero voltage.
ii. Set the 𝐼𝐵 = 20 μA by using 𝑉𝐵𝐵 such that, 𝑉𝐶𝐸 changes in steps of 0.2 V from zero up to 10
V, note down the corresponding collector current 𝐼𝐶 for each step in the tabular form.
iii. Repeat the experiment for 𝐼𝐸 = 40 μA and 𝐼𝐸 = 60 μA, tabulate the readings.
iv. Draw a graph between 𝑉𝐶𝐸 Vs 𝐼𝐶 against 𝐼𝐵 = constant as shown in Figure 3-2b.
(a) (b)
Figure 3-2. (a). input characteristics and (b). output characteristics
2. Transistor as a switch.
Figure 3-3. Circuit to measure the characteristics of a Common Emitter transistor
a) Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 3-3 and set the input voltage 𝑉𝐵𝐵 at 0-6V in the form of a 500
Hz Square wave. Here, 𝑅𝐵 =51kΩ, 𝑅𝐶 =1kΩ, and 𝑉𝐶𝐶 =12V.
b) Acquire the input (𝑉𝐵𝐵 ) and the output (𝑉𝐶𝐸 ) waveforms and plot them. Then compare two signals.
The result shows how the input is inverted. In other words, when the input is 6 V, the output is 0
V. Thus, the switch is off, and when the input is 0, the output is 6 V, and the switch is on.
c) As an improvement, you can notice the switching on and off of an LED by connecting it between
the collector and the resistor. Can you identify when the LED is switched on and when it is
switched off?
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3. Common-Emitter amplifier
Figure 3-4. Circuit diagram of a CE transistor amplifier
c) Voltage gain
i. Connect the circuit as per Fig. 3-4. Apply 𝑉𝐶𝐶 of 12 Volts DC. Here, 𝑅1 =100kΩ, 𝑅2 =10kΩ,
𝑅𝑆 =1kΩ, 𝑅𝐶 =4.7kΩ, and 𝑅𝐸 =1kΩ. Also, 𝐶𝐵 =10uF, 𝐶𝐶 =10uF, and 𝐶𝐸 =10uF.
ii. Apply an Input Voltage of 20mV at 1KHz from the Signal Generator and monitor the output
signal 𝑉𝑂 .
iii. Vary the frequency (𝑓) from 50 Hz to 1 MHz in appropriate steps, and note down the
corresponding output Voltage 𝑉𝑂 in a tabular form.
iv. Calculate the Voltage Gain 𝐴𝑣 = 𝑉𝑂 /𝑉𝑆 and note down in tabular form.
v. Draw the semi-log plot of Gain (𝐴𝑣 ) as a function of the frequency 𝑓.
vi. Draw a horizontal line on the graph at 𝐴𝑣 /√2 and note down the cut-off points, and the
Bandwidth (BW) is given by 𝐵𝑊 = 𝑓𝐻 − 𝑓𝐿 .
d) Input impedance 𝑅𝑖
i. Apply the input voltage of 20mV at 1KHz from the Signal Generator and observe the
voltage 𝑉𝑖 across 𝑅2 . Without disturbing the setup, write down 𝑉𝑖 s.
ii. Find 𝐼𝑖 = (𝑉𝑠 − 𝑉𝑖 )/𝑅𝑠 and 𝑅𝑖 = 𝑉𝑖 /𝐼𝑖 Ohms.
e) Output impedance 𝑅𝑜
i. Apply the input voltage of 20mV at 1KHz from the Signal Generator and monitor the output
signal 𝑉𝑂 .
ii. Connect a Potentiometer across the output terminals, and without disturbing 𝑉𝑆 , adjust the
potentiometer such that the output falls to 𝑉𝑂 /2
iii. The Resistance of the potentiometer is equal to 𝑅𝑂 .
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PH3063- Electronics I
Table 3-1. Example table for measurement.
Figure 3-5. Model graph of the gain vs the frequency of a CE amplifier
4. Common-Collector amplifier
Figure 3-6. Circuit diagram of a CC amplifier
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PH3063- Electronics I
a) Voltage gain
i. Connect the circuit as per Fig. 3-6. Apply VCC of 12 Volts DC. Here, 𝑅1 =100kΩ, 𝑅2 =10kΩ,
𝑅𝑆 =1kΩ, and 𝑅𝐸 =1kΩ. Also, 𝐶𝐵 =10uF and 𝐶𝐸 =10uF.
ii. Apply the input voltage of 50mV at 1KHz from the Signal Generator and observe the output
signal on the oscilloscope.
iii. Vary the frequency from 50 Hz to 1MHz in appropriate steps and note down the
corresponding output voltage VO in a tabular form.
iv. Calculate the Voltage Gain 𝐴𝑣 = 𝑉𝑂 /𝑉𝑆 and note down in tabular form.
v. Draw the semi-log plot of Gain (𝐴𝑣 ) as a function of the frequency 𝑓.
vi. Draw a horizontal line on the graph at 𝐴𝑣 /√2 and note down the cut-off points, and the
Bandwidth (BW) is given by 𝐵𝑊 = 𝑓𝐻 − 𝑓𝐿 .
b) Input impedance 𝑅𝑖
i. Apply the input voltage of 50mV at 1kHz from the Signal Generator and observe the voltage
𝑉𝑖 across 𝑅2 . Without disturbing the setup, write down 𝑉𝑖 s.
ii. Find 𝐼𝑖 = (𝑉𝑠 − 𝑉𝑖 )/𝑅𝑠 and 𝑅𝑖 = 𝑉𝑖 /𝐼𝑖 Ohms.
c) Output impedance 𝑅𝑜
i. Apply the input voltage of 50mV at 1KHz from the Signal Generator and monitor the output
signal 𝑉𝑂 .
ii. Connect a Potentiometer across the output terminals, and without disturbing 𝑉𝑆 , adjust the
potentiometer such that the output falls to 𝑉𝑂 /2
iii. The Resistance of the potentiometer is equal to 𝑅𝑂 .
Table 3-2. Example table for measurement.
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PH3063- Electronics I
Figure 3-7. Model graph of the gain vs the frequency of a CC amplifier
5. JFET: Drain Characteristics
Figure 3-8. JFET Drain Characteristics
f) Connect the circuit as in Fig. 3-8 and start with 𝑉𝐺𝐺 (0-30V DC supply) and 𝑉𝐷𝐷 (0-30 V DC supply)
keeping at zero volts.
g) Control 𝑉𝐺𝐺 such that 𝑉𝐺𝑆 (0-2V DC voltmeter) = 0 volts. Now vary 𝑉𝐷𝐷 such that 𝑉𝐷𝑆 (0-20 V DC
voltmeter) varies in steps of 1 volt up to 10 volts. And note down the corresponding drain
current 𝐼𝐷 (0-200mA DC Ammeter).
h) Repeat the above experiment with 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = -1 V and -2 V and tabulate the readings.
i) Draw a graph 𝑉𝐷𝑆 vs. 𝐼𝐷 against 𝑉𝐺𝑆 as a parameter on a graph like Fig. 3-9.
Δ𝑉𝐷𝑆
j) From the graph obtained in the above procedures, calculate the drain resistance 𝑟𝑑 = |
Δ𝐼𝐷 𝑉𝐺𝑆
.
Drain Characteristics:
𝑉𝐷𝑆 (V) 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = 0 𝑉 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = −0.5 𝑉 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = −1 𝑉 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = −1.5 𝑉 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = −2 𝑉
𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴) 𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴) 𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴) 𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴) 𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
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PH3063- Electronics I
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6. JFET: Transfer characteristics
a) Set 𝑉𝐺𝐺 and 𝑉𝐷𝐷 at zero volts and keep 𝑉𝐷𝑆 = 1 volt.
b) Vary 𝑉𝐺𝐺 such that 𝑉𝐺𝑆 varies in steps of 0.5 volts. Note down the corresponding Drain current
𝐼𝐷 , until 𝐼𝐷 = 0 mA and tabulate the readings.
c) Repeat the above experiment for 𝑉𝐷𝑆 = 3.0 volts and 5.0 volts, and tabulate the readings.
d) Draw a graph between 𝑉𝐺𝑆 Vs 𝐼𝐷 with 𝑉𝐷𝑆 as a parameter.
Δ𝐼
e) From the graph, find the transconductance 𝑔𝑚 = Δ𝑉 𝐷 |𝑉𝐷𝑆 .
𝐺𝑆
f) Now the amplification factor 𝜇 = 𝑔𝑚 × 𝑟𝑑 .
Transfer characteristics:
𝑉𝐺𝑆 (V) 𝑉𝐷𝑆 = 0 𝑉 𝑉𝐷𝑆 = 2 𝑉 𝑉𝐷𝑆 = 4 𝑉 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = 6 𝑉 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = −2 𝑉
𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴) 𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴) 𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴) 𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴) 𝐼𝐷 (𝑚𝐴)
0.0
-0.3
-0.6
-0.9
-1.2
-1.5
-1.8
-2.0
Figure 3-9. FET Drain Characteristics and Common Source Transfer Characteristics
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PH3063- Electronics I
7. JFET amplifier (Common source)
Figure 3-3. Common source JFET amplifier
1) Connect the circuit as in Fig. 3-3. Here 𝑉𝐷𝐷 = +15𝑉, 𝑅 = 1𝑘Ω, 𝑅𝐺 = 2.2𝑀Ω, 𝑅𝑆 = 4.7𝑘Ω, 𝑅𝐷 =
4.7𝑘Ω, 𝐶𝐺 = 0.001𝜇F, 𝐶𝑆 = 47𝜇F, 𝐶𝐷 = 47𝜇F.
2) The input voltage 𝑉𝑆 is an AC signal with 𝑉𝑝𝑝 =100mV whose frequency varies from 50 Hz to 1
MHz in appropriate steps, and note down the corresponding source voltage 𝑉𝑠 and the output
voltage 𝑉𝑂 in a tabular form.
3) Plot the frequency (𝑓) vs Gain (𝐴𝑣) as in fig. 3-4 and determine the Bandwidth from the graph.
Figure 3-4. Model graph of the gain vs the frequency of a JFET amplifier