ECE 3274
Common-Collector (Emitter-Follower) Amplifier Project
1. Objective
This project will show the biasing, gain, frequency response, and impedance properties of a
common collector amplifier. We will use a single supply in the lab classroom.
+Vdc +Vdc
Vcc, Vdd, Vpos Vcc, Vdd, Vpos
DC
Dual Supply Single Supply
DC
-Vdc
DC
Vee, Vss, Vneg
-Vdc
Vee, Vss, Vneg
2. Components
Qty Device
1 2N3904 BJT Transistor
3. Introduction
The common collector amplifier is one of the most useful small-signal amplifier configurations.
The main characteristics of the common collector amplifier are high input impedance, low output
impedance, less than unity voltage gain, and high current gain. This amplifier is most often used
as a buffer or isolation amplifier to connect a high impedance source to a low impedance load
without loss of signal. The load seen by the amplifier’s signal source is the input impedance of
the amplifier. With a high input impedance, the CC amplifier loads the source very lightly.
Therefore, the signal source is isolated or buffered from the rest of the circuit. The maximum
current gain for the CC amplifier is Beta + 1. This high current gain allows the CC amplifier to
increase the power of the signal. These power and current gains make the CC amplifier a practical
choice as an output stage amplifier driving several devices.
The same biasing scheme and frequency response approximation technique as used for the
common emitter amplifier can also be used for the common collector amplifier. The only change
that needs to be made in biasing is that the voltage across the emitter resistor Re is usually larger
for the common collector to allow a greater output voltage swing.
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4. Requirements
Your amplifier design must meet the following requirements.
Requirement Specification
Voltage Gain |Av| > 0.5 V/V open loop
Low Frequency Between 100 Hz and 300 Hz
Cutoff 150Mt
High Frequency Between 75 kHz and 150 kHz
Cutoff 100k
Input Impedance Between 1KΩ to 3kΩ
Vbe 0.75Vdc
Output Voltage 2.0 VP
Load Resistance 150Ω
Power Supply Single Vcc = +12Vdc Vee = 0Vdc
Voltage
Table 1. Common-collector amplifier requirements.
5. Prelab Design Project Find ro, βAC and βDC
Design a common-collector amplifier using the schematic shown in Figure 1 and meeting the
requirements in table 1. You should refer to your class notes, textbook, instructor, and other
reference material to help you design the circuit. Start with the DC design and then move onto
the AC design. Find ro, βAC and βDC from the CC transistor curves (higher current).
Calculate all components values (it is permissible use a table of final values) for clarity if you
would prefer, but again, all work must be shown including the equations used to calculate the
values. Units must be included
Use the following fixed component values in your circuit:
Component Value
Ri 150Ω
Riso 47Ω
Cbyp 0.1µF , 0.047uF, or 0.01uF
Table 2. Fixed component values.
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Vcc Vcc
Cbyp
Vin Vin2 Rb1
Vc
Ri Cin
Vb Vout
NPN
Riso Cout
Rgen Ve
50 Rb2
Chi VoutE
Re
Chi2 Rload
Vee
Function
Generator Rin Rin2
Vee
Rout
Figure 1. Common-collector amplifier circuit.
5.1 DC Bias
Begin by designing the DC bias for the amplifier. Once you have designed the DC bias
network, use the transistor characteristics for the 2N3904 transistor to determine the transistor
parameters for where you are operating. Note that there is no single correct answer and that
your design may differ significantly from your classmates. You should show all work and walk
through all calculations. You must calculate and show all of the following values. Note the ro,
βAC and βDC are from the transistor curves at your Q-point. Choose a design value for Rin and
calculate the Rb1, and Rb2 based on that desired value. Vbe will normally be higher because of
the higher Base and Collector currents.
Component Values Amplifier Parameters Voltages and Currents
Rb1 Beta dc Vce
Rb2 Beta ac Vbe
Re rπ Ve
ro Ib
Ic
Table 3. DC Bias and Amplifier Parameters
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5.2 AC Design
Design the ac characteristics of the amplifier. You must calculate and show all of the following
values. We will set the zeros for the low frequency break point at the same frequency.
1
𝐵𝑊𝑠ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑎𝑔𝑒 = √2 ⁄𝑛 − 1 Where (n = 2) number of low frequency zeros at the same frequency.
FL = (FCin + FCout) / (BWshrinkage * n).
We need adjust the frequency because of bandwidth shrinkage.
Set Fcin =Fcout = FL*(BWshrinkage)
Cin = 1/(2π Fcin Rci) Cout = 1/(2π Fcout Rcout)
We will set the poles for the high frequency break point at the same frequency so we will use the
band shrinkage factor.
1
Fchi = Fchi2 = FH’ = FH / √2 ⁄𝑛 − 1 Where n = 2 number of high frequency poles.
Component Values Amplifier Parameters Voltages, Currents, and Power
Cin Voltage Gain vin
Cout Current Gain vout
Chi Power Gain (in dB) iin
Chi2 Low Frequency Cutoff iILoad
High Frequency Cutoff pin
Input Resistance pout
Output Resistance
Table 4. Small Signal (ac) Amplifier Parameters
5.3 Computer-aided Analysis (25 points)
Once you have completed your amplifier designs, use LTspice to analyze their performance.
Note: Must include LTspice schematics. Generate the following plots:
(a) A time-domain plot of the input and output, at the specified output voltage Vout at 5 kHz.
The output should not have any distortion or clipping. Calculate the midband gain and
indicate it on the plot. Compare this to your calculated values.
(b) An FFT of your time-domain waveform. Circle and indicate the height of any strong
harmonics, in dB relative to your fundamental frequency at 5 kHz.
(c) A frequency sweep of the amplifier from 10 Hz to 1 MHz. Indicate the high and low break
frequencies on the plot (these should correspond to the half-power, or the point 3dB below
the midband gain). Compare these to your calculated values.
5.4 Prelab Questions
(a) How can you achieve maximum power transfer from the signal source to the input of the
amplifier? Is the load resistance a factor in the answer? Show your calculations.
(b) Compare the results of the current gain found in prelab with the maximum possible gain
of Beta + 1. Comment on any differences. Under what conditions is the maximum
possible?
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6. Lab Procedure
6.1. Construct the CC amplifier shown in Figure 1. Remember that Rgen is internal to the function
generator and is not in your circuit. The bypass capacitor CBYP needs to be connected as close to
the BJT collector pin as possible. Check the power (IE^2 Re) in the Re if it is greater than 250mW
use two emitter resistors to equal your design value (Re) ether in series or parallel. Record the
values of the bias network resistors and the capacitors you used in the circuit.
6.2. Measure the following values:
(a) Vdc Q-point: Vce, Vbe, Ib, Ie, Ic, Vb, Ve,and Vc Note: Ib = Irb1 – Irb2
Use DC multimeter measure from the reference point the ground between the two power
supplies. Note: Calculate the current from a voltage across a resister.
Hint: If your Q-point Vb, Vc, and Ve are not as expected. Remove the BJT and measure
Base, Collector and Emitter nodes. Vb = expected bias voltage, Vc = Vcc, and Ve = Vee.
(b) AC gains: Voltage, current, and power.
(c) Maximum undistorted peak-to-peak output voltage at 5kHz. Use scope
(d) Input and output resistance at 5kHz. Use ac multimeter.
(e) Low and high cutoff frequencies (half power point).
Recall that input impedance is given by Rin = vin/iin , Iin = VRi / Ri output impedance is given by Rout
= (voc−vload)/iload, voltage gain is given by Av = vout/vin , and current gain is given by Ai = iload/iin Where
Vload and Iload is the voltage across the load and the current thru the load.
Additionally, plot the following:
(a) Input and output waveform at the maximum undistorted output voltage.
(b) Power Spectrum of the output waveform showing the fundamental and first few
harmonics.
(c) Frequency response from 10 Hz to 1 MHz (set the input voltage to a value that does
not cause distortion across the entire passband of the amplifier).
6.3. Replace the load resistor, Rload, with a 47Ω and a 820Ω resistor, and measure the maximum
output voltage peak-to-peak and voltage gain without clipping. Comment on the loading effect,
and remember to change back to the given Rload after this step.
Is =
Ff F- -
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ECE 3274
Common Collector Amplifier Lab
Report Data Sheet
Name: Hasan f
Group:
Nugmanor Lab Date:
CRN:
9123121 Bench:
Christ 83464
Remember to include units for all answers and to label all printouts include photo of built circuit.
There are a total of three (4) plots (1) photo in this lab.
6.1. Component Values
Remember Rios = 47Ω, Ri = 150Ω, and Cbyp = 0.1µF, 0.047uF, or 0.01uF
Rb1: Rb2: Re: RL:
18101 53.1hr 150 150
Cin: Cout: Chi: Chi2:
7.13µF 8.3µF 5.1nF 23.31nF
6.2. Common-collector amplifier. There are three (4) printouts (Vin, Vout, Power spectrum, and
ACsweep). Calculate IB = IE - IC
Vdc Q-Point: VCE: 5. 96L VBE: 0.42in VCC: 12
IB: 0.1658mA I C: 33.16mA IE: 41.2mA
VB: 6.46W VC: IZV VE: 6.04in
Gain: Voltage: 0.667 Current: 2.16A Power: 4.64W
Voltage Output VoutPP: Max: 2. IV
Resistance at 5kHz: Input 2.36hr Output 6th
Frequency Response: Low cutoff: 120kt High cutoff: 1406kt
6.3. Common-collector amplifier with different load resistors. Measure with scope. There are
no printouts here.
47Ω Load resistor:
[Link]?j04YV2-
Gain: Voltage: 0.4 Current: 3.12A Power:
4,21
Voltage Output VoutPP: Max: 1.35
820Ω Load resistor:
Gain: Voltage: 0.88 Current: 1.65A Power: 4.36
Voltage Output VoutPP: Max: 2.65h
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ECE 3274
Common Collector Amplifier Lab
Report Data Sheet
Name: Lab Date: Bench:
Group: CRN:
Remember to include units for all answers and to label all printouts include photo of built circuit.
There are a total of three (4) plots (1) photo in this lab.
6.1. Component Values
Remember Rios = 47Ω, Ri = 150Ω, and Cbyp = 0.1µF, 0.047uF, or 0.01uF
Rb1: Rb2: Re: RL:
Cin: Cout: Chi: Chi2:
6.2. Common-collector amplifier. There are three (4) printouts (Vin, Vout, Power spectrum, and
ACsweep). Calculate IB = IE - IC
Vdc Q-Point: VCE: VBE: VCC:
I B: I C: I E:
VB: VC: VE:
Gain: Voltage: Current: Power:
Voltage Output VoutPP: Max:
Resistance at 5kHz: Input Output
Frequency Response: Low cutoff: High cutoff:
6.3. Common-collector amplifier with different load resistors. Measure with scope. There are
no printouts here.
47Ω Load resistor:
Gain: Voltage: Current: Power:
Voltage Output VoutPP: Max:
820Ω Load resistor:
Gain: Voltage: Current: Power:
Voltage Output VoutPP: Max:
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