Parameters of Voltage Amplifier - 27.2.2 | 27. Common Emitter Amplifier (contd.) (Part B) | Analog Electronic Circuits - Vol 1
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Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Understanding Voltage Gain

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today we're diving into the voltage gain of the common emitter amplifier. The voltage gain (A) is expressed as A = βˆ’gmRC/(1 + gmRE). Can anyone tell me how the gain is affected by the emitter resistance RE?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn't it that increasing RE decreases the gain?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! RE stabilizes the operating point but at the cost of gain. It acts like a damping factor because it introduces negative feedback. Remember: 'Gain decreases where resistance increases'!

Student 2
Student 2

What if we set RE to zero? Wouldn't that maximize the gain?

Teacher
Teacher

Good question! While that would theoretically increase gain, it would make the circuit sensitive to variations in beta. We need to balance these components in practice.

Input and Output Resistance

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let's move on to the input resistance, Rin, which can be calculated as Rin = r + (1 + Ξ²)RE. Can anyone explain why we need to include both r and RE?

Student 3
Student 3

I think RE increases the total resistance seen at the input, right? It adds to the load.

Teacher
Teacher

That’s right! And this is vital for ensuring the amplifier can interact effectively with the preceding circuit. Now, how about the output resistance, Ro?

Student 4
Student 4

Isn’t Ro just RC in most cases, unless we need to account for something else?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct, but remember, in certain configurations, we might need to consider other parallel resistances. It’s always good to check the equivalent resistance for accuracy.

Practical Considerations and Design Guidelines

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Teacher
Teacher

Lastly, let's discuss design guidelines. A lower emitter resistor, RE, can enhance gain, but Student_1, what’s a consequence of making RE too low?

Student 1
Student 1

It might increase power dissipation in the circuit due to higher current?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We often have to balance gain and power management. Additionally, consider the lower cutoff frequency as well, since too low a resistance can affect the coupling capacitors!

Student 2
Student 2

So, if we want both low cutoff frequency and a stable operating point, we need to pick our resistances very carefully?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! It’s all about finding that sweet spot in design that minimizes the complications while maximizing performance.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section discusses the parameters of voltage amplifiers, focusing on the common emitter amplifier, its voltage gain, input resistance, and output resistance.

Standard

The section provides an in-depth exploration of the parameters relevant to voltage amplifiers, specifically the common emitter amplifier. It elaborates on the voltage gain formula, the impact of external resistances on gain, and the calculation of input and output resistances under varying conditions.

Detailed

In the chapter on Analog Electronic Circuits, this section revolves around the common emitter amplifier and its associated parameters. The voltage gain is expressed as A = βˆ’gmRC/(1 + gmRE), highlighting how emitter resistance (RE) affects performance by stabilizing the operating point but simultaneously limiting the gain. The input resistance can be calculated as Rin = r + (1 + Ξ²)RE, while the output resistance (Ro) is effectively the load seen by the output, which can be found using Ro = RC || ((r + RE(1 + Ξ²))) in various configurations. This section emphasizes the important trade-offs in amplifier design, particularly regarding gain stability and resistance values to optimize performance while accounting for practical constraints.

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Analog Electronic Circuits _ by Prof. Shanthi Pavan
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Audio Book

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Voltage Gain Expression

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So, the output voltage as I said that output voltage, it is this one. So, v = – g Γ— R Γ— v.

Now, this v of course, it is function of v, but we need to find what is the exact expression of that.

So, we may say that v equals to divided by 1 + g Γ— R.

Detailed Explanation

The voltage gain (A) of a circuit is a key parameter. In this case, the relationship is given as v (output voltage) is equal to negative gain times the resistance (R) of the circuit times the input voltage (v). The main focus is on expressing this gain accurately and understanding how input voltage affects output voltage. The formula v = -g Γ— R Γ— v/ (1 + g Γ— R) shows how gain relates to the resistance and how it can be affected by other circuit parameters.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a microphone connected to a speaker. The microphone picks up sound (input voltage) and converts it into an electrical signal, which is then amplified by the circuit (the β€˜gain’). The louder you speak (increase input voltage), the louder the sound from the speaker (output voltage). However, if the speaker has a lot of resistance (R), it can reduce the overall volume, similar to how a gain expression shows diminishing returns based on resistance.

Impact of Emitter Resistor

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In fact, the purpose of putting this R_E is to stabilize the operating point of the circuit in case if beta is changing. However, unfortunately, this is also desensitizing this circuit against input signal and as a result it is making the gain much smaller than whatever the original gain of the CE amplifier potentially can provide.

Detailed Explanation

The emitter resistor (R_E) serves an essential role in stabilizing the circuit against variations in beta (which defines current gain). While this stabilization is beneficial for consistent performance, it has a downside: it reduces the overall gain of the amplifier. The trade-off presents a challenge where the necessary stability degrades the circuit's ability to amplify signals significantly.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you're trying to stabilize a plank on a shaky table. If you place something heavy on the plank to hold it down, it stabilizes it (just like R_E) but also makes it harder to move (reducing gain). In contrast, if you don't apply any weight, the plank wobbles a lot (unstable beta) but might move more freely when you try to use it. Balancing stability and responsiveness is key in both scenarios.

Input and Output Resistance

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Apart from the voltage gain, open loop voltage gain, we do have two more important parameters namely input resistance and output resistance of the model. ... . So, while we will be talking about input resistance, we may consider this R_BB, but while here we are deriving this voltage gain A, we have ignored it.

Detailed Explanation

In addition to voltage gain, two more essential parameters are input resistance and output resistance. Input resistance indicates how much the input signal voltage will drop when fed into the amplifier due to loading effects. Output resistance defines how much the circuit can provide the needed current for the load connected. When deriving voltage gain, some components may be ignored for simplification, particularly when they do not significantly contribute to the main behavior of the circuit during the analysis.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a garden hose. The thickness of the hose (input resistance) influences how much pressure is lost when water flows through (input signal). The faucet at the end (output resistance) determines how strong and consistent the water flow is when you turn it on. Just as different hoses and faucets interact differently, various circuit components shape the behavior of voltage amplifiers.

Finding Output Resistance

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What we have said that we are placing this emitter resistor to make the circuits operating point desensitized against beta variation, but it is making the gain also dropping to a smaller value namley what we say it is that g Γ— R_m C / (1+g Γ— R_E).

Detailed Explanation

Finding the output resistance involves a method of connecting a signal source and measuring the current flow. When determining the output resistance, the circuit's configuration, including the emitter resistor's effects, needs to be factored in since it influences both stability and overall gain. The resulting output resistance formula indicates how it can be uniquely determined based on the existing components in the circuit.

Examples & Analogies

Think of adjusting a fire hose's nozzle. Changing the nozzle affects how the water (current) flows out (output resistance), just as different configurations in circuits affect amplifier outputs. If you place a stronger nozzle (emitter resistor) at the end, it can stabilize the flow but also limit how fast the water exits, similar to how output resistance shapes circuit performance.

AC and DC Operation

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So, as a result we can put a capacitor here and so the what you are looking for is basically this capacitor, it will not be interfering the dc operating point, but then for ac signal this will be making this ground.

Detailed Explanation

In practical circuits, manipulating AC and DC operations requires a strategy to avoid conflicts between stabilization needs and performance. A capacitor can be employed to ground the AC signal, which allows the amplifier to operate seamlessly without interference by keeping the circuit stable under DC conditions. This clever design allows both steady operation for DC while maintaining responsiveness to AC signals.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine using an elevator that has a heavy counterweight (DC stability) to ensure it can carry passengers efficiently (AC performance). This clever mechanism ensures that the elevator is stable while still able to respond quickly when people enter or leave. Capacitors in a circuit achieve a similar balance between voltage gain and stability.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Voltage Gain: The expression of how much an amplifier increases the voltage.

  • Input Resistance: Affects how much of the input signal is seen by the amplifier.

  • Output Resistance: Influences how the amplifier interacts with the load connected.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • An amplifier with a voltage gain of -10 means for every volt input, there's a -10 V output.

  • If Rin is measured at 2kΞ© and RE at 1kΞ©, then the overall input resistance is Rin = 2k + (1+Ξ²)1k.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • Gain goes down and feedback flows, with RE higher, gain slows.

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a seesaw; when you add weight (RE) to one side, it stabilizes it but limits how high it can go (gain).

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • RIG – Remember Input Gain; Emitter effects the gain and the input resistance.

🎯 Super Acronyms

GIRE

  • Gain decreases with Increased RE.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Voltage Gain

    Definition:

    The ratio of the output voltage to the input voltage in an amplifier circuit.

  • Term: Input Resistance (Rin)

    Definition:

    The resistance seen by the input signal at the amplifier's input.

  • Term: Output Resistance (Ro)

    Definition:

    The resistance seen by the load connected to the output of the amplifier.

  • Term: Emitter Resistance (RE)

    Definition:

    A resistor placed in the emitter leg of a transistor to help stabilize the operating point.

  • Term: Transconductance (gm)

    Definition:

    A parameter that measures the change in output current for a given change in input voltage.