23.5.3. Practical Circuit Behaviour

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is a current amplifier?

   Hint

   Think about the purpose of the amplifier.

2. 2.

   What does the unloaded current gain indicate?

   Hint

   Focus on the term 'unloaded'.

3. 3.

   What does a current amplifier do?

   • A. Amplifies voltage
   • B. Amplifies current
   • C. Attenuates signal

   Hint

   Recall the definition of a current amplifier.

4. 4.

   The unloaded current gain is defined as:

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about what 'unloaded' means.

5. 5.

   Design a simple current amplifier model that can react to an input current of 3 mA with an expected unloaded gain of 5. What would be the unloaded output current? Now, what if a load of 10 ohms is connected?

   Hint

   Calculate the output using the gain and consider the effect of adding the load.

6. 6.

   Explain how a change in temperature could affect the operation of a current amplifier configured using BJTs. What practical measures can be taken to mitigate these effects?

   Hint

   Think about how external conditions influence electronic components.