Output Resistance Analysis - 50.2.7 | 50. Common Base and Common Gate Amplifiers : Analysis (Part B) | Analog Electronic Circuits - Vol 2
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Interactive Audio Lesson

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

Introduction to Common Base Amplifiers

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're discussing common base amplifiers, specifically how to analyze their output resistance.

Student 1
Student 1

What makes the common base amplifier different from others?

Teacher
Teacher

The common base amplifier has its input at the emitter and output at the collector. This configuration typically exhibits a low input resistance and high output resistance.

Student 2
Student 2

How does this affect the voltage gain?

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent question! The voltage gain in a common base amplifier setup can be approximated by the expression g_m Γ— R_o, without a phase inversion.

Student 3
Student 3

What happens when we increase source resistance?

Teacher
Teacher

Increasing source resistance significantly reduces the gain due to signal attenuation. It's key to have low source resistance for optimal performance.

Student 4
Student 4

So, to summarize, we learned that the common base amplifier is useful in certain configurations due to its high output resistance?

Teacher
Teacher

That's correct! This allows it to serve well in current amplification scenarios.

Voltage Gain Expressions

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s derive the voltage gain expression for the common gate amplifier.

Student 1
Student 1

How is it different from the common base?

Teacher
Teacher

The common gate amplifier has its input at the source and output at the drain, giving it a distinct gain expression that relates to g_m and R_o, similar to common base but with different voltage dependencies.

Student 2
Student 2

Is there any phase difference in output like in common emitter systems?

Teacher
Teacher

No, both common gate and common base amplifiers maintain the same phase between input and output.

Student 4
Student 4

So basically we can say they are good for certain amplification tasks?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! They are quite effective when used for current amplification where high output resistance is beneficial.

Student 3
Student 3

What significance does the small signal model have in this analysis?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Small signal models simplify our calculations and allow for clear understanding of how amplifiers react to small signal changes.

Input and Output Resistance

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s analyze the input and output resistance aspects more closely.

Student 1
Student 1

What’s the difference in input resistance between common gate and others?

Teacher
Teacher

Common gate configurations have lower input resistance, which can lead to signal loss when interfacing with high resistance sources.

Student 4
Student 4

How is output resistance defined in these amps?

Teacher
Teacher

Output resistance is determined by how we stimulate the circuit and observe current flow. It typically combines several resistances in parallel.

Student 2
Student 2

Does that mean output resistance can be high in these amplifiers?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! The common base and gate configurations both [exhibit high output resistance](https://example.com/high-output-resistance), making them suitable for specific applications.

Practical Implications

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let's discuss the real-world implications of what we've just learned.

Student 3
Student 3

Why would someone choose a common base over a common emitter?

Teacher
Teacher

Choosing common base is beneficial for high frequency applications and low input resistance situations, reducing noise and improving performance.

Student 1
Student 1

Is there a specific scenario where common gate excels?

Teacher
Teacher

Definitely! The common gate is ideal for applications like RF amplifiers where impedance matching is crucial.

Student 4
Student 4

To sum it all up, these designs are quite sensitive and need proper setup?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Effective biasing and consideration of resistances are critical for optimal performance.

Introduction & Overview

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

Quick Overview

This section delves into the output resistance analysis of common base and common gate amplifiers, highlighting their voltage gain and input resistance characteristics.

Standard

In this section, we explore the output resistance of common base and common gate amplifiers, discussing how input and output resistances affect voltage gain and overall performance. We analyze the effect of biasing and external resistances on these amplifiers, culminating in strategies for their use in practical applications.

Detailed

Detailed Summary of Output Resistance Analysis

In this section, we cover the output resistance characteristics of common base and common gate amplifiers. Both configurations serve different functions in analog circuit designs, particularly in amplification. The section begins with the understanding of small signal models where DC currents are dropped, retaining only AC signals and their resistive components. Key equations are derived to find the voltage gain, which is found to be similar to that of common emitter configurations but without the phase inversion.

Key Points Covered:
- Voltage Gain: It is established that for a common base amplifier, if input is applied at the emitter and observed at the collector, the voltage gain can be approximated as g_m * R_o. This is similar for common gate configurations, albeit with voltage dependencies taken into account.

  • Input and Output Resistance: The input resistance of common base and common gate amplifiers is notably low due to their architecture, resulting in significant signal attenuation when interfacing with high source resistances. The output resistance analysis reveals that both amplifier types can achieve a high output resistance, making them suitable for current amplification rather than voltage amplification.
  • Consequences of External Resistance: Increasing the source resistance significantly reduces the effective gain, emphasizing the importance of low source resistance in practical applications.
  • Comparative Analysis: A detailed comparison of common base and common gate configurations' characteristics is performed, identifying their use-case scenarios in modern electronic designs.

Overall, understanding these parameters allows engineers to design more effective amplifiers and predict their behavior in different circuit configurations.

Youtube Videos

Analog Electronic Circuits _ by Prof. Shanthi Pavan
Analog Electronic Circuits _ by Prof. Shanthi Pavan

Audio Book

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Understanding Output Resistance

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To find the output resistance, we stimulate the circuit by a voltage called v and then observe the corresponding current i. The output resistance is defined as the ratio of v to i.

Detailed Explanation

To determine the output resistance of a circuit, we apply a small voltage (which we call 'v') to the circuit and measure the current that flows as a result (which we call 'i'). The output resistance (A) is then calculated by taking the voltage 'v' and dividing it by the current 'i'. This gives us a measure of how much the circuit resists the flow of current when a voltage is applied.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine trying to push water through a pipe. If the pipe is narrow (high resistance), it becomes harder to push the water through, much like how output resistance affects how much current flows with a given voltage.

Analyzing the Circuit for Output Resistance

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The output resistance can be simplified by observing the circuit structure. The resistances in the circuit can be analyzed in parallel and series configurations.

Detailed Explanation

In our circuit, we can simplify our analysis by focusing on how the resistances are arranged. If certain parts of the circuit connect directly to ground, we can think of these resistances as being in parallel. This means that we can analyze smaller parts of the circuit independently to understand how they contribute to the total output resistance. We find the equivalent resistance of components in parallel and add them to the resistance of other components in series to find the overall output resistance.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it like a series of roads leading to a single narrow street. The roads (resistances) can divide, with some paths meaning cars (current) can choose different routes toward the destination, which affects the overall traffic (current) flow. The total output resistance is like asking how congested the more narrow road is just before we get to it.

Combining Resistances for Output Calculation

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To find the expression for output resistance, we drop certain parts of the circuit for simplification and find an equivalent resistance at the output.

Detailed Explanation

We can derive the output resistance expression by simplifying our circuit. By ignoring some parts of the circuit that have minimal effect on the output resistance, we can focus on the significant components. These components are often arranged such that we can calculate the total output resistance by combining them, usually through calculations involving either series or parallel combinations of resistances. This resultant equivalent resistance gives us a clearer insight into how the amplifier behaves under varying load conditions.

Examples & Analogies

This can be illustrated with a series of water tanks where we ignore the smaller tanks that don't significantly add to the flow pressure. Focusing on the biggest tank (representing the larger resistances) gives us a way to estimate how effective the whole setup is in terms of pressure (or current) output.

Summary of Output Resistance Findings

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We summarize that for the common base configuration, the output resistance is quite high if proper arrangements are made with the DC biasing.

Detailed Explanation

The final result of analyzing the common base configuration indicates that under certain conditions, particularly with careful DC biasing, the output resistance can be very high. A high output resistance is often desirable in amplifier circuits because it leads to better signal handling and less unwanted interaction with the load connected at the output. This means that the circuit can effectively amplify without being significantly loaded down by external components.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a high-output pressure system like a fire hose that can deliver water without losing pressure when people hold it at various angles. A good amplifier needs to maintain 'pressure' or voltage levels while delivering current, much like how the system needs to maintain pressure even as external influences (the load) change.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Common Base Amplifier: A configuration with low input resistance and high output resistance, good for high frequencies.

  • Common Gate Amplifier: Similar to the common base but with its input applied at the source, also low input resistance.

  • Voltage Gain: Determines how much the output is amplified compared to the input.

  • Small Signal Model: A simplified version used for analyzing the behavior of transistors with small input signals.

  • Output Resistance: High output resistance in common base and gate configurations allows them to act as current amplifiers.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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

Examples

  • In RF applications, common gate amplifiers are preferred due to their ability to match impedance.

  • Common base amplifiers are used in high-frequency circuits where input resistance must be minimized.

Memory Aids

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

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • When you see the base is common, an amplifier that won't be forgotten.

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a student configuring a sound system. When they connect at the base versus the emitter, the sound quality varies significantly, just like in amplifiers.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • B-GAC - Base-Gate Amplifier Characteristics: B for base input, G for gate input, A for amplification, C for current output.

🎯 Super Acronyms

CAB - Current Amplifier Base

  • for understanding where common base amplifiers are used.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Common Base Amplifier

    Definition:

    An amplifier configuration where the input is applied at the emitter and output is taken from the collector, exhibiting low input resistance.

  • Term: Common Gate Amplifier

    Definition:

    An amplifier configuration where the input is applied at the source and output is taken from the drain; it also has low input resistance.

  • Term: Voltage Gain

    Definition:

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

  • Term: Small Signal Model

    Definition:

    A linearized approximation of transistors used for small AC signals to analyze their behavior.

  • Term: Output Resistance

    Definition:

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