33.5.1. Introduction

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the formula for voltage gain in a common source amplifier?

   Hint

   Recall the relationship between output voltage, input voltage, and weights.

2. 2.

   Define transconductance.

   Hint

   Focus on what transconductance measures in circuits.

3. 3.

   What is the primary purpose of small signal analysis in amplifiers?

   • To optimize DC performance
   • To analyze AC performance ignoring DC
   • To reduce circuit complexity

   Hint

   Think about types of signals analyzed in this approach.

4. 4.

   True or False: The output resistance decreases as the gain increases in an amplifier.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider relationships between amplifier performance parameters.

5. 5.

   Design a small signal equivalent circuit for a common source amplifier with given parameters. Calculate voltage gain and input/output resistances.

   Hint

   Start by determining the DC operating point and work through the analysis step by step.

6. 6.

   Explore how varying $g_m$ in a transconductance amplifier affects output current for a fixed input voltage.

   Hint

   Consider the relationship: output current = g_m × input voltage.