37.1.8. Common Emitter Amplifier Overview

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the primary function of an amplifier?

   Hint

   Think about what happens to the sound when you increase the volume.

2. 2.

   What role do capacitors play in a common emitter amplifier?

   Hint

   Consider the behavior of capacitors with different types of current.

3. 3.

   What is the primary role of a common emitter amplifier?

   • To rectify AC signals
   • To amplify signals
   • To filter signals

   Hint

   Think about what you want to do with a weak audio signal.

4. 4.

   True or False: The transconductance of a transistor has no effect on the amplifier's gain.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall how gm is related to output current.

5. 5.

   Design a common emitter amplifier with specified lower and upper cutoff frequencies and calculate required component values.

   Hint

   Use the relationship between frequency and RC components to guide your design.

6. 6.

   Analyze a given circuit using Thevenin's theorem to determine the Thevenin equivalent and predict its effect on amplifier performance.

   Hint

   Break down the circuit to identify series and parallel components for simplification.