7.7. Characteristics of Common Emitter Configuration

Try these first

1. 1.

   What are the input characteristics of a common emitter configuration?

   Hint

   Think about how current reacts to voltage.

2. 2.

   Explain the significance of the output characteristics in a common emitter configuration.

   Hint

   Consider what happens at saturation.

3. 3.

   What does the input characteristics curve display?

   • I_B vs. V_BE
   • I_C vs. V_CE
   • I_C vs. I_B

   Hint

   Remember the first variable listed in the curve.

4. 4.

   True or False: In a common emitter configuration, increasing V_CE leads to a linear increase in I_C until saturation.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   What happens to the current as you keep increasing voltage?

5. 5.

   If a common emitter BJT has a current gain (β) of 100 and the base current (I_B) is 20 µA, what will be the collector current (I_C)?

   Hint

   Apply the formula for current gain.

6. 6.

   Describe the output characteristics of a common emitter configuration when transitioning from cutoff to saturation. What happens to I_C?

   Hint

   Think about current behavior in both states.