EGR220 Than & Gab
Introduction and Objectives
Although BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor) has lost its
polarity in IC (Integrated circuit ) design, it is really
useful in discrete circuit design [1]. In this lab, we
were instructed to measure and analyze the common
emitter and common collector configurations of the
BJT amplifier to determine the voltage gain, input
resistance and output resistance for each configuration.
The primary objectives of this lab are:
1. To analyze and understand DC biasing of BJT
2. To understand common emitter and common
collector BJT amplifiers
3. To able to calculate voltage gain, input
resistance and output resistance
Equipments and Components used
In this lab, the equipments and components we used
are:- Transistor: 2N2222A (x3) Resistors: 510Ω
22KΩ, 100Ω, 10KΩ a breadboard, a waveform
generator, ±20V power supply, a multi-meter, wires
and cords.
Procedures
Procedure 1: Analyzing Common Emitter
Configuration
+15V
Figure 1 RC=510W
vO=Vo+vo(t)
RS=22kW
VI Ro
Ri
vi(t)
We connected the circuit as in figure1. Then, we
Lab #9
adjusted the VI until VO = 5V. We also measured the VI
and VBE, and found that VBE = 0.8V and VI = 3.5V.
When compared to our pre-lab calculation (in which VI
= 3.44V and VBE = 0.75V), the measurement was
pretty close. Since, the input signal 1Vpp sine wave,
the biased was enough for signal swing. Then, we
provided input sine wave 1Vpp with 1KHz, and
captured both input and output signals on
Oscilloscope.
Figure 2: Comparison of Vo and Vi for (1Vpp Sine
Wave)
From the screen image, we could see that due to dc
biasing, the output signal consists of both DC and AC
components.
From our measurement, we could see that the output
signal is out of phase with input signal, and the output
voltage (without DC) is 3.3V. From our pre-lab,
calculation, VO = -3.58V. Therefore, we could
conclude that the calculation is close enough to our
measurement.
We also measured the input resistance and output
resistance. In order to measure input resistance, we fist
measured the IB, which is 0.15mA.We calculated
rπ=VT/IB. Since Rin = rπ , Rin = 166Ω. In order to
measure output resistance, we first removed the 15V
power supply and RC, then we gave VO = 5V, and
measured IC, which was 10mA. From that we
calculated output resistance, which was 500Ω. From
our pre-lab calculation, we got rπ = 166Ω and Rout =
460Ω. We found that Rout ≈ RC.
Since VO was biased at 5V, and VCC = 15V, the
maximum swing of output signal is ±5V. From our pre-
lab calculation, input signal should be less than or
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EGR220 Than & Gab
equal to 1.29V. Therefore, when we gave input signal
= 1.5V, we saw that the output signal was clipped off.
Figure 3: Clipped off output signal
When we gave VI = -3, the VBE will be reversed
biased, and the BJT will not work for amplification.
Therefore, when we captured the output signal, no
output signal was detected.
Figure 4: Reverse Biased Amplification
Procedure 2: Analyzing Common Collector
Configuration
Figure 5
Lab #9
We connected the circuit as in figure 5. As in
procedure 1, we adjusted the VI until, we got VO =
2V. We also measured VI and VBE, and got VI =
0.75V and VBE = 0.75V, and IB = 0.4 μA. Then,
we captured the screen image of input and output
signal by giving input sine wave 1Vpp with 1KHz
frequency.
Figure 6: Comparison of Vo and Vi for (1Vpp Sine
Wave)
From the screen image, we could see that the
amplitude of output signal was less than that of
input signal, which showed that the voltage gain is
less than 1. Our pre-lab calculation showed that
AV = 0.44 V/V. Our measurement showed that
VO/VI ≈ 0.5V/V.
Then, we measured the input and output
resistance. Since, Common collector is not
unilateral amplifier, we need to take RE into
account in calculation. We fist measured IB, which
is pretty small, and IC. We got IB = 0.47μA and IC
= 0.08mA. Then we calculated rπ and re, and
calculated
ro = (VA + VCE)/ IC
Rin = Rib = (β+1)(re + (ro // RE))
where VA = 92V, β =163.33 (from Lab #8) and
VCE = 8V. We got Rin = 37KΩ.
In order to measure output resistance, we removed
10V power supply and provided Vo = 5V and
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EGR220 Than & Gab Lab #9

measured IE. Then, we calculated Rout. We found

that IE = 27mA; therefore, Rout = 185Ω. From our
pre-lab calculation, we got Rout = 185.85Ω.
Therefore, the calculation was close enough to the
measurement.

Since the amplitude of output signal is less than

than that of input signal, there is no limitation of
input signal except for the reason that the
transistor might be cut off. Therefore, the
maximum output voltage is 2V. Therefore, the
maximum input signal is 4.5V.

Figure 6: Cut off Output Signal (at Vin = 5Vpp).

Therefore, when we gave 5Vpp for input, the

output signal was cut off.

Discussion
We found that in common emitter circuit, the input
resistance is greater than output resistance, and the
voltage gain is very high, almost 300 times. But in
common collector circuit, the output resistance is
higher than input resistance, and the voltage gain is
less than 1. However, the current gain is really high in
common collector circuit.

References
[1] Sedra, Adel S., and Smith. Kenneth C. “Microelectronics
Circuits”. 5th. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.

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