Electronics Engineering 2, Laboratory | Nov 21, 2017

Experiment No. 1
Frequency Response of a Common-Emitter (CE)
Amplifier
Dan Marlo S. Bautista1, Ronnie S. Concepcion II2
1
Computer Engineering Department, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta
2
School of Graduate Studies, Mapua University
1
Cavite, Philippines, 2Manila, Philippines
1
dann8@rocketmail.com
2
concepcionriis@gmail.com

Abstract— The common-emitter transistor amplifier is possibly the most widely used transistor configuration in the industry. It is
often seen as the standard format for a transistor circuit where voltage gain is required. Amplifiers produce gain while filters alter the
amplitude and phase characteristics of an electrical signal with respect to its frequency. As these amplifiers and filters use resistors,
inductors, or capacitor networks (RLC) within their design, there is an important relationship between the use of these reactive
components and the circuits frequency response characteristics.

Index Terms— transistor, amplifier, frequency, input signal, output signal

I. OBJECTIVES
To fully understand the activity, certain objectives should be met after the experiment. The student must be able to determine
the input impedance and output impedance of a CE amplifier by accurately measuring and recording its input-output waveform and
phase characteristic and to understand the effect of the bypass capacitor on the input impedance and the gain of the CE amplifier.

II. MATERIALS NEEDED

Figure 1. Materials
III. INTRODUCTION
All types of transistor amplifiers operate using AC signal inputs which alternate between a positive value and a negative value
so some way of “presetting” the amplifier circuit to operate between these two maximum or peak values is required. This is
achieved using a process known as Biasing. Biasing is very important in amplifier design as it establishes the correct operating
point of the transistor amplifier ready to receive signals, thereby reducing any distortion to the output signal. [ CITATION
Ele2 \l 1033 ]
 Electronics Engineering 2, Laboratory | Nov 21, 2017

There are different types of transistor amplifiers operated by using an AC signal input. These are interchanged between the
positive value and negative value; hence this is one way of presenting the common-emitter amplifier circuit to function between
two peak values.[ CITATION Aga \l 1033 ] The common-emitter amplifier characteristics are what could be termed a good
all-around level of performance.

Figure 2. Common-emitter circuit configuration

It is called the common-emitter configuration because (ignoring the power supply battery) both the signal source and the load
share the emitter lead as a common connection point[ CITATION All \l 1033 ]

For both NPN and PNP circuits, it can be seen that for the common-emitter amplifier circuit, the input is applied to the base,
and the output is taken from the collector. The common terminal for both circuits is the emitter.

Frequency Response of an electric or electronics circuit allows us to see exactly how the output gain (known as the magnitude
response) and the phase (known as the phase response) changes at a particular single frequency, or over a whole range of different
frequencies from 0Hz, (d.c.) to many thousands of mega-hertz, (MHz) depending upon the design characteristics of the circuit.
[ CITATION Ele \l 1033 ]

Generally, the frequency response analysis of a circuit or system is shown by plotting its gain, that is the size of its output signal
to its input signal, Output/Input against a frequency scale over which the circuit or system is expected to operate. Then by knowing
the circuits gain, (or loss) at each frequency point helps us to understand how well (or badly) the circuit can distinguish between
signals of different frequencies.[ CITATION Ele \l 1033 ]
IV. PROCEDURE
The experiment was conducted after gathering all the necessary materials and equipment. The setup was done in a conventional
common-emitter circuit design.
 Electronics Engineering 2, Laboratory | Nov 21, 2017

Figure 3. Wiring Diagram

Get an accurate data is difficult in actual setup as there are other factors affecting the outputs of the experiment so for us to get
data with as little error as possible, the circuit design was run on a simulator. Although even with the simulation, data accuracy was
not achieved as the transistor was not the same. We used a substitute transistor that runs a little closer to the required transistor.

Figure 4. VCOLLECTOR

Figure 5. VEMITTER
 Electronics Engineering 2, Laboratory | Nov 21, 2017

Figure 6. VCE

Figure 7. VBE

Vcc (R 2)
VBASE, if computed, yields a different data from our original. Using the formula Vb= , the formula yielded 27.52
R 1+ R 2
Volts.

After getting the bias voltages, we proceeded with using the oscilloscope. We first tested the circuit with the bypass capacitor
C3 connected, then after that we removed the bypass capacitor and recorded its results.
 Electronics Engineering 2, Laboratory | Nov 21, 2017

Figure 8. IINPUT

Figure 11. VOUTPUT

V. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. What are the characteristics of a common-emitter amplifier base from the measured and computed values of its parameters?

The common-emitter amplifier performs two functions: DC negative feedback for stable biasing and AC negative feedback for
signal transconductance and voltage gain specification. While the emitter resistance is a feedback resistor, it will also reduce the
amplifier’s gain due to fluctuations in the emitter current owing to the AC input signal.

2. Can you increase the voltage gain by just merely adjusting the value of Rc? Explain your answer.

Testing the circuit on a simulator, I can say that increasing the RC yielded a greater voltage gain.

3. What is a swamping circuit? What is its purpose in an amplifier?

Swamping is a circuit construction technique that is sometimes used to stabilize voltage gain. The addition of a swamping resistor
has an effect of increasing the base input impedance of a transistor.

VI. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

Analysis of the experiment conducted gave data that varies from another. Actual test results are different from what we got
from the simulations.

VB VC VBE VE VCE
637.942
4.089 V 5.877 V 1.788 V 22.334 V
mV
Table 1. CE amplifier DC bias voltages

Parameters Bypassed RE Unbypassed RE

Ii 204.54 nA 107.813 pA
Io -71.638 nA -6.406 nA
Vi 340.834 nV 2.311 uV
Vo 183.446 pV -3.317 nV

VII. CONCLUSION
Common-emitter amplifiers are very efficient and provides a stable output as long as the construction is correct. A small signal
can be amplified accurately and it works great. Although there are certain factors that one should be aware of like faulty equipment
and components. These things should be checked properly and calculated accurately as to get more accurate data.
 Electronics Engineering 2, Laboratory | Nov 21, 2017

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The researcher takes this opportunity to express gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in the successful completion
of this project. Especially, to those who laid time and effort in conceptualizing this project. He would also like to show his
greatest appreciation to his adviser, Engr. Ronn Conception II. for the support, advices and assistance throughout the research
project. Without his encouragement and guidance this project would not have materialized.

VIII. REFERENCES

[1] Electronics Tutorials, "Electronics Tutorials - Common-Emitter Amplifier," [Online]. Available:

http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/amplifier/amp_2.html.
[2] T. Agarwal, "ELPROCUS," [Online]. Available: https://www.elprocus.com/common-emitter-amplifier-circuit-
working/.
[3] All About Circuits, "All About Circuits - The Common-emitter Amplifier," [Online]. Available:
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-4/common-emitter-amplifier/.
[4] Electronics Tutorials, "Electronics Tutorials," [Online]. Available: http://www.electronics-
tutorials.ws/amplifier/frequency-response.html.