15.1: Theory Overview

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 26080

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

For a bipolar junction transistor to operate properly, the base-emitter junction must be forward biased while the collector-base junction must be reverse biased. This will place \(V_{BE}\) at approximately 0.7 volts and the collector current \(I_C\) will be equal to the base current \(I_B\) times the current gain \(beta\). For small signal devices, the current gain is greater than 100 typically. Thus, \(I_C \gg I_B\) and \(I_C \approx I_E\).

The common emitter configuration places the emitter terminal at ground. The base terminal is seen as the input and the collector as the output. Using a fixed base supply, the base current is dependent on the value of the base resistor via Ohm’s law. Consequently, any variation in current gain across a batch of transistors will show up as an equivalent variation in collector current, and by extension, a variation in collector-emitter voltage \(V_{CE}\).