Electronic Circuits I Laboratory

6 PARAMETERS OF TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIERS

6.1 Objectives
Understanding the parameters of an amplifier. These parameters include: AC
Voltage Gain, Input and Output Impedances, Frequency Response ( Low and
High Cut-off Frequencies).
Measurement of parameters of a transistor amplifier.

6.2 Basic Description

6.2.a New Terminology

(1) AC Voltage Gain (AV - unitless) : This parameter gives information

about amplification factor, the ratio between the output and input voltages.
(2) Input Impedance (Zi - Ohms): This is the resistance or the ratio
between the applied voltage and yielding current through the input terminals
of an active network. For an amplifier, this value should be as large as
possible.
(3) Output Impedance (Zo - Ohms): This impedance value affects the load
resistance range and therefore should be as small as possible.
(4) Low Cut-off Frequency (fL - Hz): The lower frequency limit that the
nominal (mid-range) output voltage drops to 1/2 of its maximum value.
(5) High Cut-off Frequency (fH - Hz): The higher frequency limit that the
nominal (mid-range) output voltage drops to 1/2 of its maximum value.
(6) Bandwidth (BW - Hz) : This parameter gives information about the
frequency range of the amplifier. This simply equals
BW = fH - fL

6.2.b Measurement Principles

AC Voltage Gain Measurement:
This value can be measured by inspection of input and output waveforms on
the oscilloscope. For common voltage divisions, this value is the ratio between the
cursor values at a specific time t. To easier the process, the peak values should be
used. Note that, for inverting amplifiers (such as CE mode transistor amplifier) this
value is negative.

55
 Electronic Circuits I Laboratory

Input Impedance (Z) Measurement:

As shown in Fig. 6.1, the input impedance of an amplifier can be measured by a
series resistance connected between the input signal and input terminal of the
amplifier. First, R should be adjusted to zero ohms, R=0 and the output voltage should
be recorded for this state. Then, R should be increased until the output voltage drops
to half of its initial state. The input impedance of the amplifier, then, equals to the
value of R.

Fig. 6.1 - Measurement of Input Impedance

Output Impedance (Z) Measurement: The output Impedance can be

measured by a shunt resistance connected through the output terminals of the
amplifier, as shown in Fig. 6.2. First R is open-circuited, R= and the output voltage is
recorded. Then, R is connected and decreased until output voltage halves its initial
state. The output impedance equals to current value of R.

Fig. 6.2 - Measurement of Output Impedance

Low frequency cut-off Measurement: To measure this parameter, first the

maximum amplitude of the output voltage at nominal operation frequency (typically
1 kHz for amplifiers) should be recorded. Then, the frequency of the input signal
should be decreased until it reaches to 1/2 of its initial value. The current frequency is
said to be the low frequency cut-off of the amplifier and has a major importance,
especially for sub-woofer amplifiers.
High frequency cut-off Measurement: As in measurement of the low cut-off
frequency, first the maximum amplitude of the output voltage at nominal operation
frequency (1 kHz) should be recorded. Then, the frequency of the input signal should
56
 Electronic Circuits I Laboratory

be increased until it reaches to 1/2 of its initial value. The current frequency is said to
be the high frequency cut-off of the amplifier.
At cut-off frequencies, the output power decreases to half of its maximum value.
This arises from the equation
P = V2 / R.
where P halves if V drops to V/2 (as used in measurements).

6.3 Experiment Equipments

1. KL- 200 Linear Circuit Lab. Device
2. Experiment Module: KL-23003
3. Experiment Instruments: Oscilloscope, Multimeter
4. Connection cables and short-circuit clips

6.4 Procedures
Parameters of CE amplifier without emitter capacitor

( 1 ) First, by using oscilloscope, adjust input signal to 2 Vp-p, 1 kHz Sin.

( 2 ) Then locate the block marked 23003-block a.

( 3 ) Insert the short-circuit clips by referring to Fig 6.3, connect the DC +12V
supply.

Fig. 6.3

(4) Note that C5 is not located on the current block, use the capacitor C5
on adjacent block.

57
 Electronic Circuits I Laboratory

Bias Adjustment and AC Voltage Gain

(5) Apply the pre-adjusted input signal and adjust VR2 until you have a
non-distorted output at V0. Measure and record this VR2 value on Table
6.1

(6) From the input and output waveforms, calculate AV and record it on
Table 6.1.

Input Impedance Z i

(7) Connect a variable series resistance (use 100K pot) and adjust it to
zero ohms. Record the peak value of the output signal for this state.

(8) Increase R until peak of the output signal halves. Measure and
record this R value as input impedance on Table 6.1.

( 9 ) Turn-off all active devices.

Output Impedance Z 0

( 10 ) Disconnect series R from input and connect it through the output

terminals (as a load).

( 11 ) Adjust R to its maximum value (open circuit). Record the peak value of
the output voltage.

( 12 ) Decrease R until the peak of the output signal halves. Measure and
record this R value as output impedance on Table 6.1.

Low Cut-off Frequency - fL

( 13 ) Return to normal operation. (Disconnect R and recover initial circuit)

( 14 ) Now decrease input signal frequency until the output signal drops to
1/2 of its initial state. Record this frequency as low cut-off frequency on
Table 6.1.

High Cut-off Frequency - fH

( 15 ) Increase frequency until you have the same value that you had in low
cut-off frequency state. Record this frequency as high cut-off frequency on
Table 6.1.

( 16 ) Calculate BW. (BW = fH fL)

58
Electronic Circuits I Laboratory

VR2
AV
Z
Z0
fL
fH
BW

Table 6.1

59