Example: D.C.

Analysis of a BJT Circuit (NPN transistor)

Step 1 – ASSUME an operating mode.

Let’s ASSUME the BJT is in the ACTIVE region.
Step 2 -- ENFORCE the conditions of the assumed mode.
For active region, these are:
Vbe = 0.7 V and Ic = βIb → Ic = 99Ib
Step 3 -- ANALYZE the circuit.
The base-emitter KVL equation is:

5.7 - 10Ib – Vbe - 2Ie = 0

This is the circuit equation; note that it contains 3 unknowns (Ib, Ic, and Vbe).
Now let’s add the relevant device equations:
Vbe = 0.7 and Ie = (β + 1)Ib → Ie = (99 + 1)Ib = 100Ib
Inserting the device equations into the B-E KVL:
5.7 V – (10kΩ)Ib – Vbe – (2kΩ)Ie = 0
5.7 V – (10kΩ)Ib – 0.7 V – 2kΩ(99 + 1)Ib = 0
5.7 V – 0.7 V – (10kΩ)Ib – 2kΩ(100)Ib = 0
5.0 V – (10kΩ)Ib – (200kΩ)Ib = 0
5.0 V – (210kΩ)Ib = 0 → 1 equation and 1 unknown
BY Solving, we get:
5.0𝑉
Ib = = 0.02380 mA * 103 = 23.8 µA
210𝑘Ω

Since we determined one current for a BJT in active mode, we’ve determined them
all:
Ic = βIb = 99(0.02380 mA) = 2.3562 mA
Ie = (β + 1)Ib = (99 + 1)Ib = 100(0.02380 mA) = 2.38 mA
CHECKING, by KCL Law:
Ie = Ic + Ib
2.38 mA = 2.3562 mA + 0.02380 mA
2.38 mA = 2.38 mA → CORRECT

Now for the voltages,

Since we know the currents, we can find the voltages using KVL.
we can determine Vce directly from the C-E KVL equation.
 10.7 V – Ic (1kΩ) – Vce – Ie (2kΩ) = 0
10.7 V – (2.3562 mA) (1kΩ) – Vce – (2.38 mA) (2kΩ) = 0
10.7 V – 2.3562 V – Vce – 4.76 V = 0
10.7 V – 2.3562 V - 4.76 V – Vce = 0
3.5838 V – Vce = 0
3.5838 V = Vce
To find Vcb we apply KVL:
Vbe = 0.7 and Vce = 3.5838 V
Vbe + Vcb -Vce = 0
Simplifying;
Vcb = Vce – Vbe
Vcb = 3.5838 V – 0.7 V
Vcb = 2.8838 V
Step 4 – CHECK to see if your results are consistent with your assumption.
For active mode:
Vce > 0.7 V ; Ib > 0
3.5838 V > 0.7 V ; 23.8 µA > 0
Our assumption was correct, and therefore so are our answers
No need to go on to Step 5 or to Modify.
Example: A BJT Circuit in Saturation

Determine all currents for the BJT in the circuit below.

As we can see it is similar to the previous example that we assumed as an Active
mode, Let’s see if we are correct! ASSUME it is in active mode and ENFORCE Vbe
= 0.7 V and Ic = βIb.
The B-E KVL is therefore;
Ie = (β + 1)Ib → (99 + 1)Ib
5.7 V – 10kΩ(Ib) – Vbe – 2kΩ(Ie) = 0
Solving for Ib;
5.7 V – 10kΩ(Ib) – 0.7 V – 2kΩ(99 + 1)Ib = 0
5.7 V – 0.7 V – 10kΩ(Ib) – 2kΩ(100)Ib = 0
5.0 V – 10kΩ(Ib) – 200kΩ(Ib) = 0
5.0 V- 210kΩ(Ib) = 0
5.0 V = 210kΩ(Ib)
5.0𝑉
= Ib
210𝑘Ω

Ib = 0.02380 mA * 103 = 23.8 µA

See! Base current Ib = 23.8 µA, just like before. Therefore collector current and
emitter current are again Ic = 2.3562 mA and Ie = 2.38 mA.
but we still need to CHECK to see if our assumption is correct
We know that Ib = 23.8 µA > 0 , but what about Vce = ?
From collector-emitter KVL we get;
10.7 V – 10kΩ(Ic) – Vce – 2kΩ(Ie) = 0
10.7 V – 10kΩ(2.3562 mA) – Vce – 2kΩ(2.38 mA) = 0
10.7 V – 23.562 V – Vce – 4.76 V = 0
10.7 V - 23.562 V – 4.76 V = Vce
-17.622 V = Vce
Checking: Vce > 0.7 V → −17.622 V > 0.7 V → 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡
∴ Our assumption is wrong the BJT is not in active mode.
In the previous example, the collector resistor was 1kΩ, whereas in this example the
collector resistor is 10kΩ. Thus, there is 10X the voltage dropped across the
collector resistor, which lowers the collector voltage so much that the BJT cannot
remain in the active mode.

We’re going to use Step 5(Modify); change the assumption and Start again!

Let’s (step 1.) ASSUME instead that the BJT is in saturation. Thus, we (step 2.)
ENFORCE the conditions:

Vce = 0.2 V ; Vbe = 0.7 V ; Vcb = -0.5 V

Now let’s (Step 3.) ANALYZE the circuit.
Note that we cannot directly determine the currents, as we do not know the base
voltage, emitter voltage, or collector voltage. But, we do know the differences in
these voltages! For example, we know that the collector voltage is 0.2 V higher
than the emitter voltage, but we do not know what the collector or emitter voltages
are!
So, how the heck do we ANALYZE this circuit? Often, circuits with BJTs in
saturation are somewhat more difficult to ANALYZE than circuits with active
BJTs. There are often many approaches, but all result from a logical, systematic
application of Kirchoff’s Law.
ANALYSIS - Start with KCL
We know that Ib + Ic = Ie (KCL)
But, what are Ib, Ic and Ie ??
from KVL Law;
5.7𝑉−𝑉𝑏 10.7𝑉−𝑉𝑐 𝑉𝑒−0𝑉
Ib = ; Ic = ; Ie =
10𝑘Ω 10𝑘Ω 2𝑘Ω

Therefore, combining with KCL:

5.7𝑉−𝑉𝑏 10.7𝑉−𝑉𝑐 𝑉𝑒
+ =
10𝑘Ω 10𝑘Ω 2𝑘Ω

Look what we have, 1 equation and 3 unknowns.

We need 2 more independent equations involving Vb, Vc, and Ve.
the ENFORCED conditions;
Vce = Vc – Ve = 0.2 V → Vc = Ve + 0.2 V
Vbe = Vb – Ve = 0.7 V → Vb = Ve + 0.7 V
Two more independent equations! Combining with the earlier equation:
5.7𝑉−(0.7 𝑉+𝑉𝑒) 10.7𝑉−(0.2 𝑉+𝑉𝑒) 𝑉𝑒
+ =
10𝑘Ω 10𝑘Ω 2𝑘Ω

One equation and one unknown.

Solving;
5.7𝑉−0.7 𝑉−𝑉𝑒 10.7𝑉−0.2 𝑉−𝑉𝑒 𝑉𝑒
+ =
10𝑘Ω 10𝑘Ω 2𝑘Ω

Multiplying by 10;
5.7v - 0.7v – Ve + 10.7v – 0.2v – Ve = 5Ve
Combine like terms;
5.7v - 0.7v + 10.7v – 0.2v = 5Ve + Ve + Ve
Simplifying:
15.5 V = 5Ve + 2Ve
15.5 V = 7Ve
15.7 𝑉
= Ve
7

Ve = 2.2143 V
Now, we can get the value of Vb, Vc, Ic, Ie and Ib.
By using the above equations we can get Vb and Vc;
Solving;
Vb = Ve + 0.7 V = 2.2143 V + 0.7 V = 2.9143 V
Vc = Ve + 0.2 V = 2.2143 V + 0.2 V = 2.4143 V
By KVL;
10.7𝑉−𝑉𝑐 10.7𝑉−2.4143𝑉 8.2857𝑉
Ic = = = =0.82857 mA
10𝑘Ω 10𝑘Ω 10𝑘Ω
5.7𝑉−𝑉𝑏 5.7𝑉−2.9143𝑉 2.7857𝑉
Ib = = = = 0.27857 mA
10𝑘Ω 10𝑘Ω 10𝑘Ω
 𝑉𝑒−0𝑉 𝑉𝑒 2.2143𝑉
Ie = = = = 1.10715 mA
2𝑘Ω 2𝑘Ω 2𝑘Ω

After you ANALYZE the circuit, you must in the end also CHECK your results.
First CHECK to see that all currents are positive;
Ic = 0.82857 mA > 0 ; Ib = 0.27857 mA > 0 ; Ie = 1.10715 mA > 0
Also CHECK collector current:
Ic < βIb
0.82857 mA < 99(0.27857 mA)
0.82857 mA < 27.57843 mA
Our solution is Correct.
Now our assumption was correct, and therefore so are our answers
No need to move on to Step 5 (Modify) again.