DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : P.Anuradha
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : Electronics & Communication Engg
Institute : G.P.W.Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam Dist
Year/Semester : III Semester
Subject : Electronics Circuits – 1
Subject Code : EC-302
Topic : Transistor Amplifiers
Duration : 50 Mnts
Sub Topic : Need of Transistor Biasing
Teaching Aids : Diagrams
EC302.20 1
RECAP

In the previous session we have discussed about

•A.C load line

•Drawing a A.C load line for a given circuit.

EC302.20 2
Objectives:

On completion of this period you would be able to :

• Understand the need of Transistor Biasing

• Conditions to be satisfied for proper biasing

EC302.20 3
 Need for biasing

• For normal operation of a transistor amplifier circuit, the

transistor must be biased so that it operates in the active region
(linear) of it’s characteristics. That means

• Forward bias on the emitter-base junction

• Reverse bias on the collector-base junction

EC302.20 4
 For achieving faithful amplification the following

conditions should be satisfied

• 1. Proper Zero signal collector current IC.

• 2. Proper Base-Emitter voltage VBE at any instant .

• 3. Proper Collector-Emitter voltage VCE at any instant.

EC302.20 5
What is meant by Zero signal collector current?

• The current following through a transistor in the absence of A.C

signal is known as Zero signal collector current IC.

EC302.20 6
Condition 1

• Zero signal collector current IC should be equal to the

maximum collector current due to signal alone.

EC302.20 7
For Example:

• An input signal causes a peek collector current of 1mA; Then Zero

signal collector current can be either 1mA or more than 1mA.

EC302.20 8
IC > Maximum current due to A.C.Signal

1.5mA

1mA

Here IC= 1mA

• The maximum collector current due to signal is 0.5mA.
• So the total collector current varies between 1.5mA to
0.5mA.
EC302.20 9
When IC = Maximum current due to A.C.Signal
2mA

1mA

0mA

Here IC= 1mA

Maximum current due to A.C.Signal is 1mA.So total
current varies between 2 mA and 0 mA
EC302.20 10
When IC< Maximum current due to A.C.Signal
1.5mA

0.5mA

0.mA
-0.5mA

Here IC= 0.5mA

Maximum current due to A.C.Signal is 1mA
Collector current IC becomes –ve during some part of input signal.
• It means output waveform is clipped during that part.
• Hence there is distortion in output.

EC302.20 11
We can conclude that:
• For faithful amplification
Zero signal collector current IC ≥ maximum collector
current due to signal alone

EC302.20 12
Condition - 2

Minimum proper Base -Emitter voltage .

• The Base – Emitter voltage VEBshould not fall below

• 0.3v for Germanium transistors.

• 0.7v for Silicon transistors.

EC302.20 13
• If VBE falls below these values during any part of the signal,

that part will be amplified to a smaller extent and faithful

amplification is not possible.

EC302.20 14
The conditions 1 & 2 ensures

• Emitter-Base junction remains properly forward biased during

all parts of input signal.

EC302.20 15
Condition - 3

Minimum proper Collector-Emitter voltage should not

fall below knee voltage.

• 0.5v for Germanium Transistors.

• 1.0v for Silicon Transistors.

EC302.20 16
• If VCEis less than knee voltage

• Collector Base junction is not properly reverse biased.

• Amplification is not uniform.

• Causes distortion in o/p waveform.

EC302.20 17
The condition 3 ensures

• The Collector-Base junction remains properly reverse biased

during all parts of input signal.

EC302.20 18
• The proper flow of zero signal collector current and

maintenance of proper colletor - emitter voltage during the

passage of signal is called TRANSISTOR BIASING

EC302.20 19
A Transistor can be biased

• With the help of a battery.

• Associating a circuit with the Transistor.

EC302.20 20
 The second method is more efficient:

• The circuit used for Transistor biasing is called

BIASING CIRCUIT.

EC302.20 21
• Transistor Biasing is very essential for proper operation

of a Transistor.

EC302.20 22
PROBLEM

Find the maximum input current permissible for faithful

amplification of a silicon transistor having RC = 4 kΏ and

VCC= 10 v. The knee voltage = 1 v. β = 50.

EC302.20 23
SOLUTION

The output equation of transistor is

VCC =VCE + IC RC
10 = 1 + 4*103 * IC
Ic = (10-1)/ (4*103)
= 2.25 mA
IB = I C / β
= 2.25 mA / 50
= 45 μA

EC302.20 24
Summary

We have discussed about:

• The concept of Transistor Biasing .

• The conditions to be met for proper Biasing.

EC302.20 25
QUIZ

EC302.20 26
1. In a C.E amplifier the maximum Collector current due to
signal is 2mA.Then Zero signal collector current can be

A .1mA

B .4mA

C .2mA

D .1.5mA

EC302.20 27
2. For faithful Amplification Collector –Base junction
should be.
A . Forward Biased

B . Reverse Biased

C . Either Forward Biased or Reverse Biased.

D . None

EC302.20 28
3. The Knee Voltage for Silicon Transistor is

A . 0.3v

B . 0.5 v

C .1.0v

D . 0.7v

EC302.20 29
Frequently asked Questions in the Examination

1.What is Transistor biasing &Explain it?

2. Find the maximum input current permissible for faithful

amplification of silicon transistor having Rc = 3.3kΩ and Vcc = 9v.

The knee voltage = 0.9v and β=50

EC302.20 30