Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design Laboratory Manual
EXPERIMENT 08 BJT HIGH FREQUENCY RESPONSE
NAME: DATE:
OBJECTIVES
To obtain the frequency response of a BJT amplifier circuit.
To determine the lower cutoff frequency and the upper cutoff frequency of a BJT
amplifier circuit.
To determine the midband gain, AMID of a BJT amplifier circuit.
To determine the input resistance, rin and the output resistance, ro of a BJT amplifier
circuit.
TEXT REFERENCE
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COMPONENTS AND EQUIPMENT
S. No. Device Range/Rating Quantity
1. a. DC Supply Voltage 12 V 1
b. BJT BC109 1
c. Capacitor 10µF 2
d. Resistor 150 K, 33 K, 4.7 K, 680 Ω 1, 1, 1, 2
2. Function Generator 0.1 Hz – 1 Mhz 1
3. Cathode Ray Oscilloscope 0 Hz – 20 Mhz 1
4. Connecting Wire
5. Breadboard
6. Multimeter
THEORY
The Frequency Response of an amplifier is presented in a form of a graph that shows
output amplitude (or, more often, voltage gain) plotted versus frequency. Typical plot of the
voltage gain of an amplifier versus frequency is shown in figure 1. The gain is null at zero
frequency, then rises as frequency increases, level off for further increases in frequency, and then
begins to drop again at high frequencies. The frequency response of an amplifier can be divided
into three frequency regions.
Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design Laboratory Manual
Figure 8.1: Frequency Response of an Amplifier
The frequency response begins with the lower frequency region designated between 0 Hz
and lower cut-off frequency. At lower cut-off frequency, f L, the gain is equal to 0.707 AMID.
AMID is a constant midband gain obtained from the midband frequency region. The third, the
upper frequency region covers frequency between upper cut-off frequency and above. Similarly,
at upper cut-off frequency, fH, the gain is equal to 0.707 AMID. After the upper cut off frequency,
the gain decreases with frequency increases and dies off eventually.
The Lower Frequency Response. Since the impedance of coupling capacitors increases
as frequency decreases, the voltage gain of a BJT amplifier decreases as frequency decreases. At
very low frequencies, the capacitive reactance of the coupling capacitors may become large
enough to drop some of the input voltage or output voltage. Also, the emitter-bypass capacitor
may become large enough so that it no longer shorts the emitter resistor to ground.
Approximately, the following equations can be used to determine the lower cut-off frequency of
the amplifier, where the voltage gain drops 3 dB from its midband value (=0.707 times the
midband AMID):
Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design Laboratory Manual
The Upper Frequency Response. The capacitive reactance of a capacitor decreases as
frequency increases. This can lead to problems for amplifiers used for high-frequency
amplification. Transistor has inherent shunt capacitances between each pair of terminals. At high
frequencies, these capacitances effectively short the ac signal voltage. For circuit in figure 2, the
upper cut-off frequency fH due to shunt capacitance CA, output shunt capacitance CB and
feedback capacitance CC, can be closely approximated using the following general equations:
fH = 1 / (1/f’A + 1/f’B)
SAFETY MEASURES
Understand the correct operation procedure and safety precautions of any equipment
before using them.
Make sure that all the electrical power tools are in good condition as well as the
components and equipment.
Stay always alert ask for help if not certain about something.
In case of handling equipment that needs to be plugged in, be certain that your hands are
dry and wear protective cloths and shoes with insulated soles.
Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design Laboratory Manual
PROCEDURE
1. Setup your apparatus and do all the necessary connections as to carry out the required
experimental work in determining the frequency response of the amplifier circuit as given
in figure 8.2.
2. Apply supply voltage to the circuit. Measure and record the base, the collector and the
emitter voltage of the transistor.
3. Next, apply a sinusoidal input signal, Vi, with vo1tage of 1-volt peak-to-peak value at
frequency of 5 Hz to the test circuit.
4. Observe, measure, record the output voltage, VO and calculate the voltage gain, Av =
Vo/Vi. Also measure the phase difference between input and output signals and record in
a table. With input signal always constant, increase signal frequency, measure and record
the output voltage, VO.
5. Calculate the voltage gain and obtain the signals phase difference.
6. Tabulate your readings with frequency, input voltage, output, voltage gain, phase
difference and phase angle as the table entry list. Produce all necessary readings to cover
frequency band between 5 Hz and 50 KHz. Make sure the input voltage is always
constant at all frequency settings.
7. Plot the frequency response of voltage gain in dB versus frequency.
8. Explain and discuss your observation upon the simulated and measured results.
TABULAR COLUMN
Input Signal = 1 V
S. Frequency (in O/P Voltage: Vo Voltage Gain: Av in dB =
No. Hz) Av = Vo/Vi 20log10(Vo/Vi)
1 5
2 50
3 100
4 500
5 2K
6 5K
7 7K
8 10K
9 20K
10 25K
11 30K
12 40K
13 45K
14 50K
Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design Laboratory Manual
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
Figure 8.2: Amplifier circuit for the frequency response experiment
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION
1. What are the simulated values of fL, AMID, and fH for the common-emitter amplifier in
figure 2? Compare these values with the cut-off frequencies obtained from the measured
values.
2. Which capacitor affects on the lower cut-off frequency and the upper cut-off frequency of
the amplifier circuit?
3. Discuss your observation on the simulated and the measured frequency response.
