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20 V
Problem 3: For the following circuit, determine the voltages Vo, VB,
VC and VE when,
i.
VBB = 0 V
ii.
VBB = + 5 V
5 k
Vo
VBB
Solution 3: First, we redraw the circuit and label the base voltage,
collector voltage and emitter voltage (VB, VC and VE). We also label the
base current, collector current and emitter current (IB, IC and IE).
1 k
20 V
I B 0 A
I C 0 A (Ans.)
I E 0 A
VB VBB 0 V
(Ans.)
Vo VC 20 5 IC 20 0 20 V
VE 1 I E 0 V
5 k
IC
VC
Vo
IB
VBB
VB
VE
IE
1 k
[Note: The collector voltage is calculated by applying Ohms law across the 5 k resistor and the emitter voltage is
calculated by applying Ohms law across the 1 k resistor.]
20 V
When VBB = +5 V:
Now, VB VBB 5 V
5 k
IC
VC
Vo
IB
VBB
VB
VE
IE
1 k
Now,
I E I B I C I B I B (1 ) I B 51I B
So, I B
I E 5.7
0.111765 mA
51 51
F.B.
F.B.
Collector
VC = 7.9412 V
P
Base
VB = 5 V
Emitter
VE = 5.7 V
Here, we note that both base-emitter junction and collector-emitter junction is forward biased. So the
BJT is not operating in active mode. It is operating in Saturation mode. The currents and voltages
calculated by assuming active mode is inaccurate.
We re-calculate assuming Saturation mode of operation:
20 V
[Note: The same circuit diagram is repeated in each page for convenience.]
[Note: In saturation mode, we can not use the value of . The value of
provided in the problem is only valid for active mode of operation. For saturation
mode calculation, we can not use any equation that has in it. So, Ic IB at
saturation. We use the data VCE = 0.2 V for calculation. This value is given in the
problem. Even if this data is not provided, students should always assume VCE =
0.2 V when the BJT is in saturation.]
5 k
IC
VC
Vo
IB
At Saturation mode, base-emitter junction is forward biased. So,
VBB
VBE 0.7 V VB VE
VB
VE
IE
1 k
Now, at saturation,
VCE 0.2 V
or, VC VE 0.2
or, VC 0.2 VE 0.2 5.7 5.9 V
(Ans.)
Vo VC 5.9 V (Ans.)
Now, applying Ohms law across the 5 k resistor,
20 VC 5I C
20 VC 20 5.9
or, I C
2.82 mA (Ans.)
5
5
Now, I E I B IC
or, I B I E IC 5.7 2.82 2.18 mA (Ans.)
[Note: The high value of base current in a characteristic of saturation mode. Also note that Ic IB.]
Now that all the voltages are re-calculated, using the schematic diagram shown below, we again check
if the collector-base junction is forward biased (F.B.) and the base-emitter junction is forward-biased
(F.B.).
F.B.
F.B.
Collector
VC = 5.9 V
Emitter
VE = 5.7 V
Base
VB = 5 V
The diagram confirms saturation mode of operation. So, the calculations are accurate.
20 V
10 k
2 k
Now,
I C I B 100 I B
And,
I E I B I C I B I B (1 ) I B 101I B
IC
100 k
10 k
VC
IB
VB
20 100 I B VBE 2 I E 0
or, 20 100 I B VBE 2 (101 I B ) 0
or, 20 100 I B 0.7 202 I B 0
or, 302 I B 19.3
9.3
or, I B
0.030795 mA
302
VE
IE
2 k
And,
I C I B 100 I B 100 0.030795 3.0795 mA
And, I E I B I C 0.037095 3.7095 3.7466 mA
To calculate the emitter voltage, let us apply Ohms law across the 2 k resistor:
VE 0 I E 2
or, VE 2 I E 2 3.7466 7.4932 V
Now,
VB VE VBE 0.7 V
So, VB 0.7 VE 0.7 7.4932 8.1932 V
Now, applying Ohms law across the 10 k resistor we get:
20 VC I C 10
or, VC 20 10 IC 20 10 3.0795 10.795 V
Now that all the voltages are calculated, using the schematic diagram shown below, we check if the
collector-base junction is reverse biased (R.B.) and the base-emitter junction is forward-biased (F.B.).
F.B.
F.B.
Collector
VC = 10.795 V
Emitter
VE = 7.4932 V
Base
VB = 8.1932 V
Here, we note that both base-emitter junction and collector-emitter junction is forward biased. So the
BJT is not operating in active mode. It is operating in Saturation mode. The currents and voltages
calculated by assuming active mode is inaccurate.
We re-calculate
operation:
assuming
Saturation
mode
of
(A)
IC
100 k
10 k
VC
IB
VB
VE
IE
2 k
20 V
I E 1.7811 mA
(Ans.)
I C 1.6238 mA
10 k
VC
IB
IC
100 k
VB
VE
IE
2 k
Now that all the voltages are re-calculated, using the schematic diagram shown below, we again check
if the collector-base junction is forward biased (F.B.) and the base-emitter junction is forward-biased
(F.B.).
F.B.
F.B.
Collector
VC = 3.762 V
Emitter
VE = 3.5622 V
Base
VB = 4.27 V
The diagram confirms saturation mode of operation. So, the calculations are accurate.