CHAPTER 4

B J T S

The BJT (bipolar junction transistor) is constructed with three regions:

BASE, COLLECTOR, AND EMITTER.
The BJT has two pn junctions, the base-emitter junction and the basecollector junction.
Current in a BJT consists of both free electrons and holes, thus the term
BIPOLAR.
The BASE REGION is very thin and lightly doped compared to the
collector and emitter regions.
The two types of bipolar junction transistor are the npn and the pnp.
To operate as an amplifier, the BASE-EMITTER junction must be forwardbiased and the BASE-COLLECTOR junction must be reverse-biased.
This is called FORWARD-REVERSE BIAS.
The three currents in the transistor are the base current (IB), emitter
current (IE), and collector current (IC).
IB is very small compared to IC and IE.
The DC CURRENT GAIN of a transistor is the ratio of IC to IB and is
designated DC. Values typically range from less than 20 to several
hundred.
DC is usually referred to as hFE on transistor data sheets.
The ratio of IC to IB is called DC. Values typically range from 0.95 to 0.99.
When a transistor is Forward-Reverse Biased, the voltage gain depends
on the INTERNAL EMITTER RESISTANCE and the EXTERNAL
COLLECTOR RESISTANCE.
A transistor can be operated as an ELECTRONIC SWITCH in CUTOFF
and SATURATION.
In cutoff, both PN JUNCTIONS are REVERSE-BIASED and there is
essentially NO COLLECTOR CURRENT. The transistor ideally behaves
like an OPEN SWITCH between collector and emitter.
In saturation, both PN JUNCTIONS are FORWARD-BIASED and the
COLLECTOR CURRENT IS MAXIMUM. The transistor ideally behaves
like a CLOSED SWITCH between collector and emitter.
There is a variation in DC over temperature and also from one transistor to
another of the same type.
There are many types of transistor packages using PLASTIC, METAL, or
CERAMIC.
It is best to check a transistor in-circuit before removing it.
COMMON FAULTS are open junctions, low DC, excessive leakage
currents, and external opens and shorts on the circuit board.

CHAPTER 4 (multiple choice)

1. The DC load line on a family of collector characteristic curves of a transistor
shows the [Hint]
saturation
region.
cutoff region.
active region.
all of the above
2.
A transistor data sheet usually identifies DC as [Hint]
hre.
hFE.
IC.
VCE.
3.
When a transistor is used as a switch, it is stable in which two distinct
regions? [Hint]
saturation and active
active and cutoff
saturation and
cutoff
None of the above
4.
For a silicon transistor, when a base-emitter junction is forward-biased,
it has a nominal voltage drop of [Hint]
0.7
V.
0.3 V.
0.2 V.
VCC.
5.
The value of DC [Hint]
is fixed for any particular
transistor.
varies with temperature.
varies with IC.
varies with temperature and IC.
6.
The term BJT is short for [Hint]
Base junction transistor.
binary junction transistor.
Both junction transistor.

bipolar junction
transistor.
7.

A BJT has an IB of 50 A and a DC of 75; IC is: [Hint]

IC=*IB = 75*(50*10^-6)= 3.75 mA
375 mA
37.5 mA
3.75 mA
0.375
mA
8.
A certain transistor has IC = 15 mA and IB = 167 A; DC is: [Hint]
DC = IC / IB = 15 mA/167 A = 89.82 90
15
167
0.011
90
9.
For normal operation of a pnp BJT, the base must be _____ with respect
to the emitter and _____ with respect to the collector. [Hint]
positive, negative
positive, positive
negative,
positive
negative, negative
10 .
A transistor amplifier has a voltage gain of 100. If the input voltage is 75
mV, the output voltage is: [Hint]
Vo = Av*Vi = 75mV*100 = 7.5V
1.33
V
7.5 V
13.3
V
15 V
11 .
A 35 mV signal is applied to the base of a properly biased transistor with
an r'e = 8 and RC = 1 k. The output signal voltage at the collector is: [Hint]
3.5 V
28.57 V
4.375 V
4.375
mV

22 .
What is the order of doping, from heavily to lightly doped, for each
region? [Hint]
Base, collector, emitter
emitter, collector,
base
Emitter, base, collector
collector, emitter, base
23 .
What are the two types of bipolar junction transistors? [Hint]
npn and
pnp
pnn and nnp
ppn and nnp
pts and stp
24 .
Which of the following is true for an npn or pnp transistor? [Hint]
IE = IB + IC
IB = IC+ IE
IC = IB + IE
None of the
above
25 .
What is the ratio of IC to IB? [Hint]
DC
hFE
DC
either DC or hFE, but not DC
26 .
What is the ratio of IC to IE? [Hint]
DC
DC / (DC + 1)
DC
either DC / (DC + 1) or DC, but not DC
27 .
In what range of voltages is the transistor in the linear region of its
operation? [Hint]
0 < VCE
0.7 < VCE < VCE(max)
VCE(max) > VCE
None of the above

28 .
What does DC vary with? [Hint]
IC
C
Both IC and
C
IC, but not C
29 .
What is (are) common fault(s) in a BJT-based circuit? [Hint]
opens or shorts internal to the transistor
Open bias resistor(s)
external opens and shorts on the circuit
board
all of the above
30. What is (are) general-purpose/small-signal transistors case type(s)? [Hint]
TO-18
TO-92
TO-39
TO-52
all of the
above
CHAPTER 5
TRANSISTOR BIAS CIRCUITS

The purpose of biasing a circuit is to establish a proper stable DC

OPERATING POINT (Q-POINT).
The Q-POINT of a circuit is defined by specific values for IC and VCE.
These values are called the COORDINATES of the Q-point.
A DC LOAD LINE passes through the Q-point on a transistor's collector
curves intersecting the vertical axis at approximately IC(sat) and the
horizontal axis at VCE(off).
The LINEAR (ACTIVE) OPERATING REGION of a transistor lies along
the load line below saturation and above cutoff.
The DC INPUT RESISTANCE at the BASE of a BJT is approximately
DCRE.
VOLTAGE-DIVIDER BIAS provides good Q-point stability with a singlepolarity supply voltage. It is the MOST COMMON BIAS CIRCUIT.
The BASE BIAS CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT has poor Q-point stability
because its Q-point varies widely with DC.

EMITTER BIAS generally provides good Q-point stability but requires

both positive and negative supply voltages.

COLLECTOR-FEEDBACK BIAS provides

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK from collector to base.

good

stability

using

CHAPTER 5 (multiple choice)

1.
Voltage-divider bias has a relatively stable Q-point, as does [Hint]
Base bias.
collector bias.
Both of the above
None of the
above
2.
Emitter bias requires [Hint]
Only a positive supply voltage.
Only a negative supply voltage.
no supply voltage.
Both positive and negative supply
voltages.
3.
Clipping is the result of [Hint]
the input signal being too large.
the transistor being driven into
saturation.
the transistor being driven into cutoff.
all of the above
4.
Changes in DC result in changes in [Hint]
IC.
VCE.
the Q-point.
all of the
above
5.
The input resistance at the base of a voltage-divider biased transistor
can be neglected [Hint]
at all times.
Only if the base current is much smaller than the current through R 2 (the lower
bias resistor).
at no time.

Only if the base current is much larger than the current through R 2 (the
lower bias resistor).
6.
What is the Q-point for a fixed-bias transistor with I B = 75 A, DC = 100,
VCC = 20 V, and RC = 1.5 k? [Hint]
VC = 0 V
VC = 20 V
VC = 8.75 V
VC = 11.25 V
7.
Ideally, for linear operation, a transistor should be biased so that the Qpoint is [Hint]
Near saturation.
Near cutoff.
where IC is maximum.
halfway between cutoff and
saturation.

19 .
The most stable biasing technique used is the [Hint]
voltage-divider
bias.
Base-bias.
emitter-bias.
collector-bias.
20 .
At saturation the value of VCE is nearly _____, and IC = _____. [Hint]
Zero,
zero
VCC, IC(sat)
Zero, I(sat)
VCC, zero
21 .
The linear (active) operating region of a transistor lies along the load line
below _____ and above _____. [Hint]
cutoff, saturation
saturation,
cutoff

22 .
What is the most common bias circuit? [Hint]
Base
collector
emitter
voltagedivider
23 .
What is the DC input resistance at the base of a BJT? [Hint]
DCRC
DC(RCRE)
DCre
DCRE
24 .
Which transistor bias circuit provides good Q-point stability with a singlepolarity supply voltage? [Hint]
Base bias
collector bias
voltage-divider
bias
emitter bias
25.Which transistor bias circuit arrangement has poor stability because its Qpoint varies widely with DC? [Hint]
Base bias
collector bias
voltage-divider
bias
emitter bias

26 .
Which transistor bias circuit arrangement provides good Q-point stability,
but requires both positive and negative supply voltages? [Hint]
Base bias
collector bias
voltage-divider
bias
emitter bias
27 .
Which transistor bias circuit arrangement provides good stability using
negative feedback from collector to base? [Hint]
Base bias

collector bias
voltage-divider
bias
emitter bias
CHAPTER 6
BJT AMPLIFIER

A SMALL-SIGNAL AMPLIFIER uses only a small portion of its load line

under signal conditions.
r parameters are easily identifiable and applicable with a transistor's
circuit operation.
h parameters are important to technicians and technologists because
manufacturers' data sheets specify transistors using h parameters.
A COMMON-EMITTER AMPLIFIER has good voltage, current, and power
gains, but a relatively low input resistance.
A COMMON-COLLECTOR AMPLIFIER has high input resistance and
good current gain, but its voltage gain is approximately 1.
The COMMON-BASE AMPLIFIER has a good voltage gain, but it has a
very low input resistance and its current gain is approximately 1.
A DARLINGTON PAIR provides beta multiplication for increased input
resistance.
The total gain of a multistage amplifier is the product of the individual
gains (sum of dB gains).
Single-stage amplifiers can be connected in sequence with various
coupling methods to form multistage amplifiers.

CHAPTER 6 (multiple choice)

1.
For the common-emitter amplifier AC equivalent circuit, all capacitors are
[Hint]
effectively shorts.
effectively open circuits.
not connected to
ground.
connected to ground.
2.
For a common-emitter amplifier, the purpose of the emitter bypass
capacitor is [Hint]
no purpose, since it is shorted out by
RE.
to reduce noise.

to despike the supply voltage.

to maximize amplifier gain.
3.
For a common-emitter amplifier, the purpose of swamping is [Hint]
to minimize gain.
to reduce the effects of
r'e
to maximize gain.
no purpose.
4.
An emitter-follower is also known as a [Hint]
Common-emitter amplifier.
Common-base amplifier.
Common-collector
amplifier.
Darlington pair.
5.
In a common-base amplifier, the input signal is connected to the [Hint]
Base.
collector
.
emitter.
output.
6.
The differential amplifier produces outputs that are [Hint]
Common mode.
in-phase with the input voltages.
the sum of the two input voltages.
the difference of the two input
voltages.
7.
The differential amplifier has [Hint]
one input and one output.
two inputs and two
outputs.
two inputs and one output.
one input and two outputs.
8.
The DC emitter current of a transistor is 8 mA. What is the value of re?
[Hint]
320

13.3
k
3.125

5.75
18 .
An emitter-follower amplifier has an input impedance of 107 k. The
input signal is 12 mV. The approximate output voltage is (common-collector)
[Hint]
8.92 V
112 mV
12 mV
8.9 mV
21 .
A Darlington pair amplifier has [Hint]
High input impedance and high voltage gain.
low input impedance and low voltage gain.
a voltage gain of about 1 and a low input
impedance.
a low voltage gain and a high input impedance.
22 .
You have a need to apply an amplifier with a very high power gain.
Which of the following would you choose? [Hint]
commoncollector
common-base
commonemitter
emitter-follower
23 .
rb
rc
re

What is the most important r parameter for amplifier analysis? [Hint]

24 .
A common-emitter amplifier has (_____) voltage gain, (_____) current
gain, (_____) power gain, and (_____) input impedance. [Hint]
high, low, high, low
high, high, high,
low
high, high, high, high

low, low, low, high

25 .
To analyze the common-emitter amplifier, what must be done to
determine the DC equivalent circuit? [Hint]
leave circuit unchanged
replace coupling and bypass capacitors with
opens
replace coupling and bypass capacitors with shorts
replace VCC with ground
26 .
When the bypass capacitor is removed from a common-emitter amplifier,
the voltage gain [Hint]
increases.
decreases.
has very little
effect.
27 .
A common-collector amplifier has (_____) input resistance, (_____)
current gain, and (_____) voltage gain. [Hint]
high, high,
low
high, low, low
high, low, high
28 .
A Darlington pair provides beta _____ for _____ input resistance. [Hint]
multiplication, decreased
multiplication,
increased
division, decreased
29 .
The total gain of a multistage amplifier is the _____. [Hint]
sum of individual voltage
gains
sum of dB voltage gains
30 .
What is re equal to in terms of h parameters? [Hint]
hre / hoe
(hre + 1) / hoe
hie (hre / hoe)(1 + hfe)
hfe
none of the above