Nov 11, 2024  
Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Catalog 2024-2025

ELT 141 Transistor Fundamentals


Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 4

Introduces semiconductor physics and the fundamental principles of diodes and bipolar transistors. Promotes and supports sustainable and green technologies.

Corequisite: ELT 132 ; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:
  1. Identify a diode symbol and show proper bias polarity for forward and reverse operation. 
  2. Identify the six standard DC biasing circuits for bipolar junction transistors and calculate the DC voltage and current parameters. 
  3. Apply appropriate test equipment for measuring voltage and current parameters around bipolar transistors. 


Content Outline
  • Semiconductor Physics 
    • Atomic structure 
    • Energy bands and levels 
    • Conduction in crystals 
    • Doping 
  • Diodes 
    • PN junction 
      • Forward bias 
    • Reverse bias 
    • Diode curve 
    • Approximations 
    • Diode resistance 
      • Static 
      • Dynamic 
  • Introduction to Bipolar Transistors 
    • Junction biasing 
    • Relationship of DC Alpha/Beta and AC Beta 
    • Transistor characteristic curves 
      • Output collector curves (IC-VCE) 
      • IC versus VBE Curves 
      • Beta versus IC 
      • Beta versus temperature 
      • Saturation and cutoff regions 
  • Transistor Switches 
    • Collector-emitter saturation voltage (VCE) 
    • Collector saturation current (IC sat) 
    • Base saturation current (IB sat) 
    • Base-emitter saturation voltage (VBE sat) 
    • Collector-emitter saturation resistance (R,C-E sat) 
    • Bipolar transistor switching circuits 
  • Biasing Stability for Linear Operation 
    • Beta and temperature effects on transistor operation 
    • Bias configurations 
      • Simple base bias 
      • Base bias/emitter feedback 
      • Collector feedback bias 
      • Collector feedback bias/emitter feedback 
      • Voltage divider bias 
      • Application of Thevenin’s Theorem 
      • Emitter bias/two supplies 
  • Amplifier Configurations (Mid-Frequency Operation Only) 
    • Common emitter 
    • Common collector 
    • Darlington pair 
    • Common base 
  • Clippers and Clampers