Laboratory 7

Transistor Fundamentals

In this lab, we will investigate how a bipolar Junction transistor (BJT) can be used
as an electronic switch, as well as understand its electrical characteristics.

A transistor is an element with three terminals For BJT transistors, the

terminals are called collector, emitter and base. In the circuits that we will investigate,
we consider the voltage between base and emitter (Vbe) as the input, and the voltage
between collector and emitter (Vce) as the output. The Vbe voltage determines the
current flowing into the base of the transistor. Thus, we use Vbe to control the base
current.

As you will see, the input voltage (i.e. Vbe) can be used to control whether the
transistor is switched on or off. By adjusting Vbe, we can control the current flowing
through the collector terminal. An increase in the collector current corresponds to the
transistor being switched on. When the collector current is close to 0, the transistor is
switched off, and hence VceYou will also observe that small changes in the input voltage
lead to large changes in the collector current. Hence, a transistor can be switched on or
off by only a small variation in the base current.

Pre-Lab (circuit): Set up the circuit shown in Fig. 7.1 on your breadboard
(with only the electronic components) and bring with you to the lab. When in
the lab, you will need to connect the circuit you constructed to the 5V supply
and the measurement equipment show in the figure.

Pre-Lab (simulation): Draw the circuit provided in the figure below in

Circuitlab
 Use the Run DC Sweep feature in circuitlab to set up a linearly increasing value for the
Parameter Vbe. This corresponds to applying a linearly increasing voltage to the
base/emitter junction. Start Vbe at 0V and end at 800 mV as illustrated above. Use a step
size of 5 mV. Select the output V(c) (which corresponds to Vce) and Vb (which corresponds
to Vbe) and plot Vce vs. Vbe. Also plot the current flowing through the collector (depicted
as IQ1.nC) vs. Vbe. This is the collector current. You should have three curves on two plots.
Print and bring plots to the lab.

The Transistor as a Switch

a) Set up the circuit shown below in Fig. 7.1.

b) You will have to vary the input voltage Vbe by adjusting the potentiometer using your
trimpot tool to between 0 V and 0.75 V. You will need to connect an oscilloscope to
measure Vbe as you adjust the potentiometer so that the Vbe value is set to the value
you need it to be while you view the oscilloscope screen.
c) You can use increments of 100 mV from 100mV to 500 mV for Vbe and then increments
of 50 mV from 500 mV to 750 mV. Initially set Vbe to be 10 mV.
d) For each input voltage (i.e. Vbe value), measure the output voltage Vce using a
multimeter. At the same time, measure the current flowing through the collector using a
second multimeter. Record all your measurements in the table below
e) Draw a graph with Vbe on the x-axis and Vce on the y-axis.
f) Draw a graph with Vbe on the x-axis and Ic on the y-axis
 Figure 7 . 1 : Transistor as a switch

Vbe(mV) Vce Ic
10
100
200
300
400
500
550
600
650
700
750
800

Q1: Describe the behavior of Vce in relation to Vbe.

Q2: Is there a particular value of Vbe you found that causes a sudden
change in the value of Vce? If so, what approximately is that value for
Vbe?

Q3: On the graph, indicate when the transistor is on and when it is off.

Q4: What is the maximum value of the collector current you recorded?
Describe your observation of the change in collector current as Vbe is
increased.

Q5: Compare your measurements with your simulations and discuss

whether or not your measurements were consistent with your
simulations.