Robert T. Nericua BSECE-III EE 172.

1 Section: W456

Cascode Amplifier
Using Bipolar Junction Transistor

Objectives
The objectives of this experiment are the following:

1. To establish the DC biasing of the Cascode Amplifier.

2. To observe the Cascode Amplifier when driven from low to high frequency.
3. To determine the low and high frequency cut-off of the Cascode Amplifier.

Introduction

Electronic Amplifier or amplifier is common to every civilized home. I can be seen in every audio
systems, video systems, communication systems such as radio, mobile phones, etc., and in industrial,
scientific, and medical electronic system. An electronic amplifier is basically an electronic device that
increases the power of the signal. It does this by taking energy from a power supply and controlling the
output to match the input signal shape but with a larger amplitude.

In this experiment, we are focus in Cascode Amplifier. The cascode amplifier is a two-stage
amplifier composed of transconductance amplifier and followed by a current buffer. This configuration
has the following characteristics:

 Higher input-output isolation

 Higher input impedance
 High output impedance
 Higher gain and bandwidth

In modern circuit, the cascode is often constructed from two transistor (BJTs or FETs), with one
operating as common emitter or common source and the other as a common base or common gate.

In this experiment, we are using BJT and we are very much concerned in the gain and the
frequency response of the Cascode amplifier. The frequency response of the Cascode amplifier is also
one of the aims of this experiment. Frequency response is the quantitative measure of the output
spectrum of a system or device in response to a stimulus, and is used to characterize the dynamics of
the system. It is a measure of magnitude and phase of the output as a function of frequency, in
comparison to the input.

Materials
Resistors (6.8 kΩ, 5.6 kΩ, 4.7 kΩ, 1.1 kΩ, 1.8 kΩ)

Capacitor (2pcs. 20 µF, 1pc. 5 µF, 1pc. 10 µF)

Transistor 2N2222 Breadboard

Multitester

Oscilloscope with 2 probes

Signal Generator

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Robert T. Nericua BSECE-III EE 172.1 Section: W456

Procedure
1. Get a pre-design cascode amplifier from any source whether from textbook or internet.
Construct the circuit as shown. Measure VB1, VB2 and IC.

This circuit is from a textbook.

2. At point Vi1 connect the oscilloscope probe and attach the ground clip to the GND. This
attach probe measures the input signal. This signal is feed to the CH1 of the oscilloscope.
3. At point Vo2 connect the oscilloscope probe and attach the ground clip to the GND. This
attach probe measures the Output signal. This signal is feed to the CH2 of the oscilloscope.
4. Set the signal generator to sinusoidal function. Set the amplitude of the wave of the signal
generator such that the output signal is not distorted.
5. Adjust the frequency of the signal generator until such time you get the maximum output
voltage. This maximum output voltage is V02max. This output is in mid frequency.
6. Adjust the signal from low to high frequency to determine what interval of frequency that
the V0max still unchanged.
7. Adjust the frequency until such time the output is half of V0max. The obtained frequency
below the interval that was determined in step 6 is the low frequency response of the
system denoted by fL. The frequency above the interval that was determined in step 6 is the
high frequency response of the system denoted by fH. Thus, there two frequencies in the
spectrum that makes the output signal half the V0max.

Result of the Experiment

In January 7, 2015 the experiment was conducted and this are the data gathered during the
laboratory experiment.

DC Operating
VB1=10.7 V; VB2=4.5 V; IC=3.7 mA.

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Robert T. Nericua BSECE-III EE 172.1 Section: W456

Output at the Vo2

Input signal is 152 mVpp. The V0max= 268 mVpp. Interval in which the V0max is not unchanged
is from 2 kHz to 230 kHz. At fL=8.87 Hz the output voltage is 140.0 mVpp, that is almost half of V0max.
fH= 1.21 MHz. Phase relationship: the output signal is out phase by 180° to the input signal.

Output at the Vo1

During the experiment, Vo1 is not detectable.

Mid Frequency Response

Low Frequency Response

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Robert T. Nericua BSECE-III EE 172.1 Section: W456

High Frequency

Conclusion and Discussion of the Results

To establish the DC biasing of the Cascode Amplifier. To observe the Cascode Amplifier when
driven from low to high frequency.To determine the low and high frequency cut-off of the
Cascode Amplifier.

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