FAD1022 L34-L38 — Semiconductors & Op-Amps — Formula Sheet

Comprehensive formula sheet covering all equations from Lectures 34–38: Semiconductor Theory, Diodes, BJT Transistor Biasing (Fixed, Emitter-Stabilized, Voltage Divider), and Operational Amplifiers (Inverting & Non-inverting).


Lecture 34 — Semiconductor Theory and Diodes

Diode DC Series Configuration

Forward Bias (ON state) — Replace Si diode with $0.7,\text{V}$ source and apply KVL:

$$E - V_R - V_D = 0$$

  • $E$ — Source voltage (V)
  • $V_R$ — Voltage across series resistor (V)
  • $V_D$ — Diode forward voltage / knee voltage (V); $0.7,\text{V}$ for Si, $0.3,\text{V}$ for Ge, $1.5,\text{V}$ for GaAs

Reverse Bias (OFF state) — Replace diode with open circuit:

$$I_D = I_R = 0,\text{A}$$

$$V_R = I_R R = 0,\text{V}$$

$$V_D = E - V_R = E$$

  • $I_D$ — Diode current (A)
  • $I_R$ — Current through resistor (A)
  • $R$ — Series resistance ($\Omega$)

Half-Wave Rectifier

Positive cycle (diode forward biased):

$$V_m - V_D - V_O = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad V_O = V_m - V_D$$

  • $V_m$ — Peak input voltage (V)
  • $V_O$ — Output voltage (V)
  • $V_D$ — Diode knee voltage (V)

Negative cycle (diode reverse biased):

$$V_O = 0$$

Average DC output voltage:

$$V_{DC} = 0.318,(V_m - V_D)$$


Lecture 35 — Transistor Biasing (Fixed & Emitter-Stabilized)

Fundamental BJT Current Relationships

Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) at the transistor node:

$$I_E = I_B + I_C$$

  • $I_E$ — Emitter current (A)
  • $I_B$ — Base current (A)
  • $I_C$ — Collector current (A)

Current Gain (Beta, $\beta$):

$$\beta = \frac{I_C}{I_B} \quad \Rightarrow \quad I_C = \beta I_B$$

  • $\beta$ — DC current gain (dimensionless); also denoted $h_{FE}$ (AC) or $h_{fe}$ (DC)
  • $\beta$ is temperature-dependent

Alpha ($\alpha$):

$$\alpha = \frac{I_C}{I_E}$$

  • $\alpha$ — Ratio of collector to emitter current (dimensionless)

Emitter Current in terms of Base Current:

$$I_E = I_B(\beta + 1)$$

Transistor Operating Regions

Region Emitter Junction Collector Junction Key Formula
Active (Linear) Forward biased Reverse biased $I_C = \beta I_B$
Saturation Forward biased Forward biased $I_{C(\text{sat})}$ (max current)
Cutoff Open / Reverse Open / Reverse $I_C = 0$, $I_B = 0$

1. Fixed-Bias Circuit

Base-Emitter Loop:

$$V_{CC} - I_B R_B - V_{BE} = 0$$

$$I_B = \frac{V_{CC} - V_{BE}}{R_B}$$

  • $V_{CC}$ — Collector supply voltage (V)
  • $R_B$ — Base resistor ($\Omega$)
  • $V_{BE}$ — Base-emitter voltage; $\approx 0.7,\text{V}$ for Si transistors (V)

Collector-Emitter Loop:

$$V_{CC} - I_C R_C - V_{CE} = 0$$

$$V_{CE} = V_{CC} - I_C R_C$$

  • $R_C$ — Collector resistor ($\Omega$)
  • $V_{CE}$ — Collector-emitter voltage (V)

Saturation Current:

$$I_{C(\text{sat})} = \frac{V_{CC}}{R_C}$$

2. Emitter-Stabilized Bias Circuit

Base-Emitter Loop (with emitter resistor $R_E$):

$$V_{CC} - I_B R_B - V_{BE} - I_E R_E = 0$$

Substituting $I_E = I_B(\beta + 1)$:

$$I_B = \frac{V_{CC} - V_{BE}}{R_B + (\beta + 1)R_E}$$

  • $R_E$ — Emitter resistor ($\Omega$)

Collector-Emitter Loop:

$$V_{CC} - I_C R_C - V_{CE} - I_E R_E = 0$$

Using $I_E \approx I_C$ (valid when $\beta \gg 1$):

$$V_{CE} = V_{CC} - I_C(R_C + R_E)$$

Saturation Current:

$$I_{C(\text{sat})} = \frac{V_{CC}}{R_C + R_E}$$

Voltage at Key Nodes:

$$V_E = I_E R_E$$

$$V_C = V_{CE} + V_E = V_{CC} - I_C R_C$$

$$V_B = V_{BE} + V_E = V_{CC} - I_B R_B$$

  • $V_E$ — Emitter voltage relative to ground (V)
  • $V_C$ — Collector voltage relative to ground (V)
  • $V_B$ — Base voltage relative to ground (V)

Stability Design Approximation (for strong stability, when $(\beta + 1)R_E \gg R_B$):

$$(\beta + 1)R_E \geq 10 R_B$$

Under this condition:

$$I_C \approx \frac{V_{CC} - V_{BE}}{R_E}$$

$I_C$ becomes largely independent of $\beta$, providing excellent Q-point stability.


Lecture 36 — Voltage Divider Bias

Approximation Condition

For the approximate analysis to be valid:

$$\beta R_E \geq 10 R_{B2}$$

Equivalently:

$$R_{TH} \leq 0.1,\beta R_E$$

where $R_{TH}$ is the Thevenin resistance of the base divider:

$$R_{TH} = R_{B1} \parallel R_{B2} = \frac{R_{B1} \cdot R_{B2}}{R_{B1} + R_{B2}}$$

  • $R_{B1}$, $R_{B2}$ — Voltage divider resistors ($\Omega$)
  • $R_{TH}$ — Thevenin equivalent resistance ($\Omega$)

Approximate Analysis Procedure

Step Formula Description
1 $V_B = \dfrac{R_{B2},V_{CC}}{R_{B1} + R_{B2}}$ Base voltage from voltage divider rule
2 $V_E = V_B - V_{BE}$ Emitter voltage
3 $I_E = \dfrac{V_E}{R_E}$ Emitter current
4 $I_C \cong I_E$ Collector current (approximation)
5 $V_{CE} = V_{CC} - I_C(R_C + R_E)$ Collector-emitter voltage

Bias Configuration Comparison

Quantity Fixed Bias Emitter-Stabilized Voltage Divider (Approx.)
$I_B$ $\dfrac{V_{CC} - V_{BE}}{R_B}$ $\dfrac{V_{CC} - V_{BE}}{R_B + (\beta+1)R_E}$ Not directly calculated
$I_C$ $\beta I_B$ $\beta I_B$ $\cong I_E = \dfrac{V_B - V_{BE}}{R_E}$
$V_{CE}$ $V_{CC} - I_C R_C$ $V_{CC} - I_C(R_C + R_E)$ $V_{CC} - I_C(R_C + R_E)$

Lecture 37 — Op-Amp: Inverting Amplifier

Inverting Amplifier Gain

Current through input resistor equals current through feedback resistor (no current enters op-amp input):

$$I = \frac{V_{in}}{R_1} = -\frac{V_{out}}{R_f}$$

Output voltage:

$$V_{out} = -\frac{R_f}{R_1},V_{in}$$

  • $V_{in}$ — Input voltage (V)
  • $V_{out}$ — Output voltage (V)
  • $R_1$ — Input resistor ($\Omega$)
  • $R_f$ — Feedback resistor ($\Omega$)
  • Negative sign indicates 180° phase inversion

Lecture 38 — Op-Amp: Non-Inverting Amplifier

Non-Inverting Amplifier Gain

Current through $R_1$:

$$I = \frac{V_{in}}{R_1}$$

Voltage across feedback resistor $R_f$:

$$V_{R_f} = I \cdot R_f = V_{in} \cdot \frac{R_f}{R_1}$$

Output voltage:

$$V_{out} = V_{in} + V_{R_f} = V_{in}\left(1 + \frac{R_f}{R_1}\right)$$

$$V_{out} = \left(\frac{R_1 + R_f}{R_1}\right)V_{in}$$

  • Output is in phase with input (0° phase shift)
  • Gain is always $\geq 1$

Inverting vs Non-Inverting Comparison

Configuration Gain Formula Phase
Inverting $V_{out} = -\dfrac{R_f}{R_1},V_{in}$ $180°$ (inverted)
Non-inverting $V_{out} = \left(1 + \dfrac{R_f}{R_1}\right)V_{in}$ $0°$ (non-inverted)

Quick Reference: Diode Knee Voltages

Semiconductor Knee Voltage $V_D$
Germanium (Ge) $0.3,\text{V}$
Silicon (Si) $0.7,\text{V}$
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) $1.5,\text{V}$

Quick Reference: BJT Operating Regions Summary

Region $V_{BE}$ $V_{CE}$ $I_C$ Application
Cutoff $< 0.7,\text{V}$ $= V_{CC}$ $\approx 0$ Open switch
Active $\approx 0.7,\text{V}$ $> V_{CE(sat)}$ $\beta I_B$ Amplifier
Saturation $\approx 0.7,\text{V}$ $\approx 0.2,\text{V}$ $I_{C(sat)}$ Closed switch

Source: FAD1022 L34-L38 — Semiconductors & Op-Amps Formula sheet compiled for finals revision. All equations extracted from lecture notes.