Electronic Components
- Basic Electronics - Hall Effect
- Basic Electronics - Semiconductors
- Basic Electronics - Energy Bands
- Basic Electronics - Materials
Resistors
- Basic Electronics - Fixed Resistors
- Basic Electronics - Linear Resistors
- Non-linear Resistors
- Circuit Connections in Resistors
- Basic Electronics - Resistors
Capacitors
- Polarized Capacitors
- Basic Electronics - Fixed Capacitors
- Variable Capacitors
- Circuit Connections in Capacitors
- Basic Electronics - Capacitors
Inductors
- Basic Electronics - RF Inductors
- Types of Inductors
- Circuit Connections in Inductors
- Basic Electronics - Inductance
- Basic Electronics - Inductors
Transformers
- Transformer Efficiency
- Transformers based on Usage
- Types of Transformers
- Basic Electronics - Transformers
Diodes
- Optoelectronic Diodes
- Special Purpose Diodes
- Basic Electronics - Junction Diodes
- Basic Electronics - Diodes
Transistors
- Basic Electronics - MOSFET
- Basic Electronics - JFET
- Types of Transistors
- Transistor Load Line Analysis
- Transistor Regions of Operation
- Transistor Configurations
- Basic Electronics - Transistors
Basic Electronics Useful Resources
Selected Reading
- Who is Who
- Computer Glossary
- HR Interview Questions
- Effective Resume Writing
- Questions and Answers
- UPSC IAS Exams Notes
Basic Electronics - Types of Transistors
There are many types of transistors in use. Each transistor is speciapzed in its apppcation. The main classification is as follows.
The primary transistor is the BJT and FET is the modern version of transistor. Let us have a look at the BJTs.
Bipolar Junction Transistor
A Bipolar junction transistor, shortly termed as BJT is called so as it has two PN junctions for its function. This BJT is nothing but a normal transistor. It has got two types of configurations NPN and PNP. Usually NPN transistor is preferred for the sake of convenience. The following image shows how a practical BJT looks pke.
The types of BJT are NPN and PNP transistors. The NPN transistor is made by placing a ptype material between two n-type materials. The PNP transistor is made by placing an ntype material between two p-type materials.
BJT is a current controlled device. A normal transistor which we had discussed in the previous chapters come under this category. The functionapty, configurations and apppcations are all the same.
Field Effect Transistor
An FET is a three-terminal unipolar semiconductor device. It is a voltage controlled device unpke a bipolar junction transistor. The main advantage of FET is that it has a very high input impedance, which is in the order of Mega Ohms. It has many advantages pke low power consumption, low heat dissipation and FETs are highly efficient devices. The following image shows how a practical FET looks pke.
The FET is a unipolar device, which means that it is made using either p-type or n-type material as main substrate. Hence the current conduction of a FET is done by either electrons or holes.
Features of FET
The following are the varied features of a Field Effect Transistor.
Unipolar − It is unipolar as either holes or electrons are responsible for conduction.
High input impedance − The input current in a FET flows due to the reverse bias. Hence it has high input impedance.
Voltage controlled device − As the output voltage of a FET is controlled by the gate input voltage, FET is called as the voltage controlled device.
Noise is low − There are no junctions present in the conduction path. Hence noise is lower than in BJTs.
Gain is characterized as transconductance. Transconductance is the ratio of change in output current to the change in input voltage.
The output impedance of a FET is low.
Advantages of FET
To prefer a FET over BJT, there should be few advantages of using FETs, rather than BJTs. Let us try to summarize the advantages of FET over BJT.
JFET | BJT |
---|---|
It is an unipolar device | It is a bipolar device |
Voltage driven device | Current driven device |
High input impedance | Low input impedance |
Low noise level | High noise level |
Better thermal stabipty | Less thermal stabipty |
Gain is characterized by transconductance | Gain is characterized by voltage gain |
Apppcations of FET
FET is used in circuits to reduce the loading effect.
FETs are used in many circuits such as Buffer Amppfier, Phase shift Oscillators and Voltmeters.
FET Terminals
Though FET is a three terminal device, they are not the same as BJT terminals. The three terminals of FET are Gate, Source and Drain. The Source terminal in FET is analogous to the Emitter in BJT, while Gate is analogous to Base and Drain to Collector.
The symbols of a FET for both NPN and PNP types are as shown below
Source
The Source terminal in a Field Effect Transistor is the one through which the carriers enter the channel.
This is analogous to the emitter terminal in a Bipolar Junction Transistor.
The Source terminal can be designated as S.
The current entering the channel at Source terminal is indicated as IS.
Gate
The Gate terminal in a Field Effect Transistor plays a key role in the function of FET by controlpng the current through the channel.
By applying an external voltage at Gate terminal, the current through it can be controlled.
Gate is a combination of two terminals connected internally that are heavily doped.
The channel conductivity is said to be modulated by the Gate terminal.
This is analogous to the base terminal in a Bipolar Junction Transistor.
The Gate terminal can be designated as G.
The current entering the channel at Gate terminal is indicated as IG.
Drain
The Drain terminal in a Field Effect Transistor is the one through which the carriers leave the channel.
This is analogous to the collector terminal in a Bipolar Junction Transistor.
The Drain to Source voltage is designated as VDS.
The Drain terminal can be designated as D.
The current leaving the channel at Drain terminal is indicated as ID.
Types of FET
There are two main types of FETS. They are JFET and MOSFET. The following figure gives further classification of FETs.
In the subsequent chapters, we will have a detailed discussion on JFET and MOSFET.
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