DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name :P.Anuradha
Designation :Lecturer
Branch :Electronics & Communication Engg
Institute :G.P.W.Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam Dist
Year/Semester :III Semester
Subject :Electronics Circuits – 1
Subject Code :EC-302
Topic :Transistor Amplifiers
Duration :50 Mnts
Sub Topic :Operating Point
Teaching Aids :Diagrams
EC-302.21 1
RECAP

In the previous session we have discussed the need

of transistor biasing and conditions to be satisfied for

proper biasing.

EC-302.21 2
OBJECTIVES
On completion of this period you would be able to
understand

• The concept of operating point

• Proper selection of operating point

• What is an operating point

• It is defined as test point of intersection of ac and

d.c load line

EC-302.21 3
OPERATING POINT

Ic
Ac Load Line
Vcc
Rc
Dc Load line
o VCE

EC-302.21 4
 OPERATING POINT

• It is a point on the DC load line which specifies

collector current IC and collector emitter voltage

VCE that exist when no signal is applied.

• The operating point is also known as “Quiescent

point” or “Q” point.

EC-302.21 5
 OPERATING POINT
• When an input signal is applied, base current varies

according to the input signal.

• This causes collector current IC and out put voltage VCE

to vary.

• For faithful amplification selection of operating point is

very important.

EC-302.21 6
A transistor should be biased to operate within the
maximum limits of the following.

• Maximum Collector Current ICmax)

• Maximum Collector voltage VC(max)

• Maximum Collector dissipation PC(max)

EC-302.21 7
• Maximum Emitter –Base voltage VBE(max)
 DC Load Line
IC

Q2
Output
characteristics
Q
Q1

VCE
DC Load line is drawn on output characteristics
Fig 1
EC-302.21 8
As shown in fig.1 operating point is the intersection of

D.C load line on O/P characteristics of a transistor.

There are several operating points.

EC-302.21 9
How the operating point is selected?

•If operating point is selected at Q1 near the cut off region,

output current Ic, and voltage VCE clipped at the negative

peaks for a sinusoidal varying input signal.

•If operating point is selected at Q2, near the saturation

region, the output signal would be clipped at the positive
peaks for a sinusoid ally varying input signal.

EC-302.21 10
How the operating point is selected
•Generally operating point is selected at the centre of
DC load line.

•Selecting the operating point on the center of D.C. Load

Line is not a rule.

•For large signal amplifiers “Q” point can be taken on the

center of D.C. Load Line.
•For small signal amplifiers where the input signal excursion
is very small.”Q” point can be selected any where on D.C.
Load Line depending on circuit conditions.

EC-302.21 11
PROBLEM

In a transistor circuit RC= 5 k Ώ and VCC = 10v.

The zero signal collector current is 1.0 mA. Find
the operating point.

EC-302.21 12
Solution
VCC =VCE + ICRC

VCE = VCC – ICRC

= 10 – (1 *10-3 * 5*103)
= 5 v.
The operating point is ( 5 v, 1mA)

EC-302.21 13
QUIZ

EC-302.21 14
1. A transistor is said to be in quiescent stage when

A. Emitter junction bias is equal to collector junction bias.

B. No currents are flowing.

D. No signal is applied to the input.

D. It is unbiased.

EC-302.21 15
2. The negative o/p swing in a transistor starts
clipping when “Q’ point

A. Has optimum value.

B. In the active region.
C. Is nearer to cut-off region.
D. Is nearer to saturation region.

EC-302.21 16
3. If maximum collector current in a transistor is 2
mA,the Zero signal collector current is

A. 0.5 mA
B. 1.0 mA
C. 1.5 mA
D. 2.0 mA

EC-302.21 17
SUMMARY

• Concept of operating point.

• Selection of proper operating point on Dc load line.

• Calculation of operating point.

EC-302.21 18
Frequently asked questions in the examination

•Explain the criterion for selection of suitable operating point.

•Define operating point of an amplifier

EC-302.21 19