Week 12
Comparing Single-Stage Amplifiers
I organize a study path from diodes to single-transistor amplifiers in the order that makes the circuit behavior easiest to revisit.
What I connect in this unit
Comparing common-emitter, emitter-follower, and common-source stages by voltage gain alone hides their roles. Input and output resistance, capacitor-defined frequency range, and bias headroom distinguish gain stages from buffers.
Concept map
- Gain comparison
- Input and output resistance
- Frequency range
- Bias headroom
Technical anchor
When two stages are connected, the first-stage gain becomes Av,loaded = Av0·Rin,2/(Rout,1 + Rin,2), not its unloaded value.
How I review it
Tabulate gain sign and magnitude, Rin, Rout, low-frequency cutoff, and allowable swing for the three stages, then select the stage that fits a specified source and load.
Connection to the full course
Unit 12 of 12. Unit numbers form a concept-study sequence and do not claim the original class schedule.