Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Useful Circuits with Two Transistors

The preeminent circuit designer Barrie Gilbert asks "How many distinctly different and really useful circuits can be made with two transistors, anyway?"  and his answer "about twenty-four" (Williams, Analog Circuit Design, p179).  Let's see what they might be.  It is perhaps subjective to tell what is useful or different.  Also what type transistors, BJT, JFET, MOSFET?  Same circuit configuration with different type of transistors should not be considered distinct. What about other circuit elements?  Assume the passives, resistors, capacitors, inductors, are OK, but what about diodes? And what about a multi-emitter/collector transistor or a dual-gate MOSFET?  Is it considered one transistor or multiple transistors?

A single transistor has three basic amplifier configurations; it can also be configured as a diode, and the emitter-base junction also makes a somewhat usable Zener diode.  A JFET makes a good current source (current regulating diode).



No comments:

Post a Comment