What This Document Is
This is a prelab assignment designed to prepare students for a laboratory experiment in Microelectronic Devices and Circuits (ELENG 105) at the University of California, Berkeley. Specifically, it focuses on the analysis and design considerations surrounding differential amplifiers – a fundamental building block in analog circuit design. It’s structured as a series of analytical problems that must be solved *before* entering the lab, ensuring a solid understanding of the underlying principles.
Why This Document Matters
This prelab is crucial for students enrolled in ELENG 105 who are about to work with differential amplifier circuits. Successfully completing this assignment will significantly enhance your lab experience, allowing you to efficiently build, test, and analyze the circuit. It’s best used *before* the scheduled lab session to solidify theoretical knowledge and identify potential areas of confusion. A strong grasp of the concepts presented here will contribute to a deeper understanding of differential amplifier operation and performance.
Topics Covered
* Differential Amplifier Biasing
* Resistor Selection for Specific Current Levels
* Output Voltage Swing and Bias Point Determination
* Output Resistance Calculation
* Differential-Mode Gain Analysis
* Common-Mode Gain Analysis
* Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) Calculation
* Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) Parameters and their impact on circuit performance
What This Document Provides
* A circuit diagram of a differential pair with a resistive load for analysis.
* Key transistor parameters (Beta and Early Voltage) for 2N3904 and 2N3906 BJTs.
* A series of progressively challenging problems designed to test your understanding of differential amplifier theory.
* A framework for applying theoretical concepts to practical circuit design considerations.
* Opportunities to practice calculations related to current, voltage, and gain within a differential amplifier configuration.
