ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Electronics Information (EI)Hard
A common-emitter amplifier configuration provides which of the following characteristics?
- ALow current gain and high voltage gain.
- BHigh voltage gain and high current gain.
- CLow voltage gain and low current gain.
- DHigh current gain and low voltage gain.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. High voltage gain and high current gain.
The common-emitter configuration is widely used because it provides both high voltage gain and high current gain, resulting in significant power gain. It also inverts the input signal.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is more characteristic of a common-base configuration.
- C. This would be a very inefficient amplifier configuration.
- D. This is more characteristic of a common-collector (emitter follower) configuration.
Common-Emitter Amplifier
A type of bipolar junction transistor (BJT) amplifier configuration where the emitter terminal is common to both the input and output signal paths.
- Provides high voltage gain and high current gain (high power gain).
- Output signal is 180 degrees out of phase with the input signal (inverting).
- Has medium input and output impedance.
- Most commonly used BJT amplifier configuration.
Memory trick: CE = Common, Great Gain; CC = Current, Unity Voltage; CB = Base, High Voltage, Low Current.