In Parts 1, 2, and 3 we took a closer look at calculating “ac” gain and how to desensitize the circuit to temperature and transistor parameter variations. In part 4 we consider the effects of a ...

A snubber circuit limits voltage spikes in power converters. Snubbers are also used in the output of Class-D audio amplifiers for the same reasons (Fig. 1). When the transistor you use to switch the ...

Last time on Circuit VR, we looked at creating a very simple common emitter amplifier, but we didn’t talk about how to select the capacitor values, or much about why we wanted them. We are going to ...

Sometimes I wish FETs had become practical before bipolar transistors. A FET is a lot more like a tube and amplifies voltages. Bipolar transistors amplify current and that makes them a bit harder to ...

The process of circuit design can cover systems ranging from national power grids all the way down to the individual transistors within an integrated circuit. For simple circuits the design process ...

How to build a photovoltaic light system that operates at all times and is maintenance-free. The key role of the supercapacitor in this design. What is the "Joule Thief" circuit? Delivering ...

In previous parts of this series we reviewed the basic transistor parameters that determine ac voltage gain and practical considerations limiting high gain. The role of a coupling capacitor was ...