COMMON EMITTER Meaning and
Definition
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A common emitter is a configuration commonly used in electronic circuits involving bipolar junction transistors (BJTs). It refers to the placement of the emitter terminal as the common connection point between the input and output of the circuit. In this configuration, the base terminal serves as the input, the collector terminal serves as the output, and the emitter terminal is shared between the input and output sides.
The common emitter configuration allows for a variety of electronic functions including amplification, switching, and signal inversion. It is widely used in analog and digital systems due to its ease of implementation and versatility. In amplification applications, the circuit provides both voltage and current gain, with the input signal applied to the base terminal resulting in an amplified output signal at the collector terminal. The common emitter is capable of amplifying small input signals into larger output signals, making it an essential component in audio amplifiers and other signal processing applications.
Moreover, the common emitter configuration enables the transistor to function as a switch. By applying a suitable bias voltage to the base terminal, the collector-emitter current can be effectively controlled, allowing the transistor to be either fully conducting (on) or completely non-conducting (off). This switching capability is utilized in digital circuits, where the varying voltage levels represent binary states such as 0 and 1.
Overall, the common emitter configuration is a fundamental building block in electronic circuits, providing versatile functionality and enabling various signal processing and control operations.
Etymology of COMMON EMITTER
The term "common emitter" originates from the field of electronics, particularly in the context of transistor circuit configurations. To understand the etymology, let's break down the term:
1. Common: In electronics, "common" refers to a shared connection or a reference point for multiple components in a circuit. It suggests that a particular component or terminal is connected to a common node or ground.
2. Emitter: In the context of a transistor, the emitter is one of the three main terminals of the device. It is responsible for emitting or releasing charge carriers (typically electrons or holes) into the transistor circuit.
Hence, the term "common emitter" signifies a transistor configuration in which the emitter terminal is connected to a common or shared point in the circuit. This configuration is widely used in transistor amplifier designs.
