Input characteristic curve of common collector configuration

bjt

I am really new to electronics and BJT. I would like to know why is the input characteristic curve of common collector configuration [Ib-Vbc] is different from other 2 input characteristic curves. What actually accounts for this difference?

update:

@jippie the input characteristic curve of common emitter configuration is as follows:

enter image description here

but the input characteristic curve for a common collector configuration is :

enter image description here

can I know what actually causes this difference?

Best Answer

Kathi, it helps to realize that the signal voltage Vbc (between base and collector) is identical to the signal voltage Vbo (between base and common ground). This is because the internal ac resistance of the DC voltage source (connected to C) can be regarded as zero.

Secondly, in common-collector configuration there is a emitter resitor Re between the emitter node and ground. Hence, the input characteristics of this configuration contains the base-emitter path in series with the resistor Re.

In this context, it is important to realize that the current through Re is beta times larger than the current into the base node. Hence, the voltage drop across this resistor - resulting from the input signal at the base - is correspondingly larger.

This is the well known feedback effect which determines the whole input characteristics. As a result, the input resistance of the whole circuit is r(in)=rbe + beta*Re. (If the current through Re would be identical to the base current Ib the input resitance would be only rbe+Re)

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