LABORATORY REPORT

OF
EXPERIMENT E1.07
DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER
GROUP E12

GROUP MEMBER
YAP WAI MING
YAP CHIH HSIUNG
PRESENTED BY
YAP CHIH HSIUNG

INTRODUCTION
The input stage of most operational amplifier is a differential amplifier. Its circuit is
shown in Figure 1. The differential amplifier is composed of two emitter-coupled
common-emitter dc amplifiers with two inputs, vi1 and vi2, and three outputs, vo1, vo2,
and vo. vo is the difference between vo1 and vo2. Figure 2 shows the block diagram of a
differential amplifier. Voltages may be applied to either or both input terminals and
output may be taken from either or both output terminals

Figure 1

Figure 2

Objectives
To understand and explain the operation of the differential amplifier as constructed
from discrete components with both symmetrical and unsymmetrical operating voltage.

THEORY
Important Points (Refer to Figure 1)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
output.

It contains two common-emitter amplifiers.

It uses only resistors and transistors.
It is directly-coupled (emitter-to-emitter) amplifier.
It can accept two inputs by means of T1 and ground and also T2 and ground.
It can provide two separate outputs by means of T 3 and ground and T4 and
ground.
It can provide a single output between T3 and T4 which is the differential

Single-ended Operation
In Figure 3, input signal vi1 is applied to terminal 1 with terminal 2 grounded. An
amplified and inverted output signal is obtained at terminal 3 but an equally-amplified
and in-phase signal appears across output terminal 4. The output voltage has the
polarity shown in the figure.

Figure 3

Figure 4
As shown in figure 4, when input signal vi2 is applied to input terminal 2, an amplified
and inverted signal appears at output terminal 4, whereas equally-amplified but inphase signal appears at terminal 3.

In summary, input at any of the two terminals causes outputs at both terminals 3 and 4.
the two outputs are opposite in phase but of equal amplitude.

Double-ended Operation
Figure 5 illustrates the double-ended mode of operation when two input signals of
opposite phase are applied to the two input terminals.

Figure 5
Input signal at each input terminal causes signals to appear at both output terminals.
The resultant output signals have a peak value of 2V - twice the value for single-ended
operation. However, if two in-phase and equal signals were applied at the two input
terminals, the resultant output signal at each output terminal would be zero as shown
in Figure 6. It means that output between the collectors would be zero.

Figure 6
If vi1 and vi2 change by exactly the same amount, even then output voltage between
terminals 3 and 4 remains zero because of symmetry. Only when vi1 and vi2 differ from
each other, we get an output voltage. When vi1 is more positive than vi2, the output
terminal 4 is more positive than terminal 3.

Common-mode and Differential-mode

The differential amplifier is intended to respond only to the difference between the two
input voltages, vi1 and vi2. However, in a practical operational amplifier, the output
depends to some degree on the sum of these inputs. For example, if both inputs are
equal, the output voltage should be zero but in a practical amplifier it is not. When the
circuit responds to the difference, it is in the differential-mode. If the two inputs are
made equal, the circuit is in its common-mode. Ideally, the circuit is expected to
produce an output only in the differential-mode. Figure 7 illustrates the common-mode
input of a differential amplifier. If the two halves of the differential amplifier are
identical, the ac output voltage will be zero. The differential amplifier is said to be
perfectly balanced.

Experiment
Differential Amplifier with Asymmetrical Operating Voltage
Circuit

Procedure
1.

Insert the bridging plugs as shown in the circuit diagram. Carry out the offset
adjust: set UB1 to the same value as UB2 using R5. Connect MP3 and MP4
using a measuring lead. Now set UA to as small a voltage as possible (ideally
UA = 0V) with R6. Remove the measuring lead. Determine the values required
to complete table 1.

2.

Starting at the base voltage of transistor V1 (value from table 1) increase and
decrease the voltage UB1 in 100mV steps by varying the value of R5 (table 2).
Determine the values required to complete table 2.

3.

Complete the experiment record and the exercises in the worksheets.

Results
5

1.

The offset adjust is carried out to balance the circuit. The two inputs U B1 and
UB2 are made equal and the circuit is in common-mode.

2.
UB (V)
15.00

UB1 (V)
7.42

UB2 (V)
7.42

UC1 (V)
11.82

UC2 (V)
1.76

Table 1 : Voltages after offset adjust

3.
UB1 (V)
UC1 (V)
Table 1
7.42
11.82
+ 0.1 V*
7.52
11.48
+ 0.2 V*
7.62
11.06
- 0.1 V*
7.32
12.28
- 0.2 V*
7.22
12.68
*Starting from the value in Table 1 in each case

UC2 (V)
11.76
12.05
12.41
11.35
11.00

Table 2
4.

Dependance of the output voltages on the change in base voltage

5.

When UB1 is increased, the forward bias of base-emitter junction of transistor,

V1 is increased. Therefore, base current, IB1 is increased and collector current,

IC1 is also increased because I C1 = IB1. The drop across resistor, R2 is

increased. Consequently, UC1 is decreased.
On the other hand, the forward bias of base-emitter junction of transistor, V2 is
decreased. Therefore, base current, IB2 is decreased and collector current, IC2 is
also decreased because IC2 = IB2. The drop across resistor, R3 is decreased.
Consequently, UC2 is increased.
When UB1 is decreased, the forward bias of base-emitter junction of transistor,
V1 is decreased. Therefore, base current, I B1 is decreased and collector current,
IC1 is also decreased because IC1 = IB1. The drop across resistor, R2 is
decreased. Consequently, UC1 is increased.
On the other hand, the forward bias of base-emitter junction of transistor, V2 is
increased. Therefore, base current, IB2 is increased and collector current, I C2 is
also increased because IC2 = IB2. The drop across resistor, R3 is increased.
Consequently, UC2 is decreased.

Differential Amplifier with Symmetrical Operating Voltage

Circuit

Procedure

1.

Carry out the offset adjustment : set UB1 to the same value as UB2 using R5.
Connect MP3 and MP4 using a measuring lead. Now set U A to as a small a
voltage as possible (ideally UA = 0 V) with R6. Remove the measuring lead.
Insert the bridging plugs as shown in the circuit diagram.

2.

Apply a sinusoidal a.c. voltage of 200 mVPP / 1 kHz (Ue1) to the base of V1.
Connect the base of V2 to the reference point. Use the oscilloscope/multimeter
to determine the voltages Ue1, UC1 and UC2 and transfer these to the appropriate
graticule/table 3.
Carry out a new offset adjust. Connect the base of V2 with the base of V1
(MP4 - MP3). Apply a sinusoidal a.c. voltage of 200 mVPP / 1 kHz (Ue1) to the
base of V1. Determine the values required to complete table 3.
Complete the experiment record and the exercises.

3.
4.

Results
1.
ax : 0.2 ms/Div
aY : 50 mV/Div
Ue1 : 200mVPP
f : 1 kHz

Graticule 1 : Ue1 = 200 mVPP / 1 kHz

2.
ax :
aYA :
aYB :
UC1 :
UC2 :
:

0.2 ms/Div
2 V/Div
2 V/Div
8.9 VPP
7.5 VPP
180

Graticule 2 UC1;UC2
3.
UB1 : 200 mVPP
UB2 : 0 V
UB1 : 200 mVPP
UB2 : 200 mVPP

UC1
8.9 VPP

UC2
7.5 VPP

UA
16.4 VPP

970 mVPP

970 mVPP

0V

Conclusions
1.

The mode of control used in this experiment are common-mode and

differential-mode.
Common-mode
In common-mode, similar input signal is applied to both inputs. The output
voltage in common-mode is zero.
Differential-mode
In differential-mode, input signal applied to both inputs are different. An output
voltage is produced in differential-mode.

2.

Characteristic Properties of A Differential Amplifier

It uses no frequency-dependent coupling or bypassing capacitors.

It can compare any two signals and detect any difference.
It gives higher gain than two cascaded stages of ordinary direct coupling.
It provides very uniform amplification of signal from dc upto very high
frequencies.
It provides isolation between input and output circuits.

10

References
1.

C. J. Savant, Jr., Martin S. Roden, Gordon L. Carpenter,Electronic Design:

Circuits and Systems, Second Edition, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing
Company, Inc.

2.

B. L. Theraja, A. K. Theraja,A Text Book of Electrical Technology, Nirja

Construction and Development Co. (P) Ltd.

11

Contents
Introduction

Objectives

Theory

Single-ended Operation
Double-ended Operation
Common-mode and Differential-mode

2
3
4

Experiment
5
Differential Amplifier with Asymmetrical Operating Voltage 5
Circuit
Procedure
Results

5
5
6

Differential Amplifier with Symmetrical Operating Voltage

Conclusions

10

Circuit
Procedure
Results

References

11

12

7
8
8