Programmable Unijunction

Transistor

By: Kim Harly Versoza

Programmable Unijunction Transistor
Programmable unijunction transistor; a type of three
terminal thyristor (physically more like an SCR than a
unijunction) that is triggered into conduction when
the voltage at the anode exceeds the voltage at the gate.
It is called programmable because the parameters like
intrinsic standoff ratio (), peak voltage(Vp) etc can be
programmed with the help of two external resistors. In
a UJT, the parameters like Vp, etc are fixed and we
cannot change it.
Programmable Unijunction Symbol and
Block diagram
Programmable Unijunction Transistor
Applications
Thyristor Triggers
Oscillators
Pulse
Timing Circuits
Programmable unijunction Characteristics.
Programmable unijunction transistor
The term programmable is applied because RBB, , and
VP as defined
for the UJT can be controlled through the resistors
RB1, RB2, and the supply voltage
VBB
Programmable unijunction transistor
Peak voltage (Vp): It is the anode to cathode voltage after which the PUT
jumps into the negative resistance region. The peak voltage Vp will be usually
one diode drop (0.7V) plus the gate to cathode voltage (Vg). Peak voltage can be
expressed using the equation:
Vp = 0.7V + Vg = 0.7V + VR1 = 0.7V + Vbb .

Where is the intrinsic standoff ratio and Vbb is the total voltage across the
external resistor network.
Intrinsic standoff ratio ( ) : Intrinsic standoff ratio of a PUT is the ratio of
the external resistor R1 to the sum of R1 and R2. It helps us to predict how
much voltage will be dropped across the gate and cathode for a given Vbb. The
intrinsic standoff ratio can be expressed using the equation:
= R1/(R1+R2).
Example
Determine RB1 and VBB for a silicon PUT if it is
determined that h=0.8, VP =10.3V, and RB2 =5 k.
Solution
Programmable Unijunction Relaxation
Oscillator
Relaxation oscillator is the most common application
of a programmable UJT. PUT relaxation oscillator can
be used for generating a wide range of saw tooth wave
forms. It is called a relaxation oscillator because the
timing interval is started by the gradual charging of a
capacitor and the timing interval is terminated by the
sudden discharge of the same capacitor.
Programmable Unijunction Relaxation
Oscillator
Figure shows the PUT version of the
unijunction relaxation oscillator from
the topic UJT before.
Resistor R charges the capacitor until
the peak point then heavy
conduction moves the operating
point down the negative resistance
slope to the valley point.
A current spike flows through the
cathode during capacitor discharge,
developing a voltage spike across the
cathode resistors.
After capacitor discharge, the
operating point resets back to the
slope up to the peak point
Programmable Unijunction Transistor
Relaxation Oscillator
The period T required to reach the firing potential VP
is given approximately by
Programmable Unijunction Transistor
Relaxation Oscillator
The instant the voltage across the capacitor equals VP, the device will fire and a
current IA = IP will be established through the PUT. If R is too large, the
current IP cannot be established and the device will not fire. At the point of
transition,

We want the device to enter the unstable region and then return to the off state.
From reasoning similar to that above:

The discussion above requires that R be limited to the following for an oscillatory
system: Rmin <R <Rmax