Transistor

The transistor is a solid state semiconductor device which can be used for amplification, switching, voltage stabilization, signal modulation and many other functions. It acts as a variable valve which, based on its input voltage, controls the current drawn by it from a connected voltage supply.

Introduction

Transistors are divided into two main categories: Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) and Field Effect Transistors (FETs).

Related Topics:
BJT - FET

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Transistors have three terminals. A voltage applied across the control terminal and the common terminal controls a current through the output terminal and the common terminal (in the most typical configuration). The ratio of the current output to the applied control voltage is called the transconductance of the transistor. In analog circuits, transistors are used in amplifiers, audio amplifiers, radio frequency amplifiers, regulated power supplies, and in computer PSUs, especially in switching power supplies. Transistors are also used in in digital circuits where they function similarly to electrical switches. Digital circuits include logic gates, RAM (random access memory) and microprocessors.

Related Topics:
Terminals - Voltage - Current - Transconductance - Analog circuits - Amplifiers - Regulated power supplies - PSU - Switching power supplies - Digital circuits - Logic gates - RAM - Microprocessors

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