Transistor literature (books, links, articles) for learning more about them....

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around resources for learning about transistors, including books, articles, and online materials. Participants seek to deepen their understanding of transistor operation and applications, with a focus on both theoretical and practical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a need for materials on transistors, highlighting the abundance of online tutorials and resources.
  • One participant notes two competing explanations for BJT operation: as a current-controlled device (Ic depends on Ib) and as a voltage-controlled device (Ic depends on Vbe), suggesting that only one can be correct.
  • Another participant recommends specific academic resources from universities like Berkeley, Stanford, and MIT, cautioning against relying on simplified online tutorials.
  • Links to various educational materials, including older manuals and academic papers, are shared by participants.
  • There is acknowledgment of the historical context of transistor literature, with references to classic manuals that focus on practical applications rather than deep theoretical discussions.
  • One participant reflects on their teaching experience and expresses appreciation for a recommended book, indicating its quality despite being unfamiliar with it previously.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct explanation of BJT operation, as differing views on current vs. voltage control remain. The discussion includes multiple perspectives on learning resources and their relevance.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions highlight the potential limitations of various resources, including the depth of theoretical content versus practical application, and the challenge of finding older literature.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electronics, particularly those seeking foundational knowledge about transistors, educators in electronics, and students looking for diverse learning materials.

Voq
Messages
26
Reaction score
11
If you have any material (books, links, articles) on transistors i would appreciate that. I am looking for a way to get more general knowledge on subject. Thank you.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Voq said:
If you have any material (books, links, articles) on transistors i would appreciate that. I am looking for a way to get more general knowledge on subject. Thank you.

there are 100's of tutorials text and videos online

google how does a transistor work tutorials
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Voq
Voq - if you want to gain more and deeper knowledge on "how a transistoir works", I think the following hint is very important:
Comparing different knowledge sources (books, articles, internet contributions) you will - surprisingly - notice that two different explanations still exist:
1.) BJT as a current-controlled device: The collector current Ic is a result of (and will be controlled by) the base current Ib
2.) BJT as a voltage-controlled device: The collector current Ic is a result of (and will be controlled by) the base-emitter voltage Vbe.

Apparently, only one answer (physical working principle) can be correct. In the past, this subject was already intensively discussed - also in this forum.
An answer to this question may be of less inportance as long as you are using only formulas and design strategies readily available for building transistor amplifiers.
However, if you want to know what`s really going on and if you want to discover new application areas it is of great importance to know if answer 1) or answer 2) gives the correct description.

In this context, I recommend all BJT-related contributions from the universities of Berkeley and Stanford as well as from the MIT.
(Don`t rely on some obscure and simplified online tutorials) .

For example, see here: http://web.eng.ucsd.edu/ece/courses/ECE65/Spring2014/FN-Notes/main/BJT.pdf
 
Last edited:
I was diverted by some external forces. But still i will check links in hope to get some order of knowledge. Thanks. In the meantime i found nice picture. And found out there is 109 of them in laptop.
 

Attachments

  • 6b90a32de7e4df32628b628a79ef3adc28587fa8.jpg
    6b90a32de7e4df32628b628a79ef3adc28587fa8.jpg
    24.7 KB · Views: 569
A couple old ones that really cover the basics are both the GE and the RCA Transistor Manual. Being part of the early literature, they avoided much of the deep theoretical and leaned more toward the practical use and the "why." They are circa 1964 and 1967 respectively so may be hard to find, but IMHO well worth some effort.

GE Transistor Manual.jpg
RCA Transistor Manual.jpg


Cheers,
Tom

Edit:
I just Googled the titles and found hits for scans of both of them.
http://www.introni.it/pdf/GE - Transistor Manual 1964.pdf

For hardcopy try Google books.
and https://books.google.com/books/about/RCA_transistor_manual.html?id=o05rAAAAMAAJ

end Edit
 

Attachments

  • GE Transistor Manual.jpg
    GE Transistor Manual.jpg
    97.6 KB · Views: 716
  • RCA Transistor Manual.jpg
    RCA Transistor Manual.jpg
    36.3 KB · Views: 833
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Voq
LvW said:
Voq - if you want to gain more and deeper knowledge on "how a transistoir works", I think the following hint is very important:
Comparing different knowledge sources (books, articles, internet contributions) you will - surprisingly - notice that two different explanations still exist:
1.) BJT as a current-controlled device: The collector current Ic is a result of (and will be controlled by) the base current Ib
2.) BJT as a voltage-controlled device: The collector current Ic is a result of (and will be controlled by) the base-emitter voltage Vbe.

Apparently, only one answer (physical working principle) can be correct. In the past, this subject was already intensively discussed - also in this forum.
An answer to this question may be of less inportance as long as you are using only formulas and design strategies readily available for building transistor amplifiers.
However, if you want to know what`s really going on and if you want to discover new application areas it is of great importance to know if answer 1) or answer 2) gives the correct description.

In this context, I recommend all BJT-related contributions from the universities of Berkeley and Stanford as well as from the MIT.
(Don`t rely on some obscure and simplified online tutorials) .

For example, see here: http://web.eng.ucsd.edu/ece/courses/ECE65/Spring2014/FN-Notes/main/BJT.pdf
They are both correct? Current is dependent on a voltage, so there must always be a voltage for there to be a current.
 
UsArmy-BasicTheoryApplicationsOfTransistors_0000.jpg


Written for the incoming army recruit with only a HS education It covers the basics of junction transistors including physics,equivalent circuits, parameters , bias stabilization characteristic curves and more with applications to analog circuits related to communication with a bit of pulse/logic applications included. Available on line and downloadable at https://archive.org/details/BasicTheoryApplicationsOfTransistors
 

Attachments

  • UsArmy-BasicTheoryApplicationsOfTransistors_0000.jpg
    UsArmy-BasicTheoryApplicationsOfTransistors_0000.jpg
    34.5 KB · Views: 481
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Voq
Gleem - I was involved in teaching electronics (in Germany) for more than 25 years.
However, I must admit that I never have heard about the book as recommended by you.
I had a short look inside the book - and I must say: Excellent.!
Thanks for giving the link - I only can recommend this (old) transistor manual.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: gleem
  • #10
Thank you very much for materials. I appreciate it. I still need them so I am checking them all.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
10K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K