How Do You Calculate Transistor Parameters with Given Voltages and Currents?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating transistor parameters, specifically resistance (R) and channel widths (W1 and W2) for given voltages and currents. The current (Id) is specified as 120 μA, with voltages at points a and b being 3.5V and 1.5V, respectively. The relevant equations for the triode and saturation regions of operation are provided, including Id = K'n(W/L)((Vgs-vt)vds - 0.5vds^2) and Id = 0.5K'n(W/L)(Vgs-vt)^2. The user successfully calculated the resistance as 12,500 ohms and concluded that Vgs equals Vds, simplifying the analysis of voltage distribution in the circuit.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of transistor operation, specifically in triode and saturation regions.
  • Familiarity with Kirchhoff's voltage law.
  • Knowledge of the parameters K'n, W, L, and Vt in transistor equations.
  • Basic circuit analysis skills, including voltage and current calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the equations for transistor operation in both triode and saturation regions.
  • Learn about the significance of the transconductance parameter (K'n) in MOSFET design.
  • Explore advanced circuit analysis techniques, including the use of simulation tools like SPICE for transistor circuits.
  • Investigate the impact of channel width (W) and length (L) on transistor performance and characteristics.
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineering students, circuit designers, and anyone involved in semiconductor device analysis and design will benefit from this discussion.

Molecular
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[SOLVED] Simple resistor problem

Edit: Oh bullocks! Just noticed the thread title is: "simple resistor problem" when it's obviously supposed to be transistor. Can't seem to be able to edit the topic, though.

Homework Statement



The problem statement is as follows:
Find the value of the resistance R and the channel width W1 and W2 of the following transistors.
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6320/transistornw3.jpg
This is what we know: The current Id over the resistor is 120 μA, and the voltage in a is 3.5v, and in b it's 1.5v. The rest of the information is given on the picture.


Homework Equations


Relevant equations for this has to be the equations for current through a resistor in the triode-region and the saturation region, namely;
Id = K'n(W/L)((Vgs-vt)vds - 0.5vds^2))
and
Id = 0.5K'n(W/L)(Vgs-vt)^2


The Attempt at a Solution



Finding the resistance for R was rather easy. Considering there's 3.5 volt in point a, there has to have been a voltage drop of 1.5 volt over the resistance.
1.5volt/(120*10^-6) = 12500 ohms.

The real problem I'm having here is realizing how the voltage splits between Vgs and Vds when they're both from the same voltage supply, if you get my drift. What I can say however is this;
Vgs has to be greater than Vt considering a current is supposed to flow through the resistor, so we can't be in the cut off area.
Also, if transistor b only requires 1.5 volt to sustain the current ID, I guess we can conclude that the width of transistor b is larger than that of transistor a. After this however, I'm stumped.

I can't really use any of the formulas without knowing Vgs or Vds. I can say that Vgs + vds = 2V for the first transistor, but this leaves me with three unknowns (W, vgs and vds) and only two equations, and regardless if this I don't even know what region they're operating in.

If anyone could give me a little pointer to help me understand how voltage is divided in a transistor where both vgs and vds draws voltage from the same supply, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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Doesn't Vgs=Vds?
 
Gah, can't believe it was that simple!
Thank you, anyway! I knew I should've tried that. I was tinkering with the idea since a kirchhoffs voltage law on just the "left side" of the circuit revealed that the voltage vds had to be equal to vgs and that there would be respectively 2 volt over each of them for the first transistor and 1.5 on the second!
 

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