Hi, I am new to this group..... I appreciate if you guys can help me with this question, I have look for the answer to no success. I am begging to accept it as it is.....
Why is common collector known as emitter follower or cathode follower?
Transistor
Apr 18, 2006
4 Replies
"kilo_hrz77"
** Simply because in this mode, a signal voltage appearing on the base is replicated at the emitter.The emitter follows the base ......
BTW
Only valves ( or tubes ) have cathodes.
......... Phil
Not true. SCRs and diodes do too.
The name"follower" refers to the output being a copy of the input with almost no change, in some respect. A common collector amplifier has an output signal that is a voltage copy of the input (voltage gain of almost 1) with one exception. The average output voltage has a one diode drop offset, compared to the input voltage.
Think of a mechanical analog, like power steering. You move the steering wheel, and the power assist mechanism moves the steering gear by an almost perfect copy of your movements (it follows you) but provides almost all the force needed to make the gearbox move. In an analogous way, the common collector amplifier follows the voltage of the input signal, but provides almost all the current needed to impress these voltage changes on some load resistance.
Thanks for the input...
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