Transistors
Bipolar Junction Transistors
Introduction
– Popular belief holds that the bipolar junction transistor (BJT) was developed by Schockley, Brattain, and Bardeen from Bell labs in 1948.
– This is not true, as the device invented was the point-contact transistor.
– BJTs were actually developed in the late 1951’s by Dr. Schockley.
– The transistor is a three-terminal device whose output current, voltage and/or power are controlled by its input current.
– Used primarily in communication as an amplifier to increase the strength of an ac signal.
– In digital systems it is primarily used as a switch.
Links for further information:
- Transistor Structure
- Transistor Operation
- Transistor Characteristics
- Transistor as an Amplifier
- Transistor as a Switch
