Semiconductor Devices - JFET Biasing


Advertisements

There are two methods in use for biasing the JFET: Self-Bias Method and Potential Divider Method. In this chapter, we will discuss these two methods in detail.

Self-Bias Method

The following figure shows the self-bias method of n-channel JFET. The drain current flows through Rs and produces the required bias voltage. Therefore, Rs is the bias resistor.

Self Bias

Therefore, voltage across bias resistor,

$$V_s = I_{DRS}$$

As we know, gate current is negligibly small, the gate terminal is at DC ground, VG = 0,

$$V_{GS} = V_G - V_s = 0 - I_{DRS}$$

Or $V_{GS} = -I_{DRS}$

VGS keeps gate negative w.r.t. to the source.

Voltage Divider Method

The following figure shows voltage divider method of biasing the JFETs. Here, resistor R1 and R2 form a voltage divider circuit across drain supply voltage (VDD), and it is more or less identical to the one used in transistor biasing.

Voltage Divider

The voltage across R2 provides necessary bias −

$$V_2 = V_G = \frac{V_{DD}}{R_1 + R_2} \times R_2$$

$= V_2 + V_{GS} + I_D + R_S$

Or $V_{GS} = V_2 - I_{DRS}$

The circuit is so designed that VGS is always negative. The operating point can be found using the following formula −

$$I_D = \frac{V_2 - V_{GS}}{R_S}$$

and $V_{DS} = V_{DD} - I_D(R_D + R_S)$

Advertisements