《Electronic Circuit Design1模拟电子技术》Transistors - MOSFET Part 1.pdfVIP

61 EE-1029 3. Field Effect Transistors 3.1 Introduction What exactly is a transistor, and how does it work? In order to answer these questions it may help to begin with an analogy based on fluid flow principles. Consider the diagram in figure 3.1 which shows a pump circulating fluid through a pipe which is fitted with a variable flow regulator or restrictor valve. The rate at which fluid flows around this circuit will depend on both the strength of the pump (as measured by the pressure difference it can generate between its inlet and outlet ports) and the resistance to flow presented by the restrictor valve. Figure 3.1 Fluid Flow Model The electrical analogue of the fluid in the pipe is electric charge (i.e. electrons) and the rate of fluid flow is therefore analogous to electric current – the flow meter can be thought of as an ammeter. The most obvious analogy for the restrictor valve is a simple resistance, although in the diagram it can be seen that the setting of the restrictor valve is controlled by a voltage applied to a control terminal called the Gate. Now the amount of resistance that the restrictor valve will present to the flow of fluid around the circuit can be adjusted by varying the size of the control voltage VG applied to its Gate terminal (the exact mechanism by which the restrictor valve setting is varied using the Gate voltage need not concern us for the moment). Fluid from the pump enters the restrictor valve through the terminal labeled Source and exits through the terminal labeled Drain. For a given difference in pressure (analogue: potential difference, or voltage) between the Source and the Drain of the restrictor valve the amount of fluid that flows through it will depend on its resistance. This in tu