Transistors - Bipolar (BJT)

Transistors - Bipolar (BJT) - Single

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
NTE2546 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 60V 5A TO220	713
NTE263 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 100V 10A TO220	256
NTE390 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 100V 10A TO3PN	548
NTE294 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 50V 1A TO92L	339
NTE332 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 100V 15A TO220	258
NTE281MCP NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 140V 12A TO3	0
2N4033 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 80V 1A TO39	184
TIP32A NTE Electronics, Inc.	POWER BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR	5742
NTE306 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 50V 1.5A TO202	111
NTE2410 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 160V 600MA SOT23	892
NTE88MCP NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 250V 10A TO3	3
2N6057 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 60V 12A TO3	26
NTE246 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 80V 10A TO3	133
NTE60 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 140V 20A TO3	80
NTE285 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 180V 16A TO3	104
NTE285MCP NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 180V 16A TO3	0
NTE46 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 100V 500MA TO92	338
NTE2317 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 450V 15A TO3PN	252
NTE2640 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 800V 6A TO220	972
NTE2657 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 100V 2A TO92	2

Transistors - Bipolar (BJT) - Single

1. Overview

Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) are three-terminal semiconductor devices that use both electron and hole charge carriers. They form the foundation of analog electronics through their ability to amplify signals and control current flow. BJTs remain critical in modern electronics for applications ranging from audio amplifiers to power management circuits, offering superior linearity and robustness in switching operations.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
NPN Transistor	Majority carriers: electrons. Requires positive base current for conduction.	Low-noise amplifiers, digital logic circuits
PNP Transistor	Majority carriers: holes. Conducts with negative base current.	Power supply circuits, motor controllers
High-Frequency BJT	Optimized for RF/microwave signal amplification (f_T > 100 MHz)	Wireless communication systems, radar
Power BJT	High current/voltage ratings (I_C > 1A, V_CE > 50V)	Switch-mode power supplies, motor drives

3. Structure & Composition

BJTs consist of three doped semiconductor regions forming two p-n junctions:

Emitter: Heavily doped region emitting charge carriers
Base: Thin, lightly doped middle region controlling carrier flow
Collector: Moderately doped region collecting carriers

Manufactured using silicon (common) or germanium (historic) with planar processing technology. The structure forms either NPN (n-type emitter/base/collector) or PNP configuration, with metal contacts for external connections.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Current Gain (h_FE)	Ratio of collector to base current (10-1000)	Determines amplification capability
Transition Frequency (f_T)	Frequency at which current gain drops to 1	Limits high-frequency performance
Max Collector Current (I_Cmax)	Maximum allowable continuous collector current	Defines power handling capability
Breakdown Voltage (V_CEO)	Max voltage between collector and emitter	Prevents device failure under stress
Saturation Voltage (V_CEsat)	Voltage drop in fully conducting state	Affects power efficiency in switching

5. Application Areas

Consumer Electronics: Audio amplifiers, LED drivers
Automotive: Engine control units, electric vehicle inverters
Industrial: PLCs, motor controllers
Telecommunications: RF power amplifiers, fiber optic transceivers
Aerospace: Avionics systems, satellite transponders

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Specifications	Typical Use
ON Semiconductor	2N3904	hFE: 100-300, fT: 300 MHz	General-purpose switching
Infineon	BC547	VCEO: 50V, ICmax: 100mA	Analog signal amplification
STMicroelectronics	2SD2656	ICmax: 15A, VCEO: 80V	Power inverter applications
Diodes Inc.	BFR93A	fT: 10 GHz, Noise Figure: 2dB	High-frequency front-end amplifiers

7. Selection Guidelines

Determine operating frequency: Select fT > 3 target frequency
Power requirements: Ensure Icmax and VCEO exceed circuit requirements by 20%
Thermal considerations: Calculate power dissipation (P=V_CE I_C)
Package type: TO-92 for low power, TO-220 for high-power applications
Environmental factors: Consider temperature ratings for industrial/military use

8. Industry Trends

Future developments include:

High-frequency BJTs operating beyond 100 GHz for 6G communication
Integrated BJT-MOSFET hybrid devices (BiCMOS) for mixed-signal applications
Wide-bandgap materials (SiC/GaN) for higher power density
Miniaturization through chip-scale packaging
Improved thermal management solutions for automotive applications