Transistors - Bipolar (BJT)

Transistors - Bipolar (BJT) - Single

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
NTE157 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 300V 500MA TO126	663
NTE270 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 100V 10A TO3PN	44
NTE105 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 40V TO36	28
BU806 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 200V 8A TO220-3	201
MPSA13 NTE Electronics, Inc.	T-NPN SI- DARL PREAMP	14077
NTE2539 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 400V 25A TO3P	136
MPSA28 NTE Electronics, Inc.	SMALL SIGNAL BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR	12134
TIP2955 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 100V 15A TO218	279
NTE2335 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 60V 5A TO3P	105
2N6036 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 80V 4A TO225AA	15
NTE330 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 40V 25A TO36	24
NTE2404 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 30V 300MA SOT23	2310
NTE103A NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 1A TO1	87
NTE11 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 20V 5A TO92	1410
2N4125 NTE Electronics, Inc.	SMALL SIGNAL BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR	1940
NTE31 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS NPN 160V 1A TO92L	3553
NTE2593 NTE Electronics, Inc.	T-NPN SI HI VLTG AMP/SW TO-220FP	680
MJ10009 NTE Electronics, Inc.	T-NPN SI- PO DARL SW	388
TIP41A NTE Electronics, Inc.	POWER BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR, NPN	3241
NTE262 NTE Electronics, Inc.	TRANS PNP 100V 5A TO220	501

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