CA_ADV
Advanced - Circuit design and power supplies
Circuit design and power supplies follows the A-002 section of the Canadian question bank.
132
Questions
6
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- Pool
- Advanced
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- 132
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- Circuit design and power supplies
- Region
- CA
Review by section order to build the topic framework first.
For regulatory and safety questions, prefer compliant and conservative actions.
For calculations, check units, multipliers, and approximations.
Topic Study Guide
This topic covers the fundamentals of electronic components and circuit design, focusing on semiconductor materials, specialized diodes, transistor characteristics, amplifier classes, op-amps, and digital logic applications.
High-Yield Checks
- Specialized diode functions: Varactors are used for variable capacitance, and PIN diodes act as RF switches.
- Amplifier characteristics: Class C provides the highest efficiency; common collector amplifiers have input and output signals in phase.
- Ideal op-amp parameters: Infinite input impedance, zero output impedance, infinite gain, and flat frequency response.
- Transistors and logic gates: NPN transistors require a positive base voltage to conduct; a flip-flop is known as a latch in digital logic.
Trap Patterns
- Confusing diode types: Mixing up varactors with Zener diodes (used for voltage regulation), or assuming PIN diodes are for high-voltage rectification.
- Efficiency vs. linearity misconception: Assuming Class A is the most efficient because it has the best signal quality, when Class C actually has the highest efficiency.
- Missing steps in wavelength math: Calculating the full wavelength for a 1/4 wave coaxial cavity but forgetting to divide by 4 (e.g., 50 MHz full wave is 6m, so 1/4 wave is 1.5m).
- FET/CMOS damage causes: Assuming physical fragility is the main risk, rather than their high susceptibility to damage from static charges.
Review Steps
- Step 1: Memorize semiconductor basics. Understand that pure silicon is an insulator and learn the layer structures of devices like SCRs (PNPN).
- Step 2: Compare amplifier classes. Create a table comparing the efficiency and linearity of Class A, B, AB, and C amplifiers, and note phase relationships in common configurations.
- Step 3: Master op-amps and filters. Understand ideal op-amp impedance characteristics and why quartz crystals are superior for narrow bandpass applications due to their high Q.
- Step 4: Review RF circuit anomalies. Learn that overloaded mixers generate spurious signals and that circuits tuned to a higher resonant frequency act as frequency multipliers.
Quick Checks
- What is one common use for PIN diodes in amateur circuitry?
- Which class of amplifier provides the highest efficiency?
- What are the input and output impedance characteristics of an ideal op-amp?
- What occurs when an excessive amount of signal energy reaches the mixer circuit?
Questions in This Topic
Choose Practice ModeA-002-001-001What two elements widely used in semiconductor devices exhibit both metallic and non-metallic characteristics?A-002-001-002In what application is gallium-arsenide used as a semiconductor material in preference to germanium or silicon?A-002-001-003What type of semiconductor material contains fewer free electrons than pure germanium or silicon crystals?A-002-001-004What type of semiconductor material contains more free electrons than pure germanium or silicon crystals?A-002-001-005What are the majority charge carriers in P-type semiconductor material?A-002-001-006What are the majority charge carriers in N-type semiconductor material?A-002-001-007Silicon, in its pure form, is:A-002-001-008An element which is sometimes an insulator and sometimes a conductor is called a:A-002-001-009Which of the following materials is used to make a semiconductor?A-002-001-010Substances such as silicon in a pure state are usually good:A-002-001-011A semiconductor is said to be doped when it has added to it small quantities of:A-002-002-001What is the principal characteristic of a Zener diode?A-002-002-002What type of semiconductor diode varies its internal capacitance as the voltage applied to its terminals varies?A-002-002-003What is a common use for the hot-carrier (Schottky) diode?A-002-002-004What limits the maximum forward current in a junction diode?A-002-002-005What are the major ratings for junction diodes?A-002-002-006Structurally, what are the two main categories of semiconductor diodes?A-002-002-007What is a common use for point contact diodes?A-002-002-008What is one common use for PIN diodes?A-002-002-009A Zener diode is a device used to:A-002-002-010If a Zener diode rated at 10 V and 50 watts was operated at maximum dissipation rating, it would conduct ____ amperes:A-002-002-011The power-handling capability of most Zener diodes is rated at 25 degrees C or approximately room temperature. If the temperature is increased, the power handling capability is:A-002-003-001What is the alpha of a bipolar transistor?A-002-003-002What is the beta of a bipolar transistor?A-002-003-003Which component conducts electricity from a negative emitter to a positive collector when its base voltage is made positive?A-002-003-004What is the alpha of a bipolar transistor in common base configuration?A-002-003-005In a bipolar transistor, the change of collector current with respect to base current is called:A-002-003-006The alpha of a bipolar transistor is specified for what configuration?A-002-003-007The beta of a bipolar transistor is specified for what configurations?A-002-003-008Which component conducts electricity from a positive emitter to a negative collector when its base is made negative?A-002-003-009Alpha of a bipolar transistor is equal to:A-002-003-010The current gain of a bipolar transistor in common emitter or common collector compared to common base configuration is:A-002-003-011Beta of a bipolar transistor is equal to:A-002-004-001What is an enhancement-mode FET?A-002-004-002What is a depletion-mode FET?A-002-004-003Why do many MOSFET devices have built-in gate protective Zener diodes?A-002-004-004Why are special precautions necessary in handling FET and CMOS devices?A-002-004-005How does the input impedance of a field-effect transistor (FET) compare with that of a bipolar transistor?A-002-004-006What are the three terminals of a junction field-effect transistor (JFET)?A-002-004-007What are the two basic types of junction field-effect transistors (JFET)?A-002-004-008Electron conduction in an n-channel depletion type MOSFET is associated with:A-002-004-009Electron conduction in an n-channel enhancement MOSFET is associated with:A-002-004-010Hole conduction in a p-channel depletion type MOSFET is associated with:A-002-004-011Hole conduction in a p-channel enhancement type MOSFET is associated with:A-002-005-001What are the three terminals of a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)?A-002-005-002What are the two stable operating conditions of a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)?A-002-005-003When a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is triggered, to what other semiconductor diode are its electrical characteristics similar (as measured between its cathode and anode)?A-002-005-004Under what operating condition does a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) exhibit electrical characteristics similar to a forward-biased silicon rectifier?A-002-005-005The silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is what type of device?A-002-005-006The control element in the silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is called the:A-002-005-007The silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is a member of which family?A-002-005-008In amateur radio equipment, which is the major application for the silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)?A-002-005-009Which of the following devices has anode, cathode, and gate?A-002-005-010When it is gated "on", the silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) exhibits electrical characteristics similar to a:A-002-005-011Which of the following is a PNPN device?A-002-006-001For what portion of a signal cycle does a Class A amplifier operate?A-002-006-002Which class of amplifier has the highest linearity and least distortion?A-002-006-003For what portion of a cycle does a Class AB amplifier operate?A-002-006-004For what portion of a cycle does a Class B amplifier operate?A-002-006-005For what portion of a signal cycle does a Class C amplifier operate?A-002-006-006Which of the following classes of amplifier provides the highest efficiency?A-002-006-007Which of the following classes of amplifier would provide the highest efficiency in the output stage of a CW, RTTY or FM transmitter?A-002-006-008Which class of amplifier provides the least efficiency?A-002-006-009Which class of amplifier has the poorest linearity and the most distortion?A-002-006-010Which class of amplifier operates over the full cycle?A-002-006-011Which class of amplifier operates over less than 180 degrees of the cycle?A-002-007-001What determines the input impedance of a FET common-source amplifier?A-002-007-002What determines the output impedance of a FET common-source amplifier?A-002-007-003What are the advantages of a Darlington pair audio amplifier?A-002-007-004In the common base amplifier, when the input and output signals are compared:A-002-007-005In the common base amplifier, the input impedance, when compared to the output impedance is:A-002-007-006In the common emitter amplifier, when the input and output signals are compared:A-002-007-007In the common collector amplifier, when the input and output signals are compared:A-002-007-008The FET amplifier source follower circuit is another name for:A-002-007-009The FET amplifier common source circuit is similar to which of the following bipolar transistor amplifier circuits?A-002-007-010The FET amplifier common drain circuit is similar to which of the following bipolar transistor amplifier circuits?A-002-007-011The FET amplifier common gate circuit is similar to which of the following bipolar transistor amplifier circuits?A-002-008-001What is an operational amplifier (op-amp)?A-002-008-002What would be the characteristics of the ideal op-amp?A-002-008-003What determines the gain of a closed-loop op-amp circuit?A-002-008-004What is meant by the term op-amp offset voltage?A-002-008-005What is the input impedance of a theoretically ideal op-amp?A-002-008-006What is the output impedance of a theoretically ideal op-amp?A-002-008-007What are the advantages of using an op-amp instead of LC elements in an audio filter?A-002-008-008What are the principal uses of an op-amp RC active filter in amateur circuitry?A-002-008-009What is an inverting op-amp circuit?A-002-008-010What is a non-inverting op-amp circuit?A-002-008-011What term is most appropriate for a high gain, direct-coupled differential amplifier whose characteristics are determined by components mounted externally?A-002-009-001What is the mixing process?A-002-009-002What are the principal frequencies that appear at the output of a mixer circuit?A-002-009-003What occurs when an excessive amount of signal energy reaches the mixer circuit?A-002-009-004In a frequency multiplier circuit, the input signal is coupled to the base of a transistor through a capacitor. A radio frequency choke is connected between the base of the transistor and ground. The capacitor is:A-002-009-005A frequency multiplier circuit must be operated in:A-002-009-006In a frequency multiplier circuit, an inductance (L1) and a variable capacitor (C2) are connected in series between VCC+ and ground. The collector of a transistor is connected to a tap on L1. The purpose of the variable capacitor is to:A-002-009-007In a frequency multiplier circuit, an inductance (L1) and a variable capacitor (C2) are connected in series between VCC+ and ground. The collector of a transistor is connected to a tap on L1. A fixed capacitor (C3) is connected between the VCC+ side of L1 and ground. The purpose of C3 is to:A-002-009-008In a frequency multiplier circuit, an inductance (L1) and a variable capacitor (C2) are connected in series between VCC+ and ground. The collector of a transistor is connected to a tap on L1. C2 in conjunction with L1 operate as a:A-002-009-009In a circuit where the components are tuned to resonate at a higher frequency than applied, the circuit is most likely a:A-002-009-010In a frequency multiplier circuit, an inductance (L1) and a variable capacitor (C2) are connected in series between VCC+ and ground. The collector of a transistor is connected to a tap on L1. A fixed capacitor (C3) is connected between the VCC+ side of L1 and ground. C3 is a:A-002-009-011What stage in a transmitter would change a 5.3-MHz input signal to 14.3 MHz?A-002-010-001What is a NAND gate?A-002-010-002What is an OR gate?A-002-010-003What is a NOR gate?A-002-010-004What is a NOT gate (also known as an INVERTER)?A-002-010-005What is an EXCLUSIVE OR gate?A-002-010-006What is an EXCLUSIVE NOR gate?A-002-010-007What is an AND gate?A-002-010-008What is a flip-flop circuit?A-002-010-009What is a bistable multivibrator?A-002-010-010What type of digital logic is also known as a latch?A-002-010-011In a multivibrator circuit, when one transistor conducts, the other is:A-002-011-001What is a crystal lattice filter?A-002-011-002What factor determines the bandwidth and response shape of a crystal lattice filter?A-002-011-003For single-sideband phone emissions, what would be the bandwidth of a good crystal lattice filter?A-002-011-004The main advantage of a crystal oscillator over a tuned LC oscillator is:A-002-011-005A quartz crystal filter is superior to an LC filter for narrow bandpass applications because of the:A-002-011-006Piezoelectricity is generated by:A-002-011-007Electrically, what does a crystal look like?A-002-011-008Crystals are sometimes used in a circuit which has an output close to an integral multiple of the crystal frequency. This circuit is called:A-002-011-009Which of the following properties does not apply to a crystal when used in an oscillator circuit?A-002-011-010Crystal oscillators, filters and microphones depend upon which principle?A-002-011-011Crystals are not applicable to which of the following?A-002-012-001What are the three general groupings of filters?A-002-012-002What are the distinguishing features of a Butterworth filter?A-002-012-003Which filter type is described as having ripple in the passband and a sharp cutoff?A-002-012-004What are the distinguishing features of a Chebyshev filter?A-002-012-005Resonant cavities are used by amateurs as a:A-002-012-006On VHF and above, 1/4 wavelength coaxial cavities are used to give protection from high-level signals. For a frequency of approximately 50 MHz, the diameter of such a device would be about 10 cm (4 in). What would be its approximate length?A-002-012-007A device which helps with receiver overload and spurious responses at VHF, UHF and above may be installed in the receiver front end. It is called a:A-002-012-008Where you require bandwidth at VHF and higher frequencies about equal to a television channel, a good choice of filter is the:A-002-012-009What is the primary advantage of the Butterworth filter over the Chebyshev filter?A-002-012-010What is the primary advantage of the Chebyshev filter over the Butterworth filter?A-002-012-011Which of the following filter types is not suitable for use at audio and low radio frequencies?