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ACTIVE
components
increase the power of a
signal and must be
supplied with the signal
and a source of power. Examples are bipolar
transistors, field
effect transistors etc.
The signal is fed into
one connection of the
active device and the
amplified version taken
from another connection.
In a transistor, the
signal can be applied to
the base connection and
the amplified version
taken from the
collector.
The source of power is
usually a dc voltage
from a battery or power
supply.
PASSIVE
components do not
increase the power of a
signal.
They often cause power
to be lost.
Some can increase the
voltage at the expense
of current, so overall
there is a loss of
power.
Resistors, capacitors,
inductors and diodes are
examples of passive
components.
Integrated circuits
contain both active and
passive components. Since they usually
increase the power of a
signal and require a
source of dc power they
are treated as active
devices. |
