h-parameters:

These are four constants that explained behavior of two-port linear network. Linear network is one in which resistance; inductance and capacitance remain fixed when voltage across them is changed.

Electrical behavior of such a circuit can be explained with the help of four hybrid parameters or constants designated as h₁₁, h₁₂, h₂₁, h₂₂. In this kind of double-number subscript, it is implied that first variable is always divided by other. Quantity 1 refers to quantity on input side and 2 to quantity on output side. Letter 'h' has come from word hybrid that signifies mixture of noticeably different items. These constants are hybrid as they have different units.

Hybrid Equivalents Model:

The quantities h_ie, h_re, h_fe, and h_oe are known as hybrid parameters from the word hybrid and are components of small-signal equivalent circuit to be described shortly. Description of hybrid equivalent model will start with general two-port system. The following set of equations is only one of a number of ways in which four variables can be related. It is the most frequently used in transistor circuit analysis, though, and thus is discussed in details.

V_i = h₁₁I_i + h₁₂V_e

I₀ = h₂₁I_i + h₂₂V₀

h₁₁ = V_i/I_i|V₀ = 0 ohms

Ratio indicates that parameter h₁₁ is impedance parameter with units of ohms. As it is ratio of input voltage to input current with output terminals shorted, it is known as short- circuit input-impedance parameter. Subscript 11 of h₁₁ defines fact that parameter is computed by ratio of quantities measured at input terminals.

If I_i is set equal to zero by opening input leads, will result for h12 is given below:

h₁₂ = V_i/V_o|I₀ = 0 unit

Parameter h₁₂, thus, is ratio of input voltage to output voltage with input current set to zero. It has no units as it is ratio of voltage levels and is known as open-circuit reverse transfer voltage ratio parameter.

If, V_o is equal to zero by again shorting output terminals, result for h₂₁ is given below:

h₂₁ = I₀/I_i|V₀ = 0 unit less

Parameter h₂₁ is ratio of output current to input current with output terminals shorted. It is known as short circuit forward transfer current ratio parameter: and it is unit less.

Last parameter, h₂₂, can be estimated by again opening input leads to set I_I = 0 and solving for h₂₂:

h₂₂ = I₀/V₀|I_i = 0 Siemens

As it is ratio of output current to output voltage, it is output conductance parameter and is estimated in Siemens (S). It is thus known as open-circuit output admittance parameter.

Hybrid Input Equivalent Circuit:

As each term of equation has unit of current, now apply Kirchhoff's current law in reverse to get circuit. As h₂₂ has unit of admittance, which for transistor model is conductance, it is signified by resistor symbol. Though, that resistance in ohms of this resistor is equal to reciprocal of conductance(1/h₂₂)

Complete Hybrid Equivalent Circuit:

Complete ac equivalent circuit for basic three-terminal linear device is indicated with new set of subscripts for h- parameters.

The notation is of more practical nature as it relates h-parameters to resulting ratio. Using h-parameter for three terminal devices (transistor circuits), their numerical subscript are replaced by first letters for defining them:

h₁₁ =h_i = input impedance

h₁₂ = h_f = forward current gain

h₂₁ = h_r = reverse voltage gain

h₂₂ = h_o = output impedance

The second subscript is added to above parameters to point out particular configuration. For instance, for common-emitter connection, four parameters are written as: h_ie h_fe h_re and h_oe likewise, for common-base and common-collector connections, these are written as h_ib, h_fb, h_rb, h_ob, and h_ic, h_fc, h_rc, h_oc respectively.

When small signals are involved, transistor behaves like linear device as its output ac signals differs directly as input signal. Therefore for small ac signals, every transistor has its own characteristics set of h-parameters or constants.

The h-parameter depends on a number of factors such as:

• Transistor type
• Configuration
• Operating point
• Temperature
• Frequency

These parameters can be found experimentally or graphically. The parameters hi and hr are determined from the input characteristics of the common-emitter transistors wheras hf and ho are found from the output characteristics.

Figure (a) given above shows a common-base transistor connected in a black box. Figure (b) gives its equivalent circuit. It must be noted that no external biasing resistor or any signal source is joined to transistor. Two forward h-parameters can be found from circuit where short has been put across output. Input impedance is simply r_e.

Therefore h_ib = r_e

Output current equals input current i.e. as it flows out of box, it is taken as negative. Forward current gain is:

h_fb = -i_e/i_e = α ≈ -1

Also, reverse parameters can be found from circuit diagram. When input terminals are open, there can be no ac emitter current. It means that ac current source (inside box) has value of zero and so appears as open. Due to this open, no voltage can appear across input terminals, though, large V₂ may be. Hence V₁ = 0.

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