A device whose characteristics are very close to that of an ideal curr...
The output characteristic of a CB transistor configuration is shown in figure below.

It is clear that for a constant value of I
E, I
C is independent of V
CB and the curves are parallel to the axis of V
CB.
Hence, a CB transistor acts as an ideal current source.
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A device whose characteristics are very close to that of an ideal curr...
Explanation:
An ideal current source is a device that can deliver a constant current to a load regardless of the load resistance. The characteristics of a device that resembles an ideal current source are:
Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) in Common Base (CB) mode:
A BJT in CB mode has the following characteristics that are very close to that of an ideal current source:
- High input impedance: The input impedance of a BJT in CB mode is very high, which means that it doesn't draw much current from the source.
- Low output impedance: The output impedance of a BJT in CB mode is very low, which means that it can deliver a constant current to the load regardless of the load resistance.
- Constant current gain: The current gain of a BJT in CB mode is almost constant over a wide range of collector current.
Gas Diode:
Gas diode can act as an ideal current source. In a gas diode, the discharge current is independent of the voltage across the diode. This means that the diode can deliver a constant current to the load regardless of the load resistance.
Triode:
A triode is a three-terminal device that can be used as an ideal current source. The characteristics of a triode that resemble an ideal current source are:
- High input impedance: The input impedance of a triode is very high, which means that it doesn't draw much current from the source.
- Low output impedance: The output impedance of a triode is very low, which means that it can deliver a constant current to the load regardless of the load resistance.
- Constant transconductance: The transconductance of a triode is almost constant over a wide range of plate current.
BJT in Common Emitter (CE) mode:
A BJT in CE mode cannot act as an ideal current source because its output impedance is relatively high. The output impedance of a BJT in CE mode is equal to the dynamic resistance of the collector-emitter junction, which is typically in the range of a few hundred ohms to a few kilohms. This means that the current delivered to the load will vary with the load resistance.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.