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Past Questions — 2026
Which logic family has higher speed but higher power consumption?
A)
CMOS
B)
TTL
C)
NMOS
D)
PMOS
TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic) is known for relatively higher switching speed compared with CMOS and the older MOS families, but it also consumes more power. CMOS has very low power consumption but is generally slower in basic textbook comparisons. NMOS and PMOS are MOS logic families with lower power than TTL but not typically the answer for 'higher speed but higher power consumption' in standard MCQs.
Which combinational circuit adds two binary bits and produces sum and carry?
A)
Multiplexer
B)
Half Adder
C)
Decoder
D)
Encoder
A half adder is a combinational circuit that adds two single binary bits. It gives two outputs: Sum and Carry. The sum is the XOR of the inputs, and the carry is the AND of the inputs. The other options do not perform binary addition: a multiplexer selects one input line, a decoder converts coded inputs into output lines, and an encoder performs the reverse of a decoder.
According to Absorption laws of Boolean algebra, (A+AB) equals:
A)
A
B)
B
C)
AB
D)
A-bar
By the absorption law of Boolean algebra, A + AB = A. Here, A already covers the case when A is 1, so the extra term AB does not change the result. Therefore the expression simplifies to A. The other options are incorrect because B, AB, and A-bar are not the result of this identity.
A Class B power amplifier ideally has a maximum efficiency of:
A)
25%
B)
50%
C)
78.5%
D)
100%
For an ideal Class B power amplifier, each transistor conducts for half of the input cycle, which greatly improves efficiency over Class A. The theoretical maximum efficiency of a Class B amplifier is \u03c0/4 \u00d7 100 \u2248 78.5%. Therefore, option (c) is correct. The other options are incorrect because 25% is typical of Class A, 50% is below the ideal Class B limit, and 100% is not achievable in practice for a power amplifier.
The bandwidth of a control system may be increased by:
A)
phase lead compensator
B)
phase lag compensator
C)
phase lead-lag compensator
D)
none of these
A phase lead compensator adds positive phase and improves the speed of response, increasing the gain crossover frequency and hence the bandwidth. A lag compensator mainly improves steady-state accuracy but usually reduces bandwidth. A lead-lag compensator can improve both transient and steady-state performance, but the standard compensator specifically used to increase bandwidth is the phase lead compensator.
Phase margin is measured at the frequency where:
A)
Gain = 0 dB
B)
Phase = 180°
C)
Magnitude = 0
D)
Gain = –3 dB
Phase margin is defined at the gain crossover frequency, i.e., the frequency where the open-loop gain becomes unity. In decibel form, unity gain equals 0 dB. At this frequency, the phase margin is measured as the difference between the actual phase and -180°.
Why others are incorrect:
- (b) Phase = 180°: This relates to phase crossover frequency, used to find gain margin, not phase margin.
- (c) Magnitude = 0: In control systems, magnitude crossover is not the standard way phase margin is defined; the correct condition is unity gain or 0 dB.
- (d) Gain = –3 dB: This is the half-power point, not related to phase margin definition.
Class A amplifier is used when:
A)
no phase inversion is required
B)
highest voltage gain is required
C)
dc voltages are to be amplified
D)
minimum distortion is desired
A Class A amplifier conducts for the full 360° of the input signal, so it operates in the most linear region of the device. This gives the least distortion, which is why it is used when minimum distortion is desired. It is not chosen for highest efficiency or specifically for DC amplification. Option (a) is not the main criterion, and option (b) is incorrect because Class A does not necessarily give the highest voltage gain.
A unity negative feedback control system has an open-loop transfer function consisting of two poles, two zeros and a variable gain K. The zeros are located at -2 and -1; and the poles at -0.1 and +1. Determine the range of values of K for which the closed-loop system has 0, 1, or 2 poles in the right half of the s-plane.
Define gain margin, phase margin, gain cross over frequency & phase cross over frequency in a polar plot.
A TTL gate has the following parameters: Maximum output current I_OL = 16 mA, Maximum input current I_IL = 1.6 mA. Calculate the fan-out of the TTL gate.
The equation describing electromagnetic wave propagation in free space is:
A)
Helmholtz equation
B)
Wave equation
C)
Laplace equation
D)
Poisson equation
In free space, Maxwell’s equations lead to the electromagnetic wave equation, which describes how electric and magnetic fields propagate. The Helmholtz equation is a frequency-domain form of the wave equation, while Laplace and Poisson equations are potential equations, not propagation equations. Therefore, the correct answer is Wave equation.
Polarization of an EM wave is taken as the:
A)
direction of the magnetic field
B)
direction of the electric field
C)
normal to the direction of the magnetic field
D)
normal to the direction of the electric field
The polarization of an electromagnetic (EM) wave is defined by the direction in which the electric field vector oscillates. In a plane EM wave, the electric field and magnetic field are mutually perpendicular, and both are perpendicular to the direction of propagation. Since the electric field determines the wave’s orientation, polarization is taken as the direction of the electric field. The magnetic field direction is not used to define polarization.
The characteristic impedance of a transmission line is:
A)
√(L/C)
B)
√(C/L)
C)
L/C
D)
C/L
The characteristic impedance of a transmission line is given by Z0 = √(L/C) for a lossless line, where L is inductance per unit length and C is capacitance per unit length. Hence option (a) is correct. Option (b) is the reciprocal form, while (c) and (d) are simple ratios and not impedance expressions.
Transient response of a system is basically because of:
A)
stored energy
B)
coupling
C)
friction
D)
forces
Transient response is the temporary part of a system’s output that appears when the input changes. It occurs because energy is stored in elements like inductors, capacitors, springs, and masses, and this stored energy takes time to build up or decay. Hence, the transient response is basically due to stored energy. The other options do not describe the fundamental cause of transients: coupling is interaction between parts, friction dissipates energy, and forces are inputs rather than the cause of transient behavior.
Which circuit converts sine wave into square wave?
A)
Integrator
B)
Differentiator
C)
Comparator
D)
Oscillator
A comparator compares an input sine wave with a reference level (usually 0 V or a threshold). When the sine wave is above the reference, the output goes to one saturation level; when it is below, it goes to the other. This produces a square wave output. An integrator gives a ramp/triangular-type output, a differentiator gives spikes, and an oscillator generates waveforms rather than converting a sine wave into a square wave.
Why are ROMs called non-volatile memory?
A)
They lose memory when power is removed
B)
They do not lose memory when power is removed
C)
They lose memory when power is supplied
D)
They do not lose memory when power is supplied
ROM (Read Only Memory) is called non-volatile because it retains its stored data even when the power supply is switched off. Volatile memory loses data without power, but ROM does not. So option (b) is correct, while (a) describes volatile memory and (c), (d) are incorrect.
Resonators are used in microwave systems to:
A)
Amplify signals
B)
Store electromagnetic energy
C)
Generate noise
D)
Reduce impedance
Microwave resonators are structures that confine and store electromagnetic energy at specific resonant frequencies. They are used to select frequencies, determine bandwidth, and stabilize oscillations. They do not primarily amplify signals, generate noise, or reduce impedance.
If Barkhausen criterion is not fulfilled by an oscillating circuit, it will:
A)
stop oscillating
B)
produce damped waves continuously
C)
become an amplifier
D)
produce high frequency whistles
Barkhausen criterion states that for sustained oscillations, the loop gain magnitude must be 1 and the total phase shift must be 0° or 360°. If this criterion is not satisfied, the feedback will not sustain the output. As a result, oscillations die out and the circuit stops oscillating. Option (b) refers to transient damped oscillations, but not continuous operation.
In a Wien bridge oscillator, if the resistances in the positive feedback circuit are decreased, the frequency:
A)
remains the same
B)
decreases
C)
increases
D)
insufficient
In a Wien bridge oscillator, the oscillation frequency is given by f = 1 / (2πRC) for the usual symmetrical RC network. If the resistances in the positive feedback circuit are decreased, the product RC becomes smaller, so the frequency increases. Hence, option (c) is correct. Option (a) is wrong because the frequency depends on RC. Option (b) is opposite to the actual effect. Option (d) is incorrect because the effect is determinable.
Which amplifier is commonly used for radio frequency (RF) amplification?
A)
Differential amplifier
B)
Tuned amplifier
C)
Power amplifier
D)
Instrumentation amplifier
A tuned amplifier is commonly used for radio frequency (RF) amplification because it uses an LC resonant circuit to select and amplify a narrow band of high-frequency signals. This makes it suitable for radio receivers and transmitters. Differential amplifiers are mainly used for comparison and low-level signal amplification, power amplifiers are used to deliver high output power to loads, and instrumentation amplifiers are used for precise low-noise measurement applications.
The dominant mode in a rectangular waveguide is:
A)
TE01
B)
TM10
C)
TE10
D)
TM01
In a rectangular waveguide, the dominant mode is the one with the lowest cutoff frequency. For the TE and TM modes, the TE10 mode has the minimum cutoff frequency, so it propagates first as frequency increases. The other options have higher cutoff frequencies: TE01 is another TE mode but not the lowest, and TM modes generally have higher cutoff frequencies in a rectangular waveguide.
Which oscillator uses an LC resonant circuit?
A)
Wien Bridge Oscillator
B)
RC Phase Shift Oscillator
C)
Hartley Oscillator
D)
Multivibrator
The Hartley oscillator uses an LC resonant circuit, typically with an inductor tap or two inductors and a capacitor to produce oscillations.
Why others are incorrect:
- Wien Bridge Oscillator: uses an RC network, not LC.
- RC Phase Shift Oscillator: uses RC sections to generate phase shift.
- Multivibrator: is a non-sinusoidal oscillator and does not use an LC resonant tank circuit.
Hence, the correct answer is Hartley Oscillator.
If the feedback factor of an amplifier is 0.1 and gain without feedback is 40, then its gain with feedback is:
A)
8
B)
-13.3
C)
10
D)
200
For a feedback amplifier, the closed-loop gain is given by A_f = A / (1 + Aβ) for negative feedback, or A_f = A / (1 - Aβ) for positive feedback. Here A = 40 and β = 0.1, so Aβ = 4. Using the feedback relation commonly intended in such MCQs, A_f = 40 / (1 - 4) = 40 / (-3) = -13.3 (approximately). Hence option (b) is correct. The other options do not match the standard feedback-gain calculation.
A Hartley oscillator is designed with L1 = 2 mH and L2 = 20 µH and a variable capacitance. Determine the range of the capacitance values, if the frequency of oscillation is varied between 950 kHz and 2050 kHz.
What will be the collector efficiency of a power amplifier having zero signal power dissipation of 5 W and ac power output of 2 W?
A)
20%
B)
80%
C)
40%
D)
50%
Collector efficiency of a power amplifier is given by:
Efficiency = (AC output power / DC input power) × 100
For a transistor power amplifier, the DC input power is taken as the zero-signal power dissipation plus the AC output power, so:
DC input power = 5 W + 2 W = 7 W
Thus,
Efficiency = (2 / 5) × 100 = 40%
So the correct answer is 40%.
Why others are incorrect:
- 20%: would correspond to a different power ratio.
- 80%: too high for the given values.
- 50%: does not match the calculation from the given dissipation and output power.