Gate-source cutoff voltage: The voltage between the gate and the source that reduces the drain current of a depletion-mode device to approximately zero.

Gate: The terminal of a field-effect transistor that controls drain current. Also, the terminal of a thyristor used to turn on the device.

Gain-bandwidth product (GBP): The high frequency at which the gain of an amplifier is 0 dB (unity).

Full-wave rectifier: A rectifier with a center-tapped secondary winding and two diodes that act as back-to-back half-wave rectifiers. One diode supplies one-half of the output,…

Frequency Scaling Factor (FSF): The formula used to scale pole frequencies in direct proportion; cutoff frequency divided by I kHz.

Frequency Response: The graph of voltage gain versus frequency for an amplifier.

Free electron or Conduction-band electron: One that is loosely held by an atom. Also known as a conduction-band electron because it travels in a large…

Forward bias: Applying an external voltage to overcome the barrier potential.

Foldback Current Limiting: Simple current limiting allows the load current to reach a maximum value while the load voltage is reduced to zero. Foldback current…

FM demodulator: A phase-locked loop (PLL) used as a circuit that recovers the modulating signal from the FM wave.

Floating Load: This is a load that has nonzero node voltages on each end. You can spot it on a schematic diagram by the fact…

Flag: A voltage that indicates an event has taken place. Typically, a low voltage means the event has not occurred, while a high voltage means…

555 timer: A widely used circuit that can run in either of two modes: monostable and astable. In monostable, it can produce accurate time delays,…

Field-effect Transistor: A transistor that depends on the action of an electric field to control its conductivity.

FET Colpitts oscillator: An FET oscillator in which the feedback signal is applied to the gate.