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A comment on Germanium transistors: logic circuits in the IBM 1401 computer. Parent comment

Re:Germanium transistors: logic circuits in the IBM 1401 com... by Koshkin on Wednesday March 03, 2021 @09:23PM (#26337837)
Since Vbe = const the transistor alone cannot amplify voltage. You need a resistor to convert the input voltage into current.
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Re:Germanium transistors: logic circuits in the IBM 1401 com... by fuzzfactor on Wednesday March 03, 2021 @11:52PM (#26338770)
This is exactly it.

Your DC battery or power supply provides your headroom, and the transistor Base or Gate senses a small increment of that voltage and can sometimes deliver as much current as it takes to push the voltage across a resistance or impedance right up to the rails.

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