The term "common collector" in transistor configuration is synonymous with what other term?

The term "common collector" refers specifically to a transistor configuration where the collector terminal is common to both the input and output signal circuits. This configuration is also known as an "emitter follower." In this setup, the input is applied to the base, and the output is taken from the emitter.

One of the key characteristics of an emitter follower is that it provides a high input impedance and a low output impedance, making it ideal for buffering applications. This means that it can effectively transfer a signal from one stage to another without significantly affecting the input signal, which is a hallmark of a voltage follower.

While "voltage follower" is another term that describes the functionality of a common collector (emitter follower) in terms of maintaining the voltage level without gain, the more precise synonym in the context of transistor configurations is "emitter follower." In practical electronics terminology, when discussing transistor types and their configurations, the designations of "common collector" and "emitter follower" are used interchangeably, reinforcing their synonymous relationship.