Discrete Virtual Ground Circuit

Here is the simple virtual ground circuit based on discrete components. This simple design comes from miniaturization guru Sijosae. Is to make a buffer from generic discrete components. The transistors can be most any complementary pair of small-signal transistors. Suitable alternatives are the PN2222A and PN2907A. The diodes are generic small-signal types. An acceptable alternative is the 1N914. This circuit has better performance than a simple resistive divider virtual ground, and the parts cost is lower than for any other circuit mentioned here. It is, however, the least accurate of the buffered virtual ground circuits.

• R1,R2 = 4.7K
• R3,R4 = 4.7R
• C1,C2 = 470uF-25V
• C3,C4 = 47uF-25V
• D1,D2 = 1N4148
• Q1 = 2SC1384
• Q2 = 2SA684
• B1 = Battery