Chapter 16 CMOS Amplifiers

16.1 General Considerations

16.2 Operating Point Analysis and Design
16.3 CMOS Amplifier Topologies
16.4 Common-Source Topology
16.5 Summary and Additional Examples
16.6 Chapter Summary


1
Chapter Outline
2 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Example: Desired I/O Impedances
3 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers

in
R
0
amp
R
Method to Measure the I/O Impedances
4 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
To measure R
in
(R
out
), deactivate all the other independent
sources in the circuit and find the ratio of v
X
/i
X
.
X
X
in
i
v
R =
X
X
out
i
v
R =
Example: Input Impedance of a Simple Amplifier
5 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
= =
in X
R i 0
The Concept of Impedance at a Node
6 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
When the other node of a port is grounded, it is more
convenient to use the concept of impedance at a node.
Example: Impedance Seen at Drain
7 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
O out
r R =
Example: Impedance Seen at Source
8 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
m
out
g
R
1
=
Impedance Summary
9 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Looking into the gate, we see infinity.
Looking into the drain, we see r
O
if the source is (ac) grounded.
Looking into the source, we see 1/g
m
if the gate is (ac)
grounded and r
O
is neglected.
Bias and Signal Levels for a MOS Transistor
10 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Bias point analysis establishes the region of operation and the
small-signal parameters.
On top of the bias point, small signals are applied to the circuit.
General Steps in Circuit Analysis
11 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
First, the effects of constant voltage/current sources are
analyzed when signal sources are deactivated.
Second, small-signal analysis is done when constant sources
are set to zero.
Simplification of Supply Voltage Notation
12 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Example: Amplifier Driven by a Microphone
13 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
20mV
0V
Microphone Output
Since the DC (average) value is at zero, and 20mV is not
sufficient to turn on M
1
, M
1
is off and V
out
is at V
DD
.

Example: Amplifier with Gate Tied to V
DD

14 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Since the gate voltage level is fixed at V
DD
, no signal current
will be produced my M
1
, leading to no amplification.

Example: Amplifier with Gate Bias
15 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
With proper value of V
B
, M
1
can operate in the desired
saturation region and amplify the incoming voice signal.

Simple Biasing
16 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
In (a), V
GS
=V
DD
, whereas in (b) V
GS
equals to a fraction of V
DD
.
DD GS
V
R R
R
V
2 1
2
+
=
Example: Bias Current and Maximum R
D
17 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
O =
O =
=
=
=
=
K R
K R
L W
V A C
V V
ox n
TH
15
20
0
18 . 0 5
/ 100
5 . 0
2
1
2

O = = = =
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

+
=
K R V V V V V
A V V
R R
R
L
W
C I
D RD TH GS D
TH DD ox n D
15 529 . 1 271 . 0
102
2
1
max min
2
2 1
2

Capacitive Coupling

18 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Capacitive coupling is used to block the zero DC output value
of the microphone and pass the voice signal to the amplifier.
Biasing with Source Degeneration

19 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( )
S ox n
TH
DD
TH GS
R
L
W
C
V
V
R R
V R
V V V V V

1
2
1
2 1
2
1
2
1 1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

+
+ + =
Example: I
D
and Maximum R
D
for Source Degeneration Biasing

20 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
0
18 . 0 / 5 /
/ 100
5 . 0
2
=
=
=
=

L W
V A C
V V
ox n
TH
( )
O =

=
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

+
+ + =
= =
K
I
V V V
R
V V
R R
V R
V V V V V
V
R
L
W
C
V
D
TH X DD
D
TH
DD
TH GS
S ox n
25 . 3
) (
974 . 0 2
36 . 0
1
2 1
2
1
2
1 1
1

Example: Maximum W/L and Minimum R

S


21 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
0
5 . 2
/ 100
5 . 0
2
=
O =
=
=

K R
V A C
V V
D
ox n
TH
( )
2 . 56
38 . 0 50 406
max
2
2
max
=
|
.
|

\
|
= =

=
L
W
V
L
W
V
A
A
R
V V
I
D
Y DD
D

O =

=
= + =
604
041 . 1
2
min
D
GS X
S
ox n
D
TH GS
I
V V
R
V
L
W
C
I
V V

Self-Biased MOS Stage

22 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( ) | |
2
2
1
TH D D S DD ox n D
V I R R V
L
W
C I + =
The gate voltage is provided by the drain with no voltage drop
across R
G
and M
1
is always in saturation.
Example: Self-Biased MOS Stage
23 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
0
5 . 0
/ 100
2
=
=
=

V V
V A C
TH
ox n
O = =
=
K R A I
A I
D D
D
867 . 2 278
556

Example: PMOS Stage with Biasing

V V
K R
K R
L W
V A C
TH
ox p
5 . 0
15
20
0
18 . 0 5
/ 50
2
1
2
=
O =
O =
=
=
=

( )
O =
= =
=
+
=
K R Saturation
A V V
L
W
C I
V V
R R
R
V
D
TH GS ox p D
DD GS
3 . 27
56
2
1
771 . 0
max
2
2 1
2

24 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Example: PMOS Stage with Self-Biasing
V V
L W
V A C
TH
ox p
5 . 0
0
18 . 0 5
/ 50
2
=
=
=
=

( )
A I
V R I V
L
W
C I
D
TH D D DD ox p D

418
2
1 2
=
=
25 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Good Example of Current Source
As long as a MOS transistor is in saturation region and =0, the
current is independent of the drain voltage and it behaves as an
ideal current source seen from the drain terminal.
26 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Bad Example of Current Source
Since the variation of the source voltage directly affects the
current of a MOS transistor, it does not operate as a good
current source if seen from the source terminal
27 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Possible I/O Connections to a MOS Transistor
Of all the possible I/O connections to a MOS transistor, only
(a,d), (a,e) and (b,d) are functional.
28 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Common Source (CS) Stage
If the input is applied to the gate and the output is sensed at the
drain, the circuit is called a common-source (CS) stage.
29 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Small-Signal Model of CS Stage
30 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
D m v
m
D
out
R g A
v g
R
v
=
=
1
Example: CS Stage
31
33 . 3
300
1
2
= =
O
= =
D m v
D ox n m
R g A
I
L
W
C g
CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
0
5 . 0
/ 100
1
2
=
=
=
=

V V
V A C
mA I
TH
ox n
D
Saturation
V I R V V V V
V
L
W
C
I
V V
D D DD TH GS
ox n
D
TH GS
>
= =
= + =
6 . 0 8 . 0
8 . 0 , 6 . 0
1 . 1
2

Example: Faulty CS Stage Design

32 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
0
18 . 0 5
/ 100
5 . 0
5
8 . 1
1
2
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

L W
V A C
V V
A
V V
mW Power
ox n
TH
v
DD
2845 5
569 1 556 1
= =
O = = =
D v
m D
R A
g A I mW Power
However, no solution exists since M
1
is out of the saturation
region (V
DD
-I
D
R
D
<V
GS
-V
TH
).
CS Stage I/O Impedance Calculation
= =
x
x
in
i
v
R
33 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
D
x
x
out
R
i
v
R = =
CS Stage Including Channel-Length Modulation
34 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( )
O D out
O D m v
r R R
r R g A
||
||
=
=
x A
v
=
Example: Gain
2 x A
v
=
35 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
No Channel-Length Modulation With Channel-Length Modulation
D D
D
D
O
R I
R
I
r
1
1
=
= =

Example: R
D

36 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
D
ox n
D
ox n
v
O m v
I
WL C
I
L
W
C
A
r g A

2
2
=
=
CS Stage with Current Source Load
37 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( )
2 1
2 1 1
||
||
O O out
O O m v
r r R
r r g A
=
=
Example: CS Stage with Current Source Load
38 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( )
2 1 1
||
O O m v
r r g A =
CS Stage with Diode-Connected Load
39 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
1 2
2
1 2
2
1
|| ||
1
|| ||
1
O O
m
out
O O
m
m v
r r
g
R
r r
g
g A
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
Example: CS Stage with Diode-Connected PMOS
40 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
1 2
1
2
|| ||
1
O O
m
m v
r r
g
g A
CS Stage with Source Degeneration
41 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
S
m
D
v
R
g
R
A
+
=
1
Example: CS Stage with Source Degeneration
42 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
2 1
1 1
m m
D
v
g g
R
A
+
=
Example: Degeneration Resistor
8
200 1
=
O =
v
m
A
g
4
200 1
=
O =
v
m
A
g
43 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
O = = =
+
O = =
200 1 4
1
6 . 1 8
m S
S m
D m
D D m
g R
R g
R g
K R R g
Without Degeneration With Degeneration
Effective Transconductance
44 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
S m
m
in
out
m
R g
g
v
i
G
+
= =
1
Effect of Transistor Output Resistance
45 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( )
( )
S m O out
S O m O out
R g r R
R r g r R
+ ~
+ + =
1
1
Stage with Explicit Depiction of r
O

46 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Sometimes, the transistors output resistance is explicitly
drawn to emphasize its significance.
Example: NMOS Current Source Design
V V
V
V A C
K R
mA I
DS
ox n
out
D
3 . 0
25 . 0
/ 100
20
1
min
1
2
=
=
=
O =
=

47 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( )
O =
O = + +
O
=

=
= =
578
20 1
150
1 2
3 . 0
min
S
S O S m
TH GS
D
m
TH GS DS
R
K R r R g
V V
I
g
V V V
Example: Output Resistance of CS Stage with Degeneration I
48 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
1 2 1
2 2
1 1
2
1 1
1
O out m m m
m m
m O out
r R g g g
g g
g r R
~ = =
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
Example: Output Resistance of CS Stage with Degeneration II
49 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( )
2 1 1
1 2 1 1
1
O O m out
O O O m out
r r g R
r r r g R
~
+ + =
Example: Failing Microphone Amplifier
50 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
No Amplification!!
Because of the microphones small low-frequency output
resistance (100), the bias voltage at the gate is not sufficient
to turn on M
1
.
mV V
K K
K
V
X
5 . 2 5 . 2
50 || 100 100
50 || 100
~
O O + O
O O
=
Capacitive Coupling
51 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
To fix the problem in the previous example, a method known as
capacitive coupling is used to block the DC content of the
microphone and pass the AC signal to the amplifier.
Capacitive Coupling: Bias Analysis
52 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Since a capacitor is an open at DC, it can be replaced by an
open during bias point analysis.
2
2 1
2
2
1
|
|
.
|

\
|

+
=
TH DD ox n D
V V
R R
R
L
W
C I
Capacitive Coupling: AC Analysis
53 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Since a capacitor is a short at AC, it can be replaced by a short
during AC analysis.
( )
O D m
in
out
r R g
v
v
|| =
Capacitive Coupling: I/O Impedances
2 1 2
1
|| R R R
R
in
in
=
=
54 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
O D out
r R R || =
Example: Amplifier with Direction Connection of Speaker
55 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
This amplifier design still fails because the solenoid of the
speaker shorts the drain to ground.
Example: Amplifier with Capacitive Coupling at I/O
56 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
This amplifier design produces very little gain because its
equivalent output resistance is too small.
( ) 08 . 0 ||
8 ||
= =
O ~ =
sp D m v
sp D eq
R R g A
R R R
Source Degeneration with Bypass Capacitor
57 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
It is possible to utilize degeneration for biasing but eliminate its
effect on the small-signal by adding a bypass capacitor.
D m
G
v
R g
R R R
R R
A
2 1
2 1
||
||
+
=
Example: Source Degeneration with Bypass Capacitor Design
mV V
V V
V V
V A C
mW Power
K R
A
S
R
DD
TH
ox n
in
v
400
8 . 1
0
5 . 0
/ 100
5
50
5
2
=
=
=
=
=
=
O =
=

58 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
O = O =
O =
=
O =
O =
K R K R
R
L W
g
R
D
m
S
225 , 3 . 64
2 463
864
3 . 46 1
148
2 1
Concept Summary
59 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Common-Gate Stage
60 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
In a common-gate stage, the input is applied at the source
while the output is taken at the drain.
Small Signal Analysis of Common-Gate Stage
61 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
D m v
R g A =
Example: Common-Gate Stage Design
V V
V V
V A C
L W
mA I
DD
TH
ox n
D
8 . 1
5 . 0
/ 100
50
5 . 0
2
=
=
=
=
=

62 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
06 . 6 447 1
71 . 2
s O =
O < >
v m
D TH b D D DD
A g
k R V V R I V
Input Impedance of Common-Gate Stage
63 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
m
in
g
R
1
=
The Use of Low Input Impedance
64 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
The low input impedance of a common-gate stage can be used
to impedance match a 50- transmission line.
Output Impedance of Common-Gate Stage
65 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
D O out
R r R || =
Example: Alternate A
v
Expression of CG Stage

66 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
in
out
v
R
R
A =
CG Stage in the Presence of Finite Source
Resistance
67 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
S
m
D
in
out
R
g
R
v
v
+
=
1
Output Impedance of a General CG Stage
68 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( ) | |
S O S m D out
R r R g R R + + = 1 ||
CG and CS Stages Output Impedance Comparison
69 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( ) | |
S O S m D outCS outCG
R r R g R R R + + = = 1 ||
Since when calculating the output impedance, the input voltage
source of the CG stage is grounded, the result will be identical
to that of a CS stage if the same assumptions are made for both
circuits.
Example: A
V
and R
out
70 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( )
S m m
D m
in
out
R g g
R g
v
v
2 1
1
1 + +
=
= 0
D O S
m
O m out
R r R
g
r g R || ||
1
1
2
1 1
(

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
~
> 0
Example: CG Stage Lacking Bias Current

71 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Although the capacitor C
1
isolates the DC content of the signal
source, it also blocks the bias current of M
1
,

hence turning it
OFF.
Example: CG Stage with Source Shorted to Ground

72 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Although there is now a path for bias current to flow to ground,
the signal current also goes with it, hence producing no gain.
CG Stage with Proper Bias Circuitry

73 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
R1 is used to provide a path for bias current to flow without
directly shorting the source to ground.
However, it also lowers the input impedance of the circuit
1
||
1
R
g
R
m
in
=
( )
D m
S m
v
R g
R R g
A
+ +
=
1
1 1
1
Input Current Flowing Paths

74 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
To maximize the useful current i
2
, R
1
needs to be much larger
than 1/g
m
.

m
g
R
1
1
>>
Example: CG with Complete Bias Network

75 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
V V
mW Power
g
R R
A
V V
V A C
DD
m
S
v
TH
ox n
8 . 1
2
50 / 1
500 , 0
5
0
5 . 0
/ 100
1
2
=
=
O =
O = =
=
=
=
=

( ) ( )
O = O =
O =
O = =
=
=

k R k R
R
V V I g
L W
V V
G G
D
TH GS D m
GS
135 , 45
682
4 . 136 / 2
244
8 . 0
2 1
1
Example: Min W/L

76 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
V V
mW Power
g
R R
A
V V
V A C
DD
m
S
v
TH
ox n
8 . 1
2
50 / 1
500 , 0
5
0
5 . 0
/ 100
1
2
=
=
O =
O = =
=
=
=
=

( )
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

>
+ >
+ >
v
R DD
ox n
D
R TH GS TH GS
v
DD
TH R GS D D DD
A
V V
C
I
L
W
V V V V V
A
V
V V V R I V

Source Follower

77 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Source follower sense the input at the gate and produces the
output at the source.
Source Followers Response to an Input Change

78 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
As the input changes by a small amount, the output will follow
the input and changes by a smaller amount, hence the name
source follower.
Small-Signal Model and Voltage Gain for Source Follower
79 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
m
S
S
in
out
g
R
R
v
v
1
+
=
Example: Source Follower with Current Source
80 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
=
A
V
1 =
v
A
Source Follower Acting as a Voltage Divider
81 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
m
S
S
in
out
g
R
R
v
v
1
+
=
Complete Small-Signal Model with r
O
82 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
m
S O
S O
in
out
g
R r
R r
v
v
1
||
||
+
=
Example: Source Follower with a Real Current Source

83 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
m
O O
O O
v
g
r r
r r
A
1
||
||
2 1
2 1
+
=
Example: Source Follower with a Real Current Source

84 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
V V
V V
V A C
mW Power
A
R
DD
TH
ox n
v
S
8 . 1
0
5 . 0
/ 100
10
5 . 0
50
2
=
=
=
=
=
=
O =

360
50
1
5 . 0
1
=
O
=
=
+
=
L W
g
R
g
R
A
m
S
m
S
v
Output Resistance of Source Follower
85 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
S O
m
out
R r
g
R || ||
1
=
Example: Source Follower with Biasing
86 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
O =
=
=
=
=
=
=
k R
V V
V V
V A C
A
mA I
G
DD
TH
ox n
v
D
50
8 . 1
0
5 . 0
/ 100
8 . 0
1
2

107
933 . 0
867
2
=
= =
O =
+

=
L W
V R I V V
R
R
I
V V
R
A
S D DD GS
S
S
D
TH GS
S
v
Source Follower with Current Source Biasing
87 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
In IC technology, source follower is often biased by a current
source to avoid the bias currents dependence on the supply
voltage.
Summary of MOS Amplifier Topologies
88 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
Example: Common Source Stage I
89 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
3 2 1
3
3 2 1
3
1
|| || ||
1
|| || ||
1
O O O
m
out
O O O
m
m v
r r r
g
R
r r r
g
g A
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
Example: Common Source Stage II
90 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
3
3 1
2
||
1 1
O
m m
O
v
r
g g
r
A
+
=
Example: CS and CG Stages
91 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
( ) | | { }
S
m
O
vCG
O O S O m m vCS
R
g
r
A
r r R r g g A
+
=
+ + =
1
2
1 1 1 1 2
1
|| 1
Example: Composite Stage I
92 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
2 1
1 1
m m
D
v
g g
R
A
+
=
Example: Composite Stage II
93 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
2
2 1
4 3
3 2
1
2
2
2
2 1
||
1 1
|| ||
1
1
||
1
||
1
O
m m
O O
m
in
out
m
O
m
O
m
in
out
r
g g
r r
g
v
v
g
r
g
r
g
v
v
+
=
+
=
Chapter Summary
94 CH 16 CMOS Amplifiers
The impedances looking into the gate, drain, and source of a
MOS are equal to , r
O
and 1/g
m
respectively (under proper
conditions).
The transistor has to be properly biased before small-signal
can be applied.
Resistive path between the supply rails establishes the gate
bias voltage.
Only three amplifiers topologies are possible.
CS stage provides moderate A
V
, high R
in
and moderate R
out
.
Source degeneration improves linearity but lower A
V
.
Source degeneration raises the R
out
of CS stage considerably.
CG stage provides moderate A
V
, low R
in
and moderate R
out
.
A
V
for CS and CG stages are similar but for a sign.
Source follower provides A
V
less than 1, high R
in
and low R
out
,
serving as a good voltage buffer.