ANALOGUE CIRCUITS

TECHNIQUES
Part II
April 16th , 2002
F. ANGHINOLFI
CERN
Francis.Anghinolfi@cern.ch

F. A. CERN/EP

Outline
From active components available in modern IC
technologies, to the examples of amplifiers design
used for High Energy Physics applications

1- Introduction to analogue circuit

2- Active elements in Integrated Circuit
3- The bipolar transistor
F. A. CERN/EP

Outline
4- Basic of amplifier
5- Differential amplifier
6- OTA
7- Two-stage differential amplifier
8- Other amplifiers circuits
9- Cascode circuits
10- Charge Sensitive Preamplifier
11- Transimpedance Preamplifier
12- Preamplifiers conclusions
F. A. CERN/EP

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Reminder :

A = Forward Path gain

= Feedback gain

Feedback circuit

A = Open Loop Gain

In
Amplifier

F. A. CERN/EP

A
= Closed Loop Gain
Out/In =
1 + A
Out
Stability is assumed if the Open Loop
Gain (A , complex number ) is far
away from -1

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Reminder :

Q in = i(t)dt
Decay element
Rf

Integrating capacitor
Cf

Qin/Cf

i(t)

Vout =
Vout
Cd

Detector model

F. A. CERN/EP

Voltage decay

The charge is integrated on the

feedback capacitance (Cf)

Amplifier

Q in

Cf

The output voltage Vout decays

with Rf.Cf time constant (pile-up
problem)

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

i(t)

Charge from detector builds up a voltage on the

detector node capacitance
Cd

Vdet = Qin

-Qin
Cf

Qin
Cd

The preamplifier reacts in such a way that its

input node voltage stays unchanged : the output
voltage Vout is moving to the point where :
Vout.Cf = -Qin

(~0)
Amplifier

F. A. CERN/EP

Cd

The input node charge (also voltage) variation is

zero
6

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Frequency domain

Cf

iin
Cd

vo
(~0)
Amplifier

F. A. CERN/EP

In case of an ideal amplifier (infinite gain, no

BW limit) :

i in
vo =
s.C f

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Cf

Frequency domain
iin
Cd

vo
Consider now a non-ideal amplifier, loaded with
capacitance Co :

(~0)
CO

vo
gm.R L
=
vin 1 + sC o .R L

Vdd
VbiasP

io
Vcas

Amplifier

vo

Vin

VbiasN
Gnd

F. A. CERN/EP

vin

gm.vin

RL Co

Co

Small signal model

8

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Frequency domain
Cf

iin
Cd

vo

If we consider Cf acting not as a feedback

element, but just as a capacitive load on input
and output (forward path gain A) :
iin

(~0)
CO

Amplifier

vin Cd

Cf

gm.vin

RL CO

Cf

Small signal model

vin
1
=
i in
s(Cd + Cf)
F. A. CERN/EP

vo
gm.R L
=
vin 1 + s(Co + Cf).R L
9

vo

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Frequency domain
Cf

if

iin
Cd

vo

vin

iin
Cd

(~0)

vo
Cf

gm.vin

RL CO

Cf

CO

Amplifier

F. A. CERN/EP

Forward Gain
(A)

vo
gm.R L
1
=
.
i in 1 + s(Co + Cf).R L s(Cd + Cf)

Feedback Gain
()

if
= s.Cf
vo
10

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Frequency domain
Cf

Open loop Gain formula

iin
Cd

vo
(~0)
Amplifier

CO

if
= A.
i in
In our case, the product A is :

gm.R L
Cf
A =
.
1 + s(Co + Cf).R L (Cd + Cf)
A is a one pole system, such that 1+A cannot be zero.
The charge preamplifier is difficult to make unstable
F. A. CERN/EP

11

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Frequency domain
Cf

Closed loop Gain Calculation

iin
Cd

vo
A
=
i in 1 + A

vo
(~0)
Amplifier

CO

vo
1
=
.
i in sCf
Ideal Integrator
response

F. A. CERN/EP

1
(Cd + Cf)(Co + Cf)
1+ s
gm.Cf

Pole added by amplifier limited BW

12

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Frequency domain
Cf

It can be shown that the input impedance of the

charge preamplifier is given by :

iin
Cd

vo

(Co + Cf)
Rin =
gm.Cf

(~0)
CO

Amplifier
vo

vo
1
1
=
.
i in sCf 1 + sRin.(Cd + Cf)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2

Input node RC time constant

t
F. A. CERN/EP

13

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Frequency domain
Cf

Numerical values
iin
Cd

vo

Cf=0.1pF, Ro = 500K, Co=1pF, Cin=20pF

(~0)

gm=0.003S
CO

Amplifier
vo

(Co + Cf)
Rin =
gm.Cf

1
0.8
0.6

gives

Rin = 3.7 Kohms

vo
1
1
=
.
i in sCf 1 + sRin.(Cd + Cf)

0.4
0.2

t (RC units)
F. A. CERN/EP

Input node RC time constant=75ns

14

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

With Resistive feedback element
1

Rf

RfCf=500RinCin

0.8
0.6

Cf

0.4
0.2

iin
Cd

vo

10

15

20

10

15

20

RfCf=50RinCin

(~0)

0.8
0.6

CO

Amplifier

0.4
0.2

vo
1
Rf
1
=
.
.
i in sCf 1 + s.Rf.Cf 1 + sRin.(Cd + Cf)

RfCf=5RinCin

0.8

Ballistic deficit

0.6

Feedback RC
F. A. CERN/EP

Input node RC

0.4
0.2

10

15

20

15

10 Charge Sensitive Preamplifier

Charge collection time
Rf

RfCf=50RinCin

Cf

0.8
0.6
0.4

iin
Cd

vo

Instant charge
0.2

(~0)

CO

10

15

20

Amplifier

Ballistic deficit
0.8
0.6

vo
1
Rf
1
=
.
.
i in sCf 1 + s.Rf.Cf 1 + sRin.(Cd + Cf)

Feedback RC
F. A. CERN/EP

Input node RC

0.4
0.2

Input charge collection time

10

20

30

40

16

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier

Resistive feedback element

Rf

(Qin = i(t)dt )
0

Vout(t) = R f .i in (t )

i(t)
Vout
Cd

Detector model

F. A. CERN/EP

Amplifier

The instantaneous output voltage

is the image of the current flow at
the detector output (ideal case !)

17

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Rf

Frequency domain
iin
Cd

vo
(~0)
CO

Consider now a non-ideal amplifier, loaded with

capacitance Co :
io
vin

Amplifier

gm.vin

RL Co

Small signal model

vo
gm.R L
=
vin 1 + sC o .R L
F. A. CERN/EP

18

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Frequency domain
Rf

iin
Cd

vo

If we consider Rf acting not as a feedback

element, but just as a resistive load on input and
output (forward path gain A) :
iin

(~0)
CO

Amplifier

vin Cin

Rf

gm.vin

RL CO

Rf

Small signal model

vin
Rf
=
i in 1 + s.Rf.Cin

vo
gm.Ro
=
vin 1 + s.Ro.Co
With Ro=Rf//RL

F. A. CERN/EP

19

vo

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Frequency domain
Rf

if

iin
Cd

vo

vin

iin
Cd

(~0)

vo
Rf

gm.vin

RL CO

Rf

CO

Amplifier

Forward Gain (A)

Feedback Gain ()
F. A. CERN/EP

vo
gm.Ro
Rf
(Ro=Rf//RL)
=
.
i in 1 + s.Co.Ro 1 + s.Rf.Cin
if
1
=
vo Rf
20

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Frequency domain
Rf

Open loop Gain formula

iin
Cd

vo
(~0)
Amplifier

CO

if
= A.
i in
The open loop gain (product A) is :

gm.Ro
A =
(1 + s.Co.Ro)(1 + s.Cin.Rf)

(Ro=Rf//RL)

A has two poles, 1+A can be zero, and the closed loop circuit being unstable
The transimpedance preamplifier is difficult to make . stable
F. A. CERN/EP

21

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Frequency domain
Rf

Closed loop Gain Calculation

iin
Cd

vo
A
=
i in 1 + A

vo
(~0)
Amplifier

CO

vo
1
= Rf.
(1 + s.Ro.Co)(1 + s.Cin.Rf)
i in
1+
A0
Ideal transimpedance
response

Two poles circuit

response
(Ro=Rf//RL) and

F. A. CERN/EP

A0=gm.Ro
22

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Under the strong assumption that poles Cin/Rf.Ao
and Ro.Co are widely separated :

Rf

iin
Cd

vo
(~0)
CO

Amplifier

vo
1
Rf.
Cin.Rf
i in
(1 + s.
)(1 + s.Ro.Co)
A0
It can be shown that the input impedance of the
transimpedance preamplifier is given by :

Rf
Rin =
A0
vo
1
Rf .
i in
(1 + sRin.Cin)( 1 + sRo.Co)
F. A. CERN/EP

Two real pole circuit

23

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Widely spaced poles
Rf

Numerical values :
iin
Cd

vo

Rf=30K, Ro = 500K, Co=0.1pF, Cin=200pF

(~0)

gm=0.001S
CO

Rf
Rin =
A0

Amplifier
vo

gives

Rin = 1Kohms

0.00012
0.0001

Simplified transfer function

vo
1
Rf .
i in
(1 + sRin.Cin)( 1 + sRo.Co)

0.00008
0.00006
0.00004
0.00002
2 10 -7

4 10 - 7

6 10 - 7

8 10 - 7

1fC response
F. A. CERN/EP

1 10 - 6

Input node RC time constant

Rin.Cin= 200ns

Internal pole
Ro.Co= 3ns
24

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Widely spaced poles
Rf

Numerical values :
iin
Cd

vo

Rf=30K, Ro = 500K, Co=0.1pF, Cin=200pF

(~0)

gm=0.001S
CO

Amplifier

Computing the true transfer function with the same

numerical values :

vo
0.0001

Full transfer function

0.00008

vo
1
= Rf.
(1 + s.Ro.Co)(1 + s.Cin.Rf)
i in
1+
A0

0.00006
0.00004
0.00002
2 10 -7

4 10 - 7

6 10 - 7

8 10 - 7

1fC response
F. A. CERN/EP

1 10 - 6

t
25

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Example with some realistic numbers, fast preamplifier
Rf

Consider numerical values fitting with silicon strip

detector :
iin
Cd

vo

Rf=30K, Ro = 500K, Co=0.1pF, Cin=20pF

(~0)

gm=0.003S
CO

Amplifier

Computing the true transfer funtion :

vo
0.001

Full transfer function

0.00075
0.0005
0.00025

-0.00025

1 10

-7

2 10

-7

3 10

-7

4 10

-7

5 10

-0.0005

1fC response
F. A. CERN/EP

-7

vo
1
= Rf.
(1 + s.Ro.Co)(1 + s.Cin.Rf)
i in
1+
A0
The circuit is close to instability !
(equivalent input impedance 300 ohms, RinCin=7ns, RoCo=3ns
26

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Example with some realistic numbers, fast preamplifier
Cf

Transimpedance stability is obtained by the addition

of the feedback capacitance Cf

Rf

The open loop gain (product A) is changed as:

iin
Cd

vo
(~0)
CO

Amplifier

Ao.(1 + s.Cf.Rf)
A =
(1 + s.Co.Ro)(1 + s.Cin.Rf)
(Ro=Rf//RL) and

A0=gm.Ro

If Cf.Rf is made equal to Co.Ro time constant :

Ao
A =
(1 + s.Cin.Rf)
F. A. CERN/EP

The circuit becomes

stable
27

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Example with some realistic numbers, fast preamplifier
Cf

Transimpedance stability is obtained by the addition

of the feedback capacitance Cf

Rf

Closed loop Gain Calculation

iin
Cd

vo

If Cf.Rf is made equal to Co.Ro time constant :

(~0)
CO

Amplifier

F. A. CERN/EP

vo
1
= Rf.
Cin.Rf
i in
(1 + s.Ro.Co)(1 + s.
)
Ao

28

11 Transimpedance Preamplifier
Cf

Example with some realistic numbers, fast preamplifier

Numerical values :

Rf

Rf=30K, Ro = 500K, Co=0.1pF, Cin=20pF

iin
Cd

vo

gm=0.003S, Cf=0.1pF

(~0)

Rf
Rin =
A0

CO

Amplifier

vo
0.002
0.0015
0.001
0.0005

2 10 - 8

3 10 - 8

4 10 - 8

1fC response
F. A. CERN/EP

5 10 - 8

Rin = 350ohms

vo
1
Rf .
Rf
i in
(1 + s.
.Cin)(1 + sRo.Co)
Ao

Full transfer function

1 10 - 8

gives

Input node RC time constant

Rin.Cin= 7 ns

Internal pole
Ro.Co= 3 ns
29

12 Preamplifiers conclusions

Time constant

Charge Preamp

Transimpedance

>50ns

>5ns

Input Impedance Kohms range

100ohms range

Stability

Easy

Difficult

Gain

Q/Cf
Ballistic deficit

Time response
dependance

F. A. CERN/EP

30

12 Preamplifiers conclusions
Simplifications were done
for all the preceding
formulations:
We assumed main
amplifiers with one pole
only. In all cases, it is not
true and amplifiers should
be modeled with at least
two internal poles
The true closed loop gain
formulations are in general
complex. Spice
simulations are mandatory
to finalize the stability
issue and predict precisely
the transfer function
F. A. CERN/EP

Vdd
VbiasP

1 pole
Vcas

1 pole

vo

VbiasN

Co

Gnd

31

12 Preamplifiers conclusions
During the preamplifier
design discussions, we did
not considered :

A preamplifier design is a compromise

between many aspects (specifications),
the choice of a particular design will
depend on :

The noise issue (sets

constraints on gm, RC time
constants)

. The signal range and collection time

The signal gain and

dynamic range

. The available power

Power supply noise

rejection
Common mode issue
Vin

.
F. A. CERN/EP

. The S/N ratio (noise prediction)

Other parameters to consider :

. Dynamic range & pile-up
. Large signal recovery
. PSRR, Common mode etc
32

12 Preamplifiers conclusions

Low noise analog amplifier chain for Silicon Tracker

F. A. CERN/EP

BiCMOS 0.8um, 20ns rise time

33

12 Preamplifiers conclusions

Modern fast amplifier design

F. A. CERN/EP

CMOS 0.25um, 1.5ns rise time, fully differential

34