NDSU

42: MOSFET Amplifiers: DC Analysis

ECE 321 - JSG

MOSFET Amplifiers: DC Analysis

Just like a transistor, a MOSFET can be used as a switch or an amplifier. Note that for the MOSFET's
we've looked at, VTN = 2V. This means that to use a MOSFET as an amplifier,
We need to design a circuit to bias the operating point (i.e. the Q point) in the active region.
We then need to couple an AC signal onto the MOSFET amplfier.
Not surprisingly, the circuit for a MOSFET amplfier looks like the following:
Vdd

Rd

R1

D
Cg

Cd

G
S

Cs

Rs

R2

We'll look at this circuit two ways:

DC Analysis: Pick R1, R2, Rd, and Rs to bias the MOSFET in the active region
AC Analysis: Couple AC signals onto this circuit using capacitors. Develop a 2-port model for the
amplifier using small-signal models for the MOSFET.

DC Analysis / Q-Point Analysis.

First, pick a MOSFET. Somewhat arbitrarilly, let's use a ZVNL120A which has the following specs:
IDSmax = 180mA
VDSmax = 200V
RDSmax = 10 Ohms @ ID = 250mA @ VGS = 5V
VTN = 0.5V < VTN < 1.5V @ 1mA
Together, this tells you that
Ohmic Region:
1
R DS

V
K n V GS V TN 2DS

1
10

K n 5V 1V 250mA10
2

K n 0.0666 VA2
Like a transistor amplifier,
R1 and R2 bias the MOSFET circuit in the active region.
Rs is used to stablize the Q point
For variations in if you're designing a transistor circuit
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NDSU

42: MOSFET Amplifiers: DC Analysis

ECE 321 - JSG

For variations in VTN if you're designing a MOSFET circuit.

Problem: Let RD = 1k and RS = 0k. Find R1 and R2 so that the Q-point is in the middle of the load-line:
VDD = 10V, VTN = 1.0V

Ids (mA)

Vgs - Vtn

11

1.75V

10
9
8

1.5V

7
6
1.25V

5
4

1.00V

3
0.75V

0.5V

0.25V

10

11

Vds (Volts)
Graphical Solution: From the load line, a reasonable Q-point is

V gs V tn 1V
V gs 2V
V ds , I ds 6.6V, 3.3mA

+10V

Analytic Solution:

800k

1k

I ds:max 10mA
Let

6.67V

I ds 3.333mA
I DS

Kn
V GS
2

2.0V

V TN 2

V gs V tn 1

3.33mA

So

200k

V gs 2V
V g 2V
R1 and R2 to do this is shown in the figure to the right
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NDSU

42: MOSFET Amplifiers: DC Analysis

ECE 321 - JSG

Question: What happens if the turn-on voltage varies +/- 0.5V?

Answer: This changes V gs V tn

0.5V V gs V tn 1.5V
This places the Q-point between
0.9mA < IDSQ < 7.5mA (as shown in the above plot)

Q-Point Stabilization:
Like a transistor, adding a resistor at the drain helps to stabilize the
Q-point.

+10V

Find R1 and R2 to place the Q-point at IDS = 3.33mA

V s 500I d 1.667V
I ds

Kn
V
2 gs

3.33mA

V tn

500
R1

0.00667
V
2 g

V s V tn

Vd

Ids
3.33mA

Vg

V g 3.667V

Vs

So
R2

R2 = 366k

500

R1 = 633k
What happens if the turn-on voltage changes by +/- 0.5V?
Vtn = 0.5V:

V s 500I d
2

I ds

0.00667
V g
2

I ds

0.00667
3.667V 500I ds
2

V s V tn

V tn 2

Vtn = 0.5V:
Ids = 4.111mA,

Vds = 5.888V

Vtn = 1.0V
Ids = 3.333mA

Vds = 6.667V

Vtn = 1.5V
Ids = 2.5753mA

Vds = 7.425V

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May 1, 2014

NDSU

42: MOSFET Amplifiers: DC Analysis

ECE 321 - JSG

Ids (mA)

Vgs - Vtn

11

1.75V

10
9
8

1.5V

Without Q-Point
Stabilization

1.25V

5
With Q-Point
Stabilization

4
3

1.00V

Q Point

0.75V

0.5V
0.25V

10

11

Vds (Volts)

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May 1, 2014