Dr.

Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Lecture 1
MOS Differential Amplifier Introduction
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifiers

 What is Differential amplifier?

 Why Differential amplifier?
 Differential circuits are less sensitive to noise and interference then single-ended
circuits
 Differential amplifier allows us to remove the coupling and bypass capacitors
between the two coupled amplifier stages
 This reasons make differential amplifier suitable for IC fabrication
technology
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

MOS Differential Pair

MOS differential pair consist of two matched

NMOS transistor

Have common source biased using current source I

Value of resistances be chosen so that transistors

should not enter in triode region
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

MOS Differential Pair

Operation with a common-mode input voltage

Now, 𝑣𝐺1 = 𝑣𝐺2 = 𝑉𝐶𝑀

As 𝑄1 and 𝑄2 is matched current is divided equally

between the transistors

i.e. 𝑖𝐷1 = 𝑖𝐷2 = 𝐼/2

Then, 𝑉𝑆 = 𝑉𝐶𝑀 − 𝑉𝐺𝑆

Now, current in transistor can be written as for

neglecting channel length modulation effect

𝐼
𝐼 1 ′𝑊 2 ′
𝑘𝑛 𝑊
= 𝑘 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑡
2 2 𝑛 𝐿 𝐺𝑆 Then, 𝑉𝑂𝑉 = 𝐿
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

MOS Differential Pair

Operation with a common-mode input voltage

Voltage at each drain is

𝐼
𝑣𝐷1 = 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑅𝐷
2
i.e. the difference between two drain voltages is zero

Now, increasing the value of 𝑉𝐶𝑀 will lead to

increment in 𝑉𝐺𝑆

As, 𝑉𝐺𝑆 increases current 𝐼 will also increase but equally

distributed between the transistors as long as 𝑄1 and
𝑄2 will remain in saturation

i.e. Differential pair does not respond to

Thus the difference in drain voltage will remain to be
common-mode I/P signals
zero only
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

MOS Differential Pair

Operation with a common-mode input voltage
Now limits of the 𝑉𝐶𝑀
Called Input common-mode range
Highest value of 𝑉𝐶𝑀 is limited by the requirement that
𝑄1 and 𝑄2 should remain in saturation
𝐼
i.e. 𝑣𝐷𝑆 ≥ 𝑉𝑂𝑉 As, 𝑣𝐷𝑆 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 2 𝑅𝐷
And, 𝑉𝑂𝑉 = 𝑉𝐺𝑆 − 𝑉𝑡 as 𝑉𝐺𝑆 = 𝑉𝐶𝑀 for source to be
grounded
𝐼 𝐼
𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑅𝐷 ≥ 𝑉𝐶𝑀 −𝑉𝑡 𝑉𝐶𝑀,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉 𝑡 + 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑅𝐷
2 2

𝑉𝐶,𝑚𝑖𝑛 is defined by need to allow for a sufficient voltage across the current source 𝐼
𝑉𝐶𝑀 − 𝑉𝐺𝑆 ≥ 𝑉𝐶𝑆 − 𝑉𝑆𝑆 𝑉𝐶𝑀 ≥ 𝑉𝐶𝑆 − 𝑉𝑆𝑆 + 𝑉𝐺𝑆
𝑉𝑐,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = −𝑉𝑆𝑆 + 𝑉𝐶𝑆 + 𝑉𝐺𝑆 Where, 𝑉𝐶𝑆 is a voltage across current source
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Analysing for common mode input with NMOS replacing current source

Current source is used to supress the effect of 𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀

Upper bound of 𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀 is set so that Q1 and 𝑄2 remains in saturation

Lower bound of 𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀 is such that Q3 works as an current source

What happens when 𝑽𝒊𝒏, 𝑪𝑴 = 𝟎?

𝑄1 and 𝑄2 will be OFF and 𝑄3 can be in triode for high enough 𝑉𝑏
𝐼𝐷1 = 𝐼𝐷2 = 0 ← circuit is incapable of amplification
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Analysing for common mode input with NMOS replacing current source
Now suppose 𝑽𝒊𝒏, 𝑪𝑴 becomes more +𝒗𝒆
𝑄1 and 𝑄2 will turn ON if 𝑉𝑖𝑛, 𝐶𝑀 exceeds 𝑉𝑇

𝐼𝐷1 and 𝐼𝐷2 will continue to rise with the increase in 𝑉𝑖𝑛, 𝐶𝑀

𝑉𝑠 will track 𝑉𝑖𝑛, 𝐶𝑀 as 𝑄1 and 𝑄2 work like a source follower

For high enough 𝑉𝑖𝑛, 𝐶𝑀, 𝑄3 will be in saturation as well

Further increment of 𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀 is restricted by the saturation of 𝑄1 and 𝑄2

Lower bound of 𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀 is such that Q3 works as an current source

𝑣𝑠 = 𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀 − 𝑉𝐺𝑆1,2 And for Q3 to work as current source it should remain in saturation
𝑣𝑠 ≥ 𝑉𝐺𝑆3 − 𝑉𝑡
i.e. 𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑉𝐺𝑆3 + 𝑉𝐺𝑆1,2 − 𝑉𝑡
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Analysing for common mode input with NMOS replacing current source

𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀 is bounded by
𝐼
𝑉𝐺𝑆1,2 + 𝑉𝐺𝑆3 − 𝑉𝑡 ≤ 𝑉𝑖𝑛,𝐶𝑀 ≤ 𝑉𝑡 + 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑅𝐷
2
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Check the effect of 𝑣𝑖𝑑 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺2 variation from −∞ 𝑡𝑜 ∞

Case I: 𝑣𝐺1 is much more – 𝑣𝑒 than 𝑣𝐺2 i.e. 𝑣𝑖𝑑 ≪ 0

Checks 𝑄2 is in saturation 𝑄1 is in cut-off

Then, 𝑖𝐷2 = 𝐼

𝑣𝑠 = 𝑣𝐺2 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆2

And, 𝑣𝐷1 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑖𝐷1 𝑅𝐷 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑖𝐷2 𝑅𝐷

So, 𝑣𝐷1 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 and 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝐼𝑅𝐷

𝑣𝐷1 − 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝐼𝑅𝐷 > 0

Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Check the effect of 𝑣𝑖𝑑 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺2 variation from −∞ 𝑡𝑜 ∞

Case II: 𝑣𝐺1 is closer to 𝑣𝐺2 i.e. 𝑣𝑖𝑑 < 0

Checks 𝑄2 is in saturation 𝑄1 is in saturation

𝑣𝑠 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆1 = 𝑣𝐺2 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆2

Then, 𝑖𝐷2 > 𝑖𝐷1

So, 𝑣𝐷1 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑖𝐷1 𝑅𝐷 and 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑖𝐷2 𝑅𝐷

There is a decrement in 𝑣𝐷1 and Increment in 𝑣𝐷2

𝑣𝐷1 − 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑖𝐷2 𝑅𝐷 − 𝑖𝐷1 𝑅𝐷 > 0

Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Check the effect of 𝑣𝑖𝑑 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺2 variation from −∞ 𝑡𝑜 ∞

Case III: 𝑣𝐺1 = 𝑣𝐺2 = 𝑉𝐶𝑀 i.e. vid = 0

Checks 𝑄2 is in saturation 𝑄1 is in saturation

𝑣𝑠 = 𝑣𝐶𝑀 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆
𝐼
Then, 𝑖𝐷2 = 𝑖𝐷1 =
2
𝐼 𝐼
So, 𝑣𝐷1 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 2 𝑅𝐷 and 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 2 𝑅𝐷

𝐼
𝑣𝐷1 = 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑅𝐷
2
𝑣𝐷1 − 𝑣𝐷2 = 0
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Check the effect of 𝑣𝑖𝑑 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺2 variation from −∞ 𝑡𝑜 ∞

Case IV: 𝑣𝐺1 > 𝑣𝐺2 i.e. vid > 0

Checks 𝑄2 is in saturation 𝑄1 is in saturation

𝑣𝑠 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆1 = 𝑣𝐺2 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆2

Then, 𝑖𝐷2 < 𝑖𝐷1

So, 𝑣𝐷1 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑖𝐷1 𝑅𝐷 and 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝑖𝐷2 𝑅𝐷

There is a decrement in 𝑣𝐷1 and Increment in 𝑣𝐷2

𝑣𝐷1 − 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑖𝐷2 𝑅𝐷 − 𝑖𝐷1 𝑅𝐷 < 0

Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Check the effect of 𝑣𝑖𝑑 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺2 variation from −∞ 𝑡𝑜 ∞

Case V: 𝑣𝐺1 >> 𝑣𝐺2 i.e. vid >> 0

Checks 𝑄2 is off 𝑄1 is in saturation

𝑣𝑠 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆1

Then, 𝑖𝐷2 = 𝐼

So, 𝑣𝐷1 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷 − 𝐼𝑅𝐷 and 𝑣𝐷2 = 𝑉𝐷𝐷

There is a decrement in 𝑣𝐷1 and Increment in 𝑣𝐷2

𝑣𝐷1 − 𝑣𝐷2 = −𝐼𝑅𝐷 < 0

Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
Plots for the different results
Maximum slope maximum gain
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
There are four differential amplifier configurations:

1. Dual input, balanced output differential amplifier.

Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
There are four differential amplifier configurations:

2. Dual input, unbalanced output differential amplifier.

Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier

There are four differential amplifier configurations:

3. Single input unbalanced output differential amplifier.

Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
There are four differential amplifier configurations:

4. Single input balanced output differential amplifier.

Considered as special case for

Dual input, balanced output
differential amplifier.
For 𝑣𝐺2 is grounded

The maximum value of 𝑣𝐺𝑠2 = 𝑉𝑇

To allow complete current 𝐼
flowing through Q1

Then, 𝑣𝑠 = 𝑣𝐺1 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆1 = −𝑉𝑇

Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
There are four differential amplifier configurations:

4. Single input balanced output differential amplifier.

1 𝑊
We know, 𝐼 = 2 𝑘𝑛′ 𝑣𝐺𝑆1 − 𝑉𝑇 2
𝐿

𝑣𝐺𝑆1 = 𝑉𝑇 + 2𝐼/𝑘𝑛′ 𝑊/𝐿

𝐼
For the overdrive voltage 𝑉𝑂𝑉 which 2 current flows in each
transistor

𝑣𝐺𝑆1 = 𝑉𝑇 + 2𝑉𝑂𝑉

Now, calculating 𝑣𝑖𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 for which entire current bias current flow
through Q1
𝑣𝑖𝑑 = 𝑣𝐺𝑆1 − 𝑣𝐺𝑆2 And For the maximum value of
𝑣𝐺𝑆2 = 𝑉𝑇 = −𝑣𝑠
Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhatt

Differential Amplifier
There are four differential amplifier configurations:

4. Single input balanced output differential amplifier.

Then, 𝑣𝑖𝑑 ≤ 𝑣𝐺𝑆1 + 𝑣𝑠

𝑣𝑖𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑣𝐺𝑆1 + 𝑣𝑠 𝑣𝑖𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝑇 + 2𝑉𝑂𝑉 − 𝑉𝑇

𝑣𝑖𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2𝑉𝑂𝑉

Same thing can be experienced for other transistor Q2

Leading to complete range of working for differential amplifier

in differential mode

− 2𝑉𝑂𝑉 ≤ 𝑣𝑖𝑑 ≤ 2𝑉𝑂𝑉