Differential Amplifiers

•Single Ended and Differential Operation

•Basic Differential Pair
•Common-Mode Response
•Differential Pair with MOS loads

Hassan Aboushady
University of Paris VI

References

• B. Razavi, “Design of Analog CMOS Integrated Circuits”,

McGraw-Hill, 2001.

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

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 Differential Amplifiers

•Single Ended and Differential Operation

•Basic Differential Pair
•Common-Mode Response
•Differential Pair with MOS loads

Hassan Aboushady
University of Paris VI

Single Ended and Differential Operation

• Single Ended Signal:

- Measured with respect to a fixed potential, usually ground.

• Differential Signal:
- Measured between 2 nodes that have equal and opposite
excursions around a fixed potential.
- The center potential is called “Common Mode” (CM).

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

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 Rejection of Common Mode Noise

• Single Ended Signal:

- Due to capacitive coupling,
transitions on the clock line
corrupt the signal on L1 .

• Differential Signal:
- If the clock line is placed
midway, the transitions disturb
the differential signals by equal
amounts, leaving the difference
intact.

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Rejection of Power Supply Noise

• Maximum Output Swing: • Maximum Output Swing:

Vout max = VDD − (VGS − VTH ) VX max − VY max = 2[VDD − (VGS − VTH )]

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

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 Differential Pair
Differential circuit sensitive Differential pair minimal
to the input CM level. dependence on input CM level.
if Vin1 ≠ Vin 2 I SS = I D1 + I D 2
⇒ I D1 ≠ I D 2
if Vin1 = Vin 2
⇒ g m1 ≠ g m 2 I SS
⇒ I D1 = I D 2 =
2
I
Output CM = VDD − RD SS
2

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Differential Pair: Qualitative Analysis

Vin1 << Vin 2 M1 OFF, M2 ON
I D 2 = I SS Vout1 = VDD
Vout 2 = VDD − I SS RD

Vin1 = Vin 2 M1 ON, M2 ON

I I SS
I D1 = I D 2 = SS Vout1 = Vout 2 = VDD − RD
2 2

Vin1 >> Vin 2 M1 ON, M2 OFF

I D1 = I SS Vout1 = VDD − I SS RD
Vout 2 = VDD

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 Differential Pair: Qualitative Analysis

• Maximum and minimum levels are well-defined and

independent of the input CM: VDD and VDD - RD ISS

• The small signal gain (the slope of Vout1-Vout2 vs Vin1-Vin2)

is maximum for Vin1=Vin2 (equilibrium).

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Differential Pair: Common-Mode Behavior

To study Common-Mode
For proper operation:
• M3 in saturation
• M1 & M2 in saturation
Vin1 = Vin 2 = Vin ,CM
Vin ,CM ≥ VGS 1 + (VGS 3 − VTH 3 )
I
Vin ,CM ≤ VDD − RD SS + VTH
2

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 Differential Pair: Output Voltage Swing

For M1 & M2 in saturation:

Vout − VP ≥ Vin ,CM − VP − VTH

Vout ≥ Vin ,CM − VTH

Output Voltage Swing:

VDD ≥ Vout ≥ Vin ,CM − VTH

To increase output swing, we choose a low Vin ,CM

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Differential Pair: Quantitative Analysis

VP = Vin1 − VGS1 = Vin 2 − VGS 2
Vin1 − Vin 2 = VGS1 − VGS 2 1

Assuming M1 & M2 in saturation:

2I D
(VGS − VTH ) 2 =
W
µ nCox
L
From eq. 1 & 2 :
2I D
VGS = + VTH 2 I D1 2I D 2
W 2 Vin1 − Vin 2 = −
µ nCox µ nCox
W
µ nCox
W
L
L L
Squaring the 2 sides, and since: I SS = I D1 + I D 2
2
(Vin1 − Vin 2 ) 2 = ( I SS − 2 I D1 I D 2 )
W
µ nCox
H. Aboushady
L University of Paris VI

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 Differential Pair: Quantitative Analysis
Previous equation can be written:
µ nCox W
(Vin1 − Vin 2 ) 2 − I SS = −2 I D1 I D 2
2 L
Squaring the 2 sides, and since:
4 I D1 I D 2 = ( I D1 + I D 2 ) 2 − ( I D1 − I D 2 ) 2
2
= I SS − ( I D1 − I D 2 ) 2
We arrive at:
2
1⎛ W⎞ W
( I D1 − I D 2 ) = − ⎜ µ nCox ⎟ (Vin1 − Vin 2 ) 4 + I SS µ nCox (Vin1 − Vin 2 ) 2
2

4⎝ L⎠ L

µ nCox W 4 I SS
I D1 − I D 2 = (Vin1 − Vin 2 ) − (Vin1 − Vin 2 ) 2
2 L W 3
µ nCox
L
H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Differential Pair: Quantitative Analysis

Let ∆Vin = Vin1 − Vin 2 and ∆I D = I D1 − I D 2
Deriving eq. 3 with respect to ∆Vin
4 I SS
− 2∆Vin2
∂∆I D µ nCox W µ nCoxW / L
Gm = =
∂∆Vin 2 L 4 I SS
− ∆Vin2 4
µ nCoxW / L
W
For ∆Vin = 0 , Gm = µ nCox I SS
L
Since: Vout1 − Vout 2 = VDD − I D1 RD1 − VDD − I D 2 RD 2
∆Vout = ∆I D RD ∆Vout = Gm ∆Vin RD

The small signal ∆Vout W

Av = = Gm RD = µ n Cox I SS RD
differential voltage gain: ∆Vin L
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 Drain Currents and Overall Transconductance
2 I SS
∆Vin1 is when I D1 = I SS ∆Vin1 = VGS1 − VTH 1 ∆Vin1 =
W
µ nCox
µ nCox W 4 I SS L
I D1 − I D 2 = (Vin1 − Vin 2 ) − (Vin1 − Vin 2 ) 2
2 L W 3
µ nCox
L
4 I SS
− 2∆Vin2
µ C W µ nCoxW / L
Gm = n ox
2 L 4 I SS
− ∆Vin2
µ nCoxW / L 4

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

∆ID vs ∆VD
Plot the input-output characteristics
W
of a differential pair as the device ↑↑
width and the tail current vary: L

2 I SS
∆Vin1 =
W
µ nCox
L

I SS ↑↑

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

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 Differential Pair: Small Signal Gain

∆Vout W
Av = = Gm RD = µ n Cox I SS RD
∆Vin L
In equilibrium, we have
I SS
I D1 = I D 2 =
2

Av = g m RD Where gm is the
transconductance of M1 & M2.

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Calculating Small Signal Gain by Superposition

Set Vin2 =0
M1 forms a common source
stage with a degeneration
resistance
VX g R
Av = = − m1 D
Vin1 1+ g m1 RS
Neglecting channel length
modulation and body effect
RS = 1 / g m 2
VX g m1 RD
=−
Vin1 1 + g m1 / g m 2
VX RD
=−
Vin1 1 1
+ 5
g m1 g m 2
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 Calculating Small Signal Gain by Superposition
Replacing M1 by its Thévenin equivalent:

VT = Vin1 RT = 1 / g m1 Rin 2 = 1 / g m 2
VY RD
=
Vin1 1 1 6
+
g m1 g m 2
From eq. 5 & 6, we get:
− 2 RD
(V X − VY ) due to V = V
in1 1 1 in1
+
H. Aboushady
g m1 g m 2 University of Paris VI

Calculating Small Signal Gain by Superposition

− 2 RD
(V X − VY ) due to V = V
in1 1 1 in1
+
g m1 g m 2
Since: g m1 = g m 2 = g m

(V X − VY ) due to V = − g m RDVin1
in 1

Similarly we can say that:

(V X − VY ) due to V = g m RDVin 2
in 2

The small signal

(V X − VY ) total
= − g m RD
differential voltage gain: Vin1 − Vin 2

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

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 The concept of Half Circuit
If a fully symmetric differential pair senses differential
inputs then the concept of half circuit can be applied.

• A differential change in the inputs Vin1 and Vin2 is

absorbed by V1 and V2 leaving VP constant

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Application of The Half Circuit Concept

Since VP experiences no change, node P can be considered
“ac ground” and the circuit can be decomposed into two
separate halves

Two common source amplifiers:

VX VY
= − g m RD = − g m RD
Vin1 Vin 2
VX − VY
= − g m RD
Vin1 − Vin 2
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 The Half Circuit Concept : Example
Taking into account the output resistance
(channel length modulation)

Two common source amplifiers:

VX VY
= − g m (RD // rO1 ) = − g m (RD // rO 2 )
Vin1 Vin 2
VX − VY
= − g m (RD // rO )
Vin1 − Vin 2
H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Arbitrary Inputs to a Differential Pair

Conversion of arbitrary inputs to differential and common-mode
components:

Differential
Common
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Mode University of Paris VI

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 Arbitrary Inputs to a Differential Pair: Example
Calculate VX and VY if Vin1 =Vin2 and λ=0

For differential mode operation:

V X = − g m (RD // rO1 )
(Vin1 − Vin 2 ) For common mode operation:
2 I D1 = I D 2 = I SS / 2

VY = − g m (RD // rO 2 )
(Vin 2 − Vin1 ) Assuming fully symmetric circuit
and Ideal Current Source:
2 •ID1 and ID2 independent of VCM ,in
VX − VY = − g m (RD // rO ) (Vin1 − Vin 2 ) •VX and VY independent of VCM ,in

The Differential pair circuit:

Amplifies Vin1 − Vin 2 , Eliminates the effect of VCM ,in
H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Common Mode Response: Non-Ideal Current Source

Assuming fully symmetric circuit

with finite output impedance
current source, RSS :

Equivalent circuit:
• Degenerated Common Source

Vout RD / 2
Av ,CM = =−
Vin ,CM 1 /( 2 g m ) + RSS

gm the transconductance of 1 transistor.

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

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 Common Mode Response: RD Mismatch Effect
Assuming M1 & M2 identical:
RD
∆V X = −∆Vin ,CM
1 /( 2 g m ) + RSS
RD + ∆RD
∆VY = − ∆Vin ,CM
1 /( 2 g m ) + RSS

Common mode to differential conversion

Effect of CM noise in the

presence of resistor noise

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Common Mode Response: M1-M2 Mismatch Effect

I D1 = g m1 (Vin ,CM − VP ) g m1 ≠ g m 2

I D 2 = g m 2 (Vin ,CM − VP )
VP = (g m 2 + g m 2 )(Vin ,CM − VP ) RSS

VP =
(g m 2 + g m 2 )RSS V
(g m 2 + g m 2 )RSS + 1 in,CM
− g m1
V X = − g m1 (Vin ,CM − VP )RD VX = RV
(g m1 + g m 2 )RSS + 1 D in,CM
VY = − g m 2 (Vin ,CM − VP )RD VY =
− gm2
R V
(g m1 + g m 2 )RSS + 1 D in,CM
(g m1 − g m 2 )RDVin,CM
V X − VY =
(g m1 + g m 2 )RSS + 1
V X − VY ∆g m RD
CM to DM Conversion Gain: ACM − DM = =
H. Aboushady Vin ,CM (g University )RParis
m1 + g m 2 of SS +VI
1

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 Common Mode Rejection Ratio

ADM ADM : Differential Mode Gain

CMRR =
ACM − DM ACM − DM : Common-Mode to
Differential Mode Gain

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

Cascode Differential Pair

Current Source Load:

Av = g mN (rON // rOP )

Low gain 10 to 20.

To increase the gain:

Cascode Differential Pair

Av = g m1 ( g m3 rO 3rO1 // g m5 rO 5 rO 7 )

H. Aboushady University of Paris VI

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