7.

Differential Amplifiers
Sedra & Smith Sec. 2.1.3 and Sec. 8 (MOS Portion) (S&S 5th Ed: Sec. 2.1.3 and Sec. 7 MOS Portion & ignore frequency-response)

ECE 102, Fall 2012, F. Najmabadi

Common-Mode and Differential-Mode Signals & Gain

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (2/33)

Differential and Common-Mode Signals/Gain

Consider a linear circuit with TWO inputs By superposition:

vo = A1 v1 + A2 v2
Define:

vd = v2 v1 vc = v1 + v2 2

Difference (or differential) Mode Common Mode

vd 2 v v2 = vc + d 2 v1 = vc

Substituting for v1 = vc

vd v and v2 = vc + d in the expression for vo: 2 2

v v A A1 vo = A1 vc d + A2 vc + d = ( A1 + A2 ) vc + 2 vd 2 2 2
vo = Ac vc + Ad vd
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (3/33)

Differential and common-mode signal/gain is an alternative way of finding the system response

vd = v2 v1 vc = v1 + v2 2

Ac = A1 + A2 Ad = A2 A1 2

vo = A1 v1 + A2 v2
v1 = vc vd 2 v v2 = vc + d 2 Ac Ad 2 A A2 = c + Ad 2 A1 =

vo = Ac vc + Ad vd

Differential Gain: Common Mode Gain: Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)*:
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (4/33)

Ad Ac |Ad|/|Ac|

* CMRR is usually given in dB: CMRR(dB) = 20 log (|Ad|/|Ac|)

To find vo , we can calculate/measure either A1 A2 pair or Ac Ad pair

1. Set v2 = 0, compute A1 from vo = A1 v1 2. Set v1 = 0, compute A2 from vo = A2 v2 3. For any v1 and v2 : vo = A1 v1 + A2 v2

Superposition (finding A1 and A2 ):

Difference Method (finding Ad and Ac ):

2. Set vd = 0 (or set v1 = + vc & v2 = + vc ) compute Ac from vo = Ac vc 3. For any v1 and v2 :

1. Set vc = 0 (or set v1 = 0.5 vd & v2 = + 0.5 vd) compute Ad from vo = Ad vd

vd = v2 v1

vc = 0.5(v1 + v2 )

vo = Ad vd + Ac vc

Both methods give the same answer for vo (or Av ). The choice of the method is driven by application:
o Easier solution o More relevant parameters

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (5/33)

Caution
In Chapter 2.1.3, Sedra & Smith defines vd = v2 v1

v v1 = vc d 2 v1 = vc + vd 2

v 2 = vc +

vd 2 vd 2

But in Chapter 8, Sedra & Smith uses vd = v1 v2

v2 = vc

While keeping vo = vo2 vo1 as before (this is inconsistent) Here we use vd = v2 v1 and vo = vo2 vo1 throughout

vd v1 = vc 2

v 2 = vc +

vd 2

Therefore, Ad (lecture slides) = Ad (Sedra & Smith) for difference Amplifiers. Use Lecture Slides Notation!
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (6/33)

Differential Amplifiers: Fundamental Properties

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (7/33)

Differential Amplifier
Identical transistors. Circuit elements are symmetric about the mid-plane. Identical bias voltages at Q1 & Q2 gates (VG1 = VG2 ). Signal voltages & currents are different because v1 v2.

Load RD: resistor, currentmirror, active load,

Q1 & Q2 are in CS-like configuration (input at the gate, output at the drain) but with sources connected to each other.

RSS: Bias resistor, current source (current-mirror) o For now, we keep track of two output, vo1 and vo2 , because there are several ways to configure one output from this circuit.
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (8/33)

Differential Amplifier Bias

Since VG1 = VG 2 = VG and VS 1 = VS 2 = VS
VGS 1 = VGS 2 = VGS VOV 1 = VOV 2 = VOV I D1 = I D 2 = I D VDS 1 = VDS 2 = VDS
Also:
ID 2ID ID ID ID

g m1 = g m 2 = g m ro1 = ro 2 = ro
This is correct even if channel-length modulation is included because

I D1 RD + VDS1 = I D 2 RD + VDS 2
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (9/33)

Differential Amplifier Gain

Signal voltages & currents are different because v1 v2 We cannot use fundamental amplifier configuration for arbitrary values of v1 and v2. We have to replace each NMOS with its small-signal model.

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (10/33)

Differential Amplifier Gain

v gs1 = v1 v3 v gs 2 = v2 v3

Node Voltage Method: Node vo1: vo1 + vo1 v3 + g (v v ) = 0 m 1 3 RD ro Node vo2: vo 2 + vo 2 v3 + g m (v2 v3 ) = 0 RD ro v3 v3 vo 2 v3 vo1 + + g m (v1 v3 ) g m (v2 v3 ) = 0 RSS ro ro Above three equations should be solved to find vo1 , vo2 and v3 (lengthy calculations) Node v3:

Because the circuit is symmetric, differential/common-mode method is the preferred method to solve this circuit (and we can use fundamental configuration formulas).
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (11/33)

Differential Amplifier Common Mode (1)

Common Mode: Set vd = 0 (or set v1 = + vc and v2 = + vc )

id

Because of summery of the circuit and input signals*:

vo1 = vo 2 and id 1 = id 2 = id
We can solve for vo1 by node voltage method but there is a simpler and more elegant way.
id 2id id

* If you do not see this, set v1 = v2 = vc in node equations of the previous slide, subtract the first two equations to get vo1 = vo2 . Ohms law on RD then gives id1 = id2 = id
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (12/33)

Differential Amplifier Common Mode (2)

id id

0
id 2id id id

v3 = 2id RSS *

Because of the symmetry, the common-mode circuit breaks into two identical half-circuits.
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (13/33)

* Vss is grounded for signal

Differential Amplifier Common Mode (3)

The common-mode circuit breaks into two identical half-circuits.

CS Amplifiers with Rs

vo1 vo 2 gm R D = = vc vc 1 + 2 g m R SS + R D / ro
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (14/33)

Differential Amplifier Differential Mode (1)

Differential Mode: Set vc = 0 (or set v1 = vd /2 and v2 = + vd /2 ) v gs1 = 0.5vd v3 v gs 2 = +0.5vd v3 Node Voltage Method:
Node vo1: vo1 + vo1 v3 + g (0.5v v ) = 0 m d 3

RD RD

ro

Node vo2: vo 2 + vo 2 v3 + g (+0.5v v ) = 0 m d 3

ro

Node v3:

v3 v3 vo 2 v3 vo1 + + g m (0.5vd v3 ) g m (+0.5vd v3 ) = 0 RSS ro ro Only possible solution: vo1 + vo 2 = 0 vo1 = vo 2 v3 = 0

1 1 2 R + r (vo1 + vo 2 ) r + 2 g m v3 = 0 D o o 1 2 1 Node v3: (vo1 + vo 2 ) + + 2gm v3 = 0 ro RSS ro F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (15/33)
Node vo1 + Node vo2 :

Differential Amplifier Differential Mode (2)

v3 = 0 and
id id

vo1 = vo 2 id 1 = id 2
id id

v3 = 0
id id

v3 = 0

CS Amplifier vo1 vo 2 = g m (ro ||R D ) , = g m (ro ||R D ) 0.5vd + 0.5vd

Because of the symmetry, the differential-mode circuit also breaks into two identical half-circuits.
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (16/33)

Concept of Half Circuit

For a symmetric circuit, differential- and common-mode analysis can be performed using half-circuits.

Common Mode

Differential Mode

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (17/33)

Common-Mode Half Circuit

Common Mode circuit
id id

vo1 = vo 2 0
id id

vs1 = vs 2

Common Mode Half-circuit 1. Currents about symmetry line are equal. 2. Voltages about the symmetry line are equal (e.g., vo1 = vo2) 3. No current crosses the symmetry line.
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (18/33)

Differential-Mode Half Circuit

Differential Mode circuit
id id

vo1 = vo 2

id

id

vs1 = vs 2 = 0

Differential Mode Half-circuit 1. Currents about the symmetry line are equal in value and opposite in sign. 2. Voltages about the symmetry line are equal in value and opposite in sign. 3. Voltage at the summery line is zero
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (19/33)

Constructing Half Circuits

Step 1: Divide ALL elements that cross the symmetry line (e.g., RL) and/or are located on the symmetry line (current source) such that we have a symmetric circuit (only wires should cross the symmetry line, nothing should be located on the symmetry line!)
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (20/33)

Constructing Half Circuit Common Mode

Step 2: Common Mode Half-circuit 2. Voltages about the symmetry line are equal (e.g., vo1 = vo2). 3. No current crosses the symmetry line. 1. Currents about symmetry line are equal (e.g., id1 = id2).

vo1,c = vo 2,c
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (21/33)

Constructing Half Circuit Differential Mode

Step 3: Differential Mode Half-Circuit 1. Currents about symmetry line are equal but opposite sign (e.g., id1 = id2) 2. Voltages about the symmetry line are equal but opposite sign (e.g., vo1 = vo2) 3. Voltage on the symmetry line is zero.

vo1,d = vo 2,d
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (22/33)

Half-Circuit works only if the circuit is symmetric!

Half circuits for common-mode and differential mode are different. Bias circuit is similar to Half circuit for common mode. Not all difference amplifiers are symmetric. Look at the load carefully!

We can still use half circuit concept if the deviation from prefect symmetry is small (i.e., if one transistor has RD and the other RD + RD with RD << RD). o However, we need to solve BOTH half-circuits (see slide 30)

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (23/33)

Why are Differential Amplifiers popular?

They are much less sensitive to noise (CMRR >>1). Biasing: Relatively easy direct coupling of stages: o Biasing resistor (RSS) does not affect the differential gain (and does not need a by-pass capacitor). o No need for precise biasing of the gate in ICs o DC amplifiers (no coupling/bypass capacitors).
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (24/33)

Why is a large CMRR useful?

A major goal in circuit design is to minimize the noise level (or improve signal-to-noise ratio). Noise comes from many sources (thermal, EM, ) A regular amplifier amplifies both signal and noise.
v1 = vsig + vnoise vo = A v1 = A vsig + A vnoise

However, if the signal is applied between two inputs and we use a difference amplifier with a large CMRR, the signal is amplified a lot more than the noise which improves the signal to noise ratio.*
v1 = 0.5vsig + vnoise & v2 = +0.5vsig + vnoise vd = v2 v1 = vsig & vc = vnoise Ad vnoise CMRR

vo = Ad vd + Ac vc = Ad vsig +
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (25/33)

* Assuming that noise levels are similar to both inputs.

Comparing a differential amplifier two identical CS amplifiers (perfectly matched)

Differential Amplifier Two CS Amplifiers

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (26/33)

Comparison of a differential amplifier with two identical CS amplifiers Differential Mode

Differential amplifier Two CS amplifiers

Identical

Half-Circuits

vo1,d = g m (ro ||R D ) (0.5vd ) vo 2,d = g m (ro ||R D ) (+0.5vd ) vod = vo 2,d vo1,d = g m (ro ||R D )vd Ad = vod / vd = g m (ro ||R D )

vo1,d , vo2,d , vod, and differential gain, Ad, are identical.

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (27/33)

Comparison of a differential amplifier with two identical CS amplifiers Common Mode

Differential amplifier Two CS amplifiers

NOT Identical

Half-Circuits

vo1,c = vo 2,c =

gm R D vc 1 + 2 g m R SS + RD / ro

vo1,c = vo 2,c = g m (ro ||R D )vc voc = vo 2,c vo1,c = 0 Ac = voc / vc = 0

voc = vo 2,c vo1,c = 0 Ac = voc / vc = 0

vo1,c & vo2,c are different! But voc = 0 and CMMR = .

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (28/33)

Comparison of a differential amplifier with two identical CS amplifiers Summary

Differential Amplifier Two CS Amplifiers

Ad =

vod v = g m (ro ||R D ) , Ac = oc = 0 vd vc

Ad =

vod v = g m (ro ||R D ) , Ac = oc = 0 vd vc

CMRR =

CMRR =

For perfectly matched circuits, there is no difference between a differential amplifier and two identical CS amplifiers. o But one can never make perfectly matched circuits!
F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (29/33)

Consider a slight mis-match in the load resistors

We will ignore ro in the this analysis (to make equations simpler)

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (30/33)

Slightly mis-matched loads Differential Mode

Differential amplifier Two CS amplifiers

Identical

Half-Circuits

vo1,d = g m ( R D ) (0.5vd ) vo 2,d = g m ( R D + R D ) (+0.5vd ) vod = vo 2,d vo1,d = g m ( R D +0.5R D )vd Ad = vod / vd = g m ( R D +0.5R D )

vo1, vo2, vod, and differential gain, Ad, are identical.

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (31/33)

Slightly mis-matched loads Common Mode

Differential amplifier Two CS amplifiers

NOT Identical

Half-Circuits

vo1,c =

gm R D g ( R + R D ) vc , vo 2,c = m D vc 1 + 2 g m R SS 1 + 2 g m R SS g m R D vc 1 + 2 g m R SS

vo1,c = g m R D vc vo 2,c = g m ( R D + R D )vc voc = vo 2,c vo1,c = + g m R D vc Ac = voc = + g m R D vc

voc = vo 2,c vo1,c = Ac =

voc g R = m D 1 + 2 g m R SS vc

vo1 and vo2 are different. In addition, voc 0 and CMMR .

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (32/33)

A differential amplifier increases CMRR substantially for a slight mis-match (RD 0)

Two CS Amplifiers Ad = g m ( R D +0.5R D ) Differential Amplifier Ad = g m ( R D +0.5R D )

Ac = + g m R D
CMRR 1 R D / R D

Ac =

g m R D 1 + 2 g m R SS 1 + 2 g m R SS R D / R D

CMRR

Differential amplifier reduces Ac and increases CMRR substantially (by a factor of: 1 + 2 gmRSS). The common-mode half-circuits for a differential amplifier are CS amplifiers with RS (thus common mode gain is much smaller than two CS amplifiers). We should use a large RSS in a differential amplifier!
* Exercise: Compare a differential amplifier and two CS amplifiers with a mis-match in gm

F. Najmabadi, ECE102, Fall 2012 (33/33)