INTRODUCTION TO

DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER
Common Mode & Differential Mode
 Significance of Differential Amplifier
 The differential-pair or differential-amplifier configuration is the most widely
used building block In analog integrated-circuit design.

 For instance. the input stage of every op amp is a differential amplifier. Also,
the BJT differential amplifier is the basis of a very-high-speed logic circuit
family called Emitter-Coupled Logic (ECL).

 There are two reasons why differential amplifiers are so well suited for IC
fabrication:
1- The performance of the differential pair depends critically on the matching
between the two sides of the circuit. Integrated circuit fabrication is capable
of providing matched devices whose parameters track over wide ranges of
changes In environmental conditions.

2- By their very nature, differential amplifiers utilize more components

(approaching twice as many) than single-ended circuits.
 Why Differential Pair?
 Basically, there are two reasons for using differential in preference to single-
ended amplifiers.
 First Reason: differential circuits are much less sensitive to noise and
interference than single-ended circuits.
Explanation:
To appreciate this point. consider two wires carrying a small differential
signal as the voltage difference between the two wires. Now assume that there
is an interference signal that is coupled to the two wires either capacitively or
inductively. As the two wires are physically close together. the Interference
voltage in the two wires (i.e. between each of the two wires and ground) will
be equal. Since In a differential system only the difference signal between the
two wires is sensed it will contain no interference component.
 Second Reason: for preferring differential amplifiers is that the differential
configuration enables us to bias the amplifier and to couple amplifier stages
together without the need for bypass and coupling capacitors such as those
utilized in the design of discrete-circuit amplifiers.
 This is another reason why differential circuits are ideally Suited for IC
fabrication where large capacitors are Impossible to fabricate economically.
 The MOS Differential Pair
 Figure below shows the basic MOS differential pair configuration.
 It consists of two matched transistors. Q1 and Q2 whose sources are joined
together and biased by a constant current source.
 We assume that the current source is Ideal and that it has infinite output
resistance.
 Each drain is shown
connected to the positive
supply through a resistance
“R”.
 Whatever type of load is
used it is essential that the
MOSFETs not enter the
triode region of operation.
 Operation with Common-Mode Input Voltage
 The two gate terminals are joined together and connected to a voltage VCM
called the Common Mode Voltage.
 As shown in Fig below VG1 = VG2 = VCM. Since Q1 and Q2 are matched the
current I will divide equally between the two transistors.
 Thus IDI = ID2 = I/2 and the voltage at the sources VS will be
VS = VCM – VGS
 Where VGS is the gate-to-
source voltage related to a
drain current of I/2.
 Neglecting channel-length
modulation VGS and I/2 are
related by

Where
 Operation with Common-Mode Input Voltage


The voltage at each drain will be.

 The Drain Differential Voltage

Will be ZERO.
 If we vary the value of the
common-mode voltage VCM
We see that. as long as Q1
and Q2 remain in the
saturation region. the current ‘I’
will divide equally between
Q1 and Q2 and the voltages at the drains will not change.
 Thus the differential pair does not respond to (i.e. it rejects) Common Mode
Input Signals.
Input Common-Mode Range:
 An Important specification of a differential amplifier is its input common-
mode range.
 This is the range of VCM over which the differential pair operates properly.
The highest value of VCM is limited by the requirement that Q1 and Q2
remain in saturation, thus

 The lowest value of VCM is determined by the need to allow for a sufficient
voltage across the current source I for It to operate properly.
 If a voltage VCS is needed across the Current Source, then

PROOF-1st Eq: PROOF-2nd Eq:

VD – VS = VG – VS – Vt VGS > Vt
Condition
VD = VG – Vt VGS = Vt + VOV
VDS ≥VOV
VG = Vt + VD VG – VS = Vt + VOV
Boundary Condition
VCMmax = Vt + VDD – I/2 RD VG = VS+Vt + VOV
VDS = VOV
VG = (VCS – VSS)+Vt + VOV
VD – VS = VGS – Vt
VCMmin = VCS – VSS+Vt + VOV
PROOF:
Condition
VDS ≥VOV
Boundary Condition
VDS = VOV
VD – VS = VGS – Vt
VD – VS = VG – VS – Vt
VD = VG – Vt
VG = Vt + VD
VCMmax = Vt + VDD – I/2 RD

PROOF:
VGS > Vt
VGS = Vt + VOV
VG – VS = Vt + VOV Where:
VG = VS+Vt + VOV VCS is the voltage across
VG = (VCS – VSS)+Vt + VOV Current Source ‘I’.
VCMmin = VCS – VSS+Vt + VOV
 Operation with Differential Input Voltage
 Ground the Gate of Q2.
 Apply the signal Vid to the Gate of Q2.

 If Vid is positive VGS1 > VGS2.

 iD1 > iD2
 Differential Output Voltage
VD2 – VD1 will be Positive.

When iD1 = I ?????

For Q2 Cutoff Boundary Condition
VGS2 = Vt
VG2 – VS2 = Vt
-VS2 = Vt {VG2 = 0
VS = VS2 = – Vt
 Operation with Differential Input Voltage
From Fig:-

where VOV is the overdrive voltage

corresponding to a drain current of I/2
 Operation with Differential Input Voltage
From Fig:-
Vid  VGS 1  VS
Vid MAX  Vt  2 VOV  VS
Vid MAX  Vt  2 VOV  Vt
Vid MAX  2 VOV

For Vice Versa Condition :

Vid   2 VOV

Range of diff mode operation :

 2 VOV  Vid  2 VOV