ENEE 3543 – Spring 2009 – Exam 1

Solutions

Problem 1. For the current-steering circuit in the figure shown next, VDD1 = 5V, VDD2 =
5V. Moreover, kn’(W/L) = kp’(W/L) = 2mA/V and |Vtn| = |Vpn| = 0.5V for all transistors.
Finally, assume that (W/L) is equal for all transistors. Ignore channel modulation.

VDD2
VDD1

R IREF Q3 Q4
Vo

V2 Io
Q1 Q2

(a) Find R so that the reference current is equal to IREF = 0.01mA.

From transistor Q1: IREF = ½ kn’(W/L) (VGS1 – Vtn)2

Then, 0.01mA = ½ 2mA/V (VGS1 – 0.5)2 Æ
0.01 = (VGS1 – 0.5)2 Æ
0.1 = VGS1 – 0.5 Æ VGS1 = 0.6V

Also, (VDD1 – VDS1) / R = IREF or since VDS1 = VGS1,

(5V – 0.6V)/R = 0.01mA Æ R = 4.4/0.01 K Æ R = 440 K

(b) Show that in this case Io = IREF (show all steps).

First, we need to keep in mind that all kn’(W/L) and kp’(W/L) quantities are equal.
Because of this, the current at the drain of Q2 is equal to IREF (because this is a
current mirror). Then, we notice that the drain current for Q2 is the same as the
drain current for Q3. Since Q3 and Q4 form a second current mirror and since the
two kp’(W/L) quantities are equal, then Io is equal to the current at the drain of Q3
which is equal to IREF.
(c) Find V2.

Since the current at the drain of Q3 is equal to IREF, and since kp’(W/L) = kn’(W/L),
the voltage VGS3 is equal to –VGS1 or -0.6V (this can be easily seen from equations
IREF = ½ kn’(W/L) (VGS1 – Vtn)2 and IREF = ½ kn’(W/L) (VGS3 – Vtp)2, and by
remembering that VGS3 is negative since Q4 is PMOS). Then, since VGS3 = VDS3, V2
= VDD2 – VSD3 = 5V – 0.6V Æ V2 = 4.4V (remember that VSD3 = VDS3).

(d) In order for this circuit to be a current steering circuit, all transistors must be
saturated. Based on the information you have from parts (a)-(c), show that Q1, Q2,
and Q3 are saturated. Find the maximum voltage Vo, so that Q4 is saturated too.

Q1 and Q3 are saturated since VDS = VGS for both transistors, which implies that
|VDS| ≥ |VGS| – |Vt| for both cases.

Q2 is saturated since VDS2 = V2 = 4.4V > VGS2 – Vtn = 0.6-0.5 = 0.1V

Q4 is saturated if (since it is a PMOS) VDS4 ≤ VGS4 – Vtp = VGS3 – Vtp = -0.6-(-0.5) =

-0.1V (notice that VGS3 =VGS4). Since VDS4 = Vo – VDD2, we need Vo – VDD2 ≤ -
0.1V Æ Vo ≤ 4.9V.
Problem 2: Consider the differential amplifier shown next. VDD = 5V, VSS = -5V. The
small signal differential gain is equal to |Ad| = gmRD. Assuming that RD and RS cannot be
equal, choose values for RD and RS so that |Ad| = 5V/V. Determine if your design is valid
or not by checking the transistor conditions.
VDD

RD RD

vD1 vD2

Q1 Q2

vG1 vG2

RS
I

VSS

This problem can be solved in different ways. One way is as follows. Since |Ad| =
gmRD = 5V/V, we can assume that RD = 1K. Then, gm = 5mA/V. Then, since gm =
2ID/VOV , we have that 2ID/VOV = 5mA/V Æ ID = 2.5mA/V⋅VOV.

Then, since ID = ½ kn’(W/L)VOV2, we have that 2.5mA⋅VOV = ½ kn’(W/L)VOV2 Æ

VOV = 5mA/V / (kn’(W/L)). Then, we can assume a value for kn’(W/L) such as
20mA/V2. Then, VOV = 0.25V. Then, if Vtn = 0.5V, VGS1 = VGS2 = 0.75V. Then, if
VCM = 2V, we have that VS = VCM – VGS1 = 2 – 0.75 = 1.25V. Therefore, ID =
2.5mA/V⋅0.25V = 0.625mA. Then, VS –VSS = RSI Æ RS= (VS –VSS) / I. Since I =
2ID = 1.25mA, we have that RS = (1.25-(-5))V/1.25mA = 6.25V/1.25mA = 5K.

In order to check if the design is valid, we need to ensure that the transistors are in
saturation. We have that VD = VDD – IDRD = 5 – 0.625mA⋅1K = 4.375V, which is
more than VOV = 0.25. Therefore, the transistors are in saturation and the design is
valid.
Problem 3: For the common-base amplifier shown next:

RL

ro

Re

vsig

(a) Use the π - small signal model. Then, replace the load by a current source equal to
Ix. Also, zero the input voltage source. Find the voltage at the emitter with respect
to Ix, rπ, and Re. Also, find vπ.

Replacing the π-model into the circuit, we get:

+
vπ rπ gmvπ ro
_ Ix

Re

The current Ix first splits at the two branches (the one with the gmvπ dependent
current source, and the resistor ro). Then, it merges again at the resistor Re//rπ
(notice that Re and rπ are in parallel). Therefore:

ve = (Re//rπ)Ix (which depends only on Re, rπ, and Ix as the question asks for).
Also: ve = -vπ
(b) For the same situation, find the current at ro with respect to Ix, rπ, Re, and gm. Then,
find the voltage across ro.

Since ve = -vπ, the current of the dependent source is equal to:

-gmve = -gm (Re//rπ)Ix

Therefore, using a KCL at the collector:

Ix = -gm (Re//rπ)Ix + Iro Æ Iro = Ix + gm (Re//rπ)Ix

and using Ohm’s law:

vro = (Ix + gm (Re//rπ)Ix)ro

(c) From the information you have from from part (b) and part (a), find the voltage at
the collector.

vc = vro + ve = (Ix + gm (Re//rπ)Ix)ro + (Re//rπ)Ix

(d) Based on all above information, show that the output resistance of the common-
base amplifier shown next is equal to Rout = ro + (1 + gmro)(Re//rπ).

The output resistance will be Rout = Vx/Ix = vc/Ix Æ

Rout = ro + ro gm (Re//rπ) + (Re//rπ) Æ
Rout = ro + (1+ro gm)(Re//rπ)
 Problem 4: Find the 3dB frequency for the circuit shown next, using the open-circuit
time constants method. Rsig = 10K, gm = 10mA/V, ro = 100K, RL = 100K.

vsig

We need to “zero” the voltage source, and substitute the capacitor with a voltage or
current source, and find the corresponding current or voltage, respectively.

Ix

-+
Vx

Ix = –VG / Rsig Æ VG = –Ix Rsig

Ix = VD /(ro //RL) + gmVgs

We have that VG = Vgs and that Vx = VD – VG.

Then, Ix = (Vx + VG)/(ro //RL) + gmVG, or

Ix = (Vx –Ix Rsig)/(ro //RL) – gmIx Rsig Æ

(1+ Rsig/(ro //RL) + gmRsig)Ix = Vx/(ro //RL) Æ
(ro //RL + Rsig + gmRsig)Ix = Vx Æ Rgd = Vx/Ix = ro //RL + Rsig + ro //RL gmRsig Æ
Rgd = 50K + 10K + 50K 10m 10K = 5.06M

Then, f3D = 1/(2πRgdCgd) = 1/(2π 5.06M Cgd)