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Differential Amplifiers

Operational Amplifiers:

The operational amplifier is a direct-coupled high gain amplifier usable from 0 to over 1MH Z to
which feedback is added to control its overall response characteristic i.e. gain and bandwidth.
The op-amp exhibits the gain down to zero frequency.

Such direct coupled (dc) amplifiers do not use blocking (coupling and by pass) capacitors since
these would reduce the amplification to zero at zero frequency. Large by pass capacitors may be
used but it is not possible to fabricate large capacitors on a IC chip. The capacitors fabricated are
usually less than 20 pf. Transistor, diodes and resistors are also fabricated on the same chip.

Differential Amplifiers:

Differential amplifier is a basic building block of an op-amp. The function of a differential

amplifier is to amplify the difference between two input signals.

How the differential amplifier is developed? Let us consider two emitter-biased circuits as shown
in fig. 1.

Fig. 1

The two transistors Q1 and Q2 have identical characteristics. The resistances of the circuits are
equal, i.e. RE1 = R E2, RC1 = R C2 and the magnitude of +VCC is equal to the magnitude of �VEE.
These voltages are measured with respect to ground.

To make a differential amplifier, the two circuits are connected as shown in fig. 1. The two +VCC
and �VEE supply terminals are made common because they are same. The two emitters are also
connected and the parallel combination of RE1 and RE2 is replaced by a resistance RE. The two
input signals v1 & v2 are applied at the base of Q1 and at the base of Q2. The output voltage is
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taken between two collectors. The collector resistances are equal and therefore denoted by RC =
RC1 = RC2.

Ideally, the output voltage is zero when the two inputs are equal. When v1 is greater then v2 the
output voltage with the polarity shown appears. When v1 is less than v2, the output voltage has
the opposite polarity.

The differential amplifiers are of different configurations.

The four differential amplifier configurations are following:

1. Dual input, balanced output differential amplifier.

2. Dual input, unbalanced output differential amplifier.
3. Single input balanced output differential amplifier.
4. Single input unbalanced output differential amplifier.
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Fig. 2

These configurations are shown in fig. 2, and are defined by number of input signals used and
the way an output voltage is measured. If use two input signals, the configuration is said to be
dual input, otherwise it is a single input configuration. On the other hand, if the output voltage is
measured between two collectors, it is referred to as a balanced output because both the
collectors are at the same dc potential w.r.t. ground. If the output is measured at one of the
collectors w.r.t. ground, the configuration is called an unbalanced output.

A multistage amplifier with a desired gain can be obtained using direct connection between
successive stages of differential amplifiers. The advantage of direct coupling is that it removes
the lower cut off frequency imposed by the coupling capacitors, and they are therefore, capable
of amplifying dc as well as ac input signals.

Dual Input, Balanced Output Differential Amplifier:

The circuit is shown in fig. 1, v1 and v2 are the two inputs, applied to the bases of Q1 and Q2
transistors. The output voltage is measured between the two collectors C1 and C2 , which are at
same dc potentials.

D.C. Analysis:

To obtain the operating point (ICC and VCEQ) for differential amplifier dc equivalent circuit is
drawn by reducing the input voltages v1 and v2 to zero as shown in fig. 3.
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Fig. 3

The internal resistances of the input signals are denoted by RS because RS1= RS2. Since both
emitters biased sections of the different amplifier are symmetrical in all respects, therefore, the
operating point for only one section need to be determined. The same values of ICQ and VCEQ can
be used for second transistor Q2.

Applying KVL to the base emitter loop of the transistor Q1.

The value of RE sets up the emitter current in transistors Q1 and Q2 for a given value of VEE. The
emitter current in Q1 and Q2 are independent of collector resistance RC.

The voltage at the emitter of Q1 is approximately equal to -VBE if the voltage drop across R is
negligible. Knowing the value of IC the voltage at the collector VCis given by

VC =VCC � IC RC

and VCE = VC � VE
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= VCC � IC RC + VBE

VCE = VCC + VBE � ICRC (E-2)

From the two equations VCEQ and ICQ can be determined. This dc analysis applicable for all types
of differential amplifier.

Example - 1

The following specifications are given for the dual input, balanced-output differential amplifier
of fig.1:
RC = 2.2 kΩ, RB = 4.7 kΩ, Rin 1 = Rin 2 = 50 Ω , +VCC = 10V, -VEE = -10 V, βdc =100 and VBE =
0.715V.
Determine the operating points (ICQ and VCEQ) of the two transistors.

Solution:

The value of ICQ can be obtained from equation (E-1).

The voltage VCEQ can be obtained from equation (E-2).

The values of ICQ and VCEQ are same for both the transistors.

Dual Input, Balanced Output Difference Amplifier:

The circuit is shown in fig. 1 v1 and v2 are the two inputs, applied to the bases of Q1 and Q2
transistors. The output voltage is measured between the two collectors C1 and C2, which are at
same dc potentials.
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Fig. 1

A.C. Analysis :

In previous lecture dc analysis has been done to obtain the operatiing point of the two transistors.

To find the voltage gain Ad and the input resistance Ri of the differential amplifier, the ac
equivalent circuit is drawn using r-parameters as shown in fig. 2. The dc voltages are reduced to
zero and the ac equivalent of CE configuration is used.

Fig. 2
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Since the two dc emitter currents are equal. Therefore, resistance r'e1 and r'e2 are also equal and
designated by r'e . This voltage across each collector resistance is shown 180° out of phase with
respect to the input voltages v1 and v2. This is same as in CE configuration. The polarity of the
output voltage is shown in Figure. The collector C2 is assumed to be more positive with respect
to collector C1 even though both are negative with respect to to ground.

Applying KVL in two loops 1 & 2.

Substituting current relations,

Again, assuming RS1 / b and RS2 / b are very small in comparison with RE and re' and therefore
neglecting these terms,

Solving these two equations, ie1 and ie2 can be calculated.

The output voltage VO is given by

VO = VC2 - VC1

= -RC iC2 - (-RC iC1)

= RC (iC1 - iC2)

= RC (ie1 - ie2)

Substituting ie1, & ie2 in the above expression

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Thus a differential amplifier amplifies the difference between two input signals. Defining the
difference of input signals as vd = v1 � v2 the voltage gain of the dual input balanced output
differential amplifier can be given by

(E-2)

Differential Input Resistance:

Differential input resistance is defined as the equivalent resistance that would be measured at
either input terminal with the other terminal grounded. This means that the input resistance Ri1
seen from the input signal source v1 is determined with the signal source v2 set at zero. Similarly,
the input signal v1 is set at zero to determine the input resistance Ri2 seen from the input signal
source v2. Resistance RS1 and RS2 are ignored because they are very small.

Substituting ie1,

Similarly,
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The factor of 2 arises because the re' of each transistor is in series.

To get very high input impedance with differential amplifier is to use Darlington transistors.
Another ways is to use FET.

Output Resistance:

Output resistance is defined as the equivalent resistance that would be measured at output
terminal with respect to ground. Therefore, the output resistance RO1 measured between collector
C1 and ground is equal to that of the collector resistance RC. Similarly the output resistance RO2
measured at C2 with respect to ground is equal to that of the collector resistor RC.

RO1 = RO2 = RC (E-5)

The current gain of the differential amplifier is undefined. Like CE amplifier the differential
amplifier is a small signal amplifier. It is generally used as a voltage amplifier and not as current
or power amplifier.

Example - 1

The following specifications are given for the dual input, balanced-output differential amplifier:
RC = 2.2 kΩ, RB = 4.7 kΩ, Rin 1 = Rin 2 = 50Ω, +VCC= 10V, -VEE = -10 V, βdc =100 and VBE =
0.715V.

a. Determine the voltage gain.

b. Determine the input resistance
c. Determine the output resistance.

Solution:

(a). The parameters of the amplifiers are same as discussed in example-1 of lecture-1. The
operating point of the two transistors obtained in lecture-1 are given below

ICQ = 0.988 mA
VCEQ=8.54V

The ac emitter resistance

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Therefore, substituting the known values in voltage gain equation (E-2), we obtain

b). The input resistance seen from each input source is given by (E-3) and (E-4):

(c) The output resistance seen looking back into the circuit from each of the two output terminals
is given by (E-5)

Ro1 = Ro2 = 2.2 k Ω

Example - 2

For the dual input, balanced output differential amplifier of Example-1:

a. Determine the output voltage (vo) if vin 1 = 50mV peak to peak (pp) at 1 kHz and
vin 2 = 20 mV pp at 1 kHz.
b. What is the maximum peal to peak output voltage without clipping?

Solution:

(a) In Example-1 we have determined the voltage gain of the dual input, balanced output
differential amplifier. Substituting this voltage gain (Ad = 86.96) and given values of input
voltages in (E-1), we get

(b) Note that in case of dual input, balanced output difference amplifier, the output voltage vo is
measured across the collector. Therefore, to calculate the maximum peak to peak output voltage,
we need to determine the voltage drop across each collector resistor:

Substituting IC = ICQ = 0.988 mA, we get

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This means that the maximum change in voltage across each collector resistor is ± 2.17 (ideally)
or 4.34 VPP. In other words, the maximum peak to peak output voltage with out clipping is (2)
(4.34) = 8.68 VPP.

A dual input, balanced output difference amplifier circuit is shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Inverting & Non � inverting Inputs:

In differential amplifier the output voltage vO is given by

VO = Ad (v1 � v2)
When v2 = 0, vO = Ad v1
& when v1 = 0, vO = - Ad v2

Therefore the input voltage v1 is called the non inventing input because a positive voltage v1
acting alone produces a positive output voltage vO. Similarly, the positive voltage v2 acting alone
produces a negative output voltage hence v2 is called inverting input. Consequently B1 is called
noninverting input terminal and B2 is called inverting input terminal.

Common mode Gain:

A common mode signal is one that drives both inputs of a differential amplifier equally. The
common mode signal is interference, static and other kinds of undesirable pickup etc.

The connecting wires on the input bases act like small antennas. If a differential amplifier is
operating in an environment with lot of electromagnetic interference, each base picks up an
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unwanted interference voltage. If both the transistors were matched in all respects then the
balanced output would be theoretically zero. This is the important characteristic of a differential
amplifier. It discriminates against common mode input signals. In other words, it refuses to
amplify the common mode signals.

The practical effectiveness of rejecting the common signal depends on the degree of matching
between the two CE stages forming the differential amplifier. In other words, more closely are
the currents in the input transistors, the better is the common mode signal rejection e.g. If v1 and
v2 are the two input signals, then the output of a practical op-amp cannot be described by simply

v0 = Ad (v1 � v2 )

In practical differential amplifier, the output depends not only on difference signal but also upon
the common mode signal (average).

vd = (v1 � vd )

and vC = ½ (v1 + v2 )

The output voltage, therefore can be expressed as

vO = A1 v1 + A2 v2

Where A1 & A2 are the voltage amplification from input 1(2) to output under the condition that
input 2 (1) is grounded.

The voltage gain for the difference signal is Ad and for the common mode signal is AC.

The ability of a differential amplifier to reject a common mode signal is expressed by its
common mode rejection ratio (CMRR). It is the ratio of differential gain Ad to the common mode
gain AC.
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Date sheet always specify CMRR in decibels CMRR = 20 log CMRR.

Therefore, the differential amplifier should be designed so that r is large compared with the ratio
of the common mode signal to the difference signal. If r = 1000, vC = 1mV, vd = 1 m V, then

It is equal to first term. Hence for an amplifier with r = 1000, a 1m V difference of potential
between two inputs gives the same output as 1mV signal applied with the same polarity to both
inputs.

Dual Input, Unbalanced Output Differential Amplifier:

In this case, two input signals are given however the output is measured at only one of the two-
collector w.r.t. ground as shown in fig. 2. The output is referred to as an unbalanced output
because the collector at which the output voltage is measured is at some finite dc potential with
respect to ground..

Fig. 2

In other words, there is some dc voltage at the output terminal without any input signal applied.
DC analysis is exactly same as that of first case.

AC Analysis:

The output voltage gain in this case is given by

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The voltage gain is half the gain of the dual input, balanced output differential amplifier. Since at
the output there is a dc error voltage, therefore, to reduce the voltage to zero, this configuration is
normally followed by a level translator circuit.

Differential amplifier with swamping resistors:

By using external resistors R'E in series with each emitter, the dependence of voltage gain on
variations of r'e can be reduced. It also increases the linearity range of the differential amplifier.

Fig. 3, shows the differential amplifier with swamping resistor R'E. The value of R'E is usually
large enough to swamp the effect of r'e.

Fig. 3
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Example-1

Consider example-1 of lecture-2. The specifications are given again for the dual input,
unbalanced-output differential amplifier: RC = 2.2 kΩ, RB= 4.7 kΩ, Rin1 = Rin2= 50Ω, +VCC =
10V, -VEE= -10 V, βdc =100 and VBE= 0.715V.

Determine the voltage gain, input resistance and the output resistance.

Solution:

Since the component values remain unchanged and the biasing arrangement is same, the ICQ and
VCEQ values as well as input and output resistance values for the dual input, unbalanced output
configuration must be the same as those for the dual input, balanced output configuration.

Thus, ICQ = 0.988 mA

VCEQ = 8.54 V
Ri1 = Ri2 = 5.06 kΩ
Ro = 2.2 kΩ

The voltage gain of the dual input, unbalanced output differential amplifier is given by

Example-2

Repeat Example-1 for single input, balanced output differential amplifier.

Solution:
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Because the same biasing arrangement and same component values are used in both
configurations, the results obtained in Example-1 for the dual input, balanced output
configuration are also valid for the single input, balanced output configuration.

That is,

ICQ= 0.988 mA
VCEQ = 8.54 V
Vd = 86.96
Ri = 5.06 kΩ
Ro1 = Ro2 = 2.2 kΩ

Biasing of Differential Amplifiers

Constant Current Bias:

In the dc analysis of differential amplifier, we have seen that the emitter current IE depends upon
the value of bdc. To make operating point stable IE current should be constant irrespective value
of bdc.

For constant IE, RE should be very large. This also increases the value of CMRR but if RE value
is increased to very large value, IE (quiescent operating current) decreases. To maintain same
value of IE, the emitter supply VEE must be increased. To get very high value of resistance RE
and constant IE, current, current bias is used.
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Figure 5.1

Fig. 1, shows the dual input balanced output differential amplifier using a constant current bias.
The resistance RE is replace by constant current transistor Q3. The dc collector current in Q3 is
established by R1, R2, & RE.

Applying the voltage divider rule, the voltage at the base of Q3 is

Because the two halves of the differential amplifiers are symmetrical, each has half of the current
IC3.

The collector current, IC3 in transistor Q3 is fixed because no signal is injected into either the
emitter or the base of Q3.

Besides supplying constant emitter current, the constant current bias also provides a very high
source resistance since the ac equivalent or the dc source is ideally an open circuit. Therefore, all
the performance equations obtained for differential amplifier using emitter bias are also valid.

As seen in IE expressions, the current depends upon VBE3. If temperature changes, VBE changes
and current IE also changes. To improve thermal stability, a diode is placed in series with
resistance R1as shown in fig. 2.
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Fig. 2
This helps to hold the current IE3 constant even though the temperature changes. Applying KVL
to the base circuit of Q3.

Therefore, the current IE3 is constant and independent of temperature because of the added diode
D. Without D the current would vary with temperature because VBE3 decreases approximately by
2mV/° C. The diode has same temperature dependence and hence the two variations cancel each
other and IE3 does not vary appreciably with temperature. Since the cut � in voltage VD of diode
approximately the same value as the base to emitter voltage VBE3 of a transistor the above
condition cannot be satisfied with one diode. Hence two diodes are used in series for VD. In this
case the common mode gain reduces to zero.
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Some times zener diode may be used in place of diodes and

resistance as shown in fig. 3. Zeners are available over a wide
range of voltages and can have matching temperature
coefficient

The voltage at the base of transistor QB is

Fig. 3

The value of R2 is selected so that I2 » 1.2 IZ(min) where IZ is the minimum current required to
cause the zener diode to conduct in the reverse region, that is to block the rated voltage VZ.

Current Mirror:

The circuit in which the output current is forced to equal the input current is said to be a current
mirror circuit. Thus in a current mirror circuit, the output current is a mirror image of the input
current. The current mirror circuit is shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 4
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Once the current I2 is set up, the current IC3 is automatically established to be nearly equal to I2.
The current mirror is a special case of constant current bias and the current mirror bias requires
of constant current bias and therefore can be used to set up currents in differential amplifier
stages. The current mirror bias requires fewer components than constant current bias circuits.

Since Q3 and Q4 are identical transistors the current and voltage are approximately same

For satisfactory operation two identical transistors are necessary.

Example - 1

Design a zener constant current bias circuit as

shown in fig. 5 according to the following
specifications.
(a). Emitter current -IE = 5 mA
(b). Zener diode with Vz = 4.7 V and Iz = 53
mA.
(c). βac = βdc = 100, VBE = 0.715V
(d). Supply voltage - VEE = - 9 V.

Solution:

From fig. 6 using KVL we get

Fig. 5
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Practically we use RE = 820 kΩ

Practically we use R2 = 68 Ω
The designed component values are:
RE = 860 Ω
R2 = 68 Ω Fig. 6

Example - 2

Design the dual-input balanced output differential amplifier using the diode constant current bias
to meet the following specifications.

1. supply voltage = ± 12 V.
2. Emitter current IE in each differential amplifier transistor = 1.5 mA.
3. Voltage gain ≤ 60.
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Solution:

The voltage at the base of transistor Q3 is

Assuming that the transistor Q3 has the same

characteristics as diode D1 and D2 that is VD
= VBE3, then

Practically we take RE = 240 Ω.

Practically we take R2 = 3.6 kΩ.

Fig. 7

To obtain the differential gain of 60, the

required value of the collector resistor is

The following fig. 7 shows the dual input,

balanced output differential amplifier with
the designed component values as RC = 1K,
RE = 240 Ω, and R2 = 3.6KΩ.
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