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 Differential Amplifier Circuits
Introduction
• Differential amplifier or diff-amp is a multi-transistor amplifier.
• It is the fundamental building block of analog circuit.
• It is virtually formed the differential amplifier of the input part of an
operational amplifier. It is used to provide high voltage gain and high
common mode rejection ratio.
• It has other characteristics such as very high input impedance, very low
offset voltage and very low input bias current.
• Differential amplifier can operate in two modes namely:
common mode and differential mode.

• Each type will have its output response illustrated

in Fig.1.

• Common mode type would result zero output and

differential mode type would result high output.

• This shall mean the amplifier has high common mode

rejection ratio.
Figure 1: Differential amplifier shows differential inputs
and common-mode inputs
 Differential Amplifier Circuits

If two input voltage are equal, the differential amplifier gives output voltage of
almost zero volt. If two input voltages are not equal, the differential amplifier
gives a high output voltage.

Let’s define differential input voltage Vin(d) as Vin(d) = Vin1 – Vin2 and
common-mode input voltage Vin(c) = Vin1 + Vin 2 . From these equations, input
2
voltage one and two are respectively equal to
 The input voltage represented by common-mode voltage and differential
voltage is shown in Fig. 2

Figure 2: Small differential and common-mode inputs of a differential amplifier

Let Vout1 be the output voltage due to input voltage Vin1 and Vout2 be the output
voltage due to Vin2. The differential mode output voltage Vout(d) be defined as
Vout(d) = Vout1 – Vout2 and common-mode output is defined Vout(c) = Vout1 + Vout .
2
Combining these equations yield Vout1 as Vout2 respectively as equal to
clearly indicates that for large CMRR value, the
effect of common-mode input is not significant
to the output voltage.
Example 1
A differential amplifier shown in figure below has differential gain of 2,500 and
a CMRR of 30,000. In part A of the figure, a single-ended input of signal
500V rms is applied. At the same time a 1V, 50Hz interference signal appears
on both inputs as a result of radiated pick-up from ac power system.

In part B of the figure, differential input signal of 500V rms each is applied
to the inputs. The common-mode interference is the same as in part A.

1. Determine the common-mode gain.

2. Express CMRR in dB.
3. Determine the rms output signal for part A
and B.
4. Determine the rms interface voltage on the
output.
Solution
1. The common-mode gain Vcm = AV(dm)/CMRR= 2,500/30,000 = 0.083
2. CMRR = 30,000. Also 20log(30,000) = 89.5dB.
3. The difference input for part A is 500V - 0V = 500V.
Thus, the rms output is AV(d) x 500V = 2,500 x 500V = 1.25Vrms
The difference input for part B is 500V - (-500V) = 1mV
Thus, the rms output is AV(d) x 1mV = 2,500 x 1mV = 2.5Vrms.
4. Since the common-mode gain Acm is 0.083 (from answer 1), then output
voltage of interface from 1V 50Hz ac pick-up is Acm x 1V = 0.083V.
Bipolar Junction Transistor Differential Amplifier

Consider an emitter coupled bipolar junction transistor

differential amplifier shown in Fig. 3. Assuming that the
physical parameters of transistor Q1 and Q2 are closed to
identical. With the modern fabrication technique and
fabricating the transistor Q1 and Q2 in close approximately in the
same wafer slide, close to identical physical parameters for
both transistors are achievable.
Figure 3: A bipolar junction transistor differential amplifier
DC Characteristics

Using Kirchhoff’s voltage law, the voltage at emitter VE1 and VE2, of the amplifier is
Vin1 - VBE1 = Vin2 - VBE2. From the theory of semiconductor physics, the collector current IC
of a bipolar transistor is equal to I C = I S exp(VBE / VT ) − 1, where IS is the reverse saturation current,
which is design dependent. VT is the thermal voltage, which has value approximately
equal to 25.0mV at temperature 300K. Under normal operating conditions the term
exp(VBE/VT) >> 1, thus, the

 IC 
base-to-emitter voltage V is equal to V = V ln  IS 

. The differential input voltage Vin(d) = (Vin1 - Vin2) shall then be equal to
Common-Mode and Differential-
Mode Signals & Gain
 Differential and Common-Mode
Signals/Gain
Consider a linear circuit
with TWO inputs By superposition:

vo = A1 v1 + A2 v2

vd
Define: vd = v2 − v1 Difference (or differential) Mode v1 = vc −
2
v1+v
vc = 2
Common Mode v
2 v 2 = vc + d
2

vd v
Substituting for v1 = vc − and v2 = vc + d in the expression for vo:
2 2

v   v  A −A 
vo = A1   v c − d  + A2   vc + d  = (A1 + A2 ) vc +  2 1  v d
 2  2  2 
vo = Ac  vc + Ad vd
 Differential and common-mode signal/gain is an
alternative way of finding the system response

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

Differential Gain: Ad
Common Mode Gain: Ac
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)*: |Ad|/|Ac|

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

 To find vo , we can calculate/measure
either A1A2 pair or Ac Ad pair

Superposition (finding A1 and A2 ): Difference Method (finding Ad and Ac ):

1. Set v2 = 0, compute A1 from 1. Set vc = 0 (or set v1 = − 0.5 vd & v2 = + 0.5 vd)
v o = A 1 v1 compute Ad from vo = Ad vd
2. Set v1 = 0, compute A2 from 2. Set vd = 0 (or set v1 = + vc & v2 = + vc )
vo = A2 v2 compute Ac from vo = Ac vc
3. For any v1 and v2 : 3. For any v1 and v2 : vo = A d vd + A c vc
v o = A 1 v1 + A 2 v 2 vd = v2 − v1 vc = 0.5(v1 + v2 )

➢ 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
 Caution
➢ In Chapter 2.1.3, Sedra & Smith defines vd = v2 − v1
v vd
v1 = vc − d v2 = vc +
2 2
➢ But in Chapter 8, Sedra & Smith uses vd = v1 − v2
vd vd
v1 = vc + v2 = vc −
2 2
While keeping vo = vo2 − vo1 as before (this is inconsistent)

➢ Here we use vd = v2 − v1 and vo = vo2 − vo1 throughout

vd vd
v1 = vc − v2 = vc +
2 2
➢ Therefore, Ad (lecture slides) = −Ad (Sedra & Smith) for
difference Amplifiers.
➢ Use Lecture Slides Notation!
 Differential
Amplifiers:
Fundamental
Properties
 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, current-

mirror, 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.
 Differential Amplifier – Bias

Since VG1 = VG 2 = VG
ID ID
and V S1 = VS 2 = V S

VGS1 = VGS 2 =VGS

VOV 1 = VOV 2 = VOV
I D1 = I D 2 = I D
ID ID
V DS1 = VDS 2 = VDS
2ID
Also: g m1 = g m 2 = g m
ro1 = ro 2 = ro
This is correct even if channel-width
modulation is included because
ID1RD + VDS1 = I D 2 RD +VDS 2
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.
 Differential Amplifier –
Gain
vgs1 = v1 − v3
vgs 2 = v2 − v3

Node Voltage Method:

Node vo1: vo1 + vo1 − v3 + g (v − v ) = 0

m 1 3
RD ro
Node vo2: vo2 +v
o2 − v3
+ gm (v2 − v3 ) =0
RD ro
v3 v3 − vo 2 v3 − vo1
Node v3: + + − gm (v1 − v3 ) − gm (v2 − v3 ) = 0
RSS ro ro
Above three equations should be solved to find vo1 , vo2 and v3 (lengthy calculations)

➢ Because the circuit is symmetric, differential/common-mode

method is the preferred method to solve this circuit (and we
can use fundamental configuration formulas).
 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 id1 = id 2 =id

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

* 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 . Ohm’s law on RD then gives id1 = id2 =id
Differential Amplifier – Common Mode
(2)
id id

id id
id
2id
v3 = 2id RSS *

➢ Because of the symmetry, the common-mode circuit breaks into two

identical “half-circuits”.
* 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+ 2g m R SS +R D / ro
 Differential Amplifier – Differential Mode
(1)
Differential Mode: Set vc = 0 (or set v1 = − vd /2 and v2 = + vd /2)

vgs1 = −0.5vd − v3
vgs 2 = +0.5vd −v3

Node Voltage Method:

Node vo1: vo1 + vo1 − v3 + g (−0.5v − v ) = 0
m d 3
RD ro
Node vo2: vo 2 + vo 2 − v3 + g m (+0.5vd − v3 ) = 0
RD ro
v3 v3 − vo 2 v3 −vo1
Node v3: + + − gm (−0.5vd − v3 ) − gm (+0.5vd − v3 ) = 0
RSS ro ro

 1 1  2 
Node vo1 + Node vo2 : + (vo1 +vo2 )−  + 2gm v3 = 0 Only possible solution:
 RD ro   ro  vo1 + vo 2 = 0  vo1 = −vo 2
 1 2 
− (vo1 +vo2 )+ 
1
Node v3: + − 2gm v3 =0 v3 = 0
ro  RSS ro 
Differential Amplifier – Differential Mode
(2)
v3 = 0 and vo1 = −v o 2  i d1 = −i d 2

id id id id

v3 =0 v3 =0
id id
0
CS Amplifier
vo1 vo2
= −g m (ro ||RD ) , = −g m (ro ||RD )
− 0.5v d + 0.5v d

➢ Because of the symmetry, the differential-mode circuit also breaks into two
identical half-circuits.
 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 (30/33)

 Common-Mode “Half
Circuit”
Common Mode circuit

id id

vo1 = vo 2

0
vs1 = vs 2
id id

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.
 Differential-Mode “Half
Circuit”
Differential Mode circuit

id id

vo1 = −vo 2

vs1 = vs 2 = 0
id id

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

vo1,c = v o 2,c
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 = −v o 2,d
 “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)
 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).
➢ …
 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
vo = Ad  vd + Ac  vc = Ad  vsig + v
CMRR noise

* Assuming that noise levels are similar to both inputs.

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

Differential Amplifier Two CS Amplifiers

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 )

vo2,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.

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 vo1,c = vo 2,c = −g m (ro ||RD )vc
1+ 2gm RSS +RD / ro
voc = vo 2,c − vo1,c = 0
voc = vo 2,c − vo1,c =0
Ac = voc / vc = 0
Ac = voc / vc = 0

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

Comparison of a differential amplifier with
two identical CS amplifiers – Summary
Differential Amplifier Two CS Amplifiers

vod v vod v
Ad = = −g m (ro ||RD ) , Ac = oc = 0 Ad = = −g m (ro ||RD ) , Ac = oc = 0
vd vc 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!
Consider a “slight” mis-match in
the load resistors

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

“Slightly” mis-matched loads –
Differential Mode
Differential amplifier Two CS amplifiers

Identical

Half-Circuits

vo1,d = −g m (R D ) (−0.5vd )
vo2,d = −g m (R D +R D ) (+0.5vd )
vod = vo 2,d − vo1,d = −g m (R D +0.5RD )vd
Ad = vod / vd = −g m (R D +0.5RD )

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

 “Slightly” mis-matched loads – Common Mode
Differential amplifier Two CS amplifiers

NOT Identical

Half-Circuits

gm R D g (R +RD ) vo1,c = −g m R D vc
vo1,c = − vc , vo2,c = − m D vc
1+ 2g m R SS 1+ 2g m R SS vo2,c = −g m (R D +RD )vc
gm RD voc = vo2,c − vo1,c = +gm RD vc
voc = vo 2,c − vo1,c =− vc
1+ 2g m R SS voc
v gm RD Ac = = + gmR D
Ac = oc = − vc
vc 1+ 2g m R SS

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

 A differential amplifier increases CMRR
substantially for a slight mis-match (RD 0)
Two CS Amplifiers Differential Amplifier
Ad = −g m (R D +0.5RD ) Ad = −g m (R D +0.5RD )

g m R D
Ac = + g mR D
Ac = −
1+ 2g m R SS

1 1+ 2g m R SS
CMRR  CMRR 
R D / R D R D /R D

➢ 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