Lecture 7b

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits

Dr. Muhammad Anis Chaudhary

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier

• is the most widely used MOS amplifier configuration

• Note that, here the biasing arrangement is not shown (the circuit in fig is the ac equivalent
circuit)

• the signal source has an internal resistance of Rsig and open circuit voltage of vsig

• let’s analyze this circuit to determine Rin , Avo , Ro and Gv

• Note that RD is part of the amplifier circuit, and when a load resistance RL is connected

– to the amplifier output, it appears in parallel with RD

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier

• replacing MOSFET with its hybrid-π model

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 1 of 19
 •

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier

• this equivalent circuit can be used to determine the characteristic parameters (Rin , Avo , Ro ) of
the amplifier

• from the fig

– as gate current is zero =⇒ input resistance = Rin = ∞

vo
• by KCL =⇒ gm vgs + ro ∥R D
=0

vo
– vo = −gm vgs (ro ∥ RD ) =⇒ vgs = −gm (ro ∥ RD )

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 2 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier

•
vo
• vgs = −gm (ro ∥ RD )

vo vo
• here vi = vgs =⇒ Avo = vi R =∞ = vgs R =∞ = −gm (ro ∥ RD )
L L

• if the channel length modulation can be ignored ro → ∞ (ro ≫ RD )

– =⇒ Avo ≈ −gm RD

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier

• Now the output resistance Ro is the resistance seen looking into the output terminal with vi set
to zero

– vi = 0 =⇒ vgs = 0 =⇒ gm vgs = 0
– =⇒ Ro = RD ∥ ro

• thus for CS amplfier

– Rin = ∞ , Ro = RD ∥ ro , Avo = −gm (RD ∥ ro )

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 3 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier

• now the overall voltage gain Gv can be determined as follows

vo
– Gv = vsig

• As Rin = ∞ =⇒ vsig = vi = vgs

vo vo
• =⇒ Gv = vsig = vi = Av

• Note that Av , Gv are calculated with load resistor RL connected =⇒ vo = (−gm vgs ) (RD ∥ ro ∥ RL )
vo vo
– vgs = −gm (RD ∥ ro ∥ RL ) = vi = Gv = Av ∵vi = vgs

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance

• here we have placed a resistance Rs in the source lead of the common-source amplifier

• Assuming λ = 0 i.e. ignoring channel length modulation

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 4 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance

• the small-signal equivalent circuit can be drawn as (for λ = 0)

• here T-model is preferred over the π model, because it makes the analysis somewhat simple

• In general, whenever a resistance is connected in the source lead, the T model is preferred.

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance

• As a consequence of the T-model, Rs appears in series with the resistance 1/gm

• as gate current is zero =⇒ Rin = ∞ =⇒ vi = vsig

• here only a fraction of vi appears between gate and source as vgs

(1/gm ) 1
• by voltage divider =⇒ vgs = (1/gm )+Rs vi = 1+gm Rs vi

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 5 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance

•
(1/gm ) 1
• vgs = (1/gm )+Rs vi = 1+gm Rs vi

– thus the value of Rs can be used to control the magnitude of the signal vgs
– and thereby ensure that vgs doesnot become too large to cause
– unacceptably high non-linear distortion

• Another benefit is that Rs extends the useful bandwidth of the amplifier

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance
• by ohm’s law,

– vo = −iRD

• As 1/gm and Rs are in series, the current i in the source lead can be given as
 
– i = 1/gmvi+Rs = 1+ggmm Rs vi
 
gm
• =⇒ vo = −iRD = − 1+gm Rs vi RD

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 6 of 19
  
vo gm −gm RD
• the voltage gain, Avo = vi R =∞ =− 1+gm Rs RD = 1+gm Rs
L

• =⇒ the resistance Rs reduces the voltage gain by the factor (1 + gm Rs )

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance
gm RD
• Avo = − 1+g m Rs

• divide numerator and denominator by gm on R.H.S

RD
• Avo = − 1
gm +Rs

• =⇒ the voltage gain between gate and the drain is equal to the ratio of the total resistance in
the drain (RD ) to the total resistance in the source ( g1m + Rs )

•
Total Resistance in drain RD
• i.e. Voltage gain f rom gateto drain = − Total Resistance in source = − 1
gm +Rs

RD
• Note that setting Rs = 0 gives Avo of the CS amp= − (1/gm)

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance

• the output resistance Ro can be determined by placing a test source at the drain

– and by setting vi = 0 =⇒ vgs = 0 =⇒ i = gm vgs = 0

• i = 0 =⇒ Ro = RD

• now when RL is connected at the output, Av can be given as

– Av = Avo RLR+R
L
o

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 7 of 19
 gm RD
• As Avo = − 1+g m Rs
, Ro = RD

•
 
gm RD
• =⇒ Av = Avo RLR+R
L
o
= − 1+gm Rs RLR+R
L
D

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Source (CS) Amplifier with a Source Resistance
   
gm RD gm
• Av = − 1+gm Rs RL +RD = − 1+gm Rs RRLD+R
RL RL
D

  
(RD ∥RL )
gm
• Av = − 1+gm Rs 1
1
+ R1
= − gm1+g m Rs
RD L

RD ∥RL
• Av = − (1/gm )+Rs

• Note that −Av is the ratio of the total resistance in drain to the total resistance in source
• As Rin is infinite =⇒ vi = vsig

•
vo vo
• and the overall voltage gain is Gv = vsig = vi = Av

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 8 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Gate (CG) Amplifier

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Gate (CG) Amplifier
• here common-gate amplifier is shown
• Note that the biasing circuit is not shown in figure
• the amplifier is fed with a signal source characterized by vsig and Rsig
• Note that Rsig appears in series with the source

– =⇒ it is more convenient to use the T model rather than the π model

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Gate (CG) Amplifier

•
• here channel length modulation is ignored

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 9 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Gate (CG) Amplifier
1
• the input resistance Rin can be given as Rin = gm

– as Rin is the resistance looking into the source and the gate is grounded

• typically 1/gm is a few hundred ohms

– =⇒ the CG amplifier has a low input resistance

• by ohm’s law

– vo = (−i) RD ,
– where i is also the source current
0−vi
– i.e. i = 1/gm = −vi gm

•
vo RD
• =⇒ vo = vi gm RD =⇒ Avo = vi = gm RD = 1/gm

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Gate (CG) Amplifier

• The output resistancee of the CG amplifier is

– Ro = RD

• the gain Av is
vo
– Av = vi = gm (RD ∥ RL )
– ∵ Avo = gm RD and as RL is in parallel with RD

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 10 of 19
 •

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Gate (CG) Amplifier

• To determine the overall gain Gv

• first by voltage divider

(1/gm ) Rin
• vi = (1/gm )+Rsig vsig = Rin +Rsig vsig

vo vo vi
• Gv = vsig = vi vsig

vo vi (1/gm )
– Gv = vi vsig = Av vvsigi = Av (1/g m )+Rsig

• ∵ Av = gm (RD ∥ RL )
(1/gm )
– Gv = gm (RD ∥ RL ) (1/g m )+Rsig

RD ∥RL
– Gv = (1/gm )+Rsig

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 11 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Gate (CG) Amplifier
RD ∥RL
• Gv = (1/gm )+Rsig

• Note that the overall voltage gain is simply the ratio of

– the total resistance in the drain circuit

– to the total resistance in the source circuit

• CG amplifier has excellent frequency response and can be used to

– amplify high-frequency signals that originate from sources

– with relatively low resistances

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower

• The common-drain amplifier is more commonly known as the source follower

• A common application of a CD amplifier is as a voltage buffer

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower
The need for Voltage Buffers

• consider the situation shown in fig

• here a signal source with open-circuit voltage of vsig = 1V peak

– and internal resistance of 1MΩ is to be connected to a 1kΩ load resistance

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 12 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower
The need for Voltage Buffers

• connecting the source to the load directly will result in

– severe attenuation of the signal

– i.e. the voltage appearing accross the load is
RL 1k
– vo = RL +Rsig vsig = 1k+1M vsig

1k
• As vsig = 1V =⇒ vo = 1k+1M vsig = 0.999mV ≈ 1mV

• thus for vsig = 1V peak , output voltage is only vo = 1mV peak

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower
The need for Voltage Buffers

• now suppose, we have an amplifier as shown in fig

• this amplifier is used to connect the source to the load

• this amplifier has a unity voltage gain

– (here our signal is already of sufficient strength and increase in its amplitude is not re-
quired)

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 13 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower
The need for Voltage Buffers

• this amplifier has a very large input resistance (Rin is very large)

– =⇒ vi ≈ vsig

• the amplifier has an output resistance of

– Ro = 100Ω

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower
The need for Voltage Buffers

• here Ro = 100Ω , RL = 1kΩ , vi ≈ vsig , Avo = 1

• by voltage divider
RL 1k
– vo = RL +Ro Avo vi = 1k+100 (1) vsig = 0.9V

• =⇒ 90% of the input signal appears at the output

• such an amplifier circuit with Avo = 1 , Rin → ∞ and Rout → 0 is called a voltage buffer

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 14 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower

• The source follower can be used to implement the unity gain buffer amplifier

• the CD amplifier with the bias circuit omitted is shown here

• a signal generator (vsig , Rsig ) is applied between the gate and ground
• a load resistance RL is connected between the source terminal and ground

• As RL is connected to the source terminal, it is more convenient to use the T-model rather that
the hybrid-π model

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower

• here ro appears in parallel with RL . so channel length modulation effect can easily be incorpo-
rated.

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 15 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations
The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower

• if we ignore channel length modulation =⇒ ro = ∞

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower

• from figure

– Rin = ∞
– as no current flows in to the gate terminal

• =⇒ vi = vsig

• by voltage divider
vo RL
– vi = RL +(1/gm ) = Av

• and Avo can be given as

vo RL
– Avo = vi R =∞ = RL +(1/gm ) R =∞
L L

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 16 of 19
 •

1 1
• Avo = 1+ g1m 1 = 1+0 =1
RL RL =∞

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower

• the output resistance Ro is determined by setting vi = 0 and RL = ∞

– =⇒ vi = 0 =⇒ the gate terminal is grounded

1
– =⇒ Ro = gm

vo vo
• Gv = vsig = vi ∵ vi = vsig because of infinite Rin

vo RL
– Gv = vi = Av = RL +(1/gm )
– thus Gv will be lower than unity

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 17 of 19
 •
• however, as 1/gm is usually a small value

– =⇒ voltage gain will be close to unity i.e Gv = Av ≈ 1

Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

The Common-Drain Amplifier or Source Follower
vo
• Gv = vi = Av ≈ 1 and Avo = 1
• =⇒ the voltage at the source terminal will follow that at the input, hence the name source
follower

•
1
• thus the source follower has Rin = ∞ , Ro = gm (a small value) and Avo = 1, Av = Gv ≈ 1
• =⇒ the source follower is ideally suited for implementing the unity gain voltage buffer.

EE-215 Electronic Devices and Circuits, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 7b Page 18 of 19
Basic MOSFET Amplifier Configurations

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