MOSFET Amplifier

MOSFET amplifiers use a voltage-controlled MOSFET to amplify

Current Mirror
A current mirror is an electronic circuit using two (or more) identical
MOSFETs to accurately copy a current flowing through one device to
another, creating a stable output current. It works by maintaining
equal gate-source voltages in the MOSFETs, which forces their drain
currents to be equal if they are identical. Current mirrors are crucial
in analog integrated circuits for functions like biasing, forming active
loads, and achieving stable current sources, though their accuracy is
affected by channel length modulation.
CASCADE Current Mirror
A cascode current mirror is an advanced current mirror circuit that
improves upon a simple current mirror by adding a second transistor
in series (the "cascode" transistor) to increase output resistance and
reduce current replication errors caused by output voltage
variations. This configuration achieves better current mirroring
accuracy by keeping the voltage at the output node of the first
transistor stable, close to VGS. The main trade-off is a reduced
output voltage swing or headroom compared to a simple current
mirror.
WORKING
1. 1. Basic Structure:
A cascode current mirror is formed by inserting a second mirror pair
(transistors M3 and M4) in series with a simple current mirror
(transistors M1 and M2).
2. 2. Increased Output Resistance:
The cascode transistor (M3) is placed in series with the output
transistor (M2). This creates a much higher output
impedance (ro_cascode) for the circuit, which is approximately the
product of the transconductance of the cascode transistor (GM3)
and the output resistance of the cascode (R3), multiplied by the
output resistance of the load (R2).
3. 3. Improved Current Replication:
The cascode configuration makes the copied current less dependent
on the output voltage, leading to a more accurate replica of the
reference current. It ensures the voltage at the input of the output
transistor (M2) is kept constant at VGS.
Advantages
 Higher Output Resistance:
Significantly greater than a simple current mirror, leading to better
current replication.
 Reduced Current Ratio Errors:
Less susceptible to variations in output and input voltages,
improving accuracy.
Disadvantages
 Reduced Voltage Headroom: The output voltage swing is
smaller compared to a simple current mirror, which can be a
drawback in low-voltage integrated circuits.
 Complexity: It is a more complex circuit than a simple current
mirror.
Single Ended Amplifier
A single ended amplifier is a circuit configuration that amplifies
an input signal taken relative to a common ground and delivers
the output from a single terminal also referenced to ground.
Working Principle
 The input signal enters at one point and is referenced to
ground, enabling the amplifier to boost the signal and provide
a single output relative to ground.
 The most common example is the basic common-emitter
transistor amplifier, which takes an input at the base, uses
ground as reference, and delivers output at the collector.
 In contrast to differential amplifiers, which use two input
signals and often two output terminals, the single ended
design is simpler and requires less circuitry.
CS-Amplifier With Resistive Load
A common source (CS) amplifier with a resistive load is a basic
MOSFET amplifier configuration used for voltage amplification,
where a resistor serves as the load at the drain terminal.
Circuit Overview
 The input signal is applied to the gate, the source is grounded,
and the drain connects to the supply voltage through a resistor
(the resistive load).
 The output is taken from the drain terminal, across the load
resistor.
 This circuit provides phase inversion: the output signal is 180
degrees out of phase with the input.
Operation and Characteristics
 Large-Signal: The transistor remains off until the gate-source
voltage exceeds the threshold. As the input increases, the
MOSFET turns on, allowing current through the drain resistor,
causing the output voltage to drop.
 Small-Signal: When biased in the saturation region, the
amplifier can be modeled linearly for small signals. The voltage
gain is given by:

AV=−gm(ro∥RL)AV=−gm(ro∥RL)
where gmgm is the transconductance, roro is the output
resistance of the transistor, and RLRL is the load resistor.
Input and Output Resistance
 Input resistance is very high, as the MOSFET gate draws
negligible DC current.
 Output resistance is the parallel combination of the drain
resistor and the transistor's output resistance.
CS-Amplifier With Diode Connected Load
A common source (CS) amplifier with a diode connected load is
a fundamental MOSFET amplifier configuration where the load
is an active device—a MOSFET wired with its gate and drain
connected—rather than a passive resistor.
Circuit Operation and Structure
 The load device (often a PMOS or NMOS transistor) is "diode
connected" by tying its gate and drain together, making it
operate always in the saturation region as a constant current
source or nonlinear resistor.
 The input is applied to the gate of the driver transistor (M1),
while the output is taken from the drain, across the diode
connected transistor.
Small-Signal Gain and Load Resistance
 The small-signal load resistance is determined by the dynamic
resistance of the diode connected MOSFET, which is
approximately 1/gm,load1/gm,load, where gmgm is the
transconductance of the load device.
 The small-signal voltage gain for this configuration is:
Av=−gm,drivergm,loadAv=−gm,loadgm,driver
which generally yields less voltage gain compared to resistive
or current-source loads, but offers gain independent of
absolute values of supply voltage or current as long as both
devices remain in saturation.
CS-Amplifier With Current Source Load
A common source (CS) amplifier with a current source load
uses an active current source, typically implemented by a
MOSFET transistor biased to act as a constant current source,
as the load instead of a resistor or diode-connected transistor.
Circuit Description
 The input signal is applied to the gate of the NMOS driver
transistor, with its source grounded.
 The load is a PMOS transistor biased as a current source
(usually through a bias voltage VBVB), connected from the
drain of the driver to the supply voltage VDDVDD.
 The output is taken at the common node between the drain of
the NMOS and the current source load.
Working and Characteristics
 The current source load provides a high output impedance
(roro) compared to resistive or diode-connected loads,
increasing gain significantly.
 The voltage gain is approximately:

AV=−gm,n(ro,n∥ro,p)AV=−gm,n(ro,n∥ro,p)
where gm,ngm,n is the transconductance of the NMOS driver
transistor, and roro terms are the output resistances of the
NMOS and PMOS transistors.
 Both the driver and load transistor must remain in saturation
for proper operation, which imposes constraints on
input/output voltage ranges.
 The current source load ensures a stable current, improving
linearity and gain over resistive loads.
CS-Amplifier With Triode Load
A common source (CS) amplifier with triode load uses a
MOSFET operated in its triode (linear) region as the load
device, replacing traditional resistors to provide a voltage-
variable resistance in integrated circuits.
Working Principle
 The load transistor (usually PMOS) is biased in the triode region
where it behaves like a resistor with
resistance RonRon controlled by the gate voltage VBVB.
 The driver NMOS device operates in saturation, providing the
amplification.
 The output voltage is taken at the drain of the NMOS, across
the triode region MOSFET load.
Characteristics
 The triode load acts as a voltage-controlled resistor whose
resistance depends on process parameters, device dimensions,
and bias voltage.
 Since the load resistance is voltage-dependent, the voltage
gain is non-linear and varies with the input signal amplitude,
causing distortion at large signals.
 The output voltage swing is limited but usually better than
diode-connected loads due to smaller voltage drop across the
triode transistor.
 The voltage gain is related to the driver transistor's
transconductance and the channel resistance of the load
device:
AV=−gm1×Ron2AV=−gm1×Ron2
where Ron2Ron2 is the triode-operated MOSFET's channel
resistance.
CS-Amplifier With Source Degeneration
A common source (CS) amplifier with source degeneration
includes a resistor connected in series with the source terminal
of the MOSFET transistor, adding negative feedback to improve
circuit linearity and stability.
Working Principle
 The source degeneration resistor RSRS increases the effective
input voltage division between the gate-to-source voltage and
voltage across RSRS, reducing gain but improving linearity and
stability.
 The amplifier’s small-signal voltage gain with source
degeneration is approximately:

AV=RL∥ro1gm+RSAV=gm1+RSRL∥ro
 where gmgm is the transconductance, roro is the output
resistance of the MOSFET, RLRL is the load resistance,
and RSRS is the source degeneration resistor.
 The resistor causes negative feedback, reducing gain
sensitivity to device parameter variations, temperature, and
biasing conditions.
CG And CD Amplifiers
Common Gate (CG) and Common Drain (CD) amplifiers are two
fundamental single-stage field-effect transistor (FET) amplifier
configurations with distinct input/output characteristics and
applications.
Common Gate (CG) Amplifier
 Configuration: The gate terminal is common (grounded or
fixed bias), the input is applied to the source, and the output is
taken from the drain.
 Input Impedance: Very low, approximately 1gmgm1,
where gmgm is the transistor transconductance; suitable for
low-impedance signal sources.
 Output Impedance: High, similar to common source stages;
offers good drive capabilities for high-impedance loads.
 Voltage Gain: High and positive (in-phase input and output
signals), typically expressed as Av≈gmRLAv≈gmRL,
where RLRL is load resistance.
 Current Gain: About unity (operates as a current buffer).
 Applications: Useful for impedance matching where low input
impedance is needed, such as in RF circuits and cascode
amplifier stages for high gain and bandwidth.
Common Drain (CD) Amplifier (Source Follower)
 Configuration: The drain terminal is common (tied to supply
or bias), input is applied to the gate, output is taken from the
source.
 Input Impedance: Very high, making it favorable for buffering
high-impedance sources.
 Output Impedance: Low, typically much less than 1/gm1/gm,
ideal for driving low-impedance loads.
 Voltage Gain: Approximately unity (slightly less than 1),
output follows the input voltage minus a small voltage drop.
 Phase Relationship: Input and output signals are in phase.
 Applications: Used as voltage buffers, level shifters, and
impedance matching stages in both discrete and integrated
circuits.