Computer aided design of analog VLSI circuits, Spring 2026.
Homework 4
Distribution date: 19-May-2026
Submission date: 04-Jun-2026, 22:00.
The work can be performed individually or in pairs. In any case, each student must submit the solution
on the Moodle site.
For each day of submission delay, there is a penalty of 5 points reduction from the grade.
Problem 1. Consider the CMOS op amp shown in figure below, fabricated in a 0.8-μm CMOS technology
for which μn Cox = μp Cox =90μA/V2, Vt =0.8V, and VDD =VSS =2.5V. For a particular design, I =100 μA, (W/L)1 =
(W/L)2 =(W/L)5 =200, and (W/L)3 =(W/L)4 =100.
(a) Find the (W/L) ratios of Q6 and Q7 so that I6 =100 μA.
(b) Find the overdrive voltage, VOV , at which each of Q1 , Q2 , and Q6 is operating.
(c) Find gm for Q1 , Q2 , and Q6 .
(d) If VA =10V, find ro2 , ro4 , ro6 , and ro7 .
(e) Find the voltage gains A1 and A2 , and the overall gain A.
Ans. (a) (W/L)6 = (W/L)7 = 200; (b) 0.129V, 0.129V, 0.105 V; (c) 0.775mA/V, 0.775mA/V, 1.90 mA/V; (d) 200
kOhm , 200 kOhm, 100 kOhm, 100k ; (e) –77.5V/V, –95V/V, 7363 V/V.
Problem 2. Pay attention: the items below are independent questions.
a. Basic current mirror circuit and differential amplifier circuit – both consist of one pair of
transistors. For each type of circuit, explain if and when different or identical transistors are
desired within a pair.
b. If the amplifying stage has high output resistance, is it good as a current source or a voltage source
? Explain your answer. Give example of such stage: name and circuit, including biasing resistor.
c. Which 4 parameters characterize the amplifying stage ? Briefly explain the importance of each
parameter (e.g., why need them, which information they tell us).
Problem 3. Using Virtuoso, implement single ended differential amplifier loaded by current mirror (4
transistors circuit), driven by tail current Itail (ideal current source). You can use the corresponding parts
of scheme from problem 1 or from the laboratory workshop 4. Use Vdd=5V, Vss=0. Find/show using the
simulation:
a. The voltage operation point of the amplifier is: Vcom=2.5V, Vdif=0, Vout=2.5V +/- 10mV. If needed,
modify the circuit or Itail to achieve this working point.
b. Working point of all transistors (Vds, Vgs, Idr, Vs). Summarize the results in Excel table and confirm
saturation mode of all transistors.
c. Av_max and PM (phase margin) from Bode curves.
d. Modify the circuit (transistors dimensions and working point) to increase the Av significantly (at
least 10 times) and repeat steps a-b-c above.
e. Which parameters of new amplifier (with increased Av_max) have degraded comparing to the
initial amplifier ? In another words, what was the “payment” for increasing Av_max ?
Submit common mode and differential mode dc simulations results showing Vout and Vs graphs vs
Vin, ac simulation results showing Bode graphs, both circuits schematics and Excell tables, Av_max
and PM values of both amplifiers.