Please answer all questions. Clearly show your working. Use Table 1 when needed.

Q1. Figure 1 shows a differential amplifier. Given that M1 is matched with M2 and
R1 = R2 = 3 kΩ, C1 = C2=5 pF, gm=500 µS, rds=25 kΩ, Cgs=0.5 fF and Cgd=3 fF.

a) Draw the ac small signal model of the circuit.

b) Plot the Vout/Vin in dB Vs. frequency( in log scale). Clearly show these
specifications: mid band voltage gain, f3dB, location of pole(s) and or zero(s)
c) Plot the phase vs. frequency (in log scale).
d) From part c) calculate the phase margin.

[10 marks]
VDD
R2
R1
3k 3k
C2
C1
-Vout +
M2 M1
+
Vin
-

1 mA

Figure 1

Table 1

λ γ Phi VTO KP
NMOS 0.01 0.4 0.6 0.6 110 µ
PMOS 0.02 0.4 0.6 -0.6 50 µ
Q1 Solution:

From small signal cct:

AV0 = -550u(3k//25k) = -1.34@2.5 dB

P1 ≈ 1/(2π(cgd+c2)3k//25k = 11.97 MHz@107

Z1 = gm/(2πcgd) = 15.9 MHZ@107.2

note the pole and zero is very closed to each other: - they are not cancelling each other
– from the phase plot and/or calculation – PM ≈ 8°

PM = 180-tan-1(108.23/107.2) - tan-1(108.23/107) where 108.23 is the GB ( this is found

from the gain vs. freq plot or/and calculation of the transfer function.

Q2. Please refer to Figure 2. Assume an ideal case where there is no parasitic
capacitance and all transistors are in saturation region.

a) Identify whether node A or B is the inverting input.

b) Calculate minimum W/L of transistor M3 and M4.
c) Calculate common mode input range: Vicmin and Vicmax
d) Calculate output voltage swing: Voutmin and Voutmax
e) Calculate the mid band voltage gain : Vout/Vin
f) Find the slew rate of the amplifier
g) Find the f3dB.
h) Calculate the W/L of a NMOS transistor which could function as a nulling
resistor to cancel the zero. This is shown in Figure 3. (Hint: set the gm of this
transistor equal to gm of transistor M8.)

[20 marks]

VDD = 3.5 V

M5
M6 100/2
M7
40/2 M1 200/2
50/2
1 M2 2
50/2
Cc= 3 pF
10 µA M4
M3 Vout

M8
100/2

Figure 2
Q2. node 1 is the inverting input

b) find the vgs of transistor M8 – found to be 0.73 v

use this voltage to get (W/L)3,4 : Current in M4 = 12.5 uA – then solve current
equation for M4 – and get (W/L)3,4= 13.4
c) Vicmax =VDD-VDS5-VGS1 = 2.62 V
VDS5 = 0.14V, VGS1 = 0.74 V.

Vicmin = VDS3+(VDS1-VGS1) = 0.13 V

d) Voutmax = VDD-VDS7 = 3.36 V

Voutmin = VDS8 = 0.14 V

e) AV0 = gm1rds1//rds4gm8rds8//rds7=110 dB
f)SR = I5/CC= 25 u/cc=8.3V/uS
g) P = gout2gout1/(2πgm8cc) = 40 Hz.
h) gm8=0.7 m
Mx in linear: gmx= k’w/L(VGS-Vt)
VG8-Vt=0.135, VG8-VSx=0.735
(W/L)x =0.735m/(k’(2.5-0.735-0.6) = 5.8

2.5 V

Mx
Cc= 3 pF

Vout
Figure 3

M8
100/2
Q3. Please refer to Figure 4. Given that gm = 1m A/V, Cgd = 5 pF and Cgs = 1 pF.

Calculate the small signal mid band voltage gain and sketch the voltage gain in dB
Vs. frequency ( in log scale). Calculate the phase margin.

[20 marks]

VDD
R1 R2
RL
10 kΩ
150 kΩ 10 kΩ
Rs
300 kΩ
M1 M2
+
Vin rin1 rin2
15 MΩ 15 MΩ
-

Figure 4

Q3. Draw half circuit 5 pF

a x Vout
Vix = vin/2
Vix
75 kΩ 10 kΩ
2 pF
15 MΩ

AV (from half circuit from x to a) = -gm75k//10k=-8.8

CM (Miller at a) = 9.9(5p)= 49 pf

Pa = 1/(2π50p150k//1M) = 24.4 KHz=104.38

Cx = (1+1/8.8)5p = 5.5 pf
Px = 1/(2πCxp75k//10k)= 3.2 MHz=106.5

Vx/Vix=-1M/(1M+150k)8.8 = -8.7
Vx/Vin = -2(8.7) = -17.4= 24.8 dB

Plot and calculate phase = PM ≈ 87 °