Advanced Engineering Course on

Advanced Analog Circuit Design

EPFL Premises, Lausanne, Switzerland

August 26-30, 2024

Monday, August 26, 2024

Kofi Makinwa, TU Delft, The Netherlands

• Analog Builiding Blocks

• Stability of Operational Amplifiers
 All Rights Reserved
© 2024 MEAD Education SA
© 2024 MEAD Microelectronics, Inc.

These lecture notes are solely for the use of the registered course Participants
and Instructors teaching in the course.

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Authors.
 In Memoriam
Willy Sansen: 1943 to 2024
Program: Aug 26-27, 2024

Day 1
• Analog Building blocks (2 slots)
• Stability of operational amplifiers
• Feedforward and multiple-stage amplifiers

Day 2
• Noise
• Offset and CMRR
• Offset and 1/f noise reduction (2 slots)
Analog Building Blocks

Willy Sansen

KULeuven, Belgium

[email protected]

Willy Sansen 0222038

The law of Moore from 10 µm to 3 nm

10000
nm
10 µm : 1970 50 years !!

1000

100 0.7 x every

2 years 45
32
22 nm

10
10 nm : 2015
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 5 nm : 2020
3 nm : 2022
Willy Sansen 0222033
From planar CMOS to Gate-All-Around

Nanosheet

14 - 5 nm 3 … nm
Song, …, JSSC Jan.22, 236-244
Willy Sansen 0222035
180 to 3 nm CMOS techno’s at ISSCC 2021

45
65 nm : 9th year in a row
40

35 Sensors
30 Bio ADCs, PLLs, ..
25 RF
20 Memories
15 Processors
10

0
180 130 90 65 40 28 22 14 10 7 5 3 nm

Willy Sansen 0222034

Table of contents

• Models
• Single-transistor stages
• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Differential voltage and current amps

Willy Sansen 02220312

MOST : parameters n, Cox and CD
esi
G+ CD =
tsi
S D+
eox
tox Cox Cox =
tox
n+ CD n+
CD
=n-1
Cox

p tsi
CD (VDS) !!!
B
sub-threshold
parameter n = 1.2 .. 1.5
Willy Sansen 0222027
 MOST IDS versus VGS

IDS IDS = WCoxvsat(VGS-VT)

vs IDS ~ (VGS-V
7 T
)
vsat ~10 cm/s

si ’ W
IDS = K n (VGS-VT)2
wi L
VGS
KP
K’ = KP = µCox
log IDS 2n
vs CD
n=1+
Cox
Subthreshold VGS-VT
Slope q/nkT
VGS IDS ~ exp nkT/q

Willy Sansen 0222026

 MOST small-signal model: gm & rDS
D G D
iDS
+
G
+ vGS rDS
vGS −
−
S S gmvGS S
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫
𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 =
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮

′
𝑾𝑾 ′
𝑾𝑾 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫
𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 = 𝟐𝟐𝑲𝑲 𝒏𝒏 𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻 = 𝟐𝟐 𝑲𝑲 𝒏𝒏 𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 =
𝑳𝑳 𝑳𝑳 𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻
 MOST small-signal model: gm & gmb
D G D B
iDS
+ +
G
vGS rDS vBS
+ +
vGS vBS − −
− −
S S gmvGS gmbvBS S

n = 1.2 … 1.5 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫

𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 = 𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 =
⇒ Less gain 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩
Don’t forward
bias the junction! 𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎𝒃𝒃 𝑪𝑪𝑫𝑫
= = 𝒏𝒏 − 𝟏𝟏
𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 𝑪𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐
MOST small-signal model: rDS

IDS
𝑽𝑽𝑬𝑬𝑳𝑳
𝒓𝒓𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 = 𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒐 =
𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫

𝟏𝟏
λ=
𝑽𝑽𝑬𝑬𝑳𝑳

𝑾𝑾
𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 = 𝑲𝑲′ 𝒏𝒏 𝑽𝑽 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻
𝟐𝟐 (𝟏𝟏 + λ𝑽𝑽 )
𝑳𝑳 𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫
Transition voltage VGSt between wi and si

𝑾𝑾 𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮�𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏/𝒒𝒒 𝑾𝑾
𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 = 𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 𝒆𝒆 𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 = 𝑲𝑲′ 𝒏𝒏 𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻 𝟐𝟐
𝑳𝑳 𝑳𝑳
𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 𝟐𝟐𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫
𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 = 𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 =
𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏/𝒒𝒒 𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻
𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 𝟏𝟏 𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 𝟐𝟐
= =
𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏/𝒒𝒒 𝑰𝑰𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻

BJT: ~ 40V-1 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌

𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 ≈ 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕
MOST: ~ 25V-1 𝒒𝒒
EKV/BSIM6 Model

• Transitions smoothly between wi and si

• Replaces VGS-VT by IC = ID/Ispec
• IC is the inversion coefficient
• Ispec = Ispec�(W/L) is the specific current
• Only 3 more parameters are required
• Lsat (models velocity saturation), n and VT0
• Validated down to 28nm in bulk CMOS & FDSOI
Enz et al, SSC Magazine, Aug. 24, 26-35
Operating Regions vs Inversion Coefficient

• Weak inversion: IC ≤ 0.1

• Moderate Inversion: 0.1 < IC ≤ 10
• Strong inversion: IC > 10

• Note: Cadence automatically calculates IC

Single-page BSIM6/EKV MOST model : wi & si
IDS Wused
e √ IC = ev +1 IC = Ispec = (K’ ) (2nUT)2
Ispec Lused kT
q
v < 1 IC = e2v
VGS-VT µCox CD
v > 1 IC = v2 v = K’ = n = 1+
2nUT 2n Cox

Ispec Lsat 2µU T

Gsp = lc = Lsat = = 4nUT q Lused
nUT Lused vsat

2µU T gmsat = WCoxvsat vsat ≈ 107 cm/s

fTsp =
2p Lused2 Lsat ≈ 20 nm
For L = 65 nm (µ = 400 cm2/Vs) fTspec = 78 GHz Enz, Vittoz, Wiley 2006
Willy Sansen 0222028
Relation v and inversion coefficient IC : wi & si
VGS-VT kT
v= VGSTt = 2n ≈ 70 mV v = ln ( e IC - 1)
VGSTt q
v 2
weak inv. moderate inv. strong inv. IC = [ ln ( 1 + e ) ]
10 v
v = √ IC
8 IC = 0.1 v = -1
IC = v2
IC = 0.48 v=0
6
IC = 0.95 v = 0.54
4 IC = 1.7 v=1
2v
IC = e IC = 9.3 v=3
2 IC = 10 v = 3.2
ln IC
v=
2
0 IDS
0,01 0,1 1 10 100 IC IC =
-2
Ispec

Willy Sansen 0222029

 Most important expressions in wi and si
gm 1 gm 2
= =
IDS nkT/q IDS VGS-VT
1 1
wi si
0.63 0.71

0 0
1 IC (log) 0 1 v (lin)

Willy Sansen 02220216

The normalized gm/IDS or GIC curve versus IC
0.95
1 1-e- IC
GIC =
0.9
0.86 IC
0.8
0.7 gm
0.63 = nUT
0.6
IDS
0.5
0.4
0.30
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0,001 0,01 0,1 1 10 100 IC

Willy Sansen 02220217

The normalized gm/IDS or GIC curve versus IC
-15% is at IC = 0.1
0.95
1 1-e- IC
GIC =
0.9
0.86 -37% is at IC = 1 IC
0.8
0.7 gm
0.63 = nUT
0.6
IDS
0.5
0.4
0.30
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0,001 0,01 0,1 1 10 100 IC

Willy Sansen 02220218

Table of contents

• Single-transistor stages
• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Differential voltage and current amps

Willy Sansen 02220312

Single-transistor stages
Common source Common drain Common gate
iout
iout
vout +
vin
Rout Rin
vin
iin
VB IB IB
VB

iout = gmvin vout = vin iout = iin

Rout ≈ 1/gm Rin ≈ 1/gm

Amplifier Source follower Cascode

Voltage buffer Current buffer

Willy Sansen 02220313

Two-transistor circuits
IB IB
iin iout + ic - ic
2 2
ic

vin vin
2 2
1:B IB

vin
iout = B iin ic = gm
2
Current mirror/amp. Differential Voltage amp.
Currents: speed noise Voltages: speed noise
Willy Sansen 02220311
Operational amplifier

1 : B Current mirror
Differential
pair
v- v+
vOUT

Current
mirror Single-
transistor
amplifier

Willy Sansen 0222039

Single-transistor amplifier : Gain

IL + +
vin vout
+ vGS
vout gmvGS rDS
vin - -
-

2 IDS VE L 2 VE L High gain

Av = gmrDS = = => large L
VGS-VT IDS VGS-VT or small Vov

Av ≈ 100 if VEL ≈ 10 V and VGS-VT ≈ 0.2 V

Willy Sansen 02220314

Gain, Bandwidth and Gain-bandwidth with CL

IL
Av0 = gmrDS
+
vout
1
vin CL BW =
-
2p rDSCL

gm
GBW =
For all single-stage 2p CL
Operational amplifiers

Willy Sansen 02220315

Gain Av , BW and GBW

|Av |
BW
Av0
-20 dB/decade
Av0 = gmrDS gm
GBW GBW =
1 2p CL

f (Av ) Av0
0o f f (Av ) = - 45o
- 90o at BW

Willy Sansen 02220316

Single-transistor amplifier : Exercise

GBW = 100 MHz for CL = 3 pF

Techno.: K’n ≈ 50 µA/V2

Lmin = 0.5 µm

VGS-VT = 0.2 V or IC = 8.5

GBW.CL
IDS ? L ? W ? ?
IDS
FOM : Figure of Merit
Willy Sansen 02220317
 MOST fT : when iDS = iGS
iGS
G D
+ CGS
vGS iDS 𝒊𝒊𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 = 𝒗𝒗𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 𝒔𝒔𝑪𝑪𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮
− gmvGS rDS 𝒊𝒊𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 = 𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 𝒗𝒗𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮
S
𝟐𝟐 𝑾𝑾 ′
𝝁𝝁𝑪𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐
𝑪𝑪𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 = 𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑪𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 = 𝟐𝟐𝑲𝑲 𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻 𝑲𝑲𝑲 =
𝟑𝟑 𝑳𝑳 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐

𝒈𝒈𝒎𝒎 𝟏𝟏 𝟑𝟑 𝝁𝝁 𝒗𝒗𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔
𝒇𝒇𝑻𝑻 = = 𝑽𝑽𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 − 𝑽𝑽𝑻𝑻 ≈
𝟐𝟐𝝅𝝅𝑪𝑪𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 𝟐𝟐𝝅𝝅 𝟐𝟐𝒏𝒏 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝝅𝝅𝑳𝑳
Transconductance gm, ratio gm/IDS and fT
gm Gsp Gsp √ IC Ispec
1/2 lc Gsp Gsp =
= gmsat
lc nUT
Gsp IC 1
= WCoxvsat

gm IC W
1 Ispec = K’ (2nUT)2
IDS
1 lc -1/2 L
nUT lcIC
nUT nUT -1 IC
2µU T
fT fTsp fTsp vsat fTsp =
1/2 = = fTsat 2 p L2
fTsp IC lc 2pL
1 Lsat
1 2µU T
wi 1 si 1/lc2 vs IC lc =
Sansen L vsat
SSCS Mag.
- IC
Fall ‘15, 83-89 fTsp IC ( 1 - e ) 20 nm
Willy Sansen 02220213
Transconductance gm, ratio gm/IDS and fT
gm Gsp Gsp √ IC Ispec
1/2 lc Gsp Gsp =
= gmsat
lc nUT
Gsp IC 1
= WCoxvsat

gm IC W
1 Ispec = K’ (2nUT)2
IDS
1 lc -1/2 L
nUT lcIC
nUT nUT -1 IC
2µU T
fT fTsp fTsp vsat fTsp =
1/2 = = fTsat 2 p L2
fTsp IC lc 2pL
1 Lsat
1 2µU T
wi 1 si 1/lc2 IC lc =
Sansen
High-speed point L vsat
SSCS Mag.
Fall ‘15, 83-89 fTsp IC ( 1 - e - IC ) 20 nm
Willy Sansen 02220214
Design single-transistor amplifier in si
gm
gm from specifications such as GBW & CL : GBW =
2p C L
1. Choose biasing point VGS-VT ( = VGST)
gm 2 1
IDS from gm : = or = in wi
IDS VGS-VT nUT

W W
from IDS : IDS = K’ (VGS-VT)2
L L
2. Choose L = … CGS from W and L : CGS = WL Cox
gm 1 2µ VGST GBW CGS
fT from CGS : fT = = =
2p CGS 2p L2 n fT CL
Willy Sansen 02220219
Design single-transistor amplifier in wi & si
gm
gm from specifications such as GBW & CL : GBW =
VGS-VT 2p C L
1. Choose biasing point IC or v ( = )
2nkT/q
gm 1 1 - e - √ IC
IDS from gm : = GIC GIC =
IDS nUT √ IC
W W
from IDS : IDS = IC Ispec Ispec = K’ ( 2n UT )2
L L
2. Choose L CGS from W and L : CGS = WL Cox 2parameters
design

gm GBW CGS
fT from CGS : fT = = GIC IC fTsp =
2p CGS fT CL
Willy Sansen 02220220
Design plan
Specifications GBW CL Techno. Lmin fTsp

gm ICmin
Choice 1

IC IDS

IDSspec fT > 10 GBW

W/L
Choice 2 Ref : W. Sansen
SSCS Magazine
L W CGS fT
Fall ‘15, 83-89

Willy Sansen 02220221

Ratio gm/IDS, IDS and IDSspec for constant gm
1
gm
nUT gm = 2p GBW.CL
IDS
1/2 lc

-1
nUT
gm
IDS IC IDS =
gm/IDS
1
gmnUT
gmnUT lc
1/2
IDS
IDSsp IC IDSsp =
IC
gmnUT -1 IDSsp
W
gmnUT lc =
-1/2 L K’(2nUT)2
1 1/lc2 IC
Willy Sansen 02220223
Ratio gm/IDS, IDS and IDSspec for constant gm
1
gm
nUT gm = 2p GBW.CL
IDS
1/2 lc

-1
nUT
gm
IDS IC IDS =
Low-power point gm/IDS
1
gmnUT
1/2 High-speed point
IDS
IDSsp IC IDSsp =
IC
gmnUT -1 IDSsp
W
gmnUT lc =
-1/2 L K’(2nUT)2
1 1/lc2 IC
Willy Sansen 02220225
Gain, Bandwidth and Gain-bandwidth with CF

IL Av0 = gmrDS
CF
RS + 1
BW =
vin vout 2p RS Av0 CF
-
1
GBW =
2p RS CF

Willy Sansen 02220318

Miller effect

IL IL
CF
RS + RS CFM +

vout vout
vin vin
- -

Av0 = gmrDS CFM = (1+Av0) CF

Miller, Dependence of the input impedance of a three-electrode vacuum tube

upon the load in the plate circuit, Scient. Papers Bur. Standards, 1920, 367-385.

Willy Sansen 02220319

Miller capacitance feedback effects
|Av | 1 - j f/fz
Av = Av0
IL BW 1 + j f/fp
CF Av0
+ 1
RS
vin 1 + gmRS
vout
fz
1
- fp GBW
f (Av )
gm
0o f
fz =
2p C F
- 90o
For phase :
a positive zero - 180o
is like a negative pole !!!
Willy Sansen 02220320
Class A versus class AB amplifier/inverter

iout iout
+
M2 vout M2
vout
vin
vin
M1 M1
CL CL

vout = Av vin vout = Av vin

Class A stage Class AB stage

Willy Sansen 02220321

Analog amplifier : BW & GBW
VDD
Av0 = 2gmRout
iDSA
rDS
M2 Rout =
vout 2
vin
1
M1 BW =
CL
2p RoutCL

2 gm
In series for DC GBW =
2p CL
In parallel vor AC

Willy Sansen 02220322

Single-transistor stages
Common source Common drain Common gate
iout
iout
vout +
vin
Rout Rin
vin
iin
VB IB IB
VB

iout = gmvin vout = vin iout = iin

Rout ≈ 1/gm Rin ≈ 1/gm

Amplifier Source follower Cascode

Voltage buffer Current buffer
Willy Sansen 02220324
Source follower with VBS = 0 (p-well)
1 IB
ZOUT =
RS gm VGS = VT +
K’W/L
vout
vin
VGS = constant

VB IB RB CL VOUT = VIN - VGS

Av = 1

Willy Sansen 02220325

Source follower with VBS ≠ 0 (n-well)
1 IB
ZOUT <
RS gm VGS = VT +
K’W/L
vout
vin
VGS ≠ constant

VB IB RB CL VOUT = VIN - VGS

1
VT = VT0 + g [ |2FF| +VOUT - |2FF| ] Av =
n
n = 1 + CD/Cox Non-linear
Willy Sansen 02220325
Single-transistor stages
Common source Common drain Common gate
iout
iout
vout +
vin
Rout Rin
vin
iin
VB IB IB
VB

iout = gmvin vout = vin iout = iin

Rout ≈ 1/gm Rin ≈ 1/gm

Amplifier Source follower Cascode

Voltage buffer Current buffer
Willy Sansen 02220326
Amplifier versus Cascode
Grounded S: Amp. Grounded G: Amp. Grounded G: Casc.

IB IB IB

vout vout vout

vin 1 1
RS < RS >
gm gm
vin iin

Av = - gmrDS Av = gmrDS Ai = -1 AR = Rout

Rout = rDS Rout = rDS Rout = RS gmrDS

Willy Sansen 02220329

Cascode versus single-transistor

IB

vout
IB
+ M2

vout
vin vin
M1 M1

Av = (gmrDS)1 Av = (gmrDS)1(gmrDS)2
Rout = rDS1 Rout = rDS1 (gmrDS)2

Willy Sansen 02220330

Cascode versus single-transistor

IB
vout
IB
+ M2
vout CL
vin vin
M1 M1
CL

1 gm1
BW = GBW = for both !
2p RoutCL 2p CL
Willy Sansen 02220331
Cascode versus single-transistor
IB Av

vin vout
M1
CL Av2
= gm2rDS2
Single
IB transistor
vout Av1 = gm1rDS1
GBW
+ M2

vin CL Cascode : f
M1 gm1
High gain GBW =
At low freq. 2p C L

Willy Sansen 02220332

Folded Cascode

Av = gm1 Rout
IB1
M2
Rout = rDS1 gm2 rDS2
+

M1
ids1 vout 1
BW =
vin IB2
2p RoutCL
CL
gm1
GBW =
2p CL
IDS1 = IB1 - IB2 ≈ IB1 / 2

Willy Sansen 02220333

Regulated cascode or gain boosting

IB IB1 IB2

vout vout

M2 + M2

vin vin M3
M1 M1

Av = (gmrDS)1(gmrDS)2 Av = (gmrDS)1(gmrDS)2 (gmrDS)3

Hosticka, JSSC Dec.79, pp. 1111-1114; Sackinger, JSSC Febr.90, pp. 289-298;
Bult JSSC Dec.90, pp. 1379-1384

Willy Sansen 02220334

Regulated cascode, Cascode & single-transistor
Av Reg.cascode
Av1 = gm1rDS1
Av3 Av2 = gm2rDS2
IB1 IB2
vout Av3 = gm3rDS3

CL Av2
Cascode
M2

vin Single trans.

M3 Av1
M1 GBW

gm1 f
GBW =
2p C L
Willy Sansen 02220335
Gain boosting
IB BWgb GBWgb = BW
|A|
gmgb 1
Agb Agb =
+VB Rout vout 2p C2 2p RoutCL

M2 BW
C2 CL

vin Acasc
M1

Av = Agb(gmrDS)1(gmrDS)2 GBWgb fz GBW f

gm1
=
2p C L
Willy Sansen 02220336
Pole-zero doublet and settling time

Av VOUT
Av0
VIN
tGBW
tpz

Dfpz
1 0
BW fpz GBW f t
fpz =
1
Dfpz t 2p tpz
VOUT = VIN [1 - exp (- t ) - exp (- )]
tGBW GBW tpz 1
GBW =
Kamath, Meyer, Gray, JSSC Dec.74, pp. 347-352
2p tGBW
Willy Sansen 02220337
Single-transistor stages

iout
iout
vout +
vin
vin iin
VB IB IB
VB

iout = gmvin vout = vin iout = iin

Zout ≈ 1/gm Zin ≈ 1/gm
Amplifier Source follower Cascode
Willy Sansen 02220338
Table of contents

• Single-transistor stages
• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Differential voltage and current amps

Willy Sansen 02220339

Current mirror/ampifier : very linear

iDS Diout
iin
iout vGS

M1 M2

1:B
vDS1 = vGS1 vDS2 vDS

iout = B iin Diout vDS2 - vDS1

=
iout VEL2

Willy Sansen 02220340

Low-voltage current mirror with cascodes
iDS vOUTmin
iin vGS1
iout Rout

VB vDS
M3 M4

vDS2 = vDS1
M1 M2 Rout = rDS2 gm4rDS4
vOUTmin = vDS2+vDS4
≈ 0.2 + 0.2 = 0.4 V is low !

Willy Sansen 02220341

Low-voltage current mirror with feedback amp.

IB iout
iin VDSmin ≈ 0.2 V
Vref ≈ 0.2 V

Rout = rDS2
+
VRef -
Av M1 M2
1
Rin =
Av gm1

Willy Sansen 02220342

Very-low-voltage current mirrors

More Better !
iin iin
noise ! iout iout

M3 M4 M3 M4

- + + -

M1 M2 M1 M2

Ref.: Charlon, .., ESSCIRC 2004, 227-230

VOUTmin ≈ 50 mV Ramirez-Angulo, ISACAS 2002, 615-618
Willy Sansen 02220343
Current amplifier for high frequencies

Rout = rDS
iin
iout
CG = (1 + B) CGS + CDS1
CDS1 M1 M2 gm
BW =
1 CG B 2p (CG+CDS1)

≈ fT 1 Very
iout = B iin (2 + B) fast!

Ref.: Gilbert, JSSC Dec.68, 353-365

Willy Sansen 02220344
Table of contents

• Single-transistor stages
• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Simple differential pairs
• With negative resistors
• Differential voltage and current amps

Willy Sansen 02220345

Voltage differential amplifier
VDD
RL
Two equal transistors
vo1 vo2
- +
vod Redefine vin & vo :
CL CL
vind = vin1- vin2

vin1 vin2
[ vinc =
vin1+ vin2
2

IB vod = vo1 - vo2

VSS [ voc = ...
Willy Sansen 02220346
Voltage differential amplifier : AC Gain
VDD
io1 RL io2
Differential input voltage
vo1 vo2
- + vind = vin1- vin2
vod
CL CL
v
Circular current ic = gm ind
vin1 ic vin2 2
vind vind vod = 2 RL ic
2 2
IB vod
Av = = gm R L
vind
VSS

Willy Sansen 02220347

Voltage differential amplifier
VDD
io1 RL io2 A v = gm R L

vo1 vo2
- + Same as single-transistor !!
vod
CL CL

ic Independent of :
vin1 vin2
Noise on VDD : PSRRDD
IB Noise on VSS : PSRRSS
VSS Noise on Ground : CMRR

Willy Sansen 02220348

Voltage differential amplifier with gmrDS gain

IB
M1 M1

vin1 vin2
vo1 vo2

VB
M2 Av = gm1(rDS1//rDS2)

Willy Sansen 02220349

Day 3-4 : March 7th - 8th, 2022

• Noise
• Fully-differential and class-AB amps
• Bandgap and current references
• Design of crystal oscillators and VCO’s

Ref.: Willy Sansen : Analog Design Essentials, Springer 2006 X

Willy Sansen 0222037

Diode-connected MOSTs with resistors

2
gm 2 (R // ro)

R R

Willy Sansen 02220350

Voltage differential amplifier with high gain

IB
M1 M1

vin1 R R vin2
vo1 vo2

= gm1 (R // ro )
M2 ro = ro1//ro2

Willy Sansen 02220351

CMOS inverter as input transistor

gm x 2
Current reuse
CMFB with P3 & P4

Willy Sansen 02220352

Table of contents

• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Simple differential pairs
• With negative resistors
• Differential voltage and current amps

Willy Sansen 02220353

Negative impedances
2 2 CGS 1
Rin = - -R Zin = - (1 + )-
gm gm 2Cc sCc

Negative Cap.
or Inductor !

R Cc

IB IB IB IB

Ref. Caprio, Electronic Letters, Ref. Galal, …,JSSC Dec.03, 2138-2146

22 March ‘73, 147-148 Jung, .., ISCAS May 04, 145-148
Willy Sansen 02220354
Differential infinite resistance

2
Rin,diff = is high !
gm2 - gm1

M2 M1 M2

Values close to ∞
if perfect matching !
Willy Sansen 02220355
 High gain : high resistance in Drain

IB

M1 M1

vin1 vo1 vo2 vin2

gm1
Av =
M2 M3 M2 gm2 - gm3
Ref. Ohri, .., JSSC Febr.79, pp.38-46
Allstot, JSSC Dec.82, pp.1080-1087
Excellent matching of M2,3 ! Wang, … AICSP ‘95, Vol.8, pp.21-35
Willy Sansen 02220356
 High gain : negative resistance in Source
M1 M1

vin1 vo1 vo2 vin2

gm1
M2
gm1eff =
IB2 IB2 1-A
gm2
IB1 A=
gm1

Ref. Caprio, Elec.Lett., 22 March ‘73, 147-148

Larger gm1eff : larger GBW ! Castello, JSSC June ‘90, 669-676
Wang, Harjani, AICSP, ‘95, 21-35
Willy Sansen 02220357
 Negative R in Drains or in Sources ?
RL vo RL vo
vin
vin
CL CL
M1
M1

M2 M2

Av 1
BW =
2p RLCL gm1
GBW =
2p C L

Willy Sansen 02220358

Table of contents

• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Differential voltage and current amps
• Differential voltage amplifiers
• With bootstrapping
• Current amplifiers
• Super followers

Willy Sansen 02220359

Single-stage OTA

VDD
Av = gm1 Rout

Rout = rDS2 // rDS4

- +
M1 M2
1
vOUT BW =
2p RoutCL
CL
gm1
M3 M4 GBW =
VSS 2p CL

Willy Sansen 02220360

Table of contents

• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Differential voltage and current amps
• Differential voltage amplifiers
• With bootstrapping
• Current amplifiers
• Super followers

Willy Sansen 02220361

Bootstrapping for low input capacitance

A1

- vOUT
vIN
+

+
-
A2

Ccoax ≈ 0 !!!
Bootstrap is positive feedback with LG < 1 !
Willy Sansen 02220362
Bootstrapping out a load resistance R

IB1
Q3
Q4
R is
bootstrapped out :
R Very high gain !
Q5

Q2 Q6

Q1
vIN IB2 vOUT
Ref.: Nordholt
JSSC June 85, 688-696

Willy Sansen 02220363

Table of contents

• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Differential voltage and current amps
• Differential voltage amplifiers
• With bootstrapping
• Current amplifiers
• Super followers

Willy Sansen 02220364

Current amplifier

M1 M2

M3
Rin
iout

iin IB

1
iout = IB + iin Rin = g Is the same !
m1

Willy Sansen 02220365

Current amplifier with lower input resistance

M1 M2
Rin M1 M2

M3
Rin M3
iout iout

iin IB iin IB

1 1 1
iout = IB + iin Rin = g Rin =
gm1 gm3ro3
m1

Willy Sansen 02220366

4-input current differential amplifier

Rin1 M1 M2
Rin2

M3 M4
i1 i2 iout

i3 i4 iout = i1 - i2 + i3 - i4

Willy Sansen 02220367

Table of contents

• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Differential voltage and current amps
• Differential voltage amplifiers
• With bootstrapping
• Current amplifiers
• Super followers

Willy Sansen 02220368

Super followers with FB amplifiers

IF IF

M2
RS - RS
vout vout
vin vin
M1 M1

VB IB CL VB IB CL

Ref. De Matteis,…, ESSCIRC 14, 363-366

Willy Sansen 02220369

 Super source follower - Flipped Voltage Follower

Rin M1 M2
Rout M1
vout

M3 RL M3

iout

iin IB IB vin

1 1 1 1 vin
Rin = Rout = i =
gm1 gm3ro3 gm1 gm3ro3 out RL
Ref. Carvajal, .., TCAS July 05, 1276-1291
Willy Sansen 02220370
Table of contents

• Single-transistor stages
• Current mirrors
• Differential pairs
• Differential voltage and current amps

Willy Sansen 02220371

 Stability of
Two-stage amplifiers

Willy Sansen

Leuven, Belgium

[email protected]

Willy Sansen 0222051

Amplifier or Gm block ?
Opamp Gm
Operational amplifier Operational
Transconduct.amp.

- vOUT - iOUT
Av = Ag =
+ vIN + vIN
Hi gain
Tuning

External Feedback Internal Feedback

Low frequencies High frequencies
High frequencies ??? Linearity ???

Willy Sansen 0222052

Table of contents

• Use of operational amplifiers

• Stability of 2-stage opamp
• Pole splitting
• Compensation of positive zero
• Compensation with negative zero
• Stability of 3-stage opamp
Ref. W. Sansen : Analog Design Essentials, Springer 2006 X

Willy Sansen 0222053

Operational amplifiers do operations
RF
vOUT v1 v2 v3
R1 - = + +
v1 - vOUT RF R1 R2 R3
R2 +
v2 Requires High gain
R3 High speed
v3 Low noise
Low power
Opamp specs : Voltage gain is large
Differential input voltage ≈ 0
Input current = 0
Bandwidth is high
Gainbandwidth GBW is very, very high
Willy Sansen 0222054
 Single-ended or fully differential ?

Discrete
component

Output can be
ground referred

Integrated
component

Needs
high CMRR!!

Willy Sansen 0222055

Voltage input or current input ?

Voltage input Current input

Current output Current output

Willy Sansen 0222056

Classification

Opamp OTA OCA OTA-R

Operational Operational Operational Operational
amplifier Transconduct. Current Transresist.
amplifier amplifier amplifier

- - - -
+ + + +
vOUT iOUT iOUT vOUT
Av = Ag = Ai = Ar =
vIN vIN iIN iIN
RL 1
Av = = Ag RL = Ai = Ar
RS RS
GBW
Willy Sansen 0222057
Feedback configurations

R2 vIN vOUT
+
vIN R1 - vIN
vOUT
vOUT +
-
+ R1 R2 -

R2 R2
Av = - Av = 1 + Av = 1
R1 R1

RIN = R1 RIN = ∞ RIN = ∞

Willy Sansen 0222058

Exchange of gain and bandwidth
|A|
Loop gain (1+T)
Ao Ao open loop gain

Ac Ac closed loop gain

Ac
GBW A o f1 =
1
fA f1 f1c f1c f Ac f1c =
0o f
45o Ac f1c =
45o
-90o
GBW
-180o

Willy Sansen 0222059

Ideal feedback
vIN ve vOUT
S G
-
H

ve = vIN - H vOUT vOUT G 1

= ≈
vOUT = G ve vIN 1 + GH H
if the loop gain LG = GH >> 1

Three gains : H & LG, and G : H & LG easy, not G !

Gray, Hurst, Lewis, Meyer: Design of analog integrated circuits, Wiley 2001

Willy Sansen 02220510

What makes an opamp an opamp ?

vout
+
CL vout

vin vin

Operational amplifier : Wideband amplifier :

Single-pole amplifier Multiple-pole amplifier
High impedance = high gain Low impedances at nodes
Exchange Gain-Bandwidth Wide Bandwidth
Stable for all gain values Stable for one gain only
Willy Sansen 02220511
Single-pole system
|A|
Ao open loop gain
Ao

-20 dB/dec Closed loop gain Ac = 1

loop gain
Single pole
GBW => ONE high
Ac=1 f impedance node
fA f1
open loop closed loop
0o f

-90o
PM PM phase margin
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220512

Two-pole system
|A|
Ao open loop gain
Ao

-20 dB/dec Closed loop gain Ac = 1

loop gain GBW vIN

vOUT
+
-40 dB/dec
-
Ac=1
fA f1 f2 f

0o
open closed loop
-90o
PM PM phase margin
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220513

Higher
Lower loop gain
gaingives
givesless
morePMPM
|A|
loop gain
Ao Ao open loop gain

Ac Ac closed loop gain

1
fA f1 f2 f
open
0o

-90o
PM PM phase margin
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220514

Higher loop gain gives less PM
|A|
loop gain
Ao Ao open loop gain

Ac closed loop gain

Ac

1
fA f1 f2 f
open
0o

-90o
PM PM phase margin
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220515

Higher loop gain gives less PM
|A|
loop gain
Ao Ao open loop gain

Ac closed loop gain

Ac

1
fA f1 f2 f
open
0o

-90o
PM PM phase margin
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220516

Higher loop gain gives less PM
|A|
loop gain
Ao Ao open loop gain

Ac closed loop gain

Ac=1
fA f1 f2 f Worst case
open
0o for Ac = 1
-90o
PM PM phase margin
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220517

Increase PM by increasing f2 : low f2
|A|
Closed loop gain Ac = 1
Ao

Ac=1
fA f1 f2 f
open
0o f

-90o Why is
PM ≈ 0o this bad?
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220518

Increase PM by increasing f2
|A|
Closed loop gain Ac = 1
Ao

Ac=1
fA f1 f2 f
open
0o f

-90o
PM ≈ 45o
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220519

Set PM by setting f2 ≈ 3 GBW
|A|
Closed loop gain Ac = 1
Ao

GBW f2 ≈ 3 GBW
Ac=1
fA f1 f2 f
open
0o f

-90o
PM ≈ 70o
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220520

 Set PM by setting f2 ≈ 3 GBW or BW
|A| |A|
Ao f2 = 3 GBW f2 = 3 BW

BW
Ac
f2
GBW
Ac=1
fA f1 f2 ff f1 f
A
0o f f

-90o
PM ≈ 70o PM ≈ 70o
-180o

Willy Sansen 02220521

Calculate PM for f2 ≈ 3 GBW
Ac = 1
Ao vIN
Open loop gain A = vOUT
f +
f A
(1 + j )(1 + j ) -
f1 f2 H=1

A 1
Closed loop gain Ac = ≈
1+A f f2
1+j +j 2
GBW GBW f2
1
≈
f f2
1 + j 2z + j2
fr fr2
z is the damping (=1/2Q)
fr is the resonant frequency
Willy Sansen 02220522
Relation PM, damping and f2/GBW

GBW f2
fr = GBW f2 PM (o) = 90o - arctan = arctan
f2 GBW
Peaking
Freq Time
f2 1 f2
PM (o) z= Pf (dB) Pt (dB)
GBW 2 GBW
0.5 27 0.35 3.6 2.3
1 45 0.5 1.25 1.3
1.5 56 0.61 0.28 0.73
2 63 0.71 0 0.37
3 72 0.87 0 0.04

Willy Sansen 02220523

Amplitude response vs frequency
Pf

z = Q = 0.71

1
Pf =
2 z 1 - z2

Dorf & Bishop, Modern control systems, Pearson, 2011

Willy Sansen 02220524
Amplitude response vs time
freq domain
Pt
0.1 ringing =>
time domain
0.4 ringing!
VIN 0.7
VOUT
z = Q = 0.71
1
Pt =
2
-pz

1 - z2
1+e
Dorf & Bishop, Modern control systems, Pearson, 2011
Willy Sansen 02220525
Table of contents

• Use of operational amplifiers

• Stability of 2-stage opamp
• Pole splitting
• Compensation of positive zero
• Compensation with negative zero
• Stability of 3-stage opamp
Ref. W. Sansen : Analog Design Essentials, Springer 2006 X

Willy Sansen 02220526

Generic 2-stage opamp

Cc 1
Av = gm1
jw Cc
vIN1 -gm1 1
-gm2 vOUT
vIN2 +
+ GBW
RL CL
f
1

gm1 gm2 for

|Av| = 1 GBW = fnd = RL >>
2p Cc 2p CL 1/gm2

Willy Sansen 02220527

Generic 2-stage opamp

Cc 1
Av = gm1
jw Cc
vIN1 -gm1 1
-gm2 vOUT
vIN2 +
+ GBW
Cn1 RL CL
f
1

gm1 gm2 1
|Av| = 1 GBW = fnd =
2p Cc 2p CL 1 + Cn1
Cc

Willy Sansen 02220528

Elementary design of 2-stage opamp

gm1 gm2 1
GBW = fnd = 3 GBW =
2p Cc 2p CL 1 + Cn1
Cc
Good design choice =>

{
gm2 CL ≈ 0.3
≈4
gm1 Cc
Larger current in 2nd stage !

GBW = 100 MHz for CL = 2 pF

Choose Cc =choose
Solution: 1pF, then
Cc solve for gm1 & gm2 ...
= 1 pF

Willy Sansen 02220529

Table of contents

• Use of operational amplifiers

• Stability of 2-stage opamp
• Pole splitting
• Compensation of positive zero
• Compensation with negative zero
• Stability of 3-stage opamp
Ref. W. Sansen : Analog Design Essentials, Springer 2006 X

Willy Sansen 02220530

Generic 2-stage opamp : Miller OTA
Cc

vIN1 -gm1 1
-gm2 vOUT
vIN2 +
+
Cn1 RL CL
Av0 = - Av1Av2
gm1(vIN2-vIN1) 1 Cc vOUT
+ + Av1 = gm1Rn1
vn1
gm2vn1 RL CL Av2 = - gm2RL
Rn1 Cn1 - -

Willy Sansen 02220531

 Generic two-stage opamp

Cc
Av0 = - Av1Av2
vIN1 -gm1 1
-gm2 vOUT
vIN2 + Av1 = gm1Rn1
+
Rn1 Cn1 RL CL Av2 = gm2RL

Cc
1- g s
m2
Av = Av0
1 + (Rn1Cn1+Rn1Av2Cc+RLCL)s + Rn1RLCCs2
Assuming
Av >> 1 and Rn1 >> RL CC = Cn1Cc + Cn1CL + CcCL
Willy Sansen 02220532
Approximate poles and zeros

1 - cs
A = A0
1 + a s + b s2

1
Zero s = If s1 increases, s2 decreases
c
=> pole splitting!
1
Pole s1 = -
a
a
s2 = - if s2 >> s1
b

Willy Sansen 02220533

Miller OTA : pole splitting with Cc
Cc Pole zero position
fd fz diagram :
1pF
Pole splitting Pole splitting
fnd for high Cc :
0.1pF

10fF f
1k 1M Hz fd = 1
|Av| Av0
10fF 2p Av2Rn1Cc
1000 BW
gm2
100 fz =
1pF 2p C c
10

1
is a positive zero !
GBW => CC cannot
0.1 f
1k 1M Hz be too large!
Willy Sansen 02220534
Effect of positive zero
Negative zero Positive zero
For phase,
1 + j f / f2 1 - j f / f2 a positive
Av = Av0 Av = Av0 zero
1 + j f / f1 1 + j f / f1 is like
|Av | Av0 |Av | Av0 a negative
pole !!!

fA f1 f2 f1 f2
f fA f
0o f 0o f

-90o -90o
180o
-180o -180o
Willy Sansen 02220535
Miller OTA : pole splitting with gm2
gm2
250 µS Pole splitting
fd fnd
Pole splitting
10 µS fz
10µS for high gm2 :
1 µS
1µS
fd = 1
0.1 µS BW f
0.1µS 2p Av2Rn1Cc
1k 1M Hz
|Av|
1000 250 µS gm2
10 µS fz =
100 2p C c
1µS
10
0.1µS GBW
1
is a positive zero !
But now fd and fz
0.1 f
1k 1M Hz move together !!
Willy Sansen 02220536
Pole splitting by using ...

gm2 CL
≈4 => gm2 Cc ≈ 4 gm1 CL
gm1 Cc

So, pole-splitting can be done

by EITHER increasing gm2 or Cc

BUT increasing gm2 => more power!

Willy Sansen 02220537

Table of contents

• Use of operational amplifiers

• Stability of 2-stage opamp
• Pole splitting
• Compensation of positive zero
• Compensation with negative zero
• Stability of 3-stage opamp
Ref. W. Sansen : Analog Design Essentials, Springer 2006 X

Willy Sansen 02220538

Positive zero because feedforward

Cc
Miller effect
vIN1 -gm1
-gm2 Is feedback
vIN2 + vOUT
+
Cn1 RL CL

Cc
Feedforward
vIN1 -gm1 vOUT
vIN2 +
Cn1 RL CL Cut !
Willy Sansen 02220539
Five ways to cut feedforward through Cc
Cc
X
1
-gm1 vOUT
+
-gm2
+
Cn1 RL CL

1. With Source follower

2. With Cascode (Cu.Mirror)
3. With resistor
4. With Amplifier : gm ?
5. With Feedforward
Willy Sansen 02220540
1. Cut feedforward through Cc with SF
Cc
1 Cc vOUT
-gm1 vOUT 1
+
-gm2
+ Voltage
Cn1 RL buffer
CL
Source
follower

Reduced output swing !

Ref. Tsividis, JSSC Dec.76, 748-753

Willy Sansen 02220541

2. Cut feedforward through Cc with cascode

Cc
1
Cc v
1 OUT
-gm1 vOUT
+
-gm2
Current
+
Cn1 buffer
RL CL Cascode

1
Cc v
OUT

Current
Ref. Jolly, .., JSSC Dec 82, 1192-1194 buffer
Ahuja, JSSC Dec 83, 629-633 Cascode

Willy Sansen 02220542

Compensation with cascodes

+3
IB +3
IB
Cc
vout vout

+2 CL +2 CL
M2 M2
+1 +1

vin vin Cc
M1 M1
Fewer parastic
poles & zeros
Ref Yao,.., ISCAS 02, II- 839-842
Willy Sansen 02220543
Use current mirrors instead of cascode

B2: 1 B1: 1
No zero !
vIN Cc is B1B2
Cc
-gm1 vOUT smaller
+ -gm2
+ for same CL
Cn1 RL CL
gm1
GBW =
2p B1B2Cc

Ref. Rincon-Mora, JSSC Jan. 2000, 26-32

Willy Sansen 02220544
3. Compensate feedforward through Cc with Rc

Cc Rc Cc
1 vOUT
1
-gm1 vOUT
+
-gm2
+ Rc
Cn1 RL CL Cc
1 vOUT

1
fz = Rc = 1/gm2 No zero
2p Cc (1/gm2 - Rc)
Rc > 1/gm2 Negative zero
Ref. Senderovics, JSSC Dec 78, 760-766
Willy Sansen 02220545
Negative zero compensation

1
Rc >> 1/gm2 fz = -
2p Cc Rc
1
fz = 3 GBW Rc =
3 gm1

Final choice :
1 1
Relaxed < Rc <
gm2 3gm1
tolerances!

Willy Sansen 02220546

Design Example of 2-stage opamp with CcRc
GBW = 50 MHz for CL = 2 pF for VGS-VT = 0.2 V
Find IDS1; IDS2 ; Cc and Rc !

Choose Cc = 1 pF : gm1 = 2p CcGBW = 315 µS

IDS1 = 31.5 µA & 1/gm1 ≈ 3.2 kW

fnd = 150 MHz : gm2 = 2p CL4GBW = 8gm1 = 2520 µS

IDS2 = 252 µA & 1/gm2 ≈ 400 W ITOT = 315 µA

400 W < Rc < 1 kW : Rc = 1/√2.5 ≈ 400√2.5 ≈ 640 W ± 60%

Set Rc to geometric mean => Very relaxed tolerances!

Willy Sansen 02220547

Table of contents

• Use of operational amplifiers

• Stability of 2-stage opamp
• Pole splitting
• Compensation of positive zero
• Compensation with negative zero
• Stability of 3-stage opamp
Ref. W. Sansen : Analog Design Essentials, Springer 2006 X

Willy Sansen 02220548

 Miller compensation or FF pole-zero comp.
Cc Rc gm1 gm2 v
vIN OUT
gm1 gm2 v
+ -
vIN OUT
+ - gmFF
CL
CL -
gm2 CL fz
≈4 ≈3…5
gm1 Cc Av
Av GBWFF

fnd
1 1
GBW fz f fz GBWFF f

Willy Sansen 0222303

 5.1 Feedforward with Cc cancels the positive zero
Cc Cc
gm1 gm2 v gm1 gm2
vIN OUT vIN vOUT
+ - + -
CL CL
gmFF
(1 - j f )
GBW1 fz -
Av = -
jf f
(1 + j ) Feedforward for 2-stage amp.
fnd
gm1 gm2 Gain-booster for 1-stage amp.
GBW1 = fnd =
2p C c 2p C L
gmFF gm2 gm1
GBWFF = fz = fzFF = fz
2p C L 2p C c gm1 - gmFF
Willy Sansen 0222304
 Fully-differential multi-path OTA

gmFF gm2
gmFF > gm1
gm1
provides
negative zero !

Eschauzier, Huijsing, JSSC Dec.92, 1709-1717

Willy Sansen 0222305
5.2 Two-stage opamp without Miller Capacitance

vIN1 1 Av gm1 gm2

-gm1 vOUT
vIN2 +
-gm2 C1s CLs
+
40 dB/dec
C1 CL
1
f

Willy Sansen 0222307

Two-stage opamp with negative zero fz

vIN1 1 Av gm1 gm2

-gm1 vOUT
vIN2 +
-gm2 C1s CLs
+
C1
R1 CL GBW
1
R1 lowers impedance on Node 1 fz f
1 GBW
fz = Fspac =
2p R1C1 fz
gm1gm2 gm2
Av = (1+ R1C1s) GBW = gm1R1
C1s CLs 2p CL
Willy Sansen 0222308
Closed loop PM
|A| Ac0 < Fspac |A|
Ac0 > Fspac
GBW 1 gm1 gm2
fp = fres =
-40 dB/dec Ac0 2p C1CLAc0
Ac0

Fspac Fspac fres

Ac0 z=
-20 dB/dec 2 fz
1 1
fA fz fp f fA fres fz f
0o 0o

-90o -90o fres

PM PM PM = arctan
-180o -180o fz

Willy Sansen 0222309

Design procedure for given GBW and CL
3 choices : 1 MHz 50 MHz
10 pF 2 pF
GBW
1. Fspac = 3 .. 4 .. 5 : fz = 0.25 MHz 12.5 MHz
Fspac
2. C1 : CL = m C1 : m = 2 .. 3 .. 4 3.3 pF 0.66 pF
1
R1 = 190 kW 19 kW
2p fz C1
3. gm2 = k gm1 : k = 2 .. 3 .. 4
GBW 2p CL gm1
gm12 = 10 µS 0.1 mS
k R1 gm2 31 µS 0.31 mS
IC = 1: VGST = 35 mV FOM (MHzpF/mA) 3440 3440
Willy Sansen 02223010
Negative-zero compensation compensation

7 GHz RcCc : 2 GHz

0.96 mA 1.1 V VGST ≈ 0 V
28 nm bulk CMOS

De Matteis, .., ESSCIRC 2019, 253-256

Willy Sansen 02223011
 5.4 Negative zero with Feedforward without Cc
Cc
Miller OTA
gm1 gm2
vIN vOUT
+ -
CL
Cc
No Cc !!!
gm1 gm2 gm1 gm2
vIN vOUT vIN vOUT
+ - + -
CL CL
gmFF gmFF Cn1
- -

Schlarmann,.. ISCAS 1999, 610-615

Willy Sansen 02223015
Feedforward to generate negative zero : no Cc
gm1 gm2
vIN vOUT
+ - GBW1 fnd
Av = - (1 + j f )
CL jf jf fz
gmFF Cn1
-

gm1 gm2
GBW1 = fnd = BW122 = GBW1 x fnd
2p Cn1 2p C L
gmFF gm1gm2
GBWFF = fz = BW122 = GBWFF x fz
2p C L 2p gmFFCn1
GBWFF
At high freq. f > fz : Av = -
jf Schlarmann,.. ISCAS 1999, 610-615
Willy Sansen 02223016
 Bode plots for a 2-stage Feedforward OTA
Av gm1 gm2 Av
two poles -20 dB/dec
GBW1 fnd
-40 dB/dec
( j f )2
FF zero
GBWFF
gmFF
jf
-20 dB/dec
fnd GBW1
1
fz BW12 GBWFF f fz BW12 GBWFF f
0o
BW122 = GBWFF x fz
-90o
-180o BW122 = GBW1 x fnd
Willy Sansen 02223017
Design procedure
gFF
Av
GBWFF
Choice 1 : > ..3...5..
fz
GBW1 GBWFF
Choice 2 : >
fnd fz
2
1 GBW1 gm2 & Cn1 ≈ 2 CGS2

fnd fz BW12 GBWFF f

gm1
BW122 = GBWFF x fz
BW122 = GBW1 x fnd
Willy Sansen 02223018
 Peaking possible
Av Av
two poles two poles

-40 dB/dec -40 dB/dec

High Loop AvCL
Gain !

AvCL -20 dB/dec -20 dB/dec

1 1
fz BW GBWFF f BW fz GBWFF f
Closed-loop response Closed-loop response
For BW > fz For BW < fz

Willy Sansen 02223019

Two-stage OTA with Feedforward

0.05 mA 2 mA
250 MHz
12 pF
4.7 mA
2.6 mA 640 MHzpF/mA

Thandri,.. JSSC Febr.03, 237-243

Willy Sansen 02223022
High-speed Feedforward Amplifier

Feedforward

10 GHz 5 mA
90 nm CMOS

Ouzonov,.. ISSCC ‘07, 242-243

Breems,.., JSSC Dec.07, 2696-2705

Willy Sansen 02223023

Two-stage OTA with Feedforward : no Cc

3.4 MHz
5.4 pF
15 µA
180 nm
1200 MHzpF/mA

Pavan,.. JSSC July 2010, 1365-1378

Willy Sansen 02223024
Inverter-based two-stage OTA with FF

12.5 MHz NS-SAR

176 dB FOMS

1.5 GHz

40 nm 0.17 mA 1.2 V

Shi, …, , ISSCC’21, 170-171

Willy Sansen 02223025
 Single-stage amplifier
Av

Low LF Gain

20 dB/dec vIN
1
- CL
gm1
fd GBW f
0o gm1
GBW =
-90o 2p C L
-180o
-270o

Willy Sansen 02223026

 Second-order Feedforward : single FF zero
Av

Higher LF Gain

- +
40 dB/dec

20 dB/dec vIN
1
- CL
gm1
fd fz1 GBW f
0o gm1
GBW =
-90o 2p C L
-180o
-270o

Willy Sansen 02223027

 Third-order Feedforward : two FF zero’s
Av High LF Gain
- + +
60 dB/dec

- +
40 dB/dec

20 dB/dec vIN
1
- CL
gm1
fd fz2 fz1 GBW f
0o gm1
GBW =
-90o 2p C L
-180o
-270o

Willy Sansen 02223028

Table of contents

• Use of operational amplifiers

• Stability of 2-stage opamp
• Pole splitting
• Compensation of positive zero
• Compensation with negative zero
• Stability of 3-stage opamp
Ref. W. Sansen : Analog Design Essentials, Springer 2006 X

Willy Sansen 02223029

1-stage CMOS OTA

gm1
GBW =
2p CL

vOUT

vIN
M1 CL

gm1

Willy Sansen 02223030

2-stage Miller CMOS OTA

gm1
GBW =
2p CC
CC gm2
vOUT fnd1 =
2p CL
vIN CL
M1 M2

gm1 gm2

fnd1 = 3 GBW

Willy Sansen 02223031

3-stage Nested Miller CMOS OTA

gm1
GBW =
CC 2p CC
gm2
CD vOUT fnd1 =
2p CD
vIN CL gm3
M1 M2 fnd2 =
M3 2p CL
gm1 gm2 gm3
fnd1 = 3 GBW
Does this really work? fnd2 = 5 GBW

Willy Sansen 02223032

Three-stage configuration

Cc
gm1 gm2
vIN +
- - vOUT

Non-inverting amplifier !
Cc1

Cc2
gm1 gm2 gm3
vIN +
-
+ - vOUT

Willy Sansen 02223039

Nested Miller with differential pair

CD
CC

gm2 gm3
gm1

Non-inverting
Stage Huijsing, JSSC Dec.85, pp.1144-1150
Willy Sansen 02223033
Two ways to non-inverting gain

IB

+vod +vod

+
vind
+
vin
2IB IB

Source follower-cascode Current mirror

Willy Sansen 02223040

Relation between the fnd’s
fnd1 10
PM with two fnd's
GBW 9

8
PM60
PM65 PM = 90o
7
PM70 GBW
6
- arctan( )
fnd1
5
GBW
- arctan( )
4 fnd2

fnd2
2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
GBW

Willy Sansen 02223034

 Relation fnd’s and power
fnd1 10

GBW 9

8
1:3:5 is a
7
shallow optimum
6
Total
5
current
4
2I1+2I2+I3
3

2
PM = 60o
1

0 fnd2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
GBW

Willy Sansen 02223035

Elementary design of 3-stage opamp

gm1 gm2
GBW = fnd1 = 3 GBW =
2p CC 2p CD
gm3
fnd2 = 5 GBW =
Choose CD ≈ CC ! 2p CL

gm2 CL gm3 CL
≈3 ≈5
gm1 CD gm1 CC

Even larger current in output stage !

Willy Sansen 02223036
Exercise of 3-stage opamp with VGST = 0.22 V

GBW = 50 MHz for CL = 2 pF

Find IDS1; IDS2 ; IDS3 ; CC and CD !

Choose CC = CD = 1 pF > gm1 = 2p CCGBW = 315 µS

IDS1 = 31 µA

fnd1 = 150 MHz > gm2 = 2p CD3GBW = 3gm1 = 945 µS

IDS2 = 95 µA

fnd2 = 250 MHz > gm3 = 2p CL5GBW = 10gm1 = 3150 µS

IDS3 = 315 µA

Willy Sansen 02223037

Comparison 1, 2 & 3 stage designs
GBW = 50 MHz for CL = 2 pF VGST = 0.22 V or IC = 10

Single stage : IDS1 = 62 µA ITOT = 2IDS1 = 124 µA

805 MHzpF/mA
Two stages : Choose CC = 1 pF
IDS1 = 31.5 µA IDS2 = 252 µA ITOT = 2IDS1 + IDS2 = 315 µA
317 MHzpF/mA
Three stages : Choose CC = CD = 1 pF
IDS1 = 31 µA IDS2 = 95 µA IDS3 = 315 µA
ITOT = 2IDS1 + 2IDS2 + IDS3 = 567 µA
Then why 3-stage? 176 MHzpF/mA
Willy Sansen 02223038
Positive Feedback Compensation - PFC

-R

gm2
Creates left-zero : fz =
2p Cm2
2.7 MHz 130 pF Ramos,.., CICC ‘02, 333-336
1900 MHzpF/mA Kauffman, .., Dec.‘11, 2869-2881
Willy Sansen 02223041
Transcond. with Cap. Feedback Comp.- TCFC

gm2
2.9 MHz 150 pF kt = ≈2 Double p-z comp.!
gmt
19800 MHzpF/mA Peng, JSSC July 05,1514-1520

Willy Sansen 02223042

Three-stage amp with internal filter

1.4 MHz 1000 pF

18200 MHzpF/mA Yan, ..., JSSC Febr.’13, 527-540
Qu, .., JSSC Febr. ‘17, 517-527
Willy Sansen 02223043
Table of contents

• Use of operational amplifiers

• Stability of 2-stage opamp
• Pole splitting
• Compensation of positive zero
• Compensation with negative zero
• Stability of 3-stage opamp
Ref. W. Sansen : Analog Design Essentials, Springer 2006 X

Willy Sansen 02223044