Current Mirrors

II Bias circuit
II. Bias circuit
II. Bias circuit
Introduction
Outline
Active devices (transistors) have to be properly biased to

process the signal
In an analog signal processing circuit there are two
fundamental parts:
CMOS current mirrors
Definitions
Basic stage for current mirrors
Simple current mirror
Wilson current mirror
Improved Wilson current mirror
Cascode current mirror
Modified cascode current mirror
High-compliance current mirrors (I - II)
Regulated cascode current mirror
Low-voltage current mirrors
Processing part
Bias circuit
The processing part is devoted to elaborate the signal

Dynamic requirement
Current references
The bias circuit is devoted to supply currents and/or

voltages to the processing one in order to allow it to
properly operate
Static requirement (Low-frequency, immunity to VDD noise,
temperature, and technology spread)
Introduction
Simple current reference
Current references based on a built-in voltage
Current references based on a reference voltage
Voltage references
Introduction
Supply dividers
Voltage references based on a built-in voltage
Voltage references based on the band-gap voltage
Voltage references based on MOS VTH difference
A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Definitions
A current mirror reads a current entering in a read-node and
mirror this current (with a suitable gain factor) to an
output node (nodes)
Applications
Bias
VDD
RL
Circuit
no. 1
Ire
f
Iout = kIRef
Iref
Circuit
no. 2
Iout
k current gain
Read
section
Current Mirror
M1
M2
Ibias
Ibias
Current mirror
Signal path
Current mirror non-idealities
Current mirror
Current gain error
VDD
Output impedance (rout)

=> reduces the output current Iout
RL
= kIRef R L + r
out
Saturation voltage (VCM)

=> for Vo<VCM the current mirror
doesn't operate correctly
Read
section
RL
Iout
Iref
Iout
Current Mirror
VCM
Isignal
2Isignal
Isignal
Isignal
rout
Vi+
Q1
=> reduces the output voltage

dynamic range
Basic trade-off:
Vi-
Ibias
dynamic range <=> precision
- Differential-to-Single Ended transformation

- Frequency behaviour
Frequency behaviour
Q2
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Simple Current Mirror
Current gain
Output impedance (rout)
Iref
VDD
Iref
Iout
M1
M1
M2
M1
M2
Iref
M2
Iout
PMOS
NMOS
Iout
M1 operates in saturation
k' W
IRef = I1 = 2 L (VGS1 - VTH)2 (1 + VDS1)

Insert
Vtest
Evaluate
Itest
Calculate
Vtest
rout = Itest
Itest
VDS1 = VGS1 = VGS2
G
S
If M2 operates in saturation
D
vgs
gmvgs
rds
G
S
rout = rds2 =
Iout = IRef
W

L
(1 + V DS2 )
(1 + V D S 1 )
gmvgs
rds
M2
M1
k' W
Iout = I2 = 2 L (VGS2 - VTH)2 (1 + VDS2)

W

L
Vtest
vgs
1
I2
Use of long device (large L) to increase rout

Use of large (VGS VTH) for good matching (small
importance of VTH mismatch)
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit

Frequency behaviour

Output swing
Iref
Iout
M1
Iref
M2
Iout
VDSsat2
M1
M2
Small signalequivalent circuit

The output swing in the Simple current mirror is limited to
Iin
Iout
G
Vout,min = VDSsat,2
Cgs2
Cgs1
vgs1
gm1vgs1
rds1
vgs2
M1
gm2vgs2
rds2
M2
i out
gm2/gm1
iin = 1+s(Cgs1+Cgs2)/gm1
k = gm2/gm1 = Cgs2/Cgs1
i out
k
iin = 1+s(1+k)Cgs1/gm1
fT = gm1/Cgs1
pole = (gm1/Cgs1)/(1+k) = fT/(1+k)
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit

Factors affecting the mirror accuracy
Channel length modulation ()
Channel length modulation ()
W

L
1 + VD S 2
Iout
1
IRef = W 1 + V D S 1

L
Threshold offset
Id
Parasitic resistances
Imperfect geometrical matching and current mobility
variation
VGS1=VGS2
VDS
It can be improved by increasing the output resistance.

- use of large L (typically current mirrors are not realized with
th eminimum technological L. This can results in a large
capacitance at the output node)
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Iref
M1

variation
Iout
M2
I 2

I

Threshold offset
Threshold of MOS transistors in close proximity can differ by
4 mV. For transistors hundred of m apart, the threshold
difference VTh can be 40 mV
k'
Cox
k' and C
are minimized with closed and centroid
ox
common structures
VTH
' = I 1 + 2
Iout
out
V G S - V T H
k' 2
Cox 2
W 2 L 2
= k' + C + W + L
ox
W 2
W +
L 2
depends on the lithographyc process
For large W a good strategy is to have W not much larger

than L and to put equal transistors in parallel
Use large (VGS VTH) to improve matching

Parasitic resistances
A parasitic resistance in series with the source determines a
voltage drop
AA
AAA
AAA
A
AA
A
AAA
A
AA
AAA
AAA
Iout
Iref
The metal resistance is of the order of 20-50 /q, with 10

squares it results 0.2-0.5 . If the current is 10 mA it
results an equivalent offset of 2-5 mV.
M1
W=W/n
I 2

I

II 11
M2
L 2
1 W'2
= ..... + n W' + L
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Design example
With the following technological parameter design a simple
current mirror in order that it drives to the output node
1mA and it requires 400mV

variation
Lmin = 0.5m; ; nCox = 60A/V2 ; pCox = 30A/V2 ;

n = 0.1 V1 ; p = 0.2 V1 ; = 0 ; VTHN = VTHN = 0.7V
Example:
Circuit scheme
Iref
Which is the expected output impedance ?
Iout
M2
M1
Layout solution
M2
M2
M1
M1
M2
M2
M1
M1
I Ref
GND
I Out
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit

Output swing
Increases the output resistance
Iref
Iref
Iout
M3
M3
M1
Iout
M1
M2
M2
VDSsat3
VGS2
The output swing in the Wilson current mirror is limited to
VGS1 = VGS2
I1 I2
Vout,min = VGS2 + VDSsat,3 > VTh + 2VDSsat

W

Iout L 1 1 + V D S 2
IRef = W 1 + V D S 1

L
W

L
1 + VD S 2
Iout
1
IRef = W 1 + (V D S 2 + V G S 3 )

L
2
There is a sistematic error since VDS1 = VDS2 + VGS3
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit

Output impedance
Iref
Current gain
Iout
M3
M1
Iref
M2
Iout
M4
M3
M1
M2
Small signal equivalent circuit

g
G3
g
R
m 3 gs3
ix
G2
S3
r ds3
m 1 g2
1/g
ds1
m2
vx
VDS1 = VDS2 + VGS3 - VGS4
vg2 = vs3 = ix/gm2

vg3 = - gm1 vg2 rT
VDS1 = VDS2
if
VGS3 = VGS4
(rT = RL //rds1)
W

L
vx = ix/gm2 + (ix - gm3 vgs3) rds3
Iout
1
IRef = W

L
vx
1
gm 3 gm 3
rout = i = g + rds3 1 + g + g
gm 1 rT
x
m2
m2
m2
W

1 + V D S 2 L 1
=
1 + V D S 1 W

L
gm3
rout rds3 g gm1rT
m2
Higher voltage for the sensing branch (M1-M4)
RL (i.e. Iref current generator impedance) must be large
No sistematic error in the current gain
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Cascode Current Mirror

Current gain
Iref
Iout
M4
M3
M1
M2
Iref
Iout
M4
M3
M1
M2

VDS1 = VDS2 + VGS3 - VGS4
g m 3 vgs3
1/g
m4
G3
g
R
r ds3
m 1 g2
1/g
ds1
VDS1 = VDS2
ix
G2
S3
m2
W

L
if
VGS3 = VGS4
W

L
1 + VD S 2
Iout
1
1
IRef = W 1 + V D S 1 = W

L
L
Same equations with:

R L gm 4
vg3 = - gm1 vg2 r'T 1 + R g
L
m4
The current gain is accurate
rT' = rds1 //(RL + 1/gm4)

For large current ( i.e. with (W/L)M2 large) it allows to
decrease the output capacitance using (W/L)M3 small.
gm3
R g
gm1 r'T 1 + LR mg4
rout rds3 g
m2
L
m4
The output swing in the Wilson and improved Wilson
schemes is limited to
Vout,min = VGS2 + VDSsat,3 > VTh + 2VDSsat
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit

Output impedance

Output swing
The output resistance is increased without feedback.

Iref
M4
VGS4
M3
G3
Iout
1/g
VDS3
R
VGS3
m4
VGS1
M1
m1
M2
ix
S3
1/g
m 3 gs3
r ds2
r ds3
ix= gm3 vGS3+ (vx vS3)/rds3

VGS3 = VGS4
ix= vS3/rds2
The output swing is limited to:
ix= gm3 ( vS3) + (vx vS3)/rds3
Vout,min = VGS1 + VGS4 VGS3 + VDSsat,3
ix= vS3/rds2
Vout,min = VGS2 + VDSsat,3 > VTH + 2VDSsat

rout = rds2 + rds3 + rds3 gm3 rds2 rds3 gm3 rds2
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II Bias circuit
Multiple-Cascode Current Mirror
II Bias circuit
Modified Cascode Current Mirror
I Out
I Ref
M9
M8
M5
M6
M4
M3
M1
M2
Increase the output swing with the cascode output

impedance
I Ref
V
M1
I Out
M3
M2
M4 shifts the voltage VDS1 of the amount enough to bias the

gate of M3 without operating M2 out of saturation.
More cascode stage can be stacked to increase output

impedance.
For n stages
+ Output impedance
rout (rds gm )n-1rds
BUT:
- The saturation voltage increses to:
Vout,min = (n-1)VTH +nVDSsat
+ The current gain is accurate (VDS1= VDS2)
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II Bias circuit
Modified Cascode Current Mirror
II Bias circuit
High-compliance current mirrors

(I)
Possible implementation
I Out
I Ref
M4
M5
I Ref
I Out
I Ref
M3
M3
M4
M1
M6
VTH+V
VTH+2V
M2
M1
M2
VTH+V
M4 is matched with M3 to get VDS1 = VDS2 (at the cost of the

output swing limitation).
The output swing is improved by the use of a level shift VSat
< V < VTH

2 L
k'W IRef -
V = VGS4 - VGS5 =
2 L
IRef 1k'W
L L

W W
L L

W W
I = I1 = I2 = I3 = I4 (current scaling is possible)

1=2=3=
=>
I4 = 4(Vov)2;
2 L
k'W I5 =
All transistors operate in saturation

Vov1 = Vov2 =Vov3 =Vov
I2 = (Vov)2;
Vov=V
=>
I3 = (Vov)2
VDS2 = Vov
VGS3 = VTH + Vov
VGS4 = VTH +2Vov
V is fixed by he geometrical dimensions of M1, M6, M4, M5

and by Vov,4.
Vov4 =
Vov4 = 2Vov
I
;
4
=>
The output swing is:
Vov =
I
= 2
4
= 44
Vout,min = VDS2 + VDS3 = 2VDSsat

Sistematic error in the current gain (VDS1 VDS2)
W

L M1
II 25
W

L M2
W
= L
M3
W
= 4 L
M4
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II Bias circuit

(I)
I Ref
II Bias circuit

(II)
I Out
I Ref
IBias
I Ref
M3
M4
M4
M5
VTH+V
VTH+2V
M1
M2
I Out
M3
VTH+V
M1
M2
Current gain
Sistematic error due to VDS1VDS2
Sistematic error due to body effect on M3
M1=M2; M3=M4 =>
Output swing
Iout=IRef
VDSsat4>VTH to properly work

Vout,min = 2VDSsat
Output impedance
rout = rds4 gm2 rds2
The scheme can be stacked for multiple cascode
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II Bias circuit

(II)
IBias
I Ref
M4
M5
II Bias circuit
Regulated-cascode current mirror

I Out
I Out
M3
I Ref
M3
M1
M1
M2
M2
Vbias
Output impedance
rout = (gm3ro3)ro2A
Possible implementation
It is also possible to enter at the drain of M1
IOut
Ibias
IBias
I Bias2
M4
M5
M3
IRef
I Out
M3
M1
M2
I Ref
M1
MA
Output impedance
M2
rout = (gm3ro3)ro2(gmAroA)
Output swing
Vout,min = VGSA+ VDSsat3
Iout = IBias2 + IRef
Vout,min = VTH + 2VDSsat

Sistematic error since IrefIbias
(Solution proposed by Zeki, et al., IEE El. Letters, 5th June 1997, pp. 1042)
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Low-voltage current mirror

Output swing
for different current mirrors
For low-voltage application the dc voltage drops must be

minimized in order to:
- give the maximum room for the signal swing
- not to limit the supply minimization with bias circuits
Comparison
This valid both for the input stage (reading the current) and for
the output stage (sinking the current)
1
Simple
Id
For the simple current mirror
Cascode & Wilson

2
High-compliance
Regulated Cascode
I Ref
I Out
M1
Triple Cascode
M2
VDSsat2
2VTH+3VDSsat
VTH+2VDSsat
2VDSsat
VDSsat
The output stage (M2) requires

Vout,min = VDSsat
VDS
This is minimum, thus staked-device topologies are avoided

Output impedance is increased with large L
The input stage (M1) requires
Vout,min = VTH + Vov + V(IRef)
The slope (1, 2, or 3) indicates the output impedance (rout)
II 31
This value can be reduced
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit

Application
The input stage voltage requirement can be reduced by using

the low-voltage current mirror
Operational amplifier
VDD
Mb
M4
Iout
Iref
Vi-
M3
Vi+
Vo
Ibias
M2
M1
M2
Low-voltage
current mirror
The drain of M1 is fixed to be VDD - VGS3
M1
This is fixed to be equal to VDSsat

The current mirror requires one VDSsat to operate.
Iout = IM3 + Iref
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Exercise
Comparison Table
1-
DC analysis of Simple CM
2-
AC analysis of Simple CM
- Transfer function
Configuration
Current gain
Output swing
rout
Simple
1 + VD S 2
1 + VD S 1
VDSsat
rds
Wilson
1 + VD S 2
1 + VD S 1
VTH + 2VDSsat
2
gmrds
Improved Wilson
VTH + 2VDSsat
gmrds
Cascode
VTH + 2VDSsat
gmrds
Triple Cascode
2VTH + 3VDSsat g2 r3
m ds
- Evaluate the output impedance (AC)
Triple Cascode
2VTH + 3VDSsat g2 r3
m ds
- Evaluate the signal swing (DC)
Check the sistematic error in Wilson CM (different VDS)

- Check the signal swing (DC sim.)
4-
2VDSsat
High-compliance II
2VDSsat
Regulated-cascode
1 + VD S 2
1 + VD S 1
VTH + 2VDSsat
3-
- Improve by using large L (with same W/L)
1 + VD S 2
1 + VD S 1
High-compliance I
- Output impedance (for different L, with same W/L)
Cascode CM
2
gmrds
5-
6-
Large dynamic Cascode CM

gmrds
Multiple Cascode CM
7-
Low-voltage CM operation
2 3
gm
rds
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II Bias circuit
Current references
II Bias circuit
Simple current reference

(supply depedent)
Introduction
It allows to generte on-chip (no external components) a
current reference
IREF
Necessary for biasing analog subcircuits.
PMOS
NMOS
VDD
VDD
RL
M1
VB
The generated current reference is mirrored where

required, with a suitable scaling factor.
Typically the reference current in the reference current
generator is much smaller than the current level in the
main circuit (i.e. the scale factor is larger than one) in
order to reduce power consumption in the current
reference generator
IREF
M1
Voltage VB is used to bias a current mirror

For the NMOS case:
IREF =
|Vov1| =
Possible current reference generators

Simple current reference (supply depedent)
Current references based on a built-in voltage (supply
indepedent)
Current references based on a reference voltage (supply
indepedent)
IREF =
V DD V DS1
RL
2
I REF
k' (W/L)1
V DD |VTH1| |Vov1|
RL
V DD |VTH1|
IREF =
Features for a reference current

Supply dependence
Temperature dependence
Technology dependence
VB
RL
2
IREF
k' (W/L)1
RL
Supply dependence
IREF depends on supply voltage VDD
positive temperature coefficient (TC)
R 1:
|VTH|: negative temperature coefficient
|Vov|: positive temperature coefficient
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II Bias circuit
Typically the sum (VGS1=|VTH| + |Vov|) has a negative TC
II Bias circuit
Current references
based on a built-in voltage
Basic principle
The current is obtained by "extracting" a built-in voltage
(Vbi) to be applied to a given resistor
VDD
VBIAS
Built-in
Voltage
(Vbi)
generator
I=0
IREF
Vbi
R
1
Vbi
IREF = R1
The dependence of the built-in voltage on temperature and
other parameters will affect the generated reference
current.
The generated current is substantially independent from
supply voltage.
Micropower current reference based on this principle are
also available.
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Self-biased current reference
Self-biased current reference
(V TH + Vov )-based
(V TH + Vov )-based
Start-up circuit
VDD
IREF
M4
M3
VDD
Built-in voltage:
VB
Vbi = VGS1 = VTH + Vov
M1
IREF
M4
M3
M2
RI1
VGS1
VTH
VB
M2
M1
I1
R
W

L
W
=L
(i.e. current mirror)

I1 = I2 (for M3-M4 mirror)
V GS1
k' W
2
R1 = 2 L (V GS1 V T H)
k' W
I1 = I2 = 2 L (V GS1 V T H)2

1
RI2 = RI1 = VGS1 =
Two operating points are possible (A, B) : only one (A) is the
desired one
2I1 L
k' W + VTH
1
Typically Vov is designed to be much smaller than VTH in

order to have:
VTH
I1 R1
Low currents can be generated using large resistor
(VTH+Vov in the range of 1 V)
It is necessary to use a startup circuitry to set the desired

operating point (i.e. to ensure I 0 at the start-up)
Possible start-up circuit solution
VDD
M
4
M
3
I
R 1:
positive TC
VTH: negative TC
Vov:
positive TC (|(VTH) + |Vov|: negative TC)
VBIAS
I
START-UP
Signal
M
2
M
1
At start-up, MS is turned
on, thus forcing M4 in
the saturation region.
Then it is definitively
turned off.
VR1
R
1
Complementary structure is always possible

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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Self-biased
low-current reference generator
Self-biased
low-current reference generator
Vov-based
Vov-based
VDD
VDD
IREF
M4
M3
M3
VB
M1
IREF
M4
VB
M2
M1
Temperature dependence:
R 1:
positive TC
Vov: positive TC.
M2
R
Built-in voltage: Vov = Vov1 Vov2

L

W
L
L
L
= W ; W = m W

I1=I3
; m>1
slope k
I3=I4
I1=f(I2)
M3-M4 is an ideal current mirror => I3 = I4 = I1 = I2 = IREF

VTH1 = VTH2
Also for this circuit a startup circuit is necessary

2IREF L
k' W =
1
IREF = R1
2IREF L
k' W + RIREF
2
1
k' (W/L)
I2=I4
Complementary structure also available:

M3, M4 n-channel transistors (source connected to VSS);
M1, M2 p-channel transistors (source of M1 connected to
VDD);
R1 connected between source of M2 and VDD;
in n-well processes, M1 and M2 in the same well.
Vov generally ranges from tens to hundreds mV

Small currents can be obtained with not very large R
For m=10, VR 60 mV if it is required I = 1 A
=> R = 60k
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
VBE-based current reference
VT-based current reference
VDD
(VBE-based current reference)

M
4
M
3
Built-in voltage:
VEB = VEB1 VEB2 = VT ln(n)
Vbias
M
1
A
VDD
M
2
VREF
R
1
I
Q1
Q1 is a substrate BJT
M1 to M4 operate in saturation region (improved Wilson
current mirror)
M
3
M
4
M
1
M
2
Q1
Vbias
AQ2 = nAQ1 n > 1

L

W
R
1
I REF
1
Q1, Q2: substrate BJT with

different emitter areas:
I2
VEB2 = VT ln nISS
VS1 = VS2 =>
VREF = VEB
R1IREF = VEB1 VEB2 = VTR1 ln(n)

VT
IREF = R1 ln(n)
VEB
I = R1
To generate low currents, a large R1 is needed (VEB in the
range of 0.6 V)
Start-up circuitry is needed
Use the complementary structure for p-well processes
R 1:
positive TC
VEB: negative TC
Small currents can be obtained with small R1

R 1:
positive TC
V T:
positive TC
Start-up circuitry is needed
Complementary structure available only in a p-well
processes
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Voltage references
Current references
based on a reference voltage
VREF
I1
VEB1 = VT ln IS S
I1 = I2 = IREF = I
VGS1 = VGS2 =>
I1 = I2 = IREF ; VA = VB
Q
2
(W/L)3 = (W/L)4, (W/L)1 = (W/L)2
L
L
L
= W ; W = W

Introduction
Voltage references are required in a number of analog

applications (e.g. signal processing, A/D converters, D/A
converters, ...).
VDD
Vbias
Different voltage references
M1
I REF
Supply voltage dividers
R
1
Voltage references based on a built-in voltage

Voltage references based on the band-gap voltage
Voltage references based on MOS threshold voltage
difference
Useful when a reference voltage is available.

This circuit has to operate at low-frequency (dc). The
opamp gain can be extremely large.
VREF
IREF = R1
(the last two types are actually special kinds of voltage

references based on a built-in voltage).
In the following, all voltages will be referred to GND
M1 in saturation region, for current mirror

R 1:
positive TC
VREF: depends on the kind of voltage reference used
Features for a reference current

Supply dependence
Technology dependence
It is difficult to obtain a stable VREF with a small value.

=> Low reference currents need large R1
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II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Supply voltage divider
Resistive dividers
Diode-connected NMOS transistors
Analog circuits normally have only two dc voltage supplies
(VDD and ground)
In order to obtain dc-bias voltages, voltage dividers can be
used
Resistive or capacitive dividers are complex or silicon area

consuming
MOS in the diode configuration (i.e. operwting in saturation
region) can be used
VDD
VDD
M2 V1
R1
VREF
M1
R2
k' W
2 k' W
2
2 L (VDS1 VTH1) = 2 L (VDS2 VTH2)
1
VDS1 + VDS2 = VDD

R2
VREF = R + R VDD = VDD
1
2
Large power dissipation (small resistors) or large silicon

area occupation (large resistors).
1 =
W

L
2 =
;
1
W

L
It results a voltage division of VDD plus an offset.
VREF depends on supply voltage.

To obtain good matching, R1 and/or R2 area realized by
means of a suitable number of unity resistors
1V TH1 2V TH2
2
VDD +
1 + 2
1 + 2
V1 = VDS1 =
with < 1
II 49
Body effect on M2 can affect the operation (VTH1VTH2)
II 50
II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
MOS Supply voltage divider

Disturbs on the supply
If a signal vdd (usually undesired and so a disturb) is

superposed to VDD , the small signal equivalent circuit
must be considered.
Diode-connected PMOS transistors
vdd
VDD
gmbvbs2
1/gm2
1/gm1
1/gds1
C2
1/gds2
C2 = Cgs2
v1
M1
VREF
C1
1 gm1+gm2
fp = 2 C1+C2
M2
C1 = Cgs1 + Cdb1 + Csb2

1 gm2
fz = 2 C2
At low frequency (assuming gm2 >> gds2 and gm1 >> gds1)
there is a resistive partition (no capacitance effect):
Body of M2 connected to source of M2 to avoid threshold
voltage mismatches due to body effect
Assuming VTH1 = VTH2 VTH
1
VDD +
|VTH|
1 +
1 +
At high frequency there is a capacitive partition (no resistance

effect)
C2
v1hf = vdd C 1 + C 2
Several diode-connected transistors can be connected in

series, if allowed by the supply voltage ("diode chain") to
reduce current level for a given VTH
Vo/VDDnoise
VREF = VDS2 =
gmb
1/g m1 + gm1gm2
v1lf = vdd 1/g m1 + 1/g m2 + g mb /(g m1 g m2 )
fp
fp
II
fz
fz
Frequency
One of the two lines is

valid depending if
v1lf > v1hf (line I)
or
v1lf < v1hf (line II)
It results a noise injection from the power supply (VDD)

II 51
II 52
II Bias circuit
Voltage references
II Bias circuit
(VTH+Vov)-based voltage reference

VDD
M
4
M
3
Basic principle
I R1
Extraction of the chosen built-in voltage Vbi
R
1
Generation of the reference voltage VREF forcing IR 2

across a resistor R2, matched with R1
R2
VREF = R2IR2 = R2kIR1 = k R1 Vbi
AA
A
AA
A
AAAAAAA
Built-in voltage: Vth + Vov

M1 to M5 in saturation region
current
mirror
IR1
R
1
Vbi
R2
(W/L)3 = (W/L)4 I3 = I4 = I1 = I2 = IR1
VDD
I=0
VREF
VR1
Generation of a mirrored current IR2 = kIR1
Built-in
Voltage
(Vbi)
generator
I R2
M
2
M
1
Generation of a current IR1 = Vbi/R1
M5
(W/L)5 = k (W/L)4 IR2 = k IR1
VREF
IR2
R2
R2
VREF = k R1 VR1 = k R1 (VTH + Vov)
R2
Generally Vov is made much smaller than VTH

VTH: negative TC
Vov:
positive TC (|(VTH) + |Vov|: negative TC)
Extraction of the bult-in voltage as in current references

Temperature dependence of VREF : it is a function of the
temperature dependence of Vbi
II 53
Start-up circuitry needed

Complementary structure available
II 54
II Bias circuit
VBE-based voltage reference
Voltage references
based on the band-gap voltage
VDD
VDD
M
4
M
3
I R1
M
1
VEB
Q1
II Bias circuit
M
2
M5
VBE
Q1
I R2
VREF=VBE+mVT
VREF
VT
Generation VT x m mVT
VR1
R
1
R2
Basic principle
VREF =VBE + mVT
Built-in voltage: VBE
where VT = kT/q is the thermal voltage.
Suitable choice of m to have zero TC at the desired

operating temperature.
(W/L)3 = (W/L)4 => I3 = I4 = IR1

(W/L)1 = (W/L)2 => VR1 = VEB
At room temperature (T = 300 K):

VBE: temperature dependence = ~2.2 mV/C
VT: temperature dependence = ~+0.086 mV/C.
(W/L)5 = k (W/L)4 => IR2 = k IR1

R
R
VREF = k R2 VR1 = k R2 VEB
1
1
If m = ~25.6 we have zero TC for VREF

VBE: negative TC.
At T = 300 K we have:
VREF = VBE + 25.6VT = ~1.26 V
(silicon band-gap)
Start-up circuitry needed.

Complementary structure for p-well processes.
II 55
II 56
II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Band-gap voltage reference

Compensation of temperature dependence
R 2 VDD
R3
Q1, Q2: substrate BJT

with different emitter
areas
VREF
R
1
VR1
1
AQ2=nAQ1
n>1
Q1
first-order
small temperature range.
Q
2
Ref
[V]
-1.24
-1.25
VA = VB
R2 = R3 => IR2 = IR3 = I = IQ1 = IQ2
VR1 = VEB1 VEB2 = VT ln(n)
V
ln(n)
I = RR1 = VT R
1
1
R2
VREF = VEB1 + R VT ln(n)
1
VREF = VEB1 + mVT
-1.26
-60 -40 -20 0
Scheme sensitive to offset voff of the operational amplifier:

R 2
R2
voff
VREF = VEB1 + 1 + R1 voff + R1 VT lnn1 + I2R2
R
R
A
m = R2 ln(n) = R2 lnAQ2
60 80 100 120 140 T [C]
For better compensation, more complex schemes are used.
where
1
20 40
Q1
For ambient temperature:

m = ~25.6.
Different (but matched) resistors R2 and R3 can also be

used:
R
A
R
m = R2 lnR3 AQ 2
1
Q1
2
Example:
n = 8 => AQ2 = 8AQ1 (easy to obtain in layout)
R2 = R3 = ~12.3 R1
Generally, start-up circuitry is required.

Similar configuration for p-well processes
II 57
II 58
II Bias circuit
II Bias circuit
Voltage references based on MOS

threshold voltage difference
Band-gap voltage multiplier

VDD
VBG
VDD
VREF
RA
M3
M4
D3
D4
RB
M1
M2
VSS
R A
VREF = VBG 1 + RB
VD3 = VD4
where VBG is the band-gap voltage.

The multiplier can be included in the feedback loop.
It follows that:
R3
Q1
VDD
k'3 = k'4
I3 = I4 = I1 = I2 I
R2
R1
+
(W/L)3 = (W/L)4
(W/L)1 = (W/L)2 Vov1 = Vov2
VDD
VDD
Q2
both enhancement
transistors with
different VTH
one enhancement
and the other
depletion transistor
VREF
To be used when VREF > 1.26 V is required
M1 and M2:
transistors with
equal k' and
different threshold
voltages, e. g.:
VREF
VREF = VGS2 + VGS1 = VTH2 Vov2 + VTH1 + Vov1
RA
VREF = VTH1 VTH2 VTH
R2
RA
R3
V
VBG
VSS
Q1
R
1
VR1
1
REF
RB
VBG
Q
2
VTH is generally small. A voltage multiplier is required.
RB
For p-well processes.
Spread in threshold voltages, hence in VTH
R A
VREF = VBG 1 + RB
Offset of the operational amplifier affects VREF

II 59
II 60

Current Mirrors

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II Bias circuit

II. Bias circuit

II. Bias circuit

Active devices (transistors) have to be properly biased to

CMOS current mirrors

The processing part is devoted to elaborate the signal

The bias circuit is devoted to supply currents and/or

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

CMOS current mirrors

CMOS current mirrors

Current gain error

Output impedance (rout)

Saturation voltage (VCM)

=> reduces the output voltage

dynamic range <=> precision

- Differential-to-Single Ended transformation

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

Simple Current Mirror

Simple Current Mirror

Output impedance (rout)

VDS1 = VGS1 = VGS2

Use of long device (large L) to increase rout

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

Simple Current Mirror

Simple Current Mirror

Small signalequivalent circuit

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

Simple Current Mirror

It can be improved by increasing the output resistance.

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

Simple Current Mirror

Simple Current Mirror

Factors affecting the mirror accuracy

Factors affecting the mirror accuracy

Imperfect geometrical matching and current mobility

depends on the lithographyc process

For large W a good strategy is to have W not much larger

Use large (VGS VTH) to improve matching

The metal resistance is of the order of 20-50 /q, with 10

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

Simple Current Mirror

Simple Current Mirror

Factors affecting the mirror accuracy

Imperfect geometrical matching and current mobility

Lmin = 0.5m; ; nCox = 60A/V2 ; pCox = 30A/V2 ;

Which is the expected output impedance ?

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit

Wilson current mirror

Increases the output resistance

The output swing in the Wilson current mirror is limited to

Vout,min = VGS2 + VDSsat,3 > VTh + 2VDSsat

There is a sistematic error since VDS1 = VDS2 + VGS3

A. Baschirotto - Bias circuit