KONERU LAKSHMAIAH EDUCATION FOUNDATION

(Deemed to be University estd, u/s, 3 of the UGC Act, 1956)

(NAAC Accredited “A++” Grade University)

Green Fields, Guntur District, A.P., India – 522502

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering

(DST - FIST Sponsored Department)

B.Tech. III ECE PROGRAM

A.Y.2023-24 ODD, Semester-I
21EC3061 Analog VLSI Design
CO1

Session 4: Common source amplifier

1. Course Description (Description about the subject)

Analog VLSI Design is a course offered to create students who are academically and
practically skilled in designing analog circuits which are required as building blocks for real
time applications. During this course, the students will learn about the process of analyzing
the different parameters of a circuit by varying different loads and different configurations.
This course provides insights to amplifiers, Op-amps and mixer circuits.

2. Aim

The aim of learning about the common-source (CS) amplifier is to understand its
fundamental operation and characteristics in order to design and analyze analog circuits
effectively.

3. Instructional Objectives (Course Objectives)

 Apply the fundamentals of MOS transistors for the design of single stage amplifiers.
 Realize the active & passive current Mirrors and analyze the differential amplifiers
with qualitative and quantative approaches.
 Analyze the CMOS Op Amps, and various types of Op Amps with qualitative and
quantative approaches.
 Analyze the high frequency response of CS, CG and CD amplifiers and noise analysis
of various amplifiers and mixers.

4. Learning Outcomes (Course Outcome)

CO1: Apply the fundamentals of MOS transistors for the design of single stage amplifiers.

5. Module Description (CO-1 Description)

Remember the basics properties of MOS Devices. Understand the functionality and Electrical
Properties of MOS Devices. Understand and apply the concept of various amplifiers to find
the circuit parameters.

6. Session Introduction

“Common source amplifier”

The session provides insights to design a simple CS single stage amplifier and study different
parameters affecting the gain of the amplifier.

7. Session description

7.1 Amplifier Basics and it’s Characteristic.

What Amplifier do?

Duplicate the shape of input signal (voltage or current) but with a larger amplitude. An
amplifier is used for increasing the power of a signal.

How is it possible to increase power of small signal?

Amplifier take energy from a power supply or may be thought as modulating the voltage
or current of the power supply to produce its output (duplicate of input).

How Amplifier amplify signal?

It multiplies input signal with some gain to get larger signal. So to get same output signal
as input, an amplifier should be linear or should be operating in its linear gain mode i.e.
its gain should not vary with the changing input.

Fig.1 Analog Design Octagon (trade-off in parameters)

7.2 CS stage with resistive load

A common-source (CS) amplifier stage with a resistive load is a common configuration used
in analog circuits. In this setup, a MOSFET is used as the amplifying device, and a resistor is
employed as the load component Key components of CS amplifier:

The CS amplifier stage with a resistive load operates as follows:

The input voltage, Vin, is applied to the gate terminal of the MOSFET. The MOSFET
amplifies the input voltage, and the amplified signal appears at the drain terminal. The
resistive load, RL, is connected to the drain terminal and serves as the output load for the
amplifier stage. The amplified output voltage is taken across RL. The CS amplifier stage with
a resistive load provides voltage gain and can be used for various applications, including
audio amplification, voltage amplification in communication systems, and sensor signal
conditioning. By analyzing the circuit, designers can determine the gain, input/output
impedance, and other characteristics of the CS amplifier stage, enabling them to optimize its
performance for specific applications.

Fig.1 CS amplifier Schematics

Fig.2 Operating regions of MOSFET analysis

(1)
 (2)

AV = gm (rd || RL) (3)

To increase the gain of a common-source (CS) amplifier stage with a resistive load, we
can consider the following techniques:

1. Increase the transconductance (gm) of the MOSFET: The transconductance of the

MOSFET, represented by gm, determines the relationship between the input voltage and
the output current. Increasing gm will result in higher gain. You can achieve this by using
a MOSFET with a higher transconductance value or by biasing the MOSFET to operate
in a higher current region.

2. Decrease the value of the load resistor (RL): The gain of the CS amplifier stage is
inversely proportional to the value of RL. By reducing the value of RL, you can increase
the gain of the amplifier. However, it's important to ensure that RL is not too small, as it
can affect the output swing and stability of the amplifier.

3. Increase the aspect ratio (W/L) of the MOSFET: The aspect ratio, represented by W/L,
refers to the width-to-length ratio of the MOSFET. Increasing the aspect ratio increases
the current-handling capability of the MOSFET, leading to higher gain. However,
increasing W/L also increases the parasitic capacitances, which may affect the bandwidth
and stability of the amplifier.

4. Implement active load configurations: Instead of using a resistive load, you can employ
active loads such as current mirrors or active loads with transistors. Active loads provide
better gain characteristics and can be designed to have a higher impedance, leading to
increased gain.

5. Optimize biasing conditions: Proper biasing of the MOSFET is crucial for achieving
higher gain. By carefully selecting the biasing resistors and adjusting the bias point, you
can maximize the gain of the CS amplifier stage.

7.3 CS amplifier with diode connected load.

A common-source (CS) amplifier stage with a diode-connected load is another

configuration commonly used in analog circuits. In this setup, a MOSFET acts as the
amplifying device, and a diode-connected MOSFET is employed as the load component.
 Fig.3 NMOS diode connected load

Fig.4 PMOS diode connected load.

Fig.5 Small signal model

The CS amplifier stage with a diode-connected load operates as follows:

The input voltage, Vin, is applied to the gate terminal of the MOSFET. The MOSFET
amplifies the input voltage, and the amplified signal appears at the drain terminal. The
diode-connected MOSFET (M2) is connected between the drain and gate terminals. It
operates in the saturation region, acting as a load component for the amplifier stage.The
amplified output voltage is taken at the drain terminal.

The CS amplifier stage with a diode-connected load provides voltage gain and can be
used for various applications, including audio amplification, voltage amplification in
communication systems, and sensor signal conditioning. By analyzing the circuit,
designers can determine the gain, input/output impedance, and other characteristics of the
CS amplifier stage with a diode-connected load, enabling them to optimize its
performance for specific applications.

(4)
 (5)

To increase the gain of a common-source (CS) amplifier stage with a diode-connected

load, you can consider the following techniques:

1. Increase the transconductance (gm) of the MOSFET: The transconductance of the

MOSFET, represented by gm, determines the relationship between the input voltage and
the output current. Increasing gm will result in higher gain. You can achieve this by using
a MOSFET with a higher transconductance value or by biasing the MOSFET to operate
in a higher current region.

2. Optimize the aspect ratio (W/L) of the MOSFET: The aspect ratio, represented by
W/L, refers to the width-to-length ratio of the MOSFET. Increasing the aspect ratio
increases the current-handling capability of the MOSFET, leading to higher gain.
However, increasing W/L also increases the parasitic capacitances, which may affect the
bandwidth and stability of the amplifier.

3. Implement active load configurations: Instead of using a diode-connected load, you can
employ active loads such as current mirrors or active loads with transistors. Active loads
provide better gain characteristics and can be designed to have a higher impedance,
leading to increased gain.

4. Optimize biasing conditions: Proper biasing of the MOSFET is crucial for achieving
higher gain. By carefully selecting the biasing resistors and adjusting the bias point, you
can maximize the gain of the CS amplifier stage.

5. Increase the load resistance of the diode-connected MOSFET: The gain of the CS
amplifier stage with a diode-connected load is inversely proportional to the load
resistance. By increasing the load resistance, you can increase the gain. However, it's
important to ensure that the load resistance is not too high, as it can affect the output
swing and stability of the amplifier.

6. Utilize cascode configurations: Cascode configurations combine multiple amplifying

stages to improve gain. By incorporating a cascode configuration with a diode-connected
load, you can achieve higher gain and improved linearity.

Remember that increasing gain may come with trade-offs such as increased power
consumption, reduced bandwidth, or compromised stability. Therefore, it's essential to
consider the specific requirements and constraints of your application while optimizing
the gain of the CS amplifier stage with a diode-connected load.

8. Activities/ Case studies/related to the session

1. Activity: Design and simulate a CS amplifier stage

Description: In this activity, students can use circuit simulation software (e.g., LTspice,
Cadence, or Multisim) to design and simulate a CS amplifier stage. They can vary parameters
such as biasing resistors, MOSFET properties, and load components to observe the effects on
gain, input/output impedance, and frequency response. Students can analyze the results and
optimize the design for specific requirements.

2. Case study: Audio amplifier design

Description: Students can explore the design of an audio amplifier using a CS amplifier stage.
They can consider parameters such as voltage gain, input impedance, and output power to
meet the requirements of driving speakers or headphones. Students can analyze the impact of
different load components, biasing conditions, and feedback techniques on the performance
of the audio amplifier.

3. Activity: Gain enhancement techniques

Description: Students can experiment with different gain enhancement techniques in a CS

amplifier stage. They can explore techniques such as cascode configurations, active loads,
and current mirrors to improve gain while considering trade-offs in terms of power
consumption, bandwidth, and stability. Students can compare the performance of the
amplifier before and after implementing these techniques.

9. Examples & contemporary extracts of articles/ practices to convey the idea of the
session

Example: "Design and Analysis of Low-Noise CS Amplifiers for Communication Systems"

Description: This article focuses on the design and analysis of low-noise CS amplifiers for
communication systems. It discusses the importance of achieving high gain, low noise, and
good linearity in amplifiers used in wireless communication applications. The article presents
case studies of CS amplifier designs with noise optimization techniques, such as source
degeneration and biasing strategies, to improve signal-to-noise ratio and overall performance.

Contemporary extract: "As wireless communication systems demand higher data rates and
improved signal quality, the design of low-noise amplifiers becomes crucial. In this study, we
propose a CS amplifier configuration with source degeneration and optimal biasing
techniques to achieve high gain, low noise, and excellent linearity. Simulation results show a
significant improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio, making this design suitable for high-
performance wireless communication systems."

10. SAQ's-Self Assessment Questions

1. The Common-Source (CS) amplifier is primarily used for:

 a) Voltage amplification
b) Current amplification
c) Power amplification
d) Frequency modulation

2. In the CS amplifier, the input signal is applied to the:

a) Gate terminal
b) Source terminal
c) Drain terminal
d) Body terminal

3. The CS amplifier provides:

a) High input impedance and high voltage gain
b) Low input impedance and high voltage gain
c) High input impedance and low voltage gain
d) Low input impedance and low voltage gain

4. The load resistor in the CS amplifier is connected to the:

a) Drain terminal
b) Source terminal
c) Gate terminal
d) Body terminal

5. The small-signal voltage gain of the CS amplifier is primarily determined by the:

a) Transconductance parameter (gm)
b) Output resistance (rd)
c) Input capacitance (Cgs)
d) Bias current (ID)

6. The coupling capacitor in the CS amplifier is used to:

a) Block the DC component of the input signal
b) Provide negative feedback
c) Increase the input capacitance
d) Increase the output resistance

7. The CS amplifier exhibits which type of phase shift between input and output signals?
a) 0 degrees
b) 90 degrees
c) 180 degrees
d) 360 degrees

8. The biasing arrangement in the CS amplifier is used to:

a) Set the operating point of the transistor
b) Provide voltage gain
c) Provide current gain
d) Increase the bandwidth

9. The DC biasing voltage at the gate terminal of the CS amplifier is typically:

a) Greater than the threshold voltage (Vth)
b) Equal to the threshold voltage (Vth)
c) Less than the threshold voltage (Vth)
d) Independent of the threshold voltage (Vth)
10. The CS amplifier operates in which region of the MOSFET?
a) Saturation
b) Cut-off
c) Triode
d) Active

11. The voltage gain of the CS amplifier is determined by the ratio of:
a) Output resistance to input resistance
b) Load resistance to input resistance
c) Transconductance to output resistance
d) Load resistance to transconductance

12. The CS amplifier has a voltage gain of approximately:

a) -1
b) 0
c) +1
d) Infinity

13. The CS amplifier exhibits a high input impedance because of the:

a) Gate-source capacitance (Cgs)
b) Drain-source capacitance (Cds)
c) Input resistance (Rin)
d) Output resistance (Rout)

14. The CS amplifier exhibits a low output impedance because of the:

a) Transconductance parameter (gm)
b) Drain-source capacitance (Cds)
c) Input resistance (Rin)
d) Output resistance (Rout)

15. The frequency response of the CS amplifier is limited by the:

a) Transconductance parameter (gm)
b) Output resistance (rd)
c) Input capacitance (Cgs)
d) Bias current (ID)

16. The CS amplifier can be made more stable by adding:

a) Bypass capacitors
b) Feedback resistors
c) Coupling capacitors
d) Compensation capacitors

17. The CS amplifier is susceptible to:

a) Voltage drift
b) Current drift
c) Thermal runaway
d) Frequency distortion

18. The CS amplifier can provide:

a) Voltage amplification only
b) Current amplification only
 c) Both voltage and current amplification
d) Neither voltage nor current amplification

19. The CS amplifier is commonly used in:

a) Audio amplifiers
b) Power amplifiers
c) Radio receivers
d) Digital circuits

20. The CS amplifier is classified as a:

a) Common-emitter amplifier
b) Common-base amplifier
c) Common-collector amplifier
d) Common-drain amplifier

11. Summary

 A Common Source (CS) amplifier is a type of FET amplifier that can be used with
different loads, including resistive and diode-connected loads.
 In CS amplifiers with channel length modulation, the output resistance increases with
higher output voltage, resulting in decreased voltage gain.
 The body effect, caused by changes in the substrate voltage, can affect the amplifier's
performance by altering the threshold voltage and, consequently, the drain current.
 CS amplifiers without channel length modulation or body effect maintain a relatively
constant voltage gain across a range of output voltages, making them suitable for
applications requiring consistent gain over various frequencies.
 When designing a CS amplifier, it is essential to consider the load impedance and the
impact of channel length modulation and body effect to ensure the amplifier meets the
desired voltage gain and design requirements.

12. Terminal Questions

1. How does the choice of load resistance affect the voltage gain in a Common Source (CS)
amplifier with a resistive load?
2. What is the impact of channel length modulation on the voltage gain of a CS amplifier?
3. How does the body effect influence the performance of a CS amplifier?
4. In CS amplifiers without channel length modulation or body effect, how does the voltage
gain behave over a range of output voltages?
5. What are the design considerations for a CS amplifier to ensure a constant voltage gain
over a broad range of frequencies?
6. How does the output resistance of a CS amplifier change with increasing output voltage in
the presence of channel length modulation?
7. What are the key factors to consider when designing a CS amplifier to meet the required
voltage gain and design specifications?

13. Case Studies (Co Wise)

1. Case study for MOSFET basics:

Application: Power amplification in audio systems
Description: MOSFETs are commonly used in audio amplifiers due to their high power-
handling capabilities and low distortion. A case study could involve designing a high-fidelity
audio amplifier using MOSFETs, considering parameters such as power output, distortion,
and efficiency.

2. Case study for operating regions of a MOSFET:

Application: Digital logic gates
Description: MOSFETs are widely used in digital circuits to implement logic gates. A case
study could involve designing a digital circuit that utilizes MOSFETs in various operating
regions (cutoff, triode, and saturation) to demonstrate their switching characteristics and
understand their impact on digital signal processing.

3. Case study for VI characteristics of a MOSFET:

Application: Solar power conversion
Description: MOSFETs are utilized in solar power inverters for converting DC power
generated from solar panels into AC power suitable for household consumption. A case study
could involve analyzing the VI characteristics of a MOSFET in a solar inverter circuit,
considering factors such as efficiency, maximum power point tracking, and grid
synchronization.

14. Answer Key

Answers:
1. a) Voltage amplification
2. a) Gate terminal
3. a) High input impedance and high voltage gain
4. a) Drain terminal
5. a) Transconductance parameter (gm)
6. a) Block the DC component of the input signal
7. c) 180 degrees
8. a) Set the operating point of the transistor
9. c) Less than the threshold voltage (Vth)
10. d) Active
11. b) Load resistance to input resistance
12. c) +1
13. a) Gate-source capacitance (Cgs)
14. d) Output resistance (Rout)
15. c) Input capacitance (Cgs)
16. d) Compensation capacitors
17. c) Thermal runaway
18. c) Both voltage and current amplification
19. a) Audio amplifiers
20. c) Common-collector amplifier

15. Glossary

Vin: Input voltage

Vdd: Supply voltage

Gnd: Ground (reference voltage)

CS Amplifier: MOSFET configured as a common-source amplifier

RL: Resistive load

16. References of books, sites, links

Text Books:

1) BehzadRazavi, “Design of Analog CMOS Integrated Circuits”, Tata Mc Graw Hill, (2005)

2) Jacob Baker, “CMOS Mixed Signal Circuit Design”, John Wiley, (2008)

Reference Books:

1) Neil H. E. Weste and David. Harris Ayan Banerjee, “CMOS VLSI Design” – Pearson
Education, 1999.

2) Gray& Mayer, “Analysis & Design of Analog Integrated Circuits”, 4th edition, Wiley,
(2001).17. Keywords

Web references:

1. https://www.coursera.org/learn/mosfet
2. https://nptel.ac.in/courses/108106068
3. https://www.coursera.org/learn/rf-mmwave-circuit-design#syllabus

17. Keywords

Amplifier, Common source, Voltage gain