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To investigate the simple differential amplifier using enhancement mode NMOS transistors.
First a few notes on hardware limitation issues. The waveform generator in the Analog Discovery Lab system has a high output bandwidth and with that high bandwidth comes wide band noise. The input signal level needed for the measurements in this lab activity is rather small because of the gain of the differential amplifier. If the waveform generator output were used directly the signal to noise ratio of its output is not high enough. The signal to noise ratio can be improved by increasing the signal level and then placing an attenuator and filter ( figure 1 ) between the generator outputs and the circuit inputs. The materials needed for this are:
2 - 100Ω resistors
2 - 1KΩ resistors
2 - 0.1uF capacitors (marked 104)
Figure 1 11:1 attenuator / filter
This attenuator and filter will be used in all parts of this lab.
Analog Discovery Lab hardware
Solder-less breadboard
Jumper wires
2 - 10KΩ resistors
1 - 15KΩ resistor (use a 10KΩ in series with a 4.7KΩ)
2 - Small signal NMOS transistor (CD4007 or ZVN2110A)
The connections to the Lab hardware are as indicated in figure 2. M1 and M2 should be selected from the available devices with the best matching of Vth. The sources of M1 and M2 share a common connection with one end of R3. The other end of R3is connected to the Vn (-5V) and supplies the tail current. The base of M1 is connected to the output of the first arbitrary waveform generator and the base of M2 is connected to the output of the second arbitrary waveform generator. The two collector load resistors R1 and R2 connect between the collectors respectively of M1 and M2 and the positive supply Vp ( +5V ). The differential scope input 2 +/- is used to measure the differential output as seen across the two 10KΩ load resistors.
Figure 2 NMOS Differential pair
The first waveform generator should be configured for a 200 Hz Triangle wave with 2 volt amplitude and 0 offset. The second generator should be configured also for a 200 Hz Triangle wave with 2 volts amplitude and 0 volts offset but with 180 degree phase. Channel one of the scope should be connected with 1+ to the output of the first generator, W1 and 1- connected to W2. Channel 2 should be connected to display 2+ and 2- and set to 1 V per division.
The following data should be taken: The X axis is the output of the arbitrary waveform generator and the Y axis is scope channel 2 using both the 2+ and 2- inputs. By changing the value of R3, the student can explore the effects of the level of the tail current on the gain of the circuit (as seen in the slope of the line as it passed through the origin) and the linear input range and the shape of the nonlinear fall off in the gain as the circuit saturates. With minor additions to the basic circuit, such as source degeneration resistors, the student can explore techniques to extend and linearize the range of the input swing and the effects on circuit gain.
Figure 3 Gain curves
The use of a simple resistor as the tail current has limitations. The student should explore ways to construct a current source to bias the diff pair. These could be made with a couple of additional transistors and resistors as in the stabilized current source from Activity 8M above.
2 - small signal NMOS transistors ( M3, M4 CD4007 or ZVN2110A)
Figure 4 Diff pair with tail current source
Common mode rejection is a key aspect of the differential amplifier. CMR can be measured by connecting the base of both transistors M1 and M2 to the same input source. The plot below shows the differential output for both the resistively biased and current source biased differential pair as the common mode voltage is swept + and - 200mV around ground .
Figure 5 Measuring Common Mode gain
Would you characterize this transistor amplifier as being inverting or non-inverting to outputs 2+ and 2- with the base terminal of transistor M1 being considered the input? Explain your answer.
Describe what happens to each of the output voltages (2+ and 2- ) as the input voltage (W1) Increases, Decreases:
Suppose this differential-pair circuit was perfectly balanced. In this condition, how much voltage would be expected between the drain terminals of M1 and M2?
What is common-mode voltage, and how should a differential amplifier (ideally) respond to it?
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