Description
Introduction
The operational amplifier (opamp) is a device that performs amplification of its two input voltages.
Opamps are often used as means of detecting and amplifying error in feedback systems. Noninverting and inverting amplifiers based on an opamp are good examples of applications of an
opamp in feedback systems.
In this lab, you are to analyze, simulate, and test the basic CMOS opamp shown in Figure 1.
The supply voltage (VDD) is 5 V in this lab.
Preparation
Go through the following preparation steps for the opamp in Figure 1.
1. For this opamp: Differential gain (Ad) = −gm4(ro4||ro2)
Common-mode gain (Ac) = −gm4ro4
1/gm2
2gme4ro4ro5+1/gm2
≈ −1/2gm2ro5
Common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) = Ad/Ac = 2gm2gm4ro5(ro4||ro2)
and the bandwidth (f3dB) = 1/2π(ro4||ro2)CL
2. Find the numerical values for Ad, Ac, CMRR, and f3dB for IB = 1 mA and CL = 1 nF.
3. Find the input common-mode voltage that maximize the output swing.
4. For Figure 2, if the opamp input is decomposed into differential and common-mode components, they can be expressed as:
vd = vip −vin = vs −0 = vs
vc = (vip +vin)/2 = (vs +0)/2 = vs/2
5. Run AC simulations to show Ad, Ac and CMRR at low frequencies. Also run a DC simulation
to show the output swing with a differential input with the common-mode voltage found in
3. Label and comment on the plots to clearly show the results.
Lab 4 Page 1 of 4
ECE331
VDD VDD VDD
Vip Vin
Vo
IB
VB
VDD
Vo
Vip
Vin
M1 M2
M3 M4
M6 M5
Vx
Figure 1: A CMOS opamp.
vo
vs
Figure 2: An opamp with a single-ended input.
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ECE331
Table 1: Minimum parts list
Part Description Quantity
ALD1101 NMOS transistor pair 2
ALD1102 PMOS transistor pair 1
– 10-kΩ multi-turn potentiometer 3
Lab
1. SPICE simulation challenge
The first part of this lab will be an LTSpice simulation challenge that will be announced at the
beginning of the lab session by your TA. You will work in groups of two and have 50 minutes to
finish. Completing the preparation part of the lab and general knowledge of the course should be
enough to finalize this part.
2. Experiments
A minimum parts list for this lab is shown in Table 1. This is the absolute minimum. You may
bring more parts for your convenience and backup.
1. Assemble the opamp shown in Figure 1 on the breadboard
2. Adjust the bias current (IB) to 1 mA, and set the opamp inputs to the common-mode voltage
found in preparation using two multi-turn potentiometers as shown in Figure 3(a) .
3. Adjust one of the opamp input for Vo = Vx (see Figure 1) where the opamp is at equilibrium.
The opamp differential input at the equilibrium is the offset voltage of the opamp. Do not
turn the potentiometers from this point.
4. Connect one of the opamp inputs to a signal generator via a large capacitor as shown in
Figure 3(b) and find the differential gain (Ad) of the opamp.
5. Connect both of the opamp inputs to a signal generator via separate capacitors as shown in
Figure 3(c) and find the common-mode gain (Ac) of the opamp. Calculate the CMRR.
6. Insert a 1-nF load capacitor at the opamp output and find the f3dB.
7. Compare the experimental results with simulation. Explain and justify any discrepancy.
Lab 4 Page 3 of 4
ECE331
VDD VDD
Vo
(a)
VDD VDD
Vo
(b)
VDD VDD
Vo
(c)
Figure 3: (a) Circuit configurations for offset cancellation, (b) differential gain (Ad) measurement,
and (c) common-mode gain (Ac) measurement.
Lab 4 Page 4 of 4
