Homework Problems Set 3
Microelectronic Circuits (EEE/ECE/ENI F244) 2023
Problem 1
The figure given below shows an amplifier in which the load resistor R D has been
replaced with another NMOS transistor Q2. Show that for the range of v 1 over which
Q1 is operating in saturation, that is for Vt1 ≤ v1 ≤ vo +Vt1 , the output voltage will be
given by the following expression. Assuming Vt1 = Vt2 = Vt
Also for (W/L)1 = (50 um/0.5 um) and (W/L)2 = (5 um/0.5 um), find the voltage gain.
Problem 2
Consider the Common Source amplifier as shown in the figure for the case V DD = 5 V,
RD = 24 kΩ, kn’(W/L) = 1 mA/V², and Vt = 1 V.
(a) Find the coordinates of the two end points of the saturation region segment of the
amplifier transfer characteristic. (Hint: Points A and B in transfer characteristic)
(b) If the amplifier is biased to operate with an overdrive voltage V ov of 0.5 V, find
the coordinates of the bias point on the transfer characteristic. Also, find the value of
ID and of the incremental gain Av at the bias point.
(c) For the situation in (b), what is the largest amplitude of a sine-wave voltage signal
that can be applied at the input while the transistor remains in saturation? What is the
amplitude of the output voltage signal that results?
(Common Source Amplifier and Transfer Characteristics figures provided in next page)
Problem 3
Various measurements are made on an NMOS amplifier for which the drain resistor
RD is 20 kΩ. First, dc measurements show the voltage across the drain resistor, V RD,
to be 2 V and the gate-to-source bias voltage to be 1.2 V. Then, ac measurements with
small signals show the voltage gain to be -10 V/V. What is the value of V t for this
transistor? If the process transconductance parameter kn’ is 50 uA/V² , what is the
MOSFET's aspect ratio (W/L) ?
Problem 4 (e.g., 4.5 in TB)
Analyze the circuit shown in the figure and determine the voltage at all the nodes and
currents through all the branches. Let Vt = 1 V and kn’(W/L) = 1 mA/V². Neglect
Channel length modulation, i.e. assume λ = 0.
Solutions to Homework Problem Set 3
Problem 1: Deriving relation between Vo and Vi and finding Av
Problem – 2: Interpreting Voltage Transfer Characteristics
(Problem 2 soln. contd.)
(Problem 3 soln. from next page)
Problem 3: Using various parameters to compute aspect ratio of transistor
Problem 4: Problem based on DC biasing and region of operation of transistor
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