ECEN 326 LAB 4

Design of a BJT Differential Amplier

1 Circuit Topology and Design Equations
The following gure shows a typical BJT differential amplier. Assume 100 and V
A
= 75 V .
V
o1
V
o2
V
CC
V
EE
R
C
R
C
R
E
R
E
R
B3
R
B2
R
B1
V
i1
V
i2
Q
1
Q
2
Q
3
R
T
I
T
The tail current source (I
T
) can be calculated from
I
T

R
B2
R
B1
+ R
B2
V
EE
0.7
R
B3
provided that I
B3
I
R
B2
. DC collector currents of Q
1
and Q
2
are
I
C1
= I
C2

I
T
2
Assuming r
o1
, r
o2
R
C
, R
E
, small-signal differential-mode gain can be obtained as
A
dm
=
v
od
v
id

R
C
r
e1
+ R
E
where r
e1
V
T
/I
C1
. Common-mode gain can be found as
A
cm
=
v
oc
v
ic

R
C
r
e1
+ R
E
+ 2R
T
where
R
T
= r
o3
+ R
BB
+ g
m3
r
3
r
3
+ (R
B1
R
B2
)
r
o3
R
BB
R
BB
= R
B3
(r
3
+ (R
B1
R
B2
))
Common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR), differential-mode input resistance (R
id
) and common-mode input resistance
(R
ic
) are given by
CMRR = 20 log

A
dm
A
cm

R
id
2( + 1)(R
E
+ r
e1
)
R
ic
( + 1)(2R
T
r
o1
)
1
Because of mismatches between the transistors and load resistors, a non-zero differential output voltage will result
when the differential input voltage is zero. We may refer this output offset voltage back to the input as
V
OS
=
V
o
A
dm
V
OS
is known as the input-referred offset voltage. Since the two sources of the offset voltage are uncorrelated, it can
be estimated as
V
OS
= V
T

R
C
R
C

2
+

I
S
I
S

2
2 Pre-Lab
Design a BJT differential amplier with the following specications:
V
ic
= 0 V I
supply
3 mA Zero-to-peak un-clipped swing at V
o1
2.5 V
V
CC
= V
EE
= 5 V |A
dm
| = 40 Operating frequency: 1 kHz
R
id
20 k CMRR 70 dB
1. Show all your calculations and nal component values.
2. Verify your results using PSPICE. Submit all necessary simulation plots showing that the specications are
satised. Also provide the circuit schematic with DC bias points annotated.
3. Using PSPICE, perform Fourier analysis and determine the differential input and output signal amplitudes re-
sulting in 1% and 5% total harmonic distortion (THD) at the differential output. Submit transient and Fourier
plots, and the distortion data from the output le for both cases.
4. Be prepared to discuss your design at the beginning of the lab period with your TA.
3 Lab Procedure
1. Construct the amplier you designed in the pre-lab.
2. Connect V
i1
and V
i2
to ground and record all DC quiescent voltages and currents.
3. Measure I
supply
and the output offset voltage V
o1
V
o2
.
4. Using a 1:1 center-tapped transformer, apply differential input signals to the amplier as shown below:
1:1
Signal
V
i2
V
i1
Generator
5. Measure the maximum un-clipped output signal amplitude at V
o1
.
6. Measure A
dm
and R
id
.
7. Apply the input signal levels resulting in 1% and 5% THD at the differential output voltage, and measure the
input and output signal amplitudes.
8. Disconnect the transformer and connect both inputs to the signal generator. Measure A
cm
and calculate CMRR.
9. Prepare a data sheet showing your simulated and measured values.
10. Be prepared to discuss your experiment with your TA. Have your data sheet checked off by your TA before
leaving the lab.
2