BANDWIDTH ENHANCEMENT OF MULTI-STAGE

AMPLIFIERS USING ACTIVE FEEDBACK

M. Reza Samadi, AydÕn ø. KarúÕlayan and Jose Silva-Martinez
Texas A&M University
Department of Electrical Engineering
College Station, TX, 77843-3128, Email: samadi@ee.tamu.edu

ABSTRACT 1
GBP1 = (Overall Gain ) n × ( 3 − dB bandwidth ) (3)
A new topology for wideband multistage amplifiers (MA) is
introduced. The proposed method uses active negative feedback
The GBP1 and total GBP (GBPT) for an n-stage conventional
in a chain of amplifiers to extend the bandwidth and improve
MA, when all stages are designed as in Eq. (1), are obtained by
gain-bandwidth product. The topology has several advantages
such as having capability of widening bandwidth as the number GBP1 = Gωp 21/ n − 1 (4)
of stage increases and enhancing bandwidth by several times that
of the dominant pole of each stage. To verify the performance of
GBPT = Gnω p 21/ n −1 (5)
topology, an 8-stage amplifier in 0.35µm CMOS was designed,
where more than 2.8GHz bandwidth and 40dB gain were If the number of stages (n) is increased, GBP1 in Equation (4) is
obtained from simulations. decreased. Consider an n-stage conventional MA with passive
negative feedback within each stage as illustrated in Figure 1.
1. INTRODUCTION Assume each stage has a feedback of F (frequency independent)
and each forward gain stage can be presented as Equation (1).
For both data amplification and clock distribution, multistage Using feedback, the dominant pole of each stage is ideally shifted
amplifiers (MA) must have high gain and wide bandwidth with to (1+GF)ωp. The overall bandwidth of an n-stage MA with
frequency response ranging from DC to multi-gigahertz-band passive feedback can be written as:
frequencies. A conventional MA is composed of n cascaded
amplifier stages such that each stage is presented as a transfer ω bw ≈ ω p (1 + GF ) 21 / n − 1 (6)
function of gj(s) with a DC gain of G. To simplify, let us assume
-f1(s) -fj(s) -fn(s)
ωG (1)
g j (s) = p
s + ωp Vi Vo
+ + +
Then the overall DC gain and the bandwidth of the MA are g1(s) gj(s) gn(s)
obtained by [1]
Figure 1. n-stage conventional MA with passive local
GT = G n ω bw ≈ ω p 2 1 / n − 1 (2)
feedback
Increasing n decreases ωbw, whereas enlarging the bandwidth of The GBP1 of Figure 1 is obtained by Equation (4) and GBPT can
each stage increases the overall bandwidth of MA. Several be written as:
techniques have been used to increase the speed of amplifiers
[2]-[7]. One of the methods to improve bandwidth is using local Gn (7)
GBPT = ωp 21/ n −1
feedback [2]-[4]. Some techniques, such as capacitance and (1 + GF)n−1
inductance peaking, enhance the bandwidth by placing a peak in
the transfer function at high frequencies (these will be referred as Equations (6) and (7) show that increasing feedback for having a
peaking techniques). Active feedback [2]-[3] uses peaking wider bandwidth decreases GBPT proportional to 1/(1+G×F)n-1.
technique to improve the bandwidth of the amplifier by reducing
feedback at high frequencies. In previously reported methods [2]- This paper introduces a new topology to build a multi-stage
[7], extending the bandwidth of one stage broadens the overall wideband amplifier. It uses a chain of amplifiers with active
bandwidth of MA. However, the combination of the poles of all feedback to expand the bandwidth, and offers several advantages
stages degrades the overall bandwidth such that ωbw is always such as:
less than the bandwidth of each stage. • Improved bandwidth by several times that of the dominant
A meaningful definition for performance of an n-stage MA is the pole of each stage.
gain-bandwidth product of a single stage [8] (GBP1), which can • Being capable of increasing bandwidth as n increases.
be written as: • Increased GBP1 by several times that of the conventional
MA.

;‹,((( , ,6&$6

• Being capable of increasing overall gain-bandwidth product H dc ω n21ω n22 (12)
in comparison with the MA with local passive feedback for
the same bandwidth. (s + 2ζ 1ω n1 s + ω n21 )(s 2 + 2ζ 2ω n 2 s + ω n22 )
2

To validate the proposed topology, an 8-stage MA in 0.35µm where ωn1, ωn2, ζ1, ζ2 and an overall DC gain are
CMOS process was designed and simulated. Section II presents
the new topology or chained-feedback multistage amplifier ω n1 = ω p 1 + 0.38GF ωn2 = ω p 1 + 2.62GF (13)
(CMA). Circuit simulation results are presented in Section III.
ζ 1 = (1 + 0.38GF ) ζ 2 = (1 + 2.62GF )−0.5
−0.5
Finally, summary of the results and outline of the work are given. (14)

2. CHAINED FEEDBACK TOPOLOGY H dc =

(G )4 (15)
Figure 2 shows the proposed n-stage CMA topology, where [1 + 3GF + (GF )2 ]
active feedback is used between stages. The overall structure is
composed of n amplifier stages g1(s) ,…, gn(s) with active Since ωns and ζs are different for both sections, each 2nd-order
feedback gains f1(s) ,…, fn(s). The outputs of forward gain stages, transfer function has a peak at different frequencies. Matlab
gj(s), and feedback stages, -fj(s), are added together. For simulation of the transfer function of 4-stage CMA and two 2nd-
simplicity, assume that the amplifier blocks in Figure 2 have a order functions (@ F=1) for Gs of 2.3 and 6.1, respectively, are
single dominant pole and can be represented as in Equation (1) illustrated in Figure 3. The peak of one of the 2nd-order functions
and feedback gains can be given as is placed where the other 2nd-order function is decreasing. For
small Gs, the –3dB frequency of CMA is determined by the –3dB
ωp F (8) frequency of the first 2nd-order function. Increasing DC gain of
f j (s) =
s + ωp forward stages (G) increases the ripple of the overall function
-f2(s) -fj(s) -fn(s) and pushes the –3dB frequency to higher frequencies and extends
-f1(s) -fj-1(s) -fn-1(s) 0 the bandwidth. Increasing DC loop gain widens the bandwidth
up to the point where the first 2nd-order function produces a peak
of more than 1.5dB.
Vi + + + + + + Vo
gn(s) AC Response
g1(s) g2(s) g3(s) gj(s) gj+1(s)
G=6.1
Figure 2. Scheme of an n-stage CMA

To explain how CMA uses the peaking technique to widen the

bandwidth, let us consider n=2, so that there is only feedback
from the second amplifier to the first one. This two-stage CMA
has a 2nd-order transfer function given by
G=2.3
H dc ω n2 (9)
s 2 + 2ζω n s + ω n2 Overall transfer function
First 2nd-order
Second 2nd-order .-.-
where the natural frequency, damping factor, DC gain and
bandwidth are given by
Frequency/ ωp
ζ = (1 + GF )
−0 . 5
ωn = ω p 1 + GF (10)
Figure 3. Matlab plot of magnitude of two 2nd-order
transfer functions and the overall function of 4-stage
G2 ωbw = ω n 1 − 2ζ 2 + 4ζ 4 − 4ζ 2 + 2 (11) CMA
H dc =
1 + GF -f2(s) -f4(s)
-f1(s) 0 -f3(s)
For the underdamped case (ζ<0.707 or GF>1) ωbw can be
0
(a)
improved up to 2.69ωp, while the peak gain is less than 1.5dB Vi + + + + Vo
(for GF≤ 3.34). In fact, using feedback mostly decreases Hdc g1(s) g2(s) g3(s) g4(s)
rather than increasing the bandwidth, i.e., GBPT decreases more -f2(s) -f4(s)
as the bandwidth is widened. -f1(s) -f3(s)
0
(b)
2.1 Bandwidth of CMA Vi + + + + Vo
g1(s) g2(s) g3(s) g4(s)
Transfer function of a 4-stage CMA is a 4th-order function. It can
be presented as a product of two 2nd-order transfer functions as: Figure 4. The schemes of a) cascaded two 2-stage
CMAs, b) 4-stage CMA

,
To clarify how much the feedback between stages improves the have high loop gains due to passive feedback, which limits the
bandwidth of a 4-stage CMA, consider two 2-stage CMAs in expansion of the bandwidth.
cascade form (see Figure 4). It can be intuitively seen that
The ratio of GBPT of CMA and conventional MA shows how
cascade combination of two 2-stage CMAs has a bandwidth less
much GBPT is decreased. Unfortunately, GBPT of CMA in
than the single 2-stage CMA. Also Figure 5 shows the Matlab
comparison with that of the conventional MA is decreased (as n
plots of the magnitude of transfer functions of a 4-stage CMA
and DC loop gain are increased this ratio decreases further).
and two cascaded 2-stage CMAs for different Gs and F=1.
However, GBPT of CMA in comparison with that of other
Indeed, a 4-stage CMA has one extra feedback path from the
structures (such as Figure 1) is much better. A simulation of the
output of the third stage to the second stage. For G>2.3 in two
ratio of GBPT of an n-stage CMA and an n-stage conventional
cascaded 2-stage CMAs, there is a peak (>1.5 dB). The
MA with passive feedback for n=2, 4, 6 and 8 for different DC
maximum bandwidth in two cascaded 2-stage CMAs is 1.96ωp
gain loops is shown in Figure 7. As it shows, increasing DC loop
that is about 71% of the bandwidth of one 2-stage CMA. Not
gain increases CMA’s GBPT. As n is increased, this ratio also
only did not the maximum achievable bandwidth of 4-stage
increases. Another parameter is the ratio of GBP1 of CMA and a
CMA decrease, but also it can reach up to 2.9ωp without
similar conventional MA that shows how much the GBP1 is
incurring a significant peak in transfer function. In this case the
improved. This ratio is simulated in Figure 8. It shows that GBP1
maximum bandwidth is 6.7 times of the bandwidth of a 4-stage
of an n-stage CMA can be several times of GBP1 of an n-stage
conventional MA.
conventional MA and the structure shown in Figure 1.
AC Response

Increasing G Bandwidth
ω-3dB=2.91ωp
G=6.1

Bandwidth(×ωp)
ω-3dB=1.96ωp
G=2.3

8-Stage x
6-Stage o
Cascaded two 2-stage CMAs -----
4-Stage *
4-stage CMA
2-Stage +

Frequency/ωp
Figure 5. Matlab plot of magnitude of transfer functions DC Loop Gain (G× F)
of schemes in Figure 4 for different Gs and F=1.
Figure 6. Matlab plot of the bandwidth of 2, 4, 6 and 8-
The transfer function of the CMA for n=6 and 8 can also be stage CMA in ωp for different DC loop gains (GF)
written as a product of 2nd-order transfer functions. Figure 6
shows the bandwidth of n-stage CMA extracted from the
⎛ GBPT of CMA ⎞
magnitude response simulation result for different DC loop gains 20 log⎜⎜
(GF) for n=2, 4, 6, and 8. The n-stage CMA for odd ns has a real ⎝ GBPT of Conventional MA with Passive FeedBack ⎠
pole (@ ωp) which limits the expansion of bandwidth to some
extent. Figure 6 shows that the CMA has two advantages. First,
its bandwidth can be several times of ωp (the bandwidth of one
stage); whereas for n-stage conventional MA, ωbw is always less
than ωp. Second, CMA can have more bandwidth as n increases.
As shown above, 4-stage CMA has more bandwidth than 2-stage
CMA. On the contrary, 4-stage conventional MA has less
dB

bandwidth than 2-stage conventional MA. The maximum

8-Stage x
bandwidth that can be obtained for n=8 is 4.51ωp. As F 6-Stage o
decreases, a higher G is needed to have the same bandwidth. 4-Stage *
Although as n increases CMA can have more bandwidth, it also 2-Stage +
needs more GF. Figure 6 shows that if GF is constant, smaller n
gives more bandwidth.
To evaluate the performance of a wideband MA topology,
several parameters can be calculated. One of them is the DC Loop Gain (G×F)
bandwidth of MA. It can be proven that for the same number of
stages and the same GF, both structures of CMA and Figure 1 Figure 7. Matlab plot of the ratio of GBPT of n-stage CMA
have almost the same bandwidth and comparable group delay and conventional MA with passive feedback for n=2, 4, 6 and
variation. In contrast to CMA, the topology in Figure 1 cannot 8.

,
 3. TOPOLOGY VALIDATION [5] Sackinger, E.; Fischer W.C., “A 3-GHz 32-dB CMOS
limiting amplifier for SONET OC-48 receivers,” Solid-State
The proposed topology was validated through simulation an 8- Circuits, IEEE Journal of , Volume: 35 Issue: 12 , Dec.
stage CMA in 0.35µm CMOS. A simple circuit was used as 2000 Page(s): 1884 –1888
forward and feedback stages to be easily modeled as Equations [6] T. Yoon and B. Jalali, “Front-end CMOS chipset for fiber-
(1) and (8). CMA was combined with a buffer to drive 50Ω in based gigabit ethernet,” in Symp. VLSI Circuits Dig. Tech.
series with 1pF capacitor at 3V single power supply. The circuit Papers, June 1998, pp. 188–191.
of two stages of CMA is shown in Figure 9. To increase the gain [7] Chen W. Lu C., “A 2.5 Gbps CMOS optical receiver analog
of forward and feedback stages, Rl=1.8kΩ was chosen, where Ml front-end,” CICC Conf. Proc. pp. 359 –362, May 2002
was used for gain boosting. The Mf and Mg paired transistors [8] Cherry, E., “Impedance mismatching in wide-band
(feedback and forward transistors, respectively) are matched, so transistor amplifier design,” Circuits and Systems, IEEE
the Miller effect of Cgd is partially canceled. Because of low-DC- Trans. on Circuits and Syst:, vol. 17, pp. 131 –132, 1970.
gain stage (<2000.125), tail current and the capacitances at os
(output net of stages) have low variation. Due to the Miller effect
of Cgd of Mf and Mg, the bandwidth of each stage (ωp) is GBP1 of CMA
increased about 60% (generally, the amount of increase depends GBP1 of Conventional MA
on G and F). CMA topology increases the overall bandwidth by
about two times of the bandwidth of one stage (@ GF=4.5). An
AC response simulation of the circuit for different currents of If 8-Stage x
(If<<Ig) is illustrated in Figure 10. As it shows, the peaks of 2nd- 6-Stage o
4-Stage *
order functions are placed in different frequencies. Reducing If
2-Stage +
declines F and the bandwidth and increases the gain. The
bandwidth is about 2.5GHz-3.2GHz, when gain is about 38dB-
45dB and power consumption is 72mW, which is comparable
with the other reports [5]-[7]. Although the circuit has a
bandwidth of 11 times the bandwidth of the conventional MA, it DC Loop Gain (G×F)
has a GBPT of about 40dB less. But GBP1 is improved up to 4.5
times of GBP1 of the conventional MA. Figure 8. Matlab plot of the ratio of GBP1 of 2, 4, 6 and
8-stage CMA and conventional MA for different G×Fs.
4. SUMMARY
Ml Ml Ml Ml
Rl Rl Rl Rl
In this paper a new topology to design a wideband multistage Vb Vb

amplifier was introduced. It used active negative feedback in a oj-1 oj-1 oj oj

Vo+
Vo-
chain of amplifiers to extend the bandwidth and improve the
Vi+ Mg Mg Mg Mg
gain-bandwidth product. The topology has several advantages, Vi-

such as: 1) improved bandwidth by several times that of the

dominant pole of each stage, 2) being capable of increasing Ig Vf+
Ig Vf-

bandwidth as n increases, 3) increased GBP1 by several times Mf Mf Mf Mf

that of the conventional MA and 4) being capable of increasing
If If
GBPT tens of dBs in comparison with the MAs with local
passive feedback with the same bandwidth. To validate the
Figure 9. The circuit of two stages of 8-stage CMA
performance of topology an 8-stage CMA in 0.35µm CMOS was
designed, where simulations show more than 2.8GHz bandwidth
AC Response
and 40dB gain. 50

5. REFERENCES 40

[1] Feucht D. L., “Handbook of analog circuit design,” San

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[3] Galal S., Razavi, B., “10G/b Limiting amplifier and 10
laser/Modulator Driver in 0.18um CMOS Technology,”
ISSCC Dig. Tech., pp. 315 –322, 2003 0
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Frequency (Hz)
T.H., “Optimal allocation of local feedback in multistage
amplifiers via geometric programming,” IEEE Trans. on
Figure 10. AC response (post-layout simulation) of 8-
Circuits and Syst-I:, vol. 48, pp. 1 –11, Jan. 2001
stage CMA for different currents If

,