[PL]

CMOS cascode operational amplifier

simulation tests and layout design

 

Exercise 2 consists of two parts:

·        simulation tests of a cascode operational amplifier,

·        designing the topography of the amplifier, extracting the schematic from the topography design and verifying its parameters.

 

Before performing the task, it is necessary to repeat the knowledge about operational amplifiers and operation of PSPICE simulator and MAGIC topography editor.

 

Figure 1 shows the schematic of an operational cascode amplifier designed for 0.5um AMI technology. The supply voltage Vdd of the amplifier is 3.3 V, and the input common voltage is Vdd/2. The bias voltage VB1 should be selected so that the biasing current of the differential pair (IDM9) is 10uA -  for students with even index number and 20uA - odd index number. Select the bias voltage VB2 to obtain the largest range of output voltage. Please explain your choice in the report. You should also propose and implement a modification of the amplifier's schematic that improves the output voltage range.

 

In the first part of the exercise simulate the amplifier loaded with CL=4pF and determine:

- operating points of transistors and power dissipation Pdiss of the amplifier,

- offset voltage of the amplifier,

- the characteristics of the voltage gain in the open feedback loop, read Avo, GB, PM,

- range of variation of input common voltage ICMR,

- output voltage swing Voutswing,

- slew rate of output voltage,

- CMRR and PSRR,

- input capacitance Cin, output resistance Rout.

 

Using Monte Carlo analysis, investigate the effect of the mismatch of transistor parameters on the input offset  voltage Vioff, amplifier DC gain Avo and CMRR. For this purpose, assume that MOS transistors have a 0.5% variation in threshold voltage and transconductance coefficient (in MOS transistor models, add the parameter DEV=0.5% to VTH0 and TOX) 

Fig. 1 Cascode operational amplifier

 

In the second part of the exercise, design the layout of the amplifier using MAGIC using the following transistor placement:

 

Fig. 2 Cascode amplifier transistor placement.

 

Then extract the amplifier schematic from the topography design and perform simulation tests.

 

For the exercise, prepare a report in doc, odt or pdf format according to the attached template. The report should include a summary of the determined parameters in a table and the corresponding graphs, calculations and conclusions. Files for SPICE simulator (cir) and topography projects (mag) should be attached to the report. NOTE: each simulation should be accompanied by the corresponding file ready to run! Zipped reports with attached files should be sent only by email, in the subject of the email give: Name_Name_index number_AUSLAB_year_task2.

 

the template for the report:: doc