Publication

Electronic Devices
Chapter 7: FET Amplifiers Switching and Circuits
The Common-Source Amplifier

In a common-source (CS) amplifier, the input signal is applied to the gate and the output
signal is taken from the drain. The amplifier has higher input resistance and lower gain
than the equivalent CE amplifier.
Figure 1: JFET common-source amplifier.
The ac voltage gain of this circuit is Vout=Vin, where Vin=Vgs and Vout=Vds. The voltage
gain expression is, therefore,
Vds
Av =
Vgs
From the equivalent circuit, Vds=IdRd
and from the definition of transconductance, gm=Id/Vgs,
Substituting the two preceding expressions into the equation for voltage gain yields
Av=gm Rd
You can estimate what the transfer characteristic looks like from values on the
specification sheet, but keep in mind that large variations are common with JFETs.
Figure 2
54 Assist. Prof. Dr. Hamad Rahman

Electronic Devices
To analyze the CS amplifier, you need to start with dc values. It is useful to estimate ID
based on typical values; specific circuits will vary from this estimate. The gain is
reduced when a load is connected to the amplifier because the total ac drain resistance
(Rd) is reduced
Example: Determine the drain current for a typical 2N5458 JFET amplifier which
shown in the following Figure.
VDD
+12 V
RD
2.7 kW
C1 Vout
0.1 mF
Vin
100 mV RG RS C2
10 MW 470 W 10 mF
Solution: From the specification sheet, the typical IDSS = 6.0 mA and VGS(off) = -4 V.
These values can be plotted along with the load line to obtain a graphical solution.
A graphical solution is illustrated. On the transconductance curve, plot the load line
for the source resistor. Then read the current and voltage at the Q-point.
ID = 2.8 mA and VGS = -1.3 V
Alternatively, you can obtain ID using Equation

2
ID R S
ID = IDSS (1 − )
VGS(off)
Example: Assume IDSS is 6.0 mA, VGS(off) is -4 V, and VGS = -1.3 V as found previously.
What is the expected gain?
Solution:
Av = gmRD = (2.02 mS)(2.7 kΩ) = 5.45

Electronic Devices
Example: How does the addition of the 10kΩ load affect the gain?
Solution: VDD
+12 V
RD
2.7 kW
Vout
C1
0.1 mF
Vin
100 mV RG RS C2 RL
10 MW 470 W 10 mF 10 kW
Av = gmRd = (2.02 mS)(2.13 kΩ) = 4.29
D-MOSFET Amplifier Operation

In operation, the D-MOSFET has the unique property in that it can be operated with zero
bias, allowing the signal to swing above and below ground. This means that it can
operate in either D-mode or E-mode.
+VDD
RD C2
Vout
C1
RL
Vin RG
Figure 3: (a) Zero-biased D-MOSFET (b) Depletion-enhancement operation D-MOSFET

common-source amplifier. shown on transfer characteristic curve.
E-MOSFET Amplifier Operation

The E-MOSFET is a normally off device. The n-channel device is biased on by making
the gate positive with respect to the source. A voltage-divider biased E-MOSFET
amplifier is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: (a) Common-source E-MOSFET (b) E-MOSFET (n-channel) operation

amplifier with voltage-divider bias. shown on transfer characteristic curve.

Electronic Devices
The Common-Drain (CD) Amplifier
In a CD amplifier, the input signal is applied to the gate and the output signal is taken
from the source. There is no drain resistor, because it is common to the input and output
signals.
Figure 5: JFET common-drain amplifier (source-follower).
The voltage gain is given by the equation

gmRS
Av =
1 + gmRS
The voltage gain is always slightly < 1. If gmRs>>1, then a good approximation is 𝐴𝑣 ≅
1.
Common-Gate Amplifier Operation

A self-biased common-gate amplifier is shown in Figure 6. The gate is connected
directly to ground. The input signal is applied at the source terminal through C1. The
output is coupled through C2 from the drain terminal.
Figure 6: JFET common-gate amplifier.
The Class-D Amplifier

MOSFETs are useful as class-D amplifiers, which are very efficient because they
operate as switching amplifiers. They use pulse- width modulation (PWM), a process in
which the input signal is converted to a series of pulses. The pulse width varies
proportionally to the amplitude of the input signal.

Electronic Devices
The modulated signal is amplified by class-B complementary MOSFET transistors. The
output is filtered by a low-pass filter to recover the original signal and remove the higher
modulation frequency. PWM is also useful in control applications such as motor
controllers. MOSFETs are widely used in these applications because of fast switching
time and low on-state resistance.
+VDD
Q1
Modulated
input Low-pass
filter
RL
Q2
–VDD
Figure 7: Complementary MOSFETs operating as switches to amplify power.
MOSFET Switching Operation

MOSFETs are also used as analog switches to connect or disconnect an analog signal.
Analog switches are available in IC form. The configuration shown allows signals to be
passed in either direction. Advantages of MOSFETs are that they have relatively low on-
state resistance and they can be used at high frequencies, such as found in video
applications. A basic n-channel MOSFET analog switch is shown in Figure 8. The
signal at the drain is connected to the source when the MOSFET is turned on by a
positive VGS and is disconnected when VGS is 0, as indicated.
Figure 9: Operation of an n-channel MOSFET analog switch.
Basic class D audio amplifier

Publication

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Publication

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Publication

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electronic Devices

Chapter 7: FET Amplifiers Switching and Circuits

The Common-Source Amplifier

Figure 1: JFET common-source amplifier.

54 Assist. Prof. Dr. Hamad Rahman

ID = 2.8 mA and VGS = -1.3 V

Alternatively, you can obtain ID using Equation

Av = gmRD = (2.02 mS)(2.7 kΩ) = 5.45

D-MOSFET Amplifier Operation

Figure 3: (a) Zero-biased D-MOSFET (b) Depletion-enhancement operation D-MOSFET

E-MOSFET Amplifier Operation

Figure 4: (a) Common-source E-MOSFET (b) E-MOSFET (n-channel) operation

56 Assist. Prof. Dr. Hamad Rahman

Figure 5: JFET common-drain amplifier (source-follower).

The voltage gain is given by the equation

Common-Gate Amplifier Operation

Figure 6: JFET common-gate amplifier.

The Class-D Amplifier

57 Assist. Prof. Dr. Hamad Rahman

Figure 7: Complementary MOSFETs operating as switches to amplify power.

MOSFET Switching Operation

Figure 9: Operation of an n-channel MOSFET analog switch.

Basic class D audio amplifier

58 Assist. Prof. Dr. Hamad Rahman

You might also like