
Chapter
The biasing techniques in Chapters 3 through 6 for FET and BJT amplifiers for the
most part used voltage-divider resistor networks. While this technique can be used for
discrete circuits, it is not suitable for integrated circuits. Resistors require relatively
large areas on an IC compared to transistors; therefore, a resistor-intensive circuit
would necessitate a large chip area.Also, the resistor biasing technique uses coupling
and bypass capacitors extensively. On an IC, it is almost impossible to fabricate
capacitors in the microfarad range, as would be required for the coupling capacitors.
Biasing transistors and transistor circuits in ICs is considerably different from
that in discrete transistor designs. Essentially, biasing integrated circuit amplifiers in-
volves the use of constant-current sources. In this chapter, we will analyze and de-
sign both bipolar and FET circuits that form these constant-current sources. We will
begin to see for the first time in this chapter the use of matched or identical transistor
characteristics as a specific design parameter. Transistors can easily be fabricated in
ICs with matched or identical parameters. A principal goal of this chapter is to help
the reader understand how matched transistor characteristics are used in design and
to be able to design BJT and MOSFET current source circuits.
Transistors are also used as load devices in amplifier circuits. These transistors,
calledactive loads, replace the discrete drain andcollector resistors in FETandBJTcir-
cuits. Using an active load eliminates resistors from the IC and achieves a higher small-
signal voltage gain. The active load is essentially an “upside down” constant-current
source, so an initial discussion of active loads is entirely appropriate in this chapter.
PREVIEW
In this chapter, we will:
• Analyze and understand the characteristics of various bipolar circuits used to
provide a constant output current.
• Analyze and understand the characteristics of various MOSFET (and a few
JFET) circuits used to provide a constant output current.
• Analyze the dc characteristics of amplifier circuits using transistors as load
devices (active loads).
• Analyze the small-signal characteristics of amplifier circuits with active
loads.
• As an application, design an MOS current source circuit to provide a speci-
fied bias current and output resistance.
Integrated Circuit Biasing
and Active Loads
10
10
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