Electronics III (Spring 2019)

Midterm Examination (II)

[Total 100 pts. Close book, Close notes]

1. (10 pts.) Please choose the most appropriate answer to the following questions. (2pts. each)
(1) (True or False) Regarding the temperature effect of a transistor, the transistor exhibits
negative temperature coefficient (TC) w.r.t. ID, and will not suffer from thermal runaway if
the transistor is biased at a high VGS (and thus high ID).
(2) For increasing the common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of a two-stage CMOS op amp, we
should
(A) use larger L for transistors, and operate transistors at larger overdrive voltage,
(B) use larger L for transistors, and operate transistors at smaller overdrive voltage,
(C) use smaller L for transistors, and operate transistors at larger overdrive voltage,
(D) use smaller L for transistors, and operate transistors at smaller overdrive voltage.
(3) The PSRR– for an well-matched two stage CMOS opamp is (0, gmro, (gmro)2, ).
(4) (True or False) The rail-to-rail-input folded-cascode op amp can be normally operated even
its common-mode input is larger than VDD or smaller than –VSS.
(5) (True or False) Raising the load capacitance on the output node results in better phase margin
for the folded-cascode op amp ?

2. (15 pts.) [The Class AB Output Stage] (5pts. each)

For the Class AB output stage shown in Fig. P5, we know that
Q3 and Q4 are the major power BJTs which deliver current to
load resistance RL. Please give your answer and brief
explanation for the following questions:
(a) In addition to provide two VBE voltage drop for biasing the
Q3 and Q4 like the conventional diode-connected biasing
circuit does, what is the major advantage of the input stage
which consists of Q1 Q2, R1 and R2?
(b) What is the major purpose of the last stage which consists
of Q5 Q6, R3 and R4?
(c) What is the major purpose of the resistors R5 and R6?

Fig. P2

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3. (10 pts.) [Short-Circuit Protection Circuitry for 741 BJT Op Amp]
For the 741 BJT op Amp shown in Fig. P3, the shadow part is the short-circuit protection circuitry
consists of R4, R5, Q15, Q21, Q24, R11 and Q22 which are normally off and conduct only if one
attempts to draw large current from the op amp output terminal. Please brief explain the operation
(how they work) of the short-circuit protection circuitry. Assume the VBE(on) for Q15, Q21, Q24, and
Q22 are 540mV.

Fig. P3

4. (12 pts.) [Class D Output Stage]

Theoretically, the power-conversion efficiency of a class D output stage can achieve 100%.
However, there are several practical reasons degrade the power-conversion efficiency of a class
D output stage. Please state three practical reasons on this issue.

5. (10 pts.) [Heat Dissipation and Thermal Resistance]

Consider a BJT with a rated power of 20 W, and a maximum allowable junction temperature Tj,max
= 175 C. The transistor is mounted on a heat sink with parameters case−sink = 1 C/W, and sink−amb
= 5 C/W. Determine how much power the BJT can safely dissipate. Assume an ambient
temperature of TA = 25 C.

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6. (40 pts.) [Two-Stage CMOS Op Amp + Output Stage]
VDD
M10 M11 M5 M6
25 25 300 300

500
M8
M1 M2
25 25 Vin- 300 300 Vin+
M14 M12 Cc Vout
M16

100 25
Rb M15 M13 150 150 300 500
M3 M4 M7 M9
VSS

* n-channel MOS transistors:

nCox = 92 A/V2; Vtn = 0.8 V; ro = 8,000L (m) / ID (mA) in saturation region
* p-channel MOS transistors:
pCox = 30 A/V2; Vtp = – 0.9 V; ro = 12,000L (m) / ID (mA) in saturation region

Assume that ID5 = 100 A, all transistors lengths are 1.2 m, and CC = 10 pF. For the two-stage
op amp shown above,
(a) Estimate the -3dB frequency of the first stage. (10%)
(b) Estimate the unit-gain frequency of the opamp. (5%)
(c) Find the slew rate. (5%)
(d) What circuit changes could be made to double the slew rate but keep unity-gain frequency
and CC unchanged? (Assume all channel lengths are fixed) (5%)
(e) Follow (d), how should M6 change to maintain zero systematic offset voltage? (54%)
(f) Follow (d) and (e), ignoring the body effect, what is the output voltage range of the opamp?
What is the range of common-mode input voltage, assuming 2.5V power supplies are used?
(10%)

7. (3 pts.) [Course Review] Any suggestion and/or comment to Instructor and/or TAs? (None is also
welcome, that is you will obtain the 5 points even you leave the answer for this question empty. So,
please finish other questions first.)