Chapter 12 Feedback
12.1 General Considerations
12.2 Types of Amplifiers
12.3 Sense and Return Techniques
12.4 Polarity of Feedback
12.5 Feedback Topologies
12.6 Effect of Finite I/O Impedances
12.7 Stability in Feedback Systems
188
Negative Feedback System
A negative feedback system consists of four components:
1) feedforward system, 2) sense mechanism, 3) feedback
network, and 4) comparison mechanism.
CH 12 Feedback 189
Close-loop Transfer Function
Y A1
X 1 KA1
CH 12 Feedback 190
Feedback Example
Y A1
X R2
1 A1
R1 R2
A1 is the feedforward network, R 1 and R2 provide the
sensing and feedback capabilities, and comparison is
provided by differential input of A 1.
CH 12 Feedback 191
Comparison Error
X
E
1 A1 K
As A1K increases, the error between the input and fed back
signal decreases. Or the fed back signal approaches a
good replica of the input.
CH 12 Feedback 192
Comparison Error
Y R1
1
X R2
CH 12 Feedback 193
Loop Gain
VN
X 0
KA1
Vtest
When the input is grounded, and the loop is broken at an
arbitrary location, the loop gain is measured to be KA 1.
CH 12 Feedback 194
Example: Alternative Loop Gain Measurement
VN KA1Vtest
CH 12 Feedback 195
Incorrect Calculation of Loop Gain
Signal naturally flows from the input to the output of a
feedforward/feedback system. If we apply the input the
other way around, the “output” signal we get is not a result
of the loop gain, but due to poor isolation.
CH 12 Feedback 196
Gain Desensitization
Y 1
A1 K 1
X K
A large loop gain is needed to create a precise gain, one
that does not depend on A 1, which can vary by ±20%.
CH 12 Feedback 197
Ratio of Resistors
When two resistors are composed of the same unit resistor,
their ratio is very accurate. Since when they vary, they will
vary together and maintain a constant ratio.
CH 12 Feedback 198
Merits of Negative Feedback
1) Bandwidth
enhancement
2) Modification of I/O
Impedances
3) Linearization
CH 12 Feedback 199
Bandwidth Enhancement
Closed Loop
Open Loop
Negative A0
A0
A s Feedback
Y 1 KA0
s s
1 X s
0 1
1 KA0 0
Although negative feedback lowers the gain by (1+KA 0), it
also extends the bandwidth by the same amount.
CH 12 Feedback 200
Bandwidth Extension Example
As the loop gain increases, we can see the decrease of the
overall gain and the extension of the bandwidth.
CH 12 Feedback 201
Example: Open Loop Parameters
A0 g m RD
1
Rin
gm
Rout RD
CH 12 Feedback 202
Example: Closed Loop Voltage Gain
vout g m RD
vin R2
1 g m RD
R1 R2
CH 12 Feedback 203
Example: Closed Loop I/O Impedance
RD
1 R2 Rout
Rin 1 g m RD R2
g m R1 R2 1 g m RD
R1 R2
CH 12 Feedback 204
Example: Load Desensitization
W/O Feedback With Feedback
Large Difference g m RDSmall Difference g m RD
g m R D g m RD / 3
R2 R2
1 g m RD 3 g m RD
R1 R2 R1 R2
CH 12 Feedback 205
Linearization
Before feedback
After feedback
CH 12 Feedback 206
Four Types of Amplifiers
CH 12 Feedback 207
Ideal Models of the Four Amplifier Types
CH 12 Feedback 208
Realistic Models of the Four Amplifier Types
CH 12 Feedback 209
Examples of the Four Amplifier Types
CH 12 Feedback 210
Sensing a Voltage
In order to sense a voltage across two terminals, a
voltmeter with ideally infinite impedance is used.
CH 12 Feedback 211
Sensing and Returning a Voltage
Feedback
Network
R1 R2
Similarly, for a feedback network to correctly sense the
output voltage, its input impedance needs to be large.
R1 and R2 also provide a mean to return the voltage.
CH 12 Feedback 212
Sensing a Current
A current is measured by inserting a current meter with
ideally zero impedance in series with the conduction path.
The current meter is composed of a small resistance r in
parallel with a voltmeter.
CH 12 Feedback 213
Sensing and Returning a Current
Feedback
Network
RS 0
Similarly for a feedback network to correctly sense the
current, its input impedance has to be small.
RS has to be small so that its voltage drop will not change
Iout.
CH 12 Feedback 214
Addition of Two Voltage Sources
Feedback
Network
In order to add or substrate two voltage sources, we place
them in series. So the feedback network is placed in series
with the input source.
CH 12 Feedback 215
Practical Circuits to Subtract Two Voltage Sources
Although not directly in series, Vin and VF are being
subtracted since the resultant currents, differential and
single-ended, are proportional to the difference of Vin and VF.
CH 12 Feedback 216
Addition of Two Current Sources
Feedback
Network
In order to add two current sources, we place them in
parallel. So the feedback network is placed in parallel with
the input signal.
CH 12 Feedback 217
Practical Circuits to Subtract Two Current Sources
Since M1 and RF are in parallel with the input current source,
their respective currents are being subtracted. Note, R F has
to be large enough to approximate a current source.
CH 12 Feedback 218
Example: Sense and Return
R1 and R2 sense and return the output voltage to
feedforward network consisting of M 1- M4.
M1 and M2 also act as a voltage subtractor.
CH 12 Feedback 219
Example: Feedback Factor
iF
K g mF
CH 12 Feedback
vout 220
Input Impedance of an Ideal Feedback Network
To sense a voltage, the input impedance of an ideal
feedback network must be infinite.
To sense a current, the input impedance of an ideal
feedback network must be zero.
CH 12 Feedback 221
Output Impedance of an Ideal Feedback Network
To return a voltage, the output impedance of an ideal
feedback network must be zero.
To return a current, the output impedance of an ideal
feedback network must be infinite.
CH 12 Feedback 222
Determining the Polarity of Feedback
1) Assume the input goes
either up or down.
2) Follow the signal through
the loop.
3) Determine whether the
returned quantity enhances or
opposes the original change.
CH 12 Feedback 223
Polarity of Feedback Example I
Vin I D1 , I D 2 Vout ,V x I D 2 , I D1
CH 12 Feedback Negative Feedback 224
Polarity of Feedback Example II
Vin I D1 ,V A Vout ,V x I D1 , V A
CH 12 Feedback Negative Feedback 225
Polarity of Feedback Example III
I in I D1 , V X Vout , I D 2 I D1 , V X
CH 12 Feedback Positive Feedback 226
Voltage-Voltage Feedback
Vout A0
Vin 1 KA0
CH 12 Feedback 227
Example: Voltage-Voltage Feedback
Vout g mN (rON || rOP )
Vin R2
1 g mN ( rON || rOP )
R1 R2
CH 12 Feedback 228
Input Impedance of a V-V Feedback
Vin
Rin (1 A 0 K )
I in
A better voltage sensor
CH 12 Feedback 229
Example: V-V Feedback Input Impedance
Vin 1 R2
1 g m RD
I in g m R1 R2
CH 12 Feedback 230
Output Impedance of a V-V Feedback
VX Rout
I X 1 KA0
A better voltage source
CH 12 Feedback 231
Example: V-V Feedback Output Impedance
R1 1
Rout , closed 1
R2 g mN
CH 12 Feedback 232
Voltage-Current Feedback
V out RO
I in 1 KRO
CH 12 Feedback 233
Example: Voltage-Current Feedback
Vout g m 2 RD1 RD 2
I in g m 2 RD1 RD 2
1
RF
CH 12 Feedback 234
Input Impedance of a V-C Feedback
VX Rin
IX 1 R0 K
A better current sensor.
CH 12 Feedback 235
Example: V-C Feedback Input Impedance
1 1
Rin , closed .
g m1 g m 2 RD1 RD 2
1
RF
CH 12 Feedback 236
Output Impedance of a V-C Feedback
VX Rout
IX 1 R0 K
A better voltage source.
CH 12 Feedback 237
Example: V-C Feedback Output Impedance
RD 2
Rout , closed
g m 2 RD1 RD 2
1
RF
CH 12 Feedback 238
Current-Voltage Feedback
I out Gm
Vin 1 KGm
CH 12 Feedback 239
Example: Current-Voltage Feedback
Laser
I out g m1 g m 3 rO 3 || rO 5
|closed
Vin 1 g m1 g m3 rO 3 || rO 5 RM
CH 12 Feedback 240
Input Impedance of a C-V Feedback
V in
Rin (1 KGm )
I in
A better voltage sensor.
CH 12 Feedback 241
Output Impedance of a C-V Feedback
VX
Rout (1 KGm )
IX
A better current source.
CH 12 Feedback 242
Example: Current-Voltage Feedback
I out g m1 g m 2 RD
|closed
Vin 1 g m1 g m 2 RD RM
1
Laser Rin |closed (1 g m1 g m 2 RD RM )
g m1
1
Rout |closed (1 g m1 g m 2 RD RM )
g m2
CH 12 Feedback 243
Wrong Technique for Measuring Output Impedance
If we want to measure the output impedance of a C-V closed-
loop feedback topology directly, we have to place VX in series
with K and Rout. Otherwise, the feedback will be disturbed.
CH 12 Feedback 244
Current-Current Feedback
I out AI
CH 12 Feedback
I in 1 KAI 245
Input Impedance of C-C Feedback
VX Rin
I X 1 KAI
A better current sensor.
CH 12 Feedback 246
Output Impedance of C-C Feedback
VX
Rout (1 KAI )
IX
A better current source.
CH 12 Feedback 247
Example: Test of Negative Feedback
Laser
I in VD1 , I out VP , I F VD1 , I out
CH 12 Feedback Negative Feedback 248
Example: C-C Negative Feedback
Laser
g m 2 RD
AI |closed
1 g m 2 R D ( RM / R F )
1 1
Rin |closed .
g m1 1 g m 2 RD ( RM / RF )
Rout |closed rO 2 [1 g m 2 RD ( R M / RF )]
CH 12 Feedback 249
How to Break a Loop
The correct way of breaking a loop is such that the loop
does not know it has been broken. Therefore, we need to
present the feedback network to both the input and the
output of the feedforward amplifier.
CH 12 Feedback 250
Rules for Breaking the Loop of Amplifier Types
CH 12 Feedback 251
Intuitive Understanding of these Rules
Voltage-Voltage Feedback
Since ideally, the input of the feedback network sees zero
impedance (Zout of an ideal voltage source), the return
replicate needs to be grounded. Similarly, the output of the
feedback network sees an infinite impedance (Zin of an ideal
voltage sensor), the sense replicate needs to be open.
Similar ideas apply to the other types.
CH 12 Feedback 252
Rules for Calculating Feedback Factor
CH 12 Feedback 253
Intuitive Understanding of these Rules
Voltage-Voltage Feedback
Since the feedback senses voltage, the input of the
feedback is a voltage source. Moreover, since the return
quantity is also voltage, the output of the feedback is left
open (a short means the output is always zero).
Similar ideas apply to the other types.
CH 12 Feedback 254
Breaking the Loop Example I
Av , open g m1 RD || R1 R2
Rin , open 1 / g m1
Rout ,open RD || R1 R2
CH 12 Feedback 255
Feedback Factor Example I
K R2 /( R1 R2 )
Av , closed Av , open /(1 KAv , open )
Rin , closed Rin , open (1 KAv , open )
Rout , closed Rout , closed /(1 KAv , open )
CH 12 Feedback 256
Breaking the Loop Example II
Av ,open g mN rON || rOP || R1 R2
Rin, open
Rout ,open rON || rOP || R1 R2
CH 12 Feedback 257
Feedback Factor Example II
K R2 /( R1 R2 )
Av , closed Av , open /(1 KAv ,open )
Rin , closed
Rout ,closed Rout , open /(1 KAv , open )
CH 12 Feedback 258
Breaking the Loop Example IV
Vout RF RD1
|open . g m 2 RD 2 || RF
I in 1
RF
g m1
1
Rin ,open || RF
g m1
Rout ,open RD 2 || RF
CH 12 Feedback 259
Feedback Factor Example IV
K 1 / R F
Vout Vout Vout
|closed |open /(1 K |open )
I in I in I in
Vout
Rin ,closed Rin, open /(1 K | open )
I in
Vout
Rout ,closed Rout ,open /(1 K |open )
CH 12 Feedback I in 260
Breaking the Loop Example V
I out g m 3 rO 3 || rO 5 g m1rO1
|open
Vin rO1 RL RM
Rin ,open
Rout ,open rO1 RM
CH 12 Feedback 261
Feedback Factor Example V
K RM
( I out / Vin |closed ) ( I out / Vin |open ) /[1 K ( I out / Vin ) |open ]
Rin , closed
Rout , closed Rout ,open [1 K ( I out / Vin ) |open ]
CH 12 Feedback 262
Breaking the Loop Example VI
I out g m1 RD
|open
Vin R L RM 1 / g m 2
Rin ,open 1 / g m1
CH 12 Feedback
Rout ,open (1 / g m 2 ) RM 263
Feedback Factor Example VI
K RM
( I out / Vin |closed ) ( I out / Vin |open ) /[1 K ( I out / Vin ) |open ]
Rin , closed Rin ,open [1 K ( I out / Vin ) |open ]
Rout ,closed Rout , open [1 K ( I out / Vin ) |open ]
CH 12 Feedback 264
Breaking the Loop Example VII
( R F RM ) R D g m 2 rO 2
AI ,open .
1 rO 2 RL RM || RF
RF RM
g m1
1
Rin, open || ( RF RM )
g m1
Rout , open rO 2 RF || RM
CH 12 Feedback 265
Feedback Factor Example VII
K RM /( RF RM )
AI ,closed AI ,open /(1 KAI ,open )
Rin,closed Rin,open /(1 KAI ,open )
CH 12 Feedback
Rout ,closed Rout ,open (1 KAI , open ) 266
Breaking the Loop Example VIII
Vout RF RD
|open [ g m 2 ( RF || RM )]
I in RF 1 / g m1
1
Rin ,open || RF
g m1
Rout , open RF || RM
CH 12 Feedback 267
Feedback Factor Example VIII
K 1 / RF
(Vout / I in ) |closed (Vout / I in ) |open /[1 K (Vout / I in ) |open ]
Rin , closed Rin ,open /[1 K (Vout / I in ) |open ]
Rout ,closed Rout , open /[1 K (Vout / I in ) |open ]
CH 12 Feedback 268
Example: Phase Response
As it can be seen, the phase of H(jω) starts to drop at 1/10
of the pole, hits -45o at the pole, and approaches -90 o at 10
times the pole.
CH 12 Feedback 269
Example: Three-Pole System
For a three-pole system, a finite frequency produces a
phase of -180o, which means an input signal that operates
at this frequency will have its output inverted.
CH 12 Feedback 270
Instability of a Negative Feedback Loop
Y H ( s)
(s)
X 1 KH ( s )
Substitute jω for s. If for a certain ω1, KH(jω1) reaches
-1, the closed loop gain becomes infinite. This implies for a
very small input signal at ω1, the output can be very large.
Thus the system becomes unstable.
CH 12 Feedback 271
“Barkhausen’s Criteria” for Oscillation
| KH ( j1 ) |1
KH ( j1 ) 180
CH 12 Feedback 272
Time Evolution of Instability
CH 12 Feedback 273
Oscillation Example
This system oscillates, since there’s a finite frequency at
which the phase is -180o and the gain is greater than unity. In
fact, this system exceeds the minimum oscillation
requirement.
CH 12 Feedback 274
Condition for Oscillation
Although for both systems above, the frequencies at which |
KH|=1 and KH=-180o are different, the system on the left is
still unstable because at KH=-180o, |KH|>1. Whereas the
system on the right is stable because at KH=-180o, |KH|<1.
CH 12 Feedback 275
Condition for Stability
GX PX
ωPX, (“phase crossover”), is the frequency at which
KH=-180o.
ωGX, (“gain crossover”), is the frequency at which |KH|=1.
CH 12 Feedback 276
Stability Example I
| H p | 1
K 1
CH 12 Feedback 277
Stability Example II
0.5 | H p | 1
K 0.5
CH 12 Feedback 278
Marginally Stable vs. Stable
Marginally Stable Stable
CH 12 Feedback 279
Phase Margin
Phase Margin = H(ωGX)
+180
The larger the phase
margin, the more stable
the negative feedback
becomes
CH 12 Feedback 280
Phase Margin Example
PM 45
CH 12 Feedback 281
Frequency Compensation
Phase margin can be improved by moving ωGX closer to
origin while maintaining ωPX unchanged.
CH 12 Feedback 282
Frequency Compensation Example
Ccomp is added to lower the dominant pole so that ωGX
occurs at a lower frequency than before, which means
phase margin increases.
CH 12 Feedback 283
Frequency Compensation Procedure
1) We identify a PM, then -180o+PM gives us the new ωGX, or
ωPM.
2) On the magnitude plot at ωPM, we extrapolate up with a slope
of +20dB/dec until we hit the low frequency gain then we look
“down” and the frequency we see is our new dominant pole,
ωP’.
CH 12 Feedback 284
Example: 45o Phase Margin Compensation
PM p 2
CH 12 Feedback 285
Miller Compensation
Ceq [1 g m5 (rO 5 || rO 6 )]Cc
To save chip area, Miller multiplication of a smaller
capacitance creates an equivalent effect.
CH 12 Feedback 286
