Exam-Ready Notes: MOSFET, Feedback, and Oscillators (Detailed Version)
1. MOSFET as a Switch
Principle: MOSFET acts as an electronic switch by controlling the gate-to-source voltage (V_GS). It operates
in two states: - Cutoff (OFF): V_GS < V_th → MOSFET does not conduct → acts as open switch. - Triode/
Linear (ON): V_GS > V_th → MOSFET conducts → acts as closed switch.
Circuit:
Vcc
|
Rload
|
Drain --- N-MOSFET --- Source --- GND
Gate --- Vin
Working: When input voltage is high enough to turn on the MOSFET, current flows through the load. When
input is low, current stops. This is commonly used in digital circuits, relay drivers, and DC-DC converters.
Advantages: Fast switching, low power loss.
2. CMOS Inverter
Principle: A CMOS inverter uses a PMOS transistor at the top and an NMOS at the bottom. It inverts the
logic of the input.
Operation: - Input LOW → NMOS OFF, PMOS ON → Output HIGH - Input HIGH → NMOS ON, PMOS OFF →
Output LOW
Circuit:
Vcc
|
PMOS
|
Output----
|
NMOS
|
1
GND
Input -->|
Notes: CMOS inverters consume very little static power and are the building blocks for digital ICs. They also
provide high noise margins and fast switching.
3. Resistor & Diode Load in MOSFET Circuits
Resistor Load: - Simple to implement, acts as a voltage drop element. - Limitation: Low voltage gain.
Diode Load: - Diode-connected MOSFET used as active load. - Advantages: Higher gain, better linearity.
Circuit (Diode-connected MOSFET):
Vcc
|
M1 (Diode-connected)
|
Drain ---- M2 (active device)
|
GND
Notes: Commonly used in analog ICs and amplifier design to achieve higher output swing and gain.
4. Current Sink & Current Source
Current Source: Provides constant current independent of voltage across it. Current Sink: Draws a
constant current from a circuit.
MOSFET Current Source Circuit:
Vcc
|
Rbias
|
Drain --- MOSFET --- Source --- GND
Working: Gate voltage sets I_D. Useful in amplifier biasing and analog circuits to maintain stable operation.
2
5. Current Mirror
Principle: A current mirror replicates current from one branch to another using matched MOSFETs or BJTs.
Circuit:
Vcc
|
Q1
|
|
|
Output --- Q2
|
GND
Working: Current through Q1 determines the current through Q2. Widely used in analog ICs for biasing
and as active loads.
Advantages: Provides stable current, improves linearity.
6. Types of Feedback
Definition: Part of the output is fed back to the input to control amplifier behavior.
Types: 1. Positive Feedback: Reinforces input signal → increases gain → can cause oscillations. 2.
Negative Feedback: Opposes input signal → stabilizes gain, reduces distortion, increases bandwidth.
Topologies: - Voltage-Series (Series-Shunt): Increases input resistance. - Voltage-Shunt (Shunt-Shunt):
Decreases input resistance. - Current-Series (Series-Series): Increases input resistance. - Current-Shunt
(Shunt-Series): Decreases input resistance.
Effects: - Stabilizes amplifier gain - Reduces distortion - Improves frequency response - Controls input/
output resistance depending on topology
7. Voltage-Series & Current-Series Feedback Amplifiers
Voltage-Series (Series-Shunt): - Feeds back voltage in series with input. - Increases input resistance. -
Reduces output voltage variations.
Current-Series (Series-Series): - Feeds back current in series with input. - Reduces input resistance. -
Stabilizes current through load.
3
Voltage-Series Circuit:
Vin ---- Rf ----+----> Amplifier ----> Vout
|
(-)
Notes: Feedback type selection depends on desired input/output impedance and stability.
8. Barkhausen Criterion
Definition: Condition for sustained oscillation in a feedback system.
Requirements: - Loop gain ≥ 1 - Total phase shift around loop = 0° or 360°
Application: Designing oscillators like RC, LC, and crystal types.
9. Types of Oscillators
1. RC Oscillator: Uses resistor-capacitor network → low frequency (<1 MHz).
2. LC Oscillator: Uses inductor-capacitor network → high frequency (>1 MHz).
3. Crystal Oscillator: Uses quartz crystal → highly stable, precise frequency.
Notes: Selection depends on frequency stability, accuracy, and application.
10. RC Phase Shift Oscillator
Principle: Uses RC network to provide 180° phase shift; amplifier adds another 180° → total 360° phase
shift → oscillation.
Circuit:
R1 C1
Vin ----||---/\/\---+----> Amp
R2 C2 |
R3 C3 |
Feedback
Frequency of Oscillation:
4
f = 1 / (2 * pi * R * C * sqrt(6))
Notes: Simple, low frequency oscillator used in audio and signal generator circuits.
11. Crystal Oscillator
Principle: Piezoelectric crystal provides high-frequency stability due to mechanical resonance.
Circuit:
+Vcc
|
Amplifier
|
Xtal
|
GND
Notes: Used in clocks, microcontrollers, and RF circuits. Provides very precise and stable frequency output.
