FET Small-Signal Analysis

FET Small-Signal Model

Transconductance The relationship of VGS (input) to ID (output) is called transconductance. The transconductance is denoted gm.

gm =

I D VGS

Mathematical Definition of gm
gm = I D I = D VGS VGS
VGS I D = I DSS 1 V P
2

gm =

2I DSS VP

VGS 1 VP

gm for VGS = 0V:

g m0 =

2I DSS VP

for

VGS ID = VP I DSS

g m = g m0

ID I DSS

FET Impedance
Input Impedance Zi: Output Impedance Zo:

Z i =

Zo = rd =

1 y os

rd

VDS I D

VGS = constant

yos: admittance equivalent circuit parameter listed on FET specification sheets.

FET AC Equivalent Circuit

Phase Relationship
The phase relationship between input and output depends on the amplifier configuration circuit. Common Source ~ 180 degrees Common - Gate ~ 0 degrees

Common Drain ~ 0 degrees

JFET Common-Source (CS) Fixed-Bias Configuration

The input is on the gate and the output is on the drain.

AC Equivalent Circuit

Input Impedance: Output Impedance:

Zi = R G

Z o = R D || rd

Zo R D

rd 10R D

Voltage Gain

Av =

Vo = gmR D Vi
Av =

rd 10R D

Vo = g m (rd || R D ) Vi

JFET CS Self-Bias Configuration

This is a CS amplifier configuration therefore the input is on the gate and the output is on the drain.

AC Equivalent Circuit

Input Impedance: Output Impedance:

Zi = R G

Z o = R D || rd

Zo R D

rd 10R D

Voltage Gain

A v = g m (rd || R D )
Av = gmR D
rd 10R D

JFET CS Self-Bias Configuration Unbypassed Rs

If Cs is removed, it affects the gain of the circuit.

AC Equivalent Circuit

Input Impedance: Output Impedance:

Zi = R G

Zo = R D

rd 10R D

Voltage Gain

Av =

Vo gmR D = R + RS Vi 1+ gmR S + D rd

Av =

Vo g R = m D Vi 1+ gmRS

rd 10(R D + R S )

JFET CS Voltage-Divider Configuration

This is a CS amplifier configuration therefore the input is on the gate and the output is on the drain.

AC Equivalent Circuit

Input Impedance: Output Impedance:

Zi = R 1 || R 2

Z o = rd || R D

Zo R D

rd 10R D

Voltage Gain

A v = g m (rd || R D )
Av = gmR D
rd 10R D

JFET Source Follower (Common-Drain) Configuration

In a CD amplifier configuration the input is on the gate, but the output is from the source.

AC Equivalent Circuit

Input Impedance:

Zi = R G
1 gm

Output Impedance: Zo = rd || R S ||

Zo R S ||

1 gm

rd 10R S

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Voltage Gain

Av =

Vo g (r || R S ) = m d Vi 1 + g m (rd || R S )

Av =

gmRS 1+ gmRS

rd 10R S

JFET Common-Gate Configuration

The input is on source and the output is on the drain.

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AC Equivalent Circuit

Input Impedance: Zi = R S ||

rd + R D 1 + g m rd

Zi R S ||

1 gm

rd 10R D

Output Impedance: Zo = R D || rd

Zo R D

rd 10R D

Voltage Gain

RD g m R D + r V d Av = o = Vi RD 1 + r d

Av = gmR D

rd 10R D

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Depletion-Type MOSFETs
D-MOSFETs have similar AC equivalent models. The only difference is that VSGQ can be positive for n-channel devices and negative for p-channel devices. This means that gm can be greater than gm0.

D-MOSFET AC Equivalent Model

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Enhancement-Type MOSFETs
There are two types of E-MOSFETs: nMOS or n-channel MOSFETs pMOS or p-channel MOSFETs

E-MOSFET AC Equivalent Model

gm and rd can be found in the specification sheet for the FET.

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E-MOSFET CS Drain-Feedback Configuration

AC Equivalent Circuit

Input Impedance:

Zi =

R F + rd || R D 1 + g m (rd || R D )

Zi

Output Impedance: Z o = R F || rd || R D

RF 1+ gmR D

R F >> rd ||R D , rd 10R D

Zo R D

R F >> rd || R D , rd 10R D

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Voltage Gain

A v = g m (R F || rd || R D )

Av gmR D

R F >> rd ||R D , rd 10R D

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