1.

DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIERS – Transistor-based

Objectives
Upon completion of this laboratory exercise, one will be able to:
1. determine the effect of balanced dc input (common mode) on the bias currents and
voltage;
2. determine the effect of unbalanced dc inputs (differential mode) on the bias currents and
voltages.
3. demonstrate the importance of using constant-current sources for differential amplifiers
by comparing the effect on the bias currents and voltages of the active current source
versus a passive current source.
4. measure the common-mode and differential gains and determine the common-mode
rejection ratio.

Introduction
Figure 1-a illustrates the basic differential dc amplifier circuit. This circuit contains two
transistors (Q1 and Q2) which are matched to have identical characteristics, each of which has its
own collector resistor and voltage divider bias. The distinguishing feature of this circuit is the
sharing of an emitter resistor by both transistors. Most differential amplifiers are not constructed
using the discrete or individual components used in Figure 1-a. Differential amplifiers area
available in integrated circuit (IC) form. The basic symbol is given in Figure 1-b.

A differential amplifier has two major configurations: common mode and differential mode. The
common mode gain is derived by using the circuit configuration given in Figure 1-c. This gain is
typically less than one. The differential gain is derived by using the circuit configuration given in
Figure 1-d. This gain is very large, usually in the thousand range. The differential amplifier has
the capability of rejecting common mode signals and this is referred to as its common mode
rejection ratio (CMRR). This is calculated using the formula:
CMRR = Ad/Ac

From the equation, it can be seen that the higher the differential gain, or the smaller the common-
mode gain, the higher the CMRR value, and therefore the better the differential amplifier. This
ratio can also be expressed in decibels by using the following equation:

CMRR = 20 log Ad/Ac

Equipment and Materials

Multisim 7.0 or 8.0
Procedure
1. Common mode configuration: Passive current source
a. Observing the effect on the bias currents and voltages for different dc
voltages applied at the inputs of the differential pair with passive
current source.

1. Using Multisim, construct the differential amplifier circuit in Figure 1-1. Use a Vcc=15V,
and VEE = -5V.
2. Connect the two inputs to ground. In your yellow paper, redraw Figure 1-1 showing the
connections of the two inputs to ground. Label this as Figure 1-1.a.
3. Using the Simulate > Analyses Menu of Multisim, measure Ic1, Ic2, IE3, Vo1, Vo2.
Record these in the first column of Table 1-1.A.
4. Verify the following:
Ic1 = Ic2
IE3 = Ic1 + Ic2
If your data do not show the above relationship, then your simulation is wrong. You
have to troubleshoot and repeat the measurement.
5. Using the same circuit, remove the ground at the inputs and apply a 2V at each input.
You may also tie the two inputs together then apply a single 2V supply. Show this
connection by redrawing it in your yellow paper. Label it as Figure 1-1-b.
6. Measure Ic1, Ic2, IE3, Vo1, Vo2 and fill up the second column in Table 1-1.A.
7. Compare the new values of the currents to the previous values? Tell whether the currents
increased or decreased from the previous values.
8. Remove the 2V and change it with -2V. Draw again the circuit that would show the
connection of -2V to the inputs. Label this as Figure 1-1-c.
9. Measure Ic1, Ic2, IE3, Vo1, Vo2 and fill up the third column in Table 1-1.A.
10. Compare the new values to the values obtained in Procedure 3. Did the values increase or
decrease?
11. To see the effect of the common mode voltage to the output waveform, add an ac signal
to the circuit as shown in Figure 1-4.
12. Using a Vdc = 0, get the transient response across Vo1 and Vo2 separately. (a) Observe
and take note of the dc bias at which the output ac signal is riding. (b) Change the Vdc to
2V, and again get the transient response. What is the new dc bias of the output
waveform? (c) Change the Vdc to -2V and find the new dc bias. (d) What is the effect of
the common mode dc input on the output waveform? (e) Know the sources of common
mode signals which may appear at the input.

2. Common-mode configuration: Active current source

a. Observing the effect on the bias currents and voltages for different dc
voltages applied at the inputs of the differential pair with active
current source.
13. Copy the differential amplifier circuit constructed in the previous procedure in another
file. Replace REE with the active constant current source as shown in Figure 1-2 and 1-3.
Draw the circuit here and label it as Figure 1-3.a.
14. Repeat procedures 3 to 10. Record the measured values of the currents and voltages in
Table 1-1.B.
15. Give your summary analysis here for the effect of the active current source.
16. Do also Procedures 11-12 and give your analysis here.

3. Differential mode: Passive current source

a. Observe the change in the current Ic1 and Ic2 for different input of a
single-ended differential amplifier with passive current source.

17. Using the circuit in Figure 1-1, with Vcc = 15V, VEE = -5V.
18. Ground the base of Q2 and apply a 50 mV at the input of Q1.
19. Measure Ic1, Ic2, IE3, Vo1, Vo2 and record in first column of Table 1-2.A.
20. Which is greater, Ic1 or Ic2? Is this the expected result? Is the sum of Ic1 and Ic2 equals
IE3? Is the value of IE3 here equals the value found in procedure 3? (column 1 in Table 1-
1).
21. Change the 50mV signal to -50 mV.
22. Measure Ic1, Ic2, IE3, Vc1, Vc2 and record in the second column in the Table 1-2.A.
23. Which is greater, Ic1 or Ic2? Explain why this is the relationship between Ic1 and Ic2.
24. Interchange the inputs such that the base of Q1 is grounded and Vi2 = 50mV.
25. Measure Ic1, Ic2, IE3, Vc1, Vc2 and record in the third column in the Table 1-2.A.
26. Compare the results of the first column and the third column. Give your analysis of the
results.

4. Differential mode: Active current source

a. Observe the change in the current Ic1 and Ic2 for different input of a
single-ended differential amplifier with passive current source.

27. Using the circuit you used in Part 2 (Figure 1-3.a), repeat the procedures 18 to 23.
28. Compare the results you gather here with that of the passive counterpart. Record the
obtained values in Table 1-2.B.

5. Determining the common mode gain.

29. Using the circuit in Figure 1-1, configure the circuit for common mode operation as in
Figure 1-4 minus Vdc. Connect a frequency generator at the input and apply a 1kHz
signal. Connect an oscilloscope to the input (Channel A) and Vo1 (Channel B).
30. Adjust the amplitude of the signal generator so that the output waveform at V01 is not
clipped.
31. Measure the amplitude of the Vi1 and Vo1. It can be in peak or peak-to-peak. Record in
the first column of Table 1-3.A.
32. Calculate the common mode gain, Ac = Vo/Vi and record in the same column as in the
previous procedure.
33. Repeat procedures 29 to 32 for Figure 1-3.a and record the results in the second column
of Table 1-3A.

6. Determining the differential gain and CMRR.

34. Again, reuse Figure 1-1, with input of Q2 connected to ground and the function generator
connected to input of Q1.
35. Connect an oscilloscope to the input, Vi1 and output, Vo1 with channel A at input and
channel B at output.
36. Apply a small signal, say 10 mV, that will produce an undistorted output. You may need
to adjust this value if clipping occurs at the output.
37. Measure the peak-to-peak output of both the input and output. Record the measured
values in the first column of Table 1-3.B
38. Calculate the differential gain.
Ad = ____________
39. Repeat procedures 34 to 38 for Figure 1-3.a. Fill up the second column of Table 1-3.B.

40. Calculate the CMRR for both passive and active current sources using the equation
CMRR = Ad/Ac. Record in Table 1-4.
Figure 1-1. Basic Differential Amplifier
with a Passive Current Source

Figure 1-2. Basic Differential Amplifier

With a constant current source
 Figure 1-4. Differential amplifier
Figure 1-3. Active constant current Source with Passive current source
Circuit configured in the common mode

Table 1-1 Common Mode

A. Passive current source B. Active current source
Figure 1-1 Figure 1-2
Vi1 0V 2V -2V 0V 2V -2V

Vi2 0V 2V -2V 0V 2V -2V

Ic1

Ic2

IE3

Vo1

Vo2
Table 1-2 Differential Mode
A. Passive current source B. Active current source
Figure 1-1 Figure 1-3

Vi1 50mV -50mV 0V 50mV -50mV

Vi2 0V 0V 50mV 0V 0V

Ic1

Ic2

IE3

Vo1

Vo2

Table 1-3 Finding the common mode gain and differential gain
A. Common mode B. Differential Mode
Fig1-1 Fig1-3.a Fig 1-1 Fig1-3.a
Passive Active Passive Active
Vi1

Vo1

Ac Do not fill up

Ad Do not fill up

CMRR for Differential Pair with Passive CMRR for Differential Pair with Active
current source current source

Question:
1. Why is the use of active current source preferred in differential amplifier design?
2. How does the dc signal that appears at both inputs affect the quiescent points?