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VDD
VDS = VGS
and thus:
ID
VGS
We know that for a MOSFET in saturation, the drain current is equal to:
ID = K (VGS Vt )
Say we want this current ID to be a specific valuecall it Iref . Since Vs = 0 , we find that from the above equation, the drain voltage must be:
VD =
Iref +Vt K
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Iref =
VDD VD R
And thus the resistor value to achieve the desired drain current Iref is: V V R = DD D
Iref
where:
VD =
Q: Why are we doing this?
Iref +Vt K
A: Say we now add another component to the circuit, with a second MOSFET that is identical to the first :
VDD
VDD
Iref
IL
RL
VGS1
VGS2
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Q: So what is current IL ? A: Note that the gate voltage of each MOSFET is the same (i.e., VGS 1 = VGS 2 ), and if the MOSFETS are the same (i.e.,
K1 = K2 , Vt 1 = Vt 2 ), and if the second MOSFET is likewise in saturation, its drain current I L is: I L = K2 (VGS 2 Vt 2 )
2
= K1 (VGS 1 Vt 1 ) = Iref
2
Therefore, the drain current of the second MOSFET is equal to the current of the first!
Iref = I L
Q: Wait a minute! You mean to say that the current through
The current through RL is independent on the value of RL (provided that the MOSFET remains in saturation). Think about what this meansthis device is a current source !
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VDD
VDD
VDD RL
RL
Iref
find that:
Remember, the second MOSFET must be in saturation for the current through RL to be a constant value Iref . As a result, we
VD 2 > VG 2 Vt 2
Since VD 2 = VDD RLIref , we find that in order for the MOSFET
to be in saturation:
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RL <
Where we know that:
VG 1 = VDD R Iref
and thus we can alternatively write the above equation as:
RL < R +
Vt 1 Iref
voltage VDS 2 will drop below the excess gate voltage VGS 2 Vt 2 , and thus the second MOSFET will enter the triode region. As a result, the drain current will not equal Iref the current source will stop working!
Although the circuit presented here is sometimes referred to as a current sink, understand that the circuit is clearly a way of designing a current source.
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VSS
+
VGS1
VGS2
VSS
This better be in saturation!
I L = Iref , Iref R RL IL
regardless of the value of RL!!!