Integrated Circuits and Systems group, IIT Madras

Multistage amplifier compensation

Determine the gain of the amplifier in (a) when the transconductance of the inverter tends to infinity. Build the amplifier in (a) with an ideal gain of 2 and R1 in 5kΩ to 10kΩ range. Use a 6V supply for this experiment. Measure the gain error. Connect inputs of unused inverters to ground

Apply a (small) squarewave and measure the step response. Is there an overshoot/ringing?

The gain error can be reduced by increasing the loop gain. Use another inverter in cascade (and a unity gain inverter for negative feedback) as shown above and measure the circuit. Does it result in a better amplifier? Apply a (small) squarewave and measure the step response. Is there an overshoot/ringing?

Compensate the amplifier by connecting a capacitor C1 to ground as shown above. Adjust its value for 10% overshoot. Use a 100mVpp square wave input for this measurement. While choosing the compensation capacitor, start from small values, of the order of 100pF.

Compensate the amplifier by connecting a capacitor C2 across the second stage as shown above. Adjust its value for 10% overshoot. Comment on the compensation capacitor values C1 and C2 in the two cases. While choosing the compensation capacitor, start from small values, of the order of 100pF.