Introduction to Differential Amplifier

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today’s tutorial, we will have a look at Introduction to Differential Amplifier. It is a type of amplifier which amplify the difference of two input signal. There are 2 modes of operation for this amplifier first is a common mode in which both inputs are the same and the second one is a differential mode in which two inputs are different.

This amplifier configuration is normally used in analog ICs circuits arrangements. In today’s post, we will have a detailed look at its working, circuit, and related parameters. So let’s get started with Introduction to Differential Amplifier.

Introduction to Differential Amplifier

• In below figure, the basic differential amplifier circuit is shown.

• You can see that this circuitry has 2 inputs and 2 outputs.
• The below figure defines the dc bias analysis of differential amplifier.

• First of all the voltage across both inputs is zero volts and both emitters have a voltage -0.7 volts as shown in figure denoted as (a).
• It is supposed that transistors are definitely matched with each other during construction so their dc emitter currents are at the same level when there is no voltage at inputs.

IE1=IE2

• As both emitters current linked through the reistance RE.

IE1=IE2=IR_E/2

• Here

IRE=(VE-VEE)/RE

• According to estimation, we have IC=IE

IC1=IC2=IRE/2

• As both collector currents and collector resistances are the same for zero input voltage.

VC1=VC2=VCC-IC1RC1

• This condition is defined in figure denoted as (a).
• In figure denoted as (b) input 2 is connected with the ground and positive biased voltage is provided at input one.

• The positive voltage at the base of transistor Q1 increases the IC1 which decreases the VC1 and decrement in IC2 cause an increment in VC2.
• In figure denoted as (c) input, one is at connected with the ground, and second input is connected with the positive bias voltage.
• Positive bias voltage causes the transistor Q2 to operate more that increases current IC2.
• Also, the value of the emitter voltage is increased.
• It decreases the forward biasing of transistor Q1 as its base is connected with the ground which causes current IC1 to decrease.

• The consequence is that the increment in current IC2 generates a decrement in VC2 and the decrement in current IC1 cause voltage VC1 to increase.

Modes of signal operation

Single-ended differential point

• When differential amplifier has such a configuration in which one input is at ground level and at other input voltages is provided. It is shown in figure.

• The condition when voltage is provided to first input as denoted in figure (a) inverted amplified signal voltage is shown at output one.
• With that signal voltage exits in phase at the emitter of transistor Q1.
• As the emitters of transistors Q1 and Q2 are common the signal of the emitter will be input to the transistor Q2 that operates as a common emitter amplifier.
• In the figure denoted as (b) signal is provided to the input two and the first input is connected with the ground.
• In a result, an amplified inverted signal appears at the output two.
• In this condition transistor, Q1 operates as a common base amplifier and a non-inverted signal is shown at output one.

Double-ended differential inputs

• In this input arrangement, 2 signals of opposite polarity are given to the input it shown in below figure denoted as (a).
• Every input affects the output.
• Figure denoted as (b) shows the output voltage at due to signal at input one working as a single-ended input.
• Figure denoted as c shows the output voltage due to the voltage at the second input working as a single-ended input.
• You can note that in circuits denoted as (b) and (c) polarity of a signal at input one is the same.

• It also for output two both are the same polarity.
• By superimposing both outputs one voltage signals and both output 2 signals you will get total output signal as shown in figure denoted as d.

 Common mode input

• The most important factor of operation of differential amplifier can be seen to take into consideration common-mode condition.
• In this condition, two signal voltages of similar frequency, phase and amplitude are provided to the 2 inputs of an amplifier as shown in the figure denoted as (a).
•  By taking a single input at one time we can understand the operation.
•  Figure denoted as (b) shows the output due to the signal only on the first input.
•  Figure denoted as (c) shows the output voltage signal due to the signal voltage at input two.
•  Note that resultant signals at on output one have opposite polarity and are on output two.
•  If the input signal is given at both of the signals the output will be superimposed and the resultant will be zero output voltage shown in the figure denoted as d.
• This process is known as common-mode rejection.
• This mode is important for such conditions when an unwanted signal comes at both inputs of differential amplifiers.
• Common mode rejection mode means that the undesired signal will not be shown at the output and not disturb the original signal.
• Common mode signal or noise is the consequence of the radiated energy on the input lines from neighbouring lines such as sixty hertz or other sources.

Common mode Rejection Ratio

• The required signal is obtained at single input or one or both inputs having opposite polarity.

• These required signals are get amplified and shown on the output as we have discussed above.
• An undesired signal existing at both input lines with the same polarity will cancel through the differential amplifier and not be shown at the outputs.
• The measurement of amplifiers’ ability to reject a common mode signal is a factor known as the common mode rejection ratio or CMRR.
•  In ideal conditions differential amplifier gives a large value of gain for the required signal and 0 gain for the common mode signal.
• But a practical differential amplifier gives a very less value of common mode gain normally less than one while showing large differential voltage gain normally several thousand.
• The greater the differential gain of amplifiers concerning common mode gain the performance of the amplifier in terms of rejection common mode signal.

So, friends, it is a detailed post about differential amplifier if you have any question ask in comments. Thanks for reading.