Edc Unit-4
Edc Unit-4
SYLLABUS
Construction, Principle of operation, Pinch-Off Voltage, Volt-Ampere characteristic,
Comparison of BJT and FET, FET as Voltage Variable Resistor, MOSFET, MOSFET as a
capacitor.
COURSE OUTCOME
By the end of this chapter, students will be able to analyze the concepts of FETs and
MOSFETs.
FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FET) (Example Q: What is FET?
What are the types of FET?)
The Field Effect Transistor, FET, is a three-terminal active device that uses an electric
field to control the current flow.
It has a high input impedance which is useful in many circuits.
FETs are unipolar devices, which means they use only one type of charge carrier
(electrons or holes) to control the current flow, unlike BJT in which current is because
of two types of charge carriers.
TYPES OF FET
Names of the Terminals Emitter, Base, and Collector Drain, Source, and Gate
Common Base, Common Emitter
Common Source, Common Drain,
Configurations & Common Collector
Common Gate configurations.
configurations
Bias type of input Forward bias in base (B) and Reverse bias in the source (S) and gate
circuit at active mode emitter (E) junction (G) junction
Symbols
Current Contribution Transistor current depends on both Transistor current depends only on the
majority and minority carriers majority carriers.
1. N-Channel JFET
2. P-Channel JFET
The structure of n-channel JFET consists of n-type substrate the two sides of which are
diffused with p-type material.
The n-region is called the Channel as it forms a path between the Source and the Drain.
The two p-regions are electrically connected and the common terminal is called Gate.
WORKING:
Let the voltage applied to the Gate terminal be 0 V i.e., VGS= 0 V, and the voltage VDS is
positive with a polarity as shown in the Figure.
Under these bias conditions there is a flow of current IDS from Drain to Source the
magnitude of which depends on the VDS voltage.
As VDS is applied, the electrons move toward the Drain terminal, and the Drain
Current (IDS) starts flowing.
The Drain Current IDS is limited only by the n-channel resistance present in between
the Drain and Source.
As the Drain-Source voltage VDS increases from 0V to a few volts, the Drain
current IDS will also increase as per Ohm's law as the channel resistance is constant.
This region of operation is called the Ohmic region or more popularly as Triode
region.
As we further increase the voltage VDS it approaches a voltage level called Vp (pinch
off), the depletion region widens, and channel width reduces.
This results in the reduction of the conduction path i.e., the resistance of the channel
increases.
Depletion Region width increases and Channel width reduces when VDS is increased
As we further increase the voltage V DS, the two depletion regions touch each other as
shown in Figure below and the n-channel JFET is said to be pinched - off and the
value of VDS equals VP.
As the value of the voltage VDS is further increased beyond the pinch-off voltage V P,
the two depletion regions that touch each other move across the length of the channel.
Depletion Regions touch each other as VDS is further increased
The Drain current levels off and remains constant (almost) with further increase in
the voltage VDS.
The value of this drain current IDS is called IDSS and it is the maximum current for a
given n-channel JFET. The device is said to be operating in the saturation region.
The n-channel JFET under these conditions where VDS > VP acts like a current
source generating a constant current of IDSS.
It may be noted here that the maximum Drain current IDSS for a JFET is defined for
VGS = 0 V and VDS > VP.
In the Ohmic region the n-channel FET acts as a Voltage Controlled Resistor i.e., the
resistance of the device in this region of operation is controlled by the voltage applied
at the Gate terminal VGS.
Sometimes the Ohmic region may also be called a Voltage Controlled Resistance
Region.
The slope of the curve which indicates the resistance of the device between Drain and
Source for VDS = VP is a function of VGS.
When VGS is negative (gate connected to the negative terminal of the battery), the width
of the depletion region of the gate channel increases.
This effectively reduces the area of the channel and increases the channel resistance by
reducing the charge flow through the channel.
As channel area decreases the drain current ID decreases for a given VDS. JFET is
operating like a resistance whose value is controlled by the Gate-to-Source voltage VGS.
As the value of VGS is made more and more negative, the depletion region width
increases and it occupies the entire channel.
This will result in the channel being completely depleted of charge carriers (electrons)
in an n-channel JFET. This situation may be considered as the effective disappearance
of the channel.
As VGS is made sufficiently negative and reaches the value -V P,(negative Pinch-off
voltage) then the drain current almost becomes 0 mA and the device is said to be turned
OFF.
Transfer Characteristics:
As we understood that the drain current IDS depends on the drain voltage VDS and the gate
voltage VGS, thus
IDS = f (VDS, VGS)
Transfer characteristics show a relation between the gate voltage VGS and the drain
current IDS and are plotted by keeping VDS constant.
The curve is plotted by varying the value of VGS and finding the value of the ID.
As in the case of an N-channel JFET, a negative voltage on the gate terminal decreases
the channel and thus decreases the drain current IDS current
As the voltage VGS is increased beyond pinch-off voltage (VP) the drain current increases
till it becomes equal to IDSS at VGS = 0 V. (VGS (OFF))
Equation for drain current under this condition can be given as
𝑰 ≅ 𝑰[𝟏 − 𝑽𝑮𝑺
]
�
𝑽
𝑫𝑺 𝑫𝑺
�
𝑺 𝑮𝑺(𝑶𝑭𝑭)
Where IDSS is the maximum drain to source current that results when VGS = 0 V and VDS >
VP (pinch-off voltage).
VGS (OFF) is the negative pinch-off voltage (as shown in the above graph) and the value of
VGS (OFF) is equal to | VP| in the above equation. i.e., VGS(OFF) = |VP|
𝑰𝑫𝑺
VDS is maintained constant. Transconductance is measured in mhos.
𝒈𝒎 = 𝑮𝑺| ℧
𝑽 𝑽𝑫𝑺 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
2. Drain Resistance (rd):
The ratio of output voltage VDS to the output current IDS maintaining the input voltage
𝑽𝑫𝑺
VGS constant is known as drain resistance rd. It is measured in ohms.
𝒓𝒅 = | Ω
𝑰
𝑫 𝑽𝑮𝑺 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
𝑺
3. Amplification factor (µ):
The amplification factor is the ratio of the output voltage VDS to the input voltage VGS
𝑽𝑫𝑺
when the output current IDS is maintained constant.
𝝁 | 𝑵𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔
= 𝑽 𝑮𝑺 𝑰𝑫𝑺
𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
Relation between 𝝁, 𝒈𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅
𝒓𝒅
As we know that the output current in a FET is a function of output voltage VDS and input
voltage VGS, we can write
𝝁= ×
Thus 𝑽𝑫𝑺 𝑰𝑫𝑺
𝑰𝑫𝑺 𝑽𝑮𝑺
As 𝑽𝑫𝑺 = 𝒓
𝑰𝑫𝑺 𝑰𝑫𝑺
=
𝒈
and
�
�
𝑽𝑮𝑺
�
∴ 𝝁 = 𝒈 𝒎 × 𝒓𝒅
�
Advantages of JFET
Some advantages of JFET are listed below:
Disadvantages of JFET
MOSFET is also known as Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor (IGFET). It is basically
of two types.
1. Enhancement MOSFET
2. Depletion MOSFET
ENHANCEMENT MOSFET:
The channel between the source and drain terminals is not physically present in an
Enhancement MOSFET, thus in the absence of gate voltage VGS no drain current will
flow through the FET.
When sufficient gate voltage VGS is applied, the channel will be enhanced (and thus the
name) between source and drain semiconductors, and current will flow in the FET.
Enhancement MOS is of two types
1. N-Channel
2. P-Channel
N-Channel Enhancement MOSFET: (Example Q: Explain the construction and
working of N-channel Enhancement MOSFET.)
CONSTRUCTION:
When VDS is further increased, a reverse bias is formed at the PN junction near the
Drain terminal resulting in a thick depletion region near the PN junction.
Due to the increased depletion region the drain current will face more resistance near
the drain terminal that will force it to become constant and not increase further .
This situation is called the pinch-off situation and the drain current is called the
saturation current IDS(SAT)
The voltage at which we get the saturation current is called saturation voltage VDS(SAT).
We can thus conclude, that pinch-off is reached when VGS > 0 (constant) and VDS =
VDS(SAT), ID = ID(SAT).
From the graph, it is clear that the current IDS will become constant at a specific value of
VDS. current IDS increases only when the value of VGS is increased.
When negative potential is applied on the Gate terminal, holes of the P-type substrate
will be attracted towards the negative Gate terminal and recombine with electrons in the
N channel.
The (N)channel is thus depleted of negative charge carriers and drain current IDS will
decrease till it falls to zero value at a value of VGS voltage called pinch-off voltage.
With VGS > 0, the minority carriers of the p-type substrate, i.e., electrons, will get
attracted towards the gate terminal, thereby increasing the concentration of electrons in
the N- channel.
As a result, the drain current IDS will increase and exceed the saturation current (IDSS).
Thus, we can say that, when VGS > 0 and VDS > 0, ID > IDSS.
The graph shows that the current IDS will flow for both positive and negative values of
VGS.
It can be observed that the drain current is less than the saturation current for the
negative value of gate voltage (VGS < 0V), whereas for the positive value of gate
voltage (VGS > 0V), the drain current exceeds the saturation current.
VGS = VP is also represented in this graph for which drain current is zero irrespective of
drain to source voltage (VDS).
V-I Characteristics of Depletion MOSFET
Differences between Enhancement MOSFET and Depletion MOSFET:
S. No. Depletion MOSFET Enhancement MOSFET
The type of MOSFET where the
The type of the MOSFET where the
channel depletes with the gate voltage
1 channel is enhanced or induced using the
is known as depletion or simply D-
gate voltage is known as E-MOSFET.
MOSFET.
The channel is fabricated during There is no channel during its
2
manufacturing. manufacturing.
It conducts current between its source
It does not conduct current when there is
3 and drains when there is no Gate
voltage VGS. no Gate voltage VGS.
Applying reverse voltage to the gate Applying reverse voltage does not
4
reduces the channel width. affect E-MOSFET since there is no
channel.
Applying forward voltage to the gate Applying the forward voltage generates
5
increases the channel width. and increases the width of the channel.
It can work in both depletion and
6 It can only work in enhancement mode.
enhancement mode.
7 It is a normally ON transistor. It is a normally OFF transistor.
It switches OFF with reverse biasing It switches ON with the forward biasing
8
of gate. of the gate.
There is no threshold voltage for There a threshold voltage at which the
9
switching ON the MOSFET. MOSFET switches ON.
Diffusion or subthreshold current does E-MOSFET has sub-threshold current
10
not exist. leakage between its source and drain.
In a MOSFET the Gate and the Channel are separated by a thin layer of SiO2, they
form a capacitance that varies along with gate voltage.
MOSFET acts as a MOS capacitor and it is controlled by the input Gate to
Source voltage.
So, it will act like a voltage-controlled variable capacitor.
Hence MOSFET can be used as a voltage-controlled capacitor.
1. Switching operation:
One of the most common applications of MOSFETs is as switches in power electronics
circuits.
A MOSFET can switch on and off very fast, which allows it to handle high frequencies
and reduce power losses.
A MOSFET can also handle high currents and voltages, which makes it suitable for high-
power applications.
2. Amplifying Application:
Radio-frequency amplifiers: These are circuits that amplify signals in the radio-frequency
range, such as radio waves or microwaves. A MOSFET can operate at high frequencies
due to its fast-switching speed.
Audio amplifiers: These are circuits that amplify signals in the audio-frequency range,
such as sound waves or music. A MOSFET can operate with low distortion and noise due
to its high input impedance and low output impedance.
Sensor amplifiers: These are circuits that amplify signals from sensors, such as
temperature, pressure, light, or motion sensors . A MOSFET can operate with low power
consumption and high reliability due to its simple structure and robustness.
3. Other Applications:
Choppers: These are circuits that chop or modulate a DC voltage into an AC voltage with
variable frequency and amplitude. A MOSFET can be used as a chopper to control the
duty cycle of a square wave applied to a transformer or an LC circuit, which changes its
output characteristics.
Linear voltage regulators: A depletion-mode MOSFET can be used as a linear voltage
regulator to act as a variable resistor in series with the load, which adjusts its resistance
according to the load current.
Digital circuits: A MOSFET can be used as a digital circuit element to implement logic
functions by using its switching behaviour.
Microprocessors: A microprocessor consists of millions of transistors arranged in
complex architectures that execute various tasks. A MOSFET is one of the main types of
transistors used in microprocessors due to its high density, low power consumption, and
fast speed.
CMOS:
Structure of CMOS:
The power dissipation and consumption are very less in CMOS and it is faster, so it is
widely used than the bipolar circuits.
CMOS consists of P- channel MOSFET (PMOS) and N-channel MOSFET (NMOS)
developed in a single semiconductor substrate.
Structure of CMOS
Working of CMOS
Advantages of CMOS:
Power consumption is less
Large fan-out capability
High noise immunity and noise margin
Power dissipation is low
Faster than NMOS
Disadvantages of CMOS:
Manufacturing cost is high
Propagation delay is higher than TTL and ECL
Applications of CMOS:
Analog to digital converter
Image sensors
Amplifiers
Static RAM
Registers
Microchip
Microprocessors and microcontrollers
Transceivers
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
4. is the region that connects Drain and Source semiconductors and through which
(drain) current flows through FET. [A]
A. Channel B. Gate
C. Drain D. Source
7. The maximum Drain current (IDS) with gate voltage (VGS) zero is known as [A]
A. IDSS B. IGS
C. IGSS D. 0
6. Ratio of Drain current IDS to Gate voltage VGS is called as mutual conductance (gm).
7. Amplification factor (µ) is the ratio of drain Voltage (VDS) to Gate voltage (VGS).
8. The value of VDS for which the Drain current (IDS) becomes constant when VGS = 0V is
9. Drain resistance (rd) is the ratio of Drain Voltage (VDS) to the Drain current (IDS) in a
FET.