Design and Applications of Current

Feedback Operational Amplifiers

(CFOA)
Edward Cuevas, Keila E. Hernndez, Jeshua Coln, Santos Garca
Advisor: Rogelio Palomera
Sponsor: Freescale, Inc.
Liaison: Jaime Pla
Introduction

Current Feedback Operational

Amplifier (CFOA) offer several
advantages over the Voltage
Feedback Operational Amplifier
(VFOA)
Principal Advantages of CFOA:
1. Closed-loop bandwidth is
independent of its closedloop gain
2. High slew-rate value
On the other hand, CMOS
architecture provides:
1. Offset compensation
2. High current-drive capability
3. High-Frequency
4. Low-voltage operation

Methodology

Objective

Study and design a CFOA and

use it to process high frequency
signals.

Voltage Feedback Operational

Amplifiers have limitations
working with high frequency
signals.
Also, they have a gain-bandwidth
conflict that increments the
dependence between both
factors.

Scrutinize about CFOAs, its

characteristics and basic
topology.
Slew Rate
Gain
Bandwidth
Impedances

Study about designing operational

amplifiers with CMOS technology.

Learn how to use IC layout design

software and its functionalities.

Simulate the topology on the

corresponding software and
analyze the results obtained.

Design a CFOA using as

reference the data collected.

Optimize the model created

accordingly.

System Design

Figure 3. Principal Stages of the Standard Topology

Problem & Hypothesis

Figure 4. Functional block diagram of the standard

topology

Timeline

Figure 5. Simplified schematic of the proposed

current feedback operational amplifier.

Research
previous
work on
CFOAs

Simulate
Topology
and
analyze
results

Design and
optimize a
CFOA

Design Approach
References

Figure 1. VFA Gain vs. Frequency

Select and Study

a Standard
Topology

Define Block
Diagrams
System

Simulate
Standard
Topology

Redesign
Circuit

[1] Palumbo, G.; Pennisi, S., "Current-feedback amplifiers versus

voltage operational amplifiers," Circuits and Systems I:
Fundamental Theory and Applications, IEEE Transactions on ,
vol.48, no.5, pp.617,623, May 2001
[2] Pennisi, S., "High-performance CMOS current feedback
operational amplifier," Circuits and Systems, 2005. ISCAS 2005.
IEEE International
[3] R. Schaumann, M. S. Ghausi and K. R. Laker, Design of Analog
Filters: Passive, Active RC and Switched Capacitor, Englewood
Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1990.
[4] Sauerwald, M., "Current feedback and voltage feedback. The
choice amplifiers: which one to use, when and why," Northcon/94
Conference Record , vol., no., pp.285,289, 11-13 Oct 1994
[5] Smith, S.O., "The good, the bad and the ugly: current feedbacktechnical contributions and limitations," Circuits and Systems, 1993.,
ISCAS '93, 1993 IEEE International Symposium on , vol., no.,
pp.1058,1061 vol.2, 3-6 May 1993

Figure 2. CFA Gain vs. Frequency

Program Sponsors:

October 1st, 2015