Bandgap Reference Design

This project simulates the designed Bandgap Reference circuit to determine its performance characterisitics pre-layout and post-layout.

Note: Circuit requires further optimization to improve performance. Design yet to be modified.

A Glance at the Bandgap Reference IP

To learn more about Bandgap Reference, its principle of generation, Implementation, Issues & Improvements, consider reading this.

To gain insight into the applications and significance of Bandgap Reference in VLSI, have a look at this.

To review the previous Bandgap Reference Design, read this.

The Design Specifications of the Bandgap Reference Circuit can be found here.

Block Diagram of the Bandgap Reference IP

Circuit Diagram of the Bandgap Reference IP

Layout of the Bandgap Reference IP

Layout of the Complete Bandgap Reference Block with Start-up & Power Down

Layout of Vertical Parasitic PNP BJT

Modification to the Technology File

To ensure that the Vertical Parasitic PNP BJT was recognized and extracted correctly, the line below was added to the Technology File.

 device bjt PNP nwell,nsc/a,nsd pdiff,pdc/a pwell,space/w,psc/a,psd 

Bandgap Performance Parameters [Post-Layout]

Parameter	Description	Min	Type	Max	Unit	Condition
RL	Load resistance at Vbgp terminal	100			Mohm	VDD=3.3V, T=27C
CL	Load capacitance at Vbgp terminal			50	pF	VDD=2.7V - 3.6V, T=-40C - 125C, RL=100M
Vbgp	Output Reference voltage	1.2013	1.2056	1.2070	V	T=-40 to 140C, VDD=3.3V
Vbgp	Output Reference voltage	1.1698	1.2056	1.2234	V	VDD=2.7V to VDD=3.6V, T=27C
TC_vbgp	Temperature Coefficient of Vbgp		26.2663		ppm/C	T=-40 to 125C, VDD=3.3V
VC_vbgp	Voltage Coefficient of Vbgp		5.9555		%/V	VDD=2.7V to 3.7, T=27C
Tstart	Start up time		3.3		us	Vdd=3.3V, T=27C, CL=50pF
VDD	Supply Voltage	3.2	3.3	3.6	V	T=-40C to 125C
IDD	Supply Current		22.4760		uA	EN=1
IDD	Supply Current		95.3950		pA	EN=0

Pre-Layout Performance Characteristics

Vbgp v/s Temperature [ -40C - 140C] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Vbgp v/s VDD [ 2V - 4V] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Temperature Coefficient of Vbgp v/s Temperature [ -40C - 140C] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Voltage Coefficient of Vbgp v/s VDD [ 2V - 4V] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Start-Up Time of Vbgp @ RL = 100M ohms plot

On-Off-Current of Vbgp wrt Enable @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Note:Current without Inverter for Enable Logic

PostLayout Performance Charcateristics

Vbgp v/s Temperature [ -40C - 140C] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Vbgp v/s VDD [ 2V - 4V] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Temperature Coefficient of Vbgp v/s Temperature [ -40C - 140C] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Voltage Coefficient of Vbgp v/s VDD [ 2V - 4V] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Start-Up Time of Vbgp @ RL = 100M ohms plot

On-Off-Current of Vbgp wrt Enable @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Note:Current without Inverter for Enable Logic

About Ngspice

Ngspice is an open source mixed-signal circuit simulator.

Installing Ngspice

For Ubuntu

Open your terminal and type the following to install Ngspice

$  sudo apt-get install -y ngspice

Running the Simulation

To enter the Ngspice Shell, open the terminal & type:

$ ngspice

To simulate a netlist, type:

ngspice 1 ->  source <filename>.cir

You can exit from the Ngspice Shell by typing:

ngspice 1 ->  exit

or

ngspice 1 ->  quit

There are several waveforms that need to be obtained to observe the performance of the Bandgap reference circuit.

Pre-Layout Simulation

To clone the Repository and download the Netlist files for Simulation, enter the following commands in your terminal.

$  sudo apt install -y git
$  git clone https://github.com/sherylcorina/avsdbgp_3v3
$  cd avsdbgp_3v3/Simulation/Ngspice_Simulation/Final_Simulation/PreLayout

To obtain the Vbgp v/s Temperature [ -40C - 140C] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice pre_temp.cir

To obtain the Vbgp v/s VDD [ 2V - 4V ] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice pre_supply.cir

To obtain the Temperature Coefficient of Vbgp v/s Temperature [ -40C - 140C] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice pre_tc.cir

To obtain the Voltage Coefficent of Vbgp v/s VDD [ 2V - 4V ] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice pre_vc.cir

To obtain the Start Up Time plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice pre_startup.cir

On-Off-Current of Vbgp wrt Enable [1 -> 0] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice pre_enable.cir

Note:Current without Inverter for Enable Logic

---

Post-Layout Simulation

Ensure the Repository with the Simulation Files is cloned. Review the section above for detailed steps. Enter the following command in your terminal.

$  cd avsdbgp_3v3/Simulation/Ngspice_Simulation/Final_Simulation/PostLayout

To obtain the Vbgp v/s Temperature [ -40C - 140C] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice post_temp.cir

To obtain the Vbgp v/s VDD [ 2V - 4V ] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice post_supply.cir

To obtain the Temperature Coefficient of Vbgp v/s Temperature [ -40C - 140C] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice post_tc.cir

To obtain the Voltage Coefficent of Vbgp v/s VDD [ 2V - 4V ] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice post_vc.cir

To obtain the Start Up Time plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice post_startup.cir

On-Off-Current of Vbgp wrt Enable [1 -> 0] @ RL = 100M ohms plot

Run the netlist file using the following command.

$  ngspice post_enable.cir

Note:Current without Inverter for Enable Logic

Future Work

1. Improved matching techniques such as Common Centroid / Interdigitisation need to be implemented while laying out the current mirror.
2. PNR for the designed circuit is yet to performed using the Open Source Tool provided by the OpenROAD project.
3. Corner Analysis Testing of the bandgap reference circuit is yet to be performed.
4. The load driving capability needs to be improved by addition of a buffer block such as an OTA or a common drain amplifier.
5. To adjust the reference voltage resistors must be trimmed using fuses, hence, resistor trimming must be employed in the circuit.
6. The design must be improved to provide a higher PSRR.
7. In the future an OTA based bandgap reference circuit will be developed with improved performance characteristics. Also, a second order bandgap reference will be studied and developed, to improve the temperature coefficient.
8. To solve the problem of unwanted parasitic BJTs being extracted due to the modification made in the Technology File.

Contributors

• Sheryl Serrao
• Kunal Ghosh
• Philipp Gühring

Acknowledgments

• Kunal Ghosh, Director, VSD Corp. Pvt. Ltd.
• Philipp Gühring, Software Architect, LibreSilicon Assocation
• Saroj Rout, Associate Professor & Chief Mentor of VLSI Center of Excellence SIT, Bhubaneswar, India
• Santunu Sarangi, Asst. Professor, SIT, Bhubaneswar, India
• Tim Edwards, Senior Vice President of Analog and Design at efabless corporation
• Ankur Sah, M.Tech Embedded Systems, NIT Jamshedpur

Contact Information

• Sheryl Serrao, Undergraduate Student, Mumbai University [email protected]
• Kunal Ghosh, Director, VSD Corp. Pvt. Ltd. [email protected]
• Philipp Gühring, Software Architect, LibreSilicon Assocation [email protected]
• Dr. Gaurav Trivedi Co-Principal Investigator, EICT Academy, IIT Guwahati [email protected]