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Question

In enhancement mode MOSFET the saturation (drain) current is given by

(a) \(K\dfrac{W}{L}(V_{gs}-V_{th})^{2}\)

(b) \(K\dfrac{W}{L}(V_{gs}-V_{th})(1+\lambda V_{ds})\)

(c) \(K\dfrac{W}{L}(V_{gs}-V_{th})^{2}(1+\lambda V_{ds})\)

(d) \(K\dfrac{W}{L}(V_{gs}-V_{th})^{2}(1-\lambda V_{ds})\)

Out of these

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2016 Paper 3 Defence and Strategic Studies Question Paper (10-Jul-2016)
The correct answer is

(a) and (c) are correct.

The basic saturation law. Beyond pinch-off the drain current of an enhancement MOSFET depends on the gate overdrive squared and is nearly independent of Vds:

\(I_D=K\dfrac{W}{L}(V_{gs}-V_{th})^{2}\)

That is statement (a), the first-order (long-channel) model.

Adding channel-length modulation. In a real device, raising Vds pushes the pinch-off point back towards the source, shortening the effective channel by ΔL. Since \(I_D\propto1/L_{eff}\), the current creeps up slightly with Vds, giving the saturation characteristic a small positive slope. The effect is modelled by one extra factor:

\(I_D=K\dfrac{W}{L}(V_{gs}-V_{th})^{2}(1+\lambda V_{ds})\)

which is statement (c). So (a) and (c) are the two correct forms — the same law without and with the second-order correction.

Why the other two fail.

Statement (b) loses the square on the overdrive. A linear dependence would describe the triode region, not saturation, and it would wreck the quadratic transfer characteristic that gives the MOSFET its constant transconductance slope \(g_m=2\sqrt{K\frac{W}{L}I_D}\).

Statement (d) has \((1-\lambda V_{ds})\), the wrong sign. That would make the current fall as Vds rises, i.e. a negative output resistance — the opposite of what is observed.

What λ means in practice. It is the reciprocal of the Early-like voltage and sets the output resistance of the device:

\(r_o=\dfrac{1}{\lambda I_D}\)

which is exactly what limits the intrinsic gain \(g_mr_o\) of an amplifier stage. Short-channel devices have larger λ, which is why analog designers deliberately use longer channels where high gain is needed.

Hence, the correct expressions are (a) and (c).

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Similar Questions

  1. For an n-channel MOS transistor with $\mu_n$ = 600 cm2/Vs, Cox = 7 x 10-8  F/cm2, W = 40 $\mu_m$, L = 4$\mu_m$ and VTO=1.0 V, the value of K parameter is:

  2. Approximate oxide capacitance value (Cgd) for saturation operating mode of MOS transistor is:

  3. In MOS

    A. The substrate fermi potential ϕF is negative in NMOS

    B. The substrate fermi potential ϕF is positive in NMOS

    C. The substrate bias voltage VSB is positive in NMOS, negative in PMOS

    D. The substrate bias voltage VSB is negative in NMOS, positive in PMOS.

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  4. In a MOSFET the drain saturation current is

  5. The threshold voltage of a MOSFET can be lowered by

    1. using a thinner gate oxide
    2. reducing the carrier concentration in the substrate
    3. increasing the carrier concentration in the substrate

    Of these statements :

  6. The threshold voltage of an n-channel MOSFET can be increased by

  7. The threshold voltage of an n-channel MOSFET can be increased by

  8. Assertion (A) : MOS ICs based on MOSFET structure find wide applications in digital field.

    Reason (R) : MOS ICs have small size and are easy to fabricate.

  9. In MOSFET, the carrier velocity between constant mobility regime and the saturation velocity can be described as :

  10. In MOSFET, the linear region current is :

    (A) \(\dfrac{\mu_{n}C_{ox}w}{L}\left(V_{gs}-V_{th}-\dfrac{V_{ds}}{2}\right)V_{ds}\)
    (B) \(\dfrac{\mu_{n}C_{ox}w}{L}\left(V_{gs}-V_{th}\right)V_{ds}\)
    (C) \(\dfrac{\mu_{n}C_{ox}w}{2L}\left(V_{gs}-V_{th}\right)V_{ds}^{2}\)
    (D) \(\dfrac{\mu_{n}C_{ox}w}{L}\left(V_{gs}-V_{th}\right)^{2}\)

    Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :


Important Questions from MOSFET

  1. Which industry does aluminium smelting belong to?

  2. Given, Vgs is the gate-source voltage, Vds is the drain source voltage, and Vth is the threshold voltage of an enhancement type NMOS transistor, the conditions for transistor to be biased in saturation are

  3. A switched mode power supply operating at 20 kHz to 100 kHz range uses as the main switching element is __________.

  4. Which semiconductor power device out of the following, is not a current triggering device?

  5. A CMOS amplifier when compared to an N–channel MOSFET, has the advantage of

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