google / skywater-pdk

Open source process design kit for usage with SkyWater Technology Foundry's 130nm node.
https://skywater-pdk.rtfd.io
Apache License 2.0
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Odd behaviour with AC simulation using sky130nm PDK #438

Closed Alex-detailer closed 2 months ago

Alex-detailer commented 2 months ago

Hi everyone

I am designing a folded cascode using the sky130nm pdk and came across a odd phenomenon.

image

In the picture below , you can observe the intrinsic parameters i obtained in the operating point

Captura de ecrã 2024-09-15 131421

Based on this , and assuming gain is gm3 ( gm1/gds1 (1/gds3+gds2) ) ( M4 and M5 cascoded current source has high impedance ) , the gain would be around 65 dB.

However , when running AC simulation , i got 45 dB which is substantially lower

image

I tried to debug this by looking at the output impedance and its value is 10 times lower hence it could explain the difference observed in the gain.

image

Now the question is , should i not trust the intrinsic parameters ? Why is there such a difference ? How could I solve this issue ?

I am using ngspice42

Thanks for the help in advance, Alex