Large- and small-signal channel transit time delays in long-channel MOS transistors

Abstract

Turn-on and turn-off delay times (intrinsic channel transit times) of long-channel MOST's are studied for both large-and small-signal inputs. By developing large-signal dynamic equations in normalized form it is evident that the normalized channel current and voltage distributions are unique and independent of device parameters and applied voltages. Channel transit time delays for both large and small signal are found to be given by a simple analytical expression containing a constant, undefined for large signal but defined explicitly for small signal. Values for the constant are found for large- signal operation in several modes by computer simulation representing the channel as a series of cascaded CCD elements. Those for small signal are found by representing the channel as an RC transmission line. With the values of the constant determined, the simple analytical expression is shown to accurately predict channel transit time delays regardless of device type, channel length, width, substrate doping, crystal orientation, or effective mobility. It is concluded that the data presented can be used in designing delay lines or low-pass filters employing long-channel devices.