Achieving optimum performance with a
high-frequency amplifier (like the OPA2863-Q1) requires careful
attention to board layout parasitics and external component types. The DEM-OPA-SO-2A Demonstration Fixture user's guide can be used
as a reference when designing the circuit board. Recommendations that optimize
performance include the following:
- Minimize parasitic capacitance to any AC
ground for all of the signal I/O pins. Parasitic capacitance on the output and
inverting input pins can cause instability—on the noninverting input, parasitic
capacitance can react with the source impedance to cause unintentional
band-limiting. Open a window around the signal I/O pins in all of the ground and
power planes around those pins to reduce unwanted capacitance. Otherwise, ground
and power planes must be unbroken elsewhere on the board.
- Minimize the distance (< 0.1 in) from
the power-supply pins to high-frequency 0.01-µF decoupling capacitors. Avoid
narrow power and ground traces to minimize inductance between the pins and the
decoupling capacitors. The power-supply connections must always be decoupled
with these capacitors. Larger (2.2-µF to 6.8-µF) decoupling capacitors,
effective at lower frequency, must also be used on the supply pins. These
capacitors can be placed somewhat farther from the device and shared among
several devices in the same area of the PCB.
- Careful selection and placement of external
components preserves the high-frequency performance of the OPA2863-Q1. Resistors must be a low reactance type.
Surface-mount resistors work best and allow a tighter overall layout. Other
network components, such as noninverting input termination resistors, must also
be placed close to the package. Keep resistor values as low as possible and
consistent with load-driving considerations. Lowering the resistor values keeps
the resistor noise terms low and minimizes the effect of the parasitic
capacitance. Lower resistor values, however, increase the dynamic power
consumption because RF and RG become part of the amplifier
output load network.