Like all widely-used devices, numerous common terms have developed that are unique to this type of device. These terms include:
- Fully differential amplifier (FDA)—In this document, this term is restricted to devices offering what appears similar to a differential inverting op amp design element that requires an input resistor (not high-impedance input) and includes a second internal control-loop setting the output average voltage (Vocm) to a default or set point. This second loop interacts with the differential loop in some configurations.
- The desired output signal at the two output pins is a differential signal swinging symmetrically around a common-mode voltage where that is the average voltage for the two outputs.
- Single-ended to differential—always use the
outputs differentially in an FDA; however, the source signal can be either a
single-ended source or differential, with a variety of implementation details
for either. When the FDA operation is single-ended to differential, only one of
the two input resistors receives the source signal with the other input resistor
connected to a dc reference (often ground) or through a capacitor to
ground.
To simplify, several features in
the application of the THS4541 are not explicitly stated, but are
necessary for correct operation. These requirements include:
- Good power-supply decoupling is
required. Minimize the distance (< 0.1") from the power-supply pins to
high-frequency, 0.1-μF decoupling capacitors. Often a larger capacitor (2.2 µF
is typical) is used along with a high-frequency, 0.1-µF supply decoupling
capacitor at the device supply pins (share this capacitor for the four supply
pins in the RGT package). For single-supply
operation, only the positive supply has these capacitors. When a split supply is
used, use these capacitors for each supply to ground. If necessary, place the
larger capacitors somewhat farther from the device and share these capacitors
among several devices in the same area of the printed circuit board (PCB). For
each THS4541, attach a separate 0.1-µF capacitor to a nearby
ground plane. With cascaded or multiple parallel channels, including ferrite
beads from the larger capacitor is often useful to the local high-frequency
decoupling capacitor.
- Minimize
the distance (< 0.1") from the power-supply pins to high-frequency, 0.1-μF
decoupling capacitors. At the device pins, the ground and power plane layout
must not be in close proximity to the signal I/O pins. Avoid narrow power and
ground traces to minimize inductance between the pins and the decoupling
capacitors. Always decouple the power-supply connections (on pins 4 and 7) with
these capacitors. An optional supply decoupling capacitor across the two power
supplies (for bipolar operation) improves 2nd-harmonic distortion performance.
Use larger (2.2 μF to 6.8 μF) decoupling capacitors, effective at lower
frequency, on the main supply pins. Place these capacitors somewhat farther from
the device. These capacitors can be shared among several devices in the same
area of the PCB.
- Although not always stated, tie
the power disable pin to the positive supply when only an enabled channel is
desired.
- Virtually all ac characterization
equipment expects a 50-Ω termination from the 50-Ω source, and a 50-Ω
single-ended source impedance from the device outputs to the 50-Ω sensing
termination. This termination is achieved in all characterizations (often with
some insertion loss), but is not necessary for most applications. Matching
impedance is most often required when transmitting over longer distances. Tight
layouts from a source, through the THS4541, and on to an ADC
input do not require doubly-terminated lines or filter designs; the exception is
if the source requires a defined termination impedance for correct operation
(for example, a SAW filter source).
- The amplifier signal path is
flexible for single or split-supply operation. Most applications are intended to
be single supply, but any split-supply design can be used, as long as the total
supply across the TH4541 is less than 5.5 V and the required input, output, and
common-mode pin headrooms to each supply are observed. Left open, the Vocm pin
defaults to near midsupply for any combination of split or single supplies used.
The disable pin is negative-rail referenced. Using a negative supply requires
the disable pin to be pulled down to within 0.7 V of the negative supply to
disable the amplifier.
- External element values are
normally assumed to be accurate and matched. In an FDA, match the feedback
resistor values and also match the (dc and ac) impedance from the summing
junctions to the source on one side and the reference or ground on the other
side. Unbalancing these values introduces nonidealities in the signal path. For
the signal path, imbalanced resistor ratios on the two sides create a
common-mode to differential conversion. Also, mismatched Rf values and feedback
ratios create some added differential output error terms from any common-mode
dc, ac signal, or noise terms. Approximating to standard 1% resistor values is a
typical approach and generally leads to some nominal feedback ratio mismatch.
Mismatched resistors or ratios do not in themselves degrade harmonic distortion.
If there is meaningful CM noise or distortion coming in, those errors are
converted to a differential error through element or ratio mismatch.