a FEATURES Multistage Demodulating Logarithmic Amplifier Voltage Output, Rise-Time <15 ns High-Current Capacity: 25 mA into Grounded R L 95 dB Dynamic Range: -91 dBV to +4 dBV Single Supply of 2.7 V Min at 8 mA Typ DC-440 MHz Operation, 0.4 dB Linearity Slope of 24 mV/dB, Intercept of -108 dBV Highly Stable Scaling over Temperature Fully Differential DC-Coupled Signal Path 100 ns Power-Up Time, 1 A Sleep Current APPLICATIONS Conversion of Signal Level to Decibel Form Transmitter Antenna Power Measurement Receiver Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) Low-Cost Radar and Sonar Signal-Processing Network and Spectrum Analyzers Signal-Level Determination Down to 20 Hz True-Decibel AC Mode for Multimeters PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The AD8310 is a complete, dc-440 MHz demodulating logarithmic amplifier (log amp) with a very fast voltage-mode output capable of driving up to 25 mA into a grounded load in under 15 ns. It uses the progressive compression (successive detection) technique to provide a dynamic range of up to 95 dB to 3 dB law-conformance, or 90 dB to a 1 dB error bound up to 100 MHz. It is extremely stable and easy to use, requiring no significant external components. A single supply voltage of 2.7 V to 5.5 V at 8 mA is needed, corresponding to a power consumption of only 24 mW at 3 V. A fast-acting CMOS-compatible enable pin is provided. Each of the six cascaded amplifier/limiter cells has a small-signal gain of 14.3 dB, with a -3 dB bandwidth of 900 MHz. A total of nine detector cells are used, to provide a dynamic range that extends from -91 dBV (where 0 dBV is defined as the amplitude of a 1 V rms sine wave) that is, an amplitude of about 40 V, up to +4 dBV (or 2.2 V). The demodulated output is accurately scaled, with a log slope of 24 mV/dB and an intercept of -108 dBV; the scaling parameters are supply- and temperatureindependent. The fully-differential input offers a moderately high impedance (1 k in parallel with about 1 pF). A simple network can match the input to 50 and provide a power Fast, Voltage-Out DC-440 MHz 95 dB Logarithmic Amplifier AD8310 FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM AD8310 VPOS 8mA SUPPLY +INPUT ENBL BANDGAP REFERENCE AND BIASING SIX 14.3dB 900MHz AMPLIFIER STAGES INHI BFIN 1.0kV -INPUT BUFFER INPUT MIRROR INLO 2mA /dB 3 NINE DETECTOR CELLS SPACED 14.3dB 2 + 3kV COMM COMMON ENABLE COMM INPUT-OFFSET COMPENSATION LOOP VOUT - OUTPUT 3kV 1kV COMM OFLT OFFSET FILTER 33pF COMM sensitivity of to -78 dBm to +17 dBm. The logarithmic linearity is typically within 0.4 dB up to 100 MHz over the central portion of the range, but is somewhat greater at 440 MHz. There is no minimum frequency limit; the AD8310 may be used down to low audio frequencies. Special filtering features are provided to support this wide range. The output voltage runs from a noise-limited lower boundary of 400 mV to an upper limit within 200 mV of the supply voltage for light loads. The slope and intercept can be readily altered using external resistors. The output is tolerant of a wide variety of load conditions and is stable with capacitive loads of 100 pF. The AD8310 provides a unique combination of low cost, small size, small power consumption, high accuracy and stability, high dynamic range, a frequency range encompassing audio to UHF, fast response time and good load-driving capabilities, making this product useful in numerous applications requiring the reduction of a signal to its decibel equivalent. The AD8310 is available in the industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C, in an 8-lead Mini_SO package. REV. A Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices. One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106, U.S.A. Tel: 781/329-4700 World Wide Web Site: http://www.analog.com Fax: 781/326-8703 (c) Analog Devices, Inc., 1999 AD8310-SPECIFICATIONS (@ T = 25C, V = 5 V, unless otherwise noted) A S Parameter Conditions Min Typ INPUT STAGE Maximum Input1 (Inputs INHI, INLO) Single-Ended, p-p 2.0 2.2 4 17 20 1.28 -78 1000 1.4 3.2 Equivalent Power in 50 Noise Floor Equivalent Power in 50 Input Resistance Input Capacitance DC Bias Voltage LOGARITHMIC AMPLIFIER 3 dB Error Dynamic Range Transfer Slope Intercept (Log Offset)2 Linearity Error (Ripple) Output Voltage Minimum Load Resistance, RL Maximum Sink Current Output Resistance Video Bandwidth Rise Time (10%-90%) Fall Time (90%-10%) Output Settling Time to 1% POWER INTERFACES Supply Voltage, VPOS Quiescent Current Over Temperature Disable Current Logic Level to Enable Power Input Current when HI Logic Level to Disable Power Termination Resistor of 52.3 Differential Drive, p-p Terminated 50 Source 440 MHz Bandwidth From INHI to INLO From INHI to INLO Either Input (Output VOUT) From Noise Floor to Maximum Input 10 MHz f 200 MHz Over Temperature -40C < TA < +85C 10 MHz f 200 MHz Equivalent dBm (re 50 ) Over Temperature -40C TA +85C Equivalent dBm (re 50 ) Temperature Sensitivity Input from -88 dBV (-75 dBm) to +2 dBV (+15 dBm) Input = -91 dBV (-78 dBm) Input = 9 dBV (22 dBm) 800 22 20 -115 -102 -120 -107 Input Level = -43 dBV (-30 dBm), RL 402 , CL 68 pF Input Level = -3 dBV (+10 dBm), RL 402 , CL 68 pF Input Level = -43 dBV (-30 dBm), RL 402 , CL 68 pF Input Level = -3 dBV (+10 dBm), RL 402 , CL 68 pF Input Level = -13 dBV (0 dBm), RL 402 , CL 68 pF 2.7 6.5 5.5 Zero-Signal -40C < TA < +85C HI Condition, -40C < TA < +85C 3 V at ENBL LO Condition, -40C < TA < +85C 95 24 Max 1200 Unit V dBV dBm dBm nV/Hz dBm pF V -0.04 0.4 0.4 2.6 100 0.5 0.05 25 dB mV/dB mV/dB dBV dBm dBV dBm dB/C dB V V mA MHz 15 ns 20 ns 30 ns 40 ns 40 ns -108 -95 8.0 8.5 0.05 2.3 35 0.8 26 26 -99 -86 -96 -83 5.5 9.5 10 V mA mA A V A V NOTES 1 The input level is specified in "dBV" since logarithmic amplifiers respond strictly to voltage, not power. 0 dBV corresponds to a sinusoidal single-frequency input of 1 V rms. A power level of 0 dBm (1 mW) in a 50 termination corresponds to an input of 0.2236 V rms. Hence, the relationship between dBV and dBm is a fixed offset of 13 dBm in the special case of a 50 termination. 2 Guaranteed but not tested; limits are specified at six sigma levels. Specifications subject to change without notice. -2- REV. A AD8310 ORDERING GUIDE ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS* Supply Voltage VS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.5 V Input Power (re 50 ), Single-Ended . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 dBm Differential Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 dBm Internal Power Dissipation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 mW JA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200C/W Maximum Junction Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125C Operating Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . . . -40C to +85C Storage Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . -65C to +150C Lead Temperature Range (Soldering 60 sec) . . . . . . . . . 300C Model Package Description Package Option AD8310ARM* AD8310ARM-REEL AD8310ARM-REEL7 AD8310-EVAL RM-8 Tube RM-8 13" Tape and Reel RM-8 7" Tape and Reel Evaluation Board RM-8 RM-8 RM-8 *Device branded as J6A. *Stresses above those listed under Absolute Maximum Ratings may cause permanent damage to the device. This is a stress rating only; functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions above those indicated in the operational section of this specification is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may effect device reliability. CAUTION ESD (electrostatic discharge) sensitive device. Electrostatic charges as high as 4000 V readily accumulate on the human body and test equipment and can discharge without detection. Although the AD8310 features proprietary ESD protection circuitry, permanent damage may occur on devices subjected to high energy electrostatic discharges. Therefore, proper ESD precautions are recommended to avoid performance degradation or loss of functionality. PIN FUNCTION DESCRIPTIONS Pin Name Function 1 INLO One of two balanced inputs, biased roughly to VPOS/2. Common Pin (usually grounded). Offset filter access, nominally at about 1.75 V. Low impedance output voltage, 25 mA max load. Positive Supply, 2.7 V - 5.5 V at 8 mA quiescent current. Buffer input; used to lower post-detection bandwidth. CMOS-compatible chip enable (active when `HI'). Second of two balanced inputs. 2 3 4 COMM OFLT VOUT 5 VPOS 6 BFIN 7 ENBL 8 INHI REV. A WARNING! ESD SENSITIVE DEVICE PIN CONFIGURATION INLO 1 COMM 2 8 AD8310 INHI ENBL TOP VIEW OFLT 3 (Not to Scale) 6 BFIN VOUT 4 -3- 7 5 VPOS AD8310 -Typical Performance Characteristics 100 VOUT SUPPLY CURRENT - mA 10 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION 1 0.1 100ns PER HORIZONTAL DIVISION TA = +858C 0.01 GND REFERENCE TA = +258C INPUT 0.001 -3dBV INPUT LEVEL SHOWN HERE 0.0001 TA = -408C 0.00001 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION 2.5 ENABLE VOLTAGE - V Figure 4. RSSI Pulse Response with RL = 402 and CL = 68 pF, for Inputs Stepped from Zero to -33 dBV, -23 dBV, -13 dBV, and -3 dBV Figure 1. Supply Current vs. Enable Voltage @ TA = -40 C, +25 C and +85 C VOUT -3dBV 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION VOUT -23dBV 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION -43dBV CURVES OVERLAP -63dBV -83dBV GND REFERENCE INPUT 5V PER VERTICAL DIVISION ENABLE 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION 200ns PER HORIZONTAL DIVISION Figure 2. Power On/Off Response Time with RF Input of -83 dBV to -3 dBV 100ns PER HORIZONTAL DIVISION Figure 5. Large Signal RSSI Pulse Response with RL = 100 and CL = 33 pF, 68 pF and 100 pF 200V VOUT VOUT 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION 100V 154V 200mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION GND REFERENCE GND REFERENCE INPUT INPUT 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION 100ns PER HORIZONTAL DIVISION 100ns PER HORIZONTAL DIVISION 20mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION Figure 6. Small Signal RSSI Pulse Response with RL = 50 and Back Termination of 50 (Total Load = 100 ) Figure 3. Large Signal RSSI Pulse Response with CL = 100 pF and RL = 100 , 154 , and 200 -4- REV. A AD8310 3.0 100pF VOUT 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION 10MHz 50MHz 2.5 3300pF 100MHz RSSI OUTPUT - V 0.01mF GROUND REFERENCE 50ms PER HORIZONTAL DIVISION 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0 -120 -100 (-87dBm) -80 -60 -40 -20 INPUT LEVEL - dBV 0 (+13dBm) 20 Figure 10. RSSI Output vs. Input Level at TA = 25C for Frequencies of 10 MHz, 50 MHz, and 100 MHz Figure 7. Small Signal AC Response of RSSI Output with External BFIN Capacitance of 100 pF, 3300 pF and 0.01 F 3.0 200MHz 300MHz 2.5 RSSI OUTPUT - V VOUT 500mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION 25ns PER HORIZONTAL DIVISION GROUND REFERENCE 10mV PER VERTICAL DIVISION INPUT 2.0 440MHz 1.5 1.0 0.5 0 -120 -100 (-87dBm) -80 -60 -40 -20 INPUT LEVEL - dBV 0 (+13dBm) 20 Figure 11. RSSI Output vs. Input Level at TA = 25 C for Frequencies of 200 MHz, 300 MHz, and 440 MHz Figure 8. Small Signal RSSI Pulse Response with RL = 402 and CL = 68 pF 5 3.0 4 2.5 3 ERROR - dB RSSI OUTPUT - V 2 2.0 1.5 TA = -408C 1.0 TA = +858C 1 0 TA = +258C -1 TA = -408C -2 TA = +258C -3 0.5 -4 TA = +858C 0 -120 -100 (-87dBm) -80 -60 -40 -20 INPUT LEVEL - dBV 0 (+13dBm) -5 -120 20 -80 -60 -40 INPUT LEVEL - dBV -20 0 (+13dBm) 20 Figure 12. Log Linearity of RSSI Output vs. Input Level, 100 MHz Sine Input at TA = -40C, +25 C and +85 C Figure 9. RSSI Output vs. Input Level, 100 MHz Sine Input at TA = -40 C, +25 C and +85 C, Single-Ended Input REV. A -100 (-87dBm) -5- AD8310 -99 4 -101 3 -103 RSSI INTERCEPT - dBV 5 ERROR - dB 2 1 10MHz 0 -1 -2 -105 -107 -109 -111 -113 50MHz -3 -115 -4 -117 100MHz -5 -120 -119 -100 (-87dBm) -80 -60 -40 -20 INPUT LEVEL - dBV 0 (+13dBm) 20 100 10 FREQUENCY - MHz 1 Figure 13. Log Linearity of RSSI Output vs. Input Level, at TA = 25 C, for Frequencies of 10 MHz, 50 MHz and 100 MHz 1000 Figure 16. RSSI Intercept vs. Frequency 5 40 4 35 NORMAL (23.6584, 0.308728) 3 30 25 1 200MHz COUNT ERROR - dB 2 0 -1 20 15 -2 300MHz 10 -3 440MHz 5 -4 -5 -120 -100 (-87dBm) -80 -60 -40 -20 INPUT LEVEL - dBV 0 (+13dBm) 0 21.5 20 Figure 14. Log Linearity of RSSI Output vs. Input Level at TA = 25 C for Frequencies of 200 MHz, 300 MHz and 440 MHz 22.0 23.0 23.5 SLOPE - mV/dB 24.0 24.5 Figure 17. Transfer Slope Distribution, VS = 5 V, Frequency = 100 MHz, 25 C 24 30 22 29 20 28 NORMAL (-107.6338, 2.36064) 18 27 16 26 COUNT RSSI SLOPE - mV/dB 22.5 25 24 14 12 10 8 23 6 22 4 21 2 20 0 -115 1 100 10 FREQUENCY - MHz 1000 Figure 15. RSSI Slope vs. Frequency -113 -111 -109 -107 -105 -103 INTERCEPT - dBV -101 -99 -97 Figure 18. Intercept Distribution VS = 5 V, Frequency = 100 MHz, 25C -6- REV. A AD8310 GENERAL THEORY Logarithmic amplifiers perform a more complex operation than that of classical linear amplifiers, and their circuitry is significantly different. A good grasp of what log amps do, and how they do it, will avoid many pitfalls in their application. For a compete discussion of the theory, refer to the AD8307 data sheet. The essential purpose of a log amp is not to amplify, though amplification is needed internally, but to compress a signal of wide dynamic range to its decibel equivalent. It is thus a measurement device. A better term might be "logarithmic converter," since the function is the conversion of a signal from one domain of representation to another, via a precise nonlinear transformation: VOUT = VY log (VIN /VX) (1) where VOUT is the output voltage, VY is called the "slope voltage," the logarithm is usually taken to base-ten (in which case VY is also the "volts-per-decade"), VIN is the input voltage, and VX is called the "intercept voltage." Log amps implicitly require two references, here VX and VY, which determine the scaling of the circuit. The accuracy of a log amp cannot be any better than the accuracy of its scaling references. In the AD8310, these are provided by a band-gap reference. VOUT 5VY 4VY VSHIFT 3VY VY LOG VIN VIN = VX 0dBc VIN = 102VX +40dBc VIN = 104VX +80dBc -2VY Figure 19. General Form of the Logarithmic Function While Equation 1, plotted in Figure 19, is fundamentally correct, a different formula is appropriate for specifying the calibration attributes or demodulating log amps like the AD8310, operating in RF applications with a sine wave input: VOUT = VSLOPE (PIN - P0 ) (2) Here, VOUT is the demodulated and filtered baseband ("video" or "RSSI") output, VSLOPE is the logarithmic slope, now expressed in volts/dB (25 mV/dB for the AD8310), PIN is the input power, expressed in decibels relative to some reference power level and is P0 the logarithmic intercept, expressed in decibels relative to the same reference level. A widely used reference in RF systems is decibels above 1 mW in 50 , a level of 0 dBm. Note that the quantity (PIN-P0 ) is just dB. The logarithmic function disappears from the formula because the conversion has already been implicitly performed in stating the input in decibels. This is strictly a concession to popular convention: log amps manifestly do not respond to power (tacitly "power absorbed at the input"), but, rather, to input voltage. The input is specified in dBV (decibels with respect to 1 V rms) throughout this data sheet. This is more precise, although still incomplete, since the signal waveform is REV. A Progressive Compression High-speed high-dynamic range log amps use a cascade of nonlinear amplifier cells to generate the logarithmic function as a series of contiguous segments, a type of piecewise-linear technique. The AD8310 employs six cells in its main signal path each having a small-signal gain of 14.3 dB (x5.2) and a -3 dB bandwidth of about 900 MHz; the overall gain is about 20,000 (86 dB) and the overall bandwidth of the chain is some 500 MHz, resulting in a gain-bandwidth product (GBW) of 10,000 GHz, about a million times that of a typical op amp. This very high GBW is essential to accurate operation under small-signal conditions and at high frequencies. The AD8310 exhibits a logarithmic response down to inputs as small as 40 V at 440 MHz. Progressive compression log amps either provide a baseband "video" response or they accept an RF input and demodulate this signal to develop an output that is essentially the envelope of the input represented on a logarithmic or decibel scale. The AD8310 is the latter kind. Demodulation is performed in a total of nine detector cells, six of which are associated with the amplifier stages and three are passive detectors that receive a progressively-attenuated fraction of the full input. The maximum signal frequency can be 440 MHz but, since all the gain stages are dc-coupled, operation at very low frequencies is possible. Slope and Intercept Calibration LOWER INTERCEPT 2VY VOUT = 0 VIN = 10-2VX -40dBc also involved. Since many users specify RF signals in terms of power--usually in dBm/50 --we also use this convention in specifying the performance of the AD8310. All monolithic log amps from Analog Devices use precision design techniques to control the logarithmic slope and intercept. The primary source of this calibration is a pair of accurate voltage references, that provide supply- and temperature-independent scaling. The slope is set to 24 mV/dB by the bias chosen for the detector cells and the subsequent gain of the post-detector output interface. With this slope, the full 95 dB dynamic range can easily be accommodated within the output swing capacity when operating from a 2.7 V supply. Intercept positioning at -108 dBV (-95 dBm re 50 ) has likewise been chosen to provide an output centered in the available voltage range. Precise control of the slope and intercept results in a log amp having stable scaling parameters, making it a true measurement device as, for example, a calibrated Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). In this application, the input waveform is invariably sinusoidal. The input level is correctly specified in dBV. It may alternatively be stated as an equivalent power, in dBm, but here we must step carefully, since it is essential to specify the impedance in which this power is presumed to be measured. In most RF practice, it is common to assume a reference impedance of 50 , in which 0 dBm (1 mW) corresponds to a sinusoidal amplitude of 316.2 mV (223.6 mV rms). However, the power metric is only correct when the input impedance is lowered to 50 , either by a termination resistor added across INHI and INLO, or by the use of a narrow-band matching network. It cannot be stated too strongly that log amps do not inherently respond to power, but to the voltage applied to their input. The AD8310 presents a nominal input impedance much higher than 50 (typically 1 k at low frequencies). A simple input matching network can considerably improve the power sensitivity of this type of log amp. This increases the voltage applied to the input and -7- AD8310 thus alters the intercept. For a 50 reactive match, the voltage gain is about 4.8 and the whole dynamic range moves down by 13.6 dB. Finally, note that the effective intercept is function of waveform. For example, a square-wave input will read 6 dB higher than a sine wave of the same amplitude, and a Gaussian noise input 0.5 dB higher than a sine wave of the same rms value. can be accessed at BFIN (Pin 6), allowing certain functional modifications, including the addition of an external postdemodulation filter capacitor, and the alteration or adjustment of slope and intercept. AD8310 VPOS Offset Control In a monolithic log amp, direct-coupling is used between the stages for several reasons. First, it avoids the need for coupling capacitors, which may typically have a chip area at least as large of that of a basic gain cell, thus considerably increasing die size. Second, the capacitor values predetermine the lowest frequency at which the log amp can operate; for moderate values, this may be as high as 30 MHz, limiting the application range. Third, the parasitic "back-plate" capacitance lowers the bandwidth of the cell, further limiting the scope of applications. +INPUT ENBL BANDGAP REFERENCE AND BIASING 8mA SUPPLY SIX 14.3dB 900MHz AMPLIFIER STAGES INHI BFIN 1.0kV -INPUT BUFFER INPUT MIRROR INLO 2mA /dB 3 NINE DETECTOR CELLS SPACED 14.3dB 2 + 3kV COMM COMMON ENABLE COMM INPUT-OFFSET COMPENSATION LOOP VOUT - OUTPUT 3kV 1kV COMM OFLT 33pF OFFSET FILTER COMM However, the very high dc gain of a direct-coupled amplifier raises a practical issue. An offset voltage in the early stages of the chain is indistinguishable from a "real" signal. If it were as high as, say, 400 V, it would be 18 dB larger than the smallest ac signal (50 V), potentially reducing the dynamic range by this amount. This problem is averted by using a global feedback path from the last stage to the first, which corrects this offset in a similar fashion to the dc negative feedback applied around an op-amp. The high-frequency components of the feedback signal must, of course, be removed, to prevent a reduction of the HF gain in the forward path. Figure 20. Main Features of AD8310 The last gain stage also includes an offset-sensing cell. This generates a bipolarity output current should the main signal path exhibit an imbalance due to accumulated dc offsets. This current is integrated by an on-chip capacitor, which may be increased in value by an off-chip component, at OFLT (Pin 3). The resulting voltage is used to null the offset at the output of the first stage. Since it does not involve the signal input connections, whose ac coupling capacitors otherwise introduce a second pole in the feedback path, the stability of the offset correction loop is assured. An on-chip filter capacitor of 33 pF provides sufficient suppression of HF feedback to allow operation above 1 MHz. (The -3 dB point in the high-pass response is at 2 MHz, but the usable range extends well below this frequency). To further lower the frequency range, an external capacitor may be added at Pin OFLT. For example, 300 pF lowers it by a factor of ten; operation at low audio frequencies requires a capacitor of about 1 F. Note that this filter has no effect for input levels well above the offset voltage, where the frequency range would extend down to dc (for a signal applied directly to the input pins). The dc offset can optionally be nulled by adjusting the voltage on the OFLT pin (see Applications). The AD8310 is built on an advanced dielectrically-isolated complementary bipolar process. In the following interface diagrams, resistors denoted with an uppercase "R" are thin-film resistors having a low temperature-coefficient of resistance (TCR) and high linearity under large-signal conditions. Their absolute tolerance will typically be within 20%. Similarly, capacitors denoted using an uppercase "C," have a typical tolerance of 15% and essentially zero temperature or voltage sensitivity. Most interfaces have additional small junction capacitances associated with them, due to active devices or ESD protection; these may be neither accurate nor stable. Component numbering in each of these interface diagrams is local. PRODUCT OVERVIEW The AD8310 comprises six main amplifier/limiter stages. These six cells, and their and associated gm-styled full-wave detectors, handle the lower two-thirds of the dynamic range. Three "top-end" detectors, placed at 14.3 dB taps on a passive attenuator, handle the upper third of the 95 dB range. The first amplifier stage provides a low-noise spectral-density (1.28 nV/Hz). Biasing for these cells is provided by two references: one determines their gain; the other is a bandgap circuit that determines the logarithmic slope, and stabilizes it against supply and temperature variations. The AD8310 may be enabled/disabled by a CMOS-compatible level at ENBL (Pin 7). Enable Interface The chip-enable interface is shown in Figure 21. The currents in the diode-connected transistors control the turn-on and turnoff states of the band-gap reference and the bias generator, and are a maximum of 100 A when ENBL is taken to 5 V, under worst-case conditions. For voltages below 1 V, the AD8310 will be disabled, and consume a sleep current of under 1 A; tied to the supply, or a voltage above 2 V, it will be fully enabled. The internal bias circuitry is very fast (typically <100 ns for either OFF or ON). In practice, however, the latency period before the log amp exhibits its full dynamic range is more likely to be limited by factors relating to the use of ac-coupling at the input or the settling of the offset-control loop (see following sections). The differential current-mode outputs of the nine detectors are summed and then converted to single-sided form, nominally scaled 2 A/dB. The output voltage is developed by applying this current to 3 k load resistor, followed by a high-speed gain-of-four buffer amplifier, resulting in a logarithmic slope of 24 mV/dB (i.e., 480 mV/decade) at VOUT (Pin 4). The unbuffered voltage -8- REV. A AD8310 40kV ENBL Occasionally, it may be desirable to use the dc-coupled potential of the AD8310, in baseband applications. The main challenge here is to present the signal at the elevated common-mode input level, which may require the use of low-noise, low-offset buffer amplifiers. In some cases, it may be possible to use dual supplies of 3 V, which allows the input pins to operate at ground potential. The output, which is internally referenced to the COMM pin (now at -3 V), may be positioned back to ground level, with essentially no sensitivity to the particular value of the negative supply. AD8310 TO BIAS STAGES COMM Figure 21. ENABLE Interface Input Interface Figure 22 shows the essentials of the input interface. CP and C M are parasitic capacitances; CD is the differential input capacitance, largely due to Q1 and Q2. In most applications both input pins are ac-coupled. The switches S close when Enable is asserted. When disabled, bias current IE is shut off, and the inputs float; thus, the coupling capacitors remain charged. If the log amp is disabled for long periods, small leakage currents will discharge these capacitors. Then, if they are poorly matched, charging currents at power-up can generate a transient input voltage that may block the lower reaches of the dynamic range until it has become much less than the signal. Offset Interface The input-referred dc offsets in the signal path are nulled via the interface associated with Pin 3, shown in Figure 23. Q1 and Q2 are the first-stage input transistors, having slightly unbalanced load resistors, resulting in a deliberate offset voltage of about 1.5 mV referred to the input pins. Q3 generates a small current to null this error, dependent on the voltage at the OFLT pin. When Q1 and Q2 are perfectly matched this voltage is about 1.75 V; in practice, it will range from approximately 1 V to 2.5 V for an input-referred offset of 1.5 mV. VPOS VPOS 125V INPUT STAGE MAIN GAIN STAGES S 125V 6kV COM Q2 2kV CP Q1 4kV CD TOP-END DETECTORS BIAS, TYP 2.2V FOR 3V SUPPLY, 3.2V AT 5V S IE 2.4mA COMM Figure 22. Signal Input Interface A single-sided signal may be applied via a blocking capacitor to either Pin 1 or 8, with the other pin ac-coupled to ground. Under these conditions, the largest input signal that can be handled is 0 dBV (a sine amplitude of 1.4 V) when using a 3 V supply; a +5 dBV input (2.5 V amplitude) may be handled with a 5 V supply. When using a fully-balanced drive this maximum input level is permissible for supply voltages as low as 2.7 V. Above 10 MHz, this is easily achieved using an LC matching network. Such a network, having an inductor at the input, usefully eliminates the input transient noted above. REV. A 1.2V OFLT Q3 36kV Q2 COM S Q4 ~3kV INLO CM 16mA AT BALANCE 6kV INHI TO LAST DETECTOR Q1 48kV COFLT gm AVERAGE ERROR CURRENT 33pF COMM Figure 23. Offset Interface and Offset-Nulling Path In normal operation using an ac-coupled input signal, the OFLT pin should be left unconnected. The gm cell, which is gated off when the chip is disabled, converts a residual offset (sensed at a point near the end of the cascade of amplifiers) to a current. This is integrated by the on-chip capacitor CHP, plus any added external capacitance COFLT, to generate the voltage that is applied back to the input stage in the polarity needed to null the output offset. From a small-signal perspective, this feedback alters the response of the amplifier, which exhibits a zero in its ac transfer function, resulting in a closed-loop high-pass -3 dB corner at about 2 MHz. An external capacitor will lower the high-pass corner to arbitrarily low frequencies; using 1 F, the 3 dB corner is at 60 Hz. -9- AD8310 VPOS 0.4pF 1.25kV 1.25kV 1.25kV 1.25kV 0.4pF LGP FROM ALL DETECTORS LGN 0.2pF BIAS 2mA/dB 60mA R1 3kV 3kV VOUT BIAS 1kV 4kV 4kV COMM BFIN Figure 24. Simplified Output Interface Output Interface Basic Connections The nine detectors generate differential currents, having an average value that is dependent on the signal input level, plus a fluctuation at twice the input frequency. These are summed at nodes LGP and LGN in Figure 24. Further currents are added at these nodes, to position the intercept, by slightly raising the output for zero input, and to provide temperature compensation. Figure 25 shows the connections needed for most applications. A supply voltage between 2.7 V and 5.5 V is applied to VPOS and is decoupled using a 0.01 F capacitor close to the pin. Optionally, a small series resistor can be placed in the power line to give additional filtering of power supply noise. The ENBL input, which has a threshold of approximately 1.3 V (see Figure 1), should be tied to VPOS when this feature is not needed. For zero-signal conditions, all the detector output currents are equal. For a finite input, of either polarity, their difference is converted by the output interface to a single-sided unipolar current, nominally scaled 2 A/dB (40 A/decade), at the output pin BFIN. An on-chip resistor, R1, of ~3 k, converts this current to a voltage of 6 mV/dB. This is then amplified by a factor of four in the output buffer, which can drive a current of up to 25 mA in a grounded load resistor. The overall rise-time of the AD8310 is under 15 ns; there is also a delay time of about 6 ns when the log amp is driven by an RF burst, starting at zero amplitude. When driving capacitive loads, it is desirable to add a low value of load resistor to speed up the return to the baseline; the buffer is stable for loads of a least 100 pF. The output bandwidth may be lowered by adding a grounded capacitor at BFIN. The time-constant of the resulting single-pole filter is formed with the 3 k internal load resistor (having a tolerance of 20%); thus, to set the -3 dB frequency to 20 kHz, use a capacitor of 2.7 nF. Using 2.7 F, the filter corner is at 20 Hz. USING THE AD8310 The AD8310 has very high gain and bandwidth. Consequently, it is susceptible to all signals that appear at the input terminals within a very broad frequency range. Without the benefit of filtering, these will be quite indistinguishable from the "wanted" signal, and will have the effect of raising the apparent noise floor (that is, lowering the useful dynamic range). For example, while the signal of interest may be an IF of 50 MHz, any of the following could easily be larger than the IF signal at the lower extremities of its dynamic range: a few hundred microvolts of 60 Hz hum, picked up due to poor grounding techniques; spurious coupling from a digital clock source on the same PC board; local radio stations; etc. Careful shielding and supply decoupling is therefore essential. A ground-plane should be used to provide a lowimpedance connection to the common pin COMM, for the decoupling capacitor(s) used at VPOS, and for the output ground. 4.7V OPTIONAL C2 0.01mF SIGNAL INPUT NC VS (2.7-5.5V) C4 0.01mF INHI ENBL BFIN VPOS AD8310 52.3V C1 0.01mF INLO COMM OFLT VOUT NC VOUT (RSSI) NC = NO CONNECT Figure 25. Basic Connections While the AD8310's input can be driven differentially, the input signal will, in general, be single-ended. C1 is tied to ground and the input signal is coupled in through C2. Capacitors C1 and C2 should have the same value, to minimize start-up transients when the enable feature is used; otherwise, their values need not be equal. The 52.3 resistor combines with the 1.1 k input impedance of the AD8310 to yield a simple broadband 50 input match. An input matching network can also be used (see Input Matching section). The coupling time-constant 50 x CC /2, forms a high-pass corner with a 3 dB attenuation at fHP = 1/( x 50 x CC ), where C1 = C2 = CC. In high-frequency applications, fHP should be as large as possible, in order to minimize the coupling of unwanted lowfrequency signals. In low-frequency applications, a simple RC network forming a low-pass filter should be added at the input for similar reasons. This should generally be placed at the generator side of the coupling capacitors, thus lowering the required capacitance value for a given high-pass corner frequency. -10- REV. A AD8310 4.7V OPTIONAL C2 0.01mF Transfer Function in Terms of Slope and Intercept VS (2.7-5.5V) C4 0.01mF NC INHI ENBL BFIN VPOS SIGNAL INPUT AD8310 52.3V C1 0.01mF INLO COMM OFLT VOUT NC GENERATOR COMMON 4.7V VOUT (RSSI) NC = NO CONNECT BOARD-LEVEL GROUND Figure 26. Connections for Isolation of "Source" Ground from Device Ground In applications where the ground plane may not be an equipotential (possibly due to noise in the ground plane), the "low" input of an unbalanced source should generally be ac-coupled through a separate connection the "low" associated with the source. Furthermore, it is good practice in such situations to break the ground loop by inserting a small resistance to ground in the "low" side of the input connector (Figure 26). Figure 27 shows the output versus the input level for sine inputs at 10 MHz, 50 MHz, and 100 MHz; Figure 28 shows the logarithmic conformance under the same conditions. 3.0 10MHz 50MHz The transfer function of the AD8310 is characterized in terms of its Slope and Intercept. The logarithmic slope is defined as the change in the RSSI output voltage for a 1 dB change at the input. For the AD8310, slope is nominally 24 mV/dB. Therefore, a 10 dB change at the input results in a change at the output of approximately 240 mV. The plot of Log-Conformance shows the range over which the device maintains its constant slope. The dynamic range of the log amp is defined as the range over which the slope remains within a certain error band, usually 1 dB or 3 dB. In Figure 28, for example, the 1 dB dynamic range is approximately 95 dB (from +4 dBV to -91 dBV). The intercept is the point at which the extrapolated linear response would intersect the horizontal axis (see Figure 27). For the AD8310 the intercept is calibrated to be -108 dBV (-95 dBm). Using the slope and intercept, the output voltage can be calculated for any input level within the specified input range using the equation: VOUT = VSLOPE x (PIN - P0 ) where VOUT is the demodulated and filtered RSSI output, VSLOPE is the logarithmic slope, expressed in V/dB, PIN is the input signal, expressed in decibels relative to some reference level (either dBm or dBV in this case) and P0 is the logarithmic intercept, expressed in decibels relative to the same reference level. For example, for an input level of -33 dBV (-20 dBm), the output voltage will be VOUT = 0.024 V/dB x (-33 dBV - (-108 dBV)) = 1.8 V 2.5 100MHz OUTPUT - V 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0 -120 -100 -80 (-87dBm) -60 -40 -20 INPUT LEVEL - dBV 0 (+13dBm) 20 INTERCEPT Figure 27. Output vs. Input Level at 10 MHz, 50 MHz, and 100 MHz 5 4 Input signals of equal rms power, but differing crest factors, will produce different results at the log amp's output. 3 ERROR - dB 61dB DYNAMIC RANGE 1 10MHz 0 -1 -2 50MHz -3 -4 -5 -120 The most widely used convention in RF systems is to specify power in dBm, that is, decibels above 1 mW in 50 . Specification of log amp input level in terms of power is strictly a concession to popular convention; they do not respond to power (tacitly "power absorbed at the input"), but to the input voltage. The use of dBV, defined as decibels with respect to a 1 V rms sine wave, is more precise, although this is still not unambiguous because waveform is also involved in the response of a log amp, which, for a complex input (such as a CDMA signal) will not follow the rms value exactly. Since most users specify RF signals in terms of power--more specifically, in dBm/50 --we use both dBV and dBm in specifying the performance of the AD8310, showing equivalent dBm levels for the special case of a 50 environment. Values in dBV are converted to dBm re 50 by adding 13 dB. Effect of Waveform Type on Intercept 63dB DYNAMIC RANGE 2 dBV vs. dBm Differing signal waveforms shift the effective value of the intercept. Graphically, this looks like a vertical shift in the log amp's transfer function. The logarithmic slope, however, is not affected. For example, consider the case of the AD8310 being alternately fed by an unmodulated sine wave and by a single CDMA channel of the same rms power. The output voltage will differ by the equivalent of 3.55 dB (71 mV) over the complete dynamic range of the device (the output for the CDMA input being lower). 100MHz -100 (-87dBm) -80 -60 -40 INPUT LEVEL - dBV -20 0 (+13dBm) 20 Figure 28. Log-Conformance Errors vs. Input Level at 10 MHz, 50 MHz, and 100 MHz REV. A -11- AD8310 Table I shows the correction factors that should be applied to measure the rms signal strength of a various signal types. A sine wave input is used as a reference. To measure the rms power of a square wave, for example, the mV equivalent of the dB value given in the table (24 mV/dB times 3.01 dB) should be subtracted from the output voltage of the AD8310. C1 SIGNAL INPUT INHI LM AD8310 INLO C2 Table I. Correction for Signals with Differing Crest Factors Signal Type Figure 29. Reactive Matching Network Correction Factor (Add to Measured Input Level) 14 0 dB -3.01 dB 0.9 dB 0.55 dB 13 12 11 GAIN 10 9 DECIBELS Sine Wave Square Wave or DC Triangular Wave GSM Channel (All Time Slots On) CDMA Channel (Forward Link, 9 Channels On) CDMA Channel (Reverse Link) PDC Channel (All Time Slots On) 3.55 dB 0.5 dB 0.58 dB 8 7 6 5 4 Input Matching 3 Where higher sensitivity is required, an input matching network is useful. Using a transformer to achieve the impedance transformation also eliminates the need for coupling capacitors, lowers the offset voltage generated directly at the input, and balances the drive amplitude to INLO and INHI. The choice of turns ratio will depend somewhat on the frequency. At frequencies below 50 MHz, the reactance of the input capacitance is much higher than the real part of the input impedance. In this frequency range, a turns ratio of about 1:4.8 will lower the input impedance to 50 while raising the input voltage, and thus lowering the effect of the short circuit noise voltage by the same factor. The intercept will also be lowered by the turns ratio; for a 50 match, it will be reduced by 20 log10 (4.8) or 13.6 dB. The total noise will be reduced by a somewhat smaller factor because there will be a small contribution from the input noise current. 2 Narrow-Band Matching Transformer coupling is useful in broadband applications. However, a magnetically-coupled transformer may not be convenient in some situations. At high frequencies, it is often preferable to use a narrow-band matching network, as shown in Figure 29. This has several advantages. The same voltage gain is achieved, providing increased sensitivity, but now a measure of selectively is also introduced. The component count is low: two capacitors and an inexpensive chip inductor. Further, by making these capacitors unequal the amplitudes at INP and INM may be equalized when driving from a single-sided source; that is, the network also serves as a balun. Figure 30 shows the response for a center frequency of 100 MHz; note the very high attenuation at low frequencies. The high-frequency attenuation is due to the input capacitance of the log amp. INPUT 1 0 -1 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 FREQUENCY - MHz 130 140 150 Figure 30. Response of 100 MHz Matching Network Table II. Narrow-Band Matching Values FC MHz ZIN C1 pF C2 pF LM nH Voltage Gain (dB) 10 20 50 100 150 200 250 500 10 20 50 100 150 200 250 500 45 44 46 50 57 57 50 54 103 102 99 98 101 95 92 114 160 82 30 15 10 7.5 6.2 3.9 100 51 22 11 7.5 5.6 4.3 2.2 150 75 27 13 8.2 6.8 5.6 3.3 91 43 18 9.1 6.2 4.7 3.9 2.0 3300 1600 680 270 220 150 100 39 5600 2700 1000 430 260 180 130 47 13.3 13.4 13.4 13.4 13.2 12.8 12.3 10.9 10.4 10.4 10.6 10.5 10.3 10.3 9.9 6.8 -12- REV. A AD8310 General Matching Procedure For other center frequencies and source impedances, the following method can be used to calculate the basic matching parameters. Step 1: Tune Out CIN Alternatively, an AM-modulated signal, at about the center of the dynamic range, may be used. For a modulation depth M, expressed as a fraction, the decibel range between the peaks and troughs over one cycle of the modulation period is given by At a center frequency f C, the shunt impedance of the input capacitance CIN can be made to disappear by resonating with a temporary inductor LIN, whose value is given by LIN Step 2: Calculate CO and LO Now having a purely resistive input impedance, we can calculate the nominal coupling elements CO and LO, using 1 2 fC (R IN RM ) ; LO = (R IN RM ) 2 fC For the AD8310, RIN is 1 k. Thus, if a match to 50 is needed, at fC = 100 MHz, CO must be 7.12 pF and LO must be 356 nH. Step 3: Split CO Into Two Parts (3) The log intercept is adjustable by VR2 over a -3 dB range with the component values shown. VR2 is adjusted while applying an accurately-known CW signal, preferably near the lower end of the dynamic range, in order to minimize the effect of any residual uncertainty in the slope. For example, to position the intercept to -80 dBm, a test level of -65 dBm may be applied and VR2 adjusted to produce a dc output of 15 dB above zero at 24 mV/dB, which is 360 mV. 0.01mF SIGNAL INPUT Since we wish to provide the fully-balanced form of network shown in Figure 29, two capacitors C1 = C2 each of nominally twice CO, shown as CM in the figure, can be used. This requires a value of 14.24 pF in this example. Under these conditions, the voltage amplitudes at INHI and INLO will be similar. A somewhat better balance in the two drives may be achieved when C1 is made slightly larger than C2, which also allows a wider range of choices in selecting from standard values. For example, capacitors of C1 = 15 pF and C2 = 13 pF may be used (making CO = 6.96 pF). Step 4: Calculate L M The matching inductor required to provide both LIN and LO is just the parallel combination of these: LM = LIN LO /(LIN + LO ) With LIN = 1.8 H and LO = 356 nH, the value of LM to complete this example of a match of 50 at 100 MHz is 297.2 nH. The nearest standard value of 270 nH may be used with only a slight loss of matching accuracy. The voltage gain at resonance depends only on the ratio of impedances, as given by R R GAIN = 20 log IN = 10 log IN RS RS Slope and Intercept Adjustments Where system (i.e., software) calibration is not available, the adjustments shown in Figure 31 can be used, either singly or in combination, to trim the absolute accuracy of the AD8310. The log slope may be raised or lowered by VR1; the values shown provide a calibration range of 10% (22.6 mV/dB to 27.4 mV/dB), which includes full allowance for the variability in the value of the internal resistances. The adjustment may be made by alternately applying two fixed input levels, provided by an accurate signal generator, spaced over the central portion of the dynamic range, for example -60 dBV and -20 dBV. REV. A 1+ M 1- M For example., using a generator output of -40 dBm with a 70% modulation depth (M = 0.7), the decibel range is 15 dB, as the signal varies from -47.5 dBm to -32.5 dBm. 1 = 2 w CIN when CIN = 1.4 pF. For example, at fC = 100 MHz, LIN = 1.8 H. CO = dB = 20 log10 +VS (2.7-5.5V) 4.7V RS C2 0.01mF 8 7 6 VR2 100kV 5 INHI ENBL BFIN VPOS FOR VPOS = 3V, RS = 500kV FOR VPOS = 5V, RS = 850kV AD8310 52.3V 25kV C1 0.01mF INLO COMM OFLT VOUT 1 2 3 4 NC VOUT (RSSI) 10kV NC = NO CONNECT VR1 10kV 24mV/dB 610% Figure 31. Slope and Intercept Adjustments Increasing the Slope to a Fixed Value It is also possible to increase the slope to a new fixed value and thus increase the change in output for each decibel of input change. A common example of this is the need to "map" the output swing of the AD8310 into the input range of an analogto-digital converter (ADC) with a rail-to-rail input swing. Alternatively, a situation might arise, when only a part of the total dynamic range is required--say, just 20 dB--in an application where the nominal input level is more tightly constrained and a higher sensitivity to a change in this level is required. Of course, the maximum output will be limited either by the load resistance and the maximum output current rating of 25 mA, or by the supply voltage (see Specifications). The slope may easily be raised by adding a resistor from VOUT to BFIN as shown in Figure 32. This alters the gain of the output buffer, by means of stable positive feedback, from its normal value of four to an effective value which may be as high as sixteen, corresponding to a slope of 100 mV/dB. The resistor RSLOPE is set according to the equation RSLOPE = -13- 9.22 k 24 mV / dB 1- Slope AD8310 0.01mF SIGNAL INPUT 4.7V C2 0.01mF 8 7 6 The corner frequency is set by the equation VS (2.7-5.5V) F CORNER = 1/(2 x 2625 x COFLT) where COFLT is the capacitor connected to OFLT. 5 INHI ENBL BFIN VPOS RSLOPE 12.1kV AD8310 52.3V C1 0.01mF AD8310 INLO COMM OFLT VOUT 1 2 3 4 NC VOUT 100mV/dB NC = NO CONNECT OFLT COFLT (SEE TEXT) Figure 32. Raising the Slope to 100 mV/dB Output Filtering Figure 34. Lowering the High-Pass Corner Frequency of the Offset Control Loop In applications where maximum video bandwidth (and consequently fast rise time) is desired, it is essential that the BFIN pin be left unconnected and free of any stray capacitance. The nominal output video bandwidth of 25 MHz, can be reduced by connecting a ground-referenced capacitor (CFILT) to the BFIN pin as shown in Figure 33. This is generally done to reduce output ripple (at twice the input frequency for a symmetric input waveform such as sinusoidal signals). CFILT is selected using the equation CFILT = 1/(2 x 3 k x Video Bandwidth) -2.1 pF APPLICATIONS The AD8310 is highly versatile and easy to use. Being complete, it needs only a few external components, and most can be immediately accommodated by using the simple connections shown in the preceding section. A few examples of more specialized applications are provided here; see also the AD8307 data sheet for further applications; note the slightly different pinout. Cable-Driving The Video Bandwidth should typically be set at a frequency equal to about one-tenth the minimum input frequency. This will ensure that the output ripple of the demodulated log output, which is at twice the input frequency, will be well filtered. In many applications of log amps, it may be necessary to lower the corner frequency of the post-demodulation filtering, in order to achieve low output ripple while maintaining a rapid response time to changes in signal level. An example of a four-pole active filter is shown the AD8307 data sheet. The AD8310 is capable of driving a grounded 100 load to 2.5 V, for a supply voltage of 3 V or greater. If reverse-termination is required when driving a 50 cable, it should be included in series with the output, as shown in Figure 35. The slope at the load will then be 12 mV/dB. In some cases, it may be permissible to operate the cable without a termination at the far end, in which case the slope will not be lowered. Where a further increase in slope is desirable, the scheme shown in Figure 32 may be used. AD8310 AD8310 50V 2mA/dB +4 VOUT VOUT 50V 3kV BFIN CFILT Figure 35. Output Response of Cable-Driver Application DC-Coupled Input CFILT = 1/(2p 3 3kV 3 VIDEO BANDWIDTH) - 2.1pF Figure 33. Lowering the Post-Demodulation Video Bandwidth Lowering the High-Pass Corner Frequency of the Offset Compensation Loop In normal operation, using an AC-coupled input signal, the OFLT pin should be left unconnected. Input-referred dc offsets of about 1.5 mV in the signal path are nulled via an internal offset control loop. This loop has a high-pass -3 dB corner at about 2 MHz. In low frequency ac-coupled applications, it is necessary to lower this corner frequency to prevent input signals from being misinterpreted as offsets. An external capacitor on OFLT will lower the high-pass corner to arbitrarily low frequencies (Figure 34). For example, by using 1 F capacitor, the 3 dB corner will be reduced to 60 Hz. It may occasionally be necessary to provide response to dc inputs. Since the AD8310 is internally dc-coupled, there is no fundamental reason why this is precluded. However, there is a practical constraint, which is that its differential inputs must be positioned at least 2 V above the COM potential for proper biasing of the first stage. Usually, the source will be a single-sided ground-referenced signal, so it will thus be necessary to provide level-shifting and a single-ended-to-differential conversion to correctly drive the AD8310's inputs. Figure 36 shows how a level-shift to midsupply (2.5 V in this example) and a single-ended-to-differential conversion can be accomplished using the AD8138 differential amplifier. The four 499 resistors set up a gain of unity. An output common-mode (or bias) voltage of 2.5 is achieved by applying 2.5 V (from a supply-referenced resistive divider) to the AD8138's VOCM pin. The differential outputs of the AD8138 directly drive the 1.1 k input impedance of the AD8310. -14- REV. A AD8310 TP1 0.01mF R5 0V 5V VS 499V A 5V NC 0.1mF 8 7 6 INHI 499V AD8310 AD8138 5V 1 2 3 C2 0.01mF R4 0V INLO COMM OFLT VOUT 10kV 4 2.5V 0.1mF 8 499V INLO C1 0.01mF 50V R1 0V Figure 36. DC-Coupled Log Amp It is necessary in this application to trim the offset voltage of the AD8138. The internal offset compensation circuitry of the AD8310 is disabled by applying a nominal voltage of around 1.9 V to the OFLF pin. So the trim on the AD8138 is effectively trimming both devices' offsets. The trim is done by grounding the circuit's input and slightly varying the gain resistors on the AD8138's inverting input (a 50 potentiometer is used in this example) until the voltage on the AD8310's output reaches a minimum. 5 C5 (OPEN, 0805 PAD) AD8310 1 3.01kV NC = NO CONNECT 6 INLO COMM OFLT VOUT 5V 1.87kV 7 C4 0.01mF INHI ENBL BFIN VPOS R3 52.3V VOUT 499V 10kV C3 (OPEN) (0603 PAD) B 5 INHI ENBL BFIN VPOS SIGNAL INPUT SW1 TP2 2 3 R6 0V 4 C7 (OPEN) (0603 PAD) VOUT W1 W2 C6 (OPEN) (0603 PAD) R7 (OPEN) (0603 PAD) Figure 38. Evaluation Board Schematic After trimming, the lower end of the dynamic range is limited by the broadband noise at the output of the AD8138, which is approximately 425 V p-p. A differential low-pass filter may be added between the AD8138 and the AD8310 when the very fast pulse response of the circuit is not required. 2.7 2.5 2.3 RSSI OUTPUT - V 2.1 Figure 39. Layout of Component Side of Evaluation Board 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.7 0.1 1 10 INPUT LEVEL - mV 100 1000 Figure 37. Transfer Function of DC-Coupled Log Amp Application Evaluation Board An evaluation board, carefully laid out and tested to demonstrate the specified high-speed performance of the AD8310 is available. Figure 38 shows the schematic of the evaluation board, which fairly closely follows the basic connections schematic shown in Figure 25. Connectors INHI, INLO and VOUT are SMA type; supply and ground are connected to vector pins TP1 and TP1, switches and component settings for different setups are described in Table III. The layout and silkscreen for the component side of the board are shown in Figure 39 and Figure 40. For ordering information, please refer to the Ordering Guide. REV. A Figure 40. Component Side Silkscreen of Evaluation Board -15- AD8310 Component Function Default Condition TP1, TP2 SW1 Supply and Ground Vector Pins Device Enable: When in Position A, the ENBL pin is connected to +VS and the AD8310 is in normal operating mode. In Position B, the ENBL pin is connected to ground putting the device in sleep mode. SMA Connector Grounds: Connects common of INHI and INLO SMA connectors to ground. Can be used to isolate the generator ground from the evaluation board ground (see Figure 26). Input Interface: R3 (52.3 ) combines with the AD8310's 1 k input impedance to give an overall broadband input impedance of 50 . C1, C2, and the AD8310's input impedance combine to set a high-pass input corner of 32 kHz. Alternatively, R3, C1, and C2 can be replaced by an inductor and matching capacitors to form an input matching network. See Input Matching section for more detail. RSSI (Video) Bandwidth Adjust: The addition of C3 (Farads) will lower the RSSI bandwidth of the VLOG output according to the equation: CFILT = 1/(2 x 3 k x Video Bandwidth) -2.1 pF. Supply Decoupling: The nominal supply decoupling of 0.01 F (C4) can be augmented by a larger cap in C5. An inductor or small resistor can be placed in R5 for additional decoupling. Output Source Impedance: In cable-driving applications, a resistor (typically 50 or 75 ) can be placed in R6 to give the circuit a back-terminated output impedance. Output Loading: Resistors and capacitors can be placed in C6 and R7 to load test VOUT. Jumpers W1 and W2 are used to connect/disconnect the loads. Offset Compensation Loop: A capacitor in C7 will reduce the corner frequency of the offset control loop in low frequency applications. Not Applicable SW1 = A C1, C2, R2, R3 C3 C4, C5, R5 R6 W1, W2, C6, R7 C7 R1 = R4 = 0 R3 = 52.3 R2 = 0 C1 = C2 = 0.01 F C3 = Open C4 = 0.01 F C5 = Open, R5 = 0 R6 = 0 C6 = R7 = Open W1 = W2 = Installed C7 = Open OUTLINE DIMENSIONS Dimensions shown in inches and (mm). 8-Lead Mini_SO (RM-8) 0.122 (3.10) 0.114 (2.90) 8 5 0.193 (4.90) BSC 0.122 (3.10) 0.114 (2.90) 1 4 PIN 1 0.0256 (0.65) BSC 0.006 (0.15) 0.002 (0.05) 0.016 (0.40) 0.010 (0.25) 0.037 (0.95) 0.030 (0.75) 0.043 (1.10) MAX 68 08 SEATING 0.009 (0.23) PLANE 0.005 (0.13) -16- 0.028 (0.70) 0.016 (0.40) PRINTED IN U.S.A. R1/R4 C3690-0-12/99 (rev. A) Table III. Evaluation Boards Setup Options REV. A