DS90LV031B_05 Datasheet, PDF (6/9 Pages) National Semiconductor (TI) – 3V LVDS Quad CMOS Differential Line Driver

Applications Information (Continued)
quency. Whereas the RS-422 voltage mode driver increases
exponentially in most case between 20 MHz–50 MHz. This
is due to the overlap current that flows between the rails of
the device when the internal gates switch. Whereas the
current mode driver switches a fixed current between its
output without any substantial overlap current. This is similar
to some ECL and PECL devices, but without the heavy static
I_CC requirements of the ECL/PECL designs. LVDS requires
about 80% less current than similar PECL devices. AC speci-
fications for the driver are a tenfold improvement over other
existing RS-422 drivers.
The TRI-STATE function allows the driver outputs to be
disabled, thus obtaining an even lower power state when the
transmission of data is not required.
The footprint of the DS90LV031B is the same as the industry
standard 26LS31 Quad Differential (RS-422) Driver and is a
step down replacement for the 5V DS90C031 Quad Driver.
POWER DECOUPLING RECOMMENDATIONS
Bypass capacitors must be used on power pins. High fre-
quency ceramic (surface mount is recommended) 0.1µF in
parallel with 0.01µF, in parallel with 0.001µF at the power
supply pin as well as scattered capacitors over the printed
circuit board. Multiple vias should be used to connect the
decoupling capacitors to the power planes. A 10µF (35V) or
greater solid tantalum capacitor should be connected at the
power entry point on the printed circuit board.
PC BOARD CONSIDERATIONS
Use at least 4 PCB layers (top to bottom); LVDS signals,
ground, power, TTL signals.
Isolate TTL signals from LVDS signals, otherwise the TTL
may couple onto the LVDS lines. It is best to put TTL and
LVDS signals on different layers which are isolated by a
power/ground plane(s).
Keep drivers and receivers as close to the (LVDS port side)
connectors as possible.
DIFFERENTIAL TRACES
Use controlled impedance traces which match the differen-
tial impedance of your transmission medium (ie. cable) and
termination resistor. Run the differential pair trace lines as
close together as possible as soon as they leave the IC
(stubs should be < 10mm long). This will help eliminate
reflections and ensure noise is coupled as common-mode.
In fact, we have seen that differential signals which are 1mm
apart radiate far less noise than traces 3mm apart since
magnetic field cancellation is much better with the closer
traces. Plus, noise induced on the differential lines is much
more likely to appear as common-mode which is rejected by
the receiver.
Match electrical lengths between traces to reduce skew.
Skew between the signals of a pair means a phase differ-
ence between signals which destroys the magnetic field
cancellation benefits of differential signals and EMI will re-
sult. (Note the velocity of propagation, v = c/Er where c (the
speed of light) = 0.2997mm/ps or 0.0118 in/ps). Do not rely
solely on the autoroute function for differential traces. Care-
fully review dimensions to match differential impedance and
provide isolation for the differential lines. Minimize the num-
ber or vias and other discontinuities on the line.
Avoid 90˚ turns (these cause impedance discontinuities).
Use arcs or 45˚ bevels.
Within a pair of traces, the distance between the two traces
should be minimized to maintain common-mode rejection of
the receivers. On the printed circuit board, this distance
should remain constant to avoid discontinuities in differential
impedance. Minor violations at connection points are allow-
able.
TERMINATION
Use a resistor which best matches the differential impedance
or your transmission line. The resistor should be between
90Ω and 130Ω. Remember that the current mode outputs
need the termination resistor to generate the differential
voltage. LVDS will not work without resistor termination.
Typically, connect a single resistor across the pair at the
receiver end.
Surface mount 1% to 2% resistors are best. PCB stubs,
component lead, and the distance from the termination to the
receiver inputs should be minimized. The distance between
the termination resistor and the receiver should be < 10mm
(12mm MAX).
PROBING LVDS TRANSMISSION LINES
Always use high impedance (> 100kΩ), low capacitance
(< 2pF) scope probes with a wide bandwidth (1GHz) scope.
Improper probing will give deceiving results.
CABLES AND CONNECTORS, GENERAL COMMENTS
When choosing cable and connectors for LVDS it is impor-
tant to remember:
Use controlled impedance media. The cables and connec-
tors you use should have a matched differential impedance
of about 100Ω. They should not introduce major impedance
discontinuities.
Balanced cables (e.g. twisted pair) are usually better than
unbalanced cables (ribbon cable, simple coax.) for noise
reduction and signal quality. Balanced cables tend to gener-
ate less EMI due to field canceling effects and also tend to
pick up electromagnetic radiation a common-mode (not dif-
ferential mode) noise which is rejected by the receiver. For
cable distances < 0.5M, most cables can be made to work
effectively. For distances 0.5M ≤ d ≤ 10M, CAT 3 (category 3)
twisted pair cable works well, is readily available and rela-
tively inexpensive.
FAIL-SAFE FEATURE
The LVDS receiver is a high gain, high speed device that
amplifies a small differential signal (20mV) to CMOS logic
levels. Due to the high gain and tight threshold of the re-
ceiver, care should be taken to prevent noise from appearing
as a valid signal.
The receiver’s internal fail-safe circuitry is designed to
source/sink a small amount of current, providing fail-safe
protection (a stable known state of HIGH output voltage) for
floating, terminated or shorted receiver inputs.
1. Open Input Pins. The DS90LV032A is a quad receiver
device, and if an application requires only 1, 2 or 3
receivers, the unused channel(s) inputs should be left
OPEN. Do not tie unused receiver inputs to ground or
any other voltages. The input is biased by internal high
value pull up and pull down resistors to set the output to
a HIGH state. This internal circuitry will guarantee a
HIGH, stable output state for open inputs.
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