VCA2615 Datasheet, PDF (19/29 Pages) Texas Instruments – Dual, Low-Noise Variable-Gain Amplifier with Preamp

VCA2615
www.ti.com
In this case, unlike the conventional termination shown in
Figure 60, both the signal voltage and the R_S noise are
attenuated by the same factor of two (or 6dB) before being
re-amplified by the A gain setting. This configuration
avoids the extra 3dB degradation because of the
square-root effect described above, which is the key
advantage of the active termination technique. As noted,
the previous explanation ignored the input noise
contribution of the LNP itself. Also, the noise contribution
of the feedback resistor must be included for a completely
correct analysis. The curves shown in Figure 61 and
Figure 62 allow the VCA2615 user to compare the
achievable noise figure for active and conventional
termination methods.
VCA NOISE = 3.8nV√Hz, LNP GAIN = 20dB
9
8
LNP Noise
nV/√Hz
7
6.0E−10
8.0E−10
6
1.0E−09
5
1.2E−09
1.4E−09
4
1.6E−09
3
1.8E−09
2.0E−09
2
1
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Source Impedance (Ω)
Figure 61. Noise Figure for Active Termination
VCA NOISE = 3.8nV√Hz, LNP GAIN = 20dB
14
LNP Noise
nV/√Hz
12
6.0E−10
8.0E−10
10
1.0E−09
1.2E−09
8
1.4E−09
1.6E−09
1.8E−09
6
2.0E−09
4
2
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Source Impedance (Ω)
Figure 62. Noise Figure for Conventional
Termination
SBOS316C − JULY 2005 − REVISED SEPTEMBER 2005
VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED AMPLIFIER (VCA)—
DETAIL
Figure 63 shows a simplified schematic of the VCA. The
VCA2615 is a true voltage-controlled amplifier, with the
gain expressed in dB directly proportional to a control
signal. This architecture compares to the older VCA
products where a voltage-controlled attenuator was
followed by a fixed-gain amplifier. With a variable-gain
amplifier, the output noise diminishes as the gain reduces.
A variable-gain amplifier, where the output amplifier gain
is fixed, will not show diminished noise in this manner.
Refer to Table 6, which shows a comparison between the
noise performance at different gains for the VCA2615 and
the older VCA2616.
Table 6. Noise vs Gain (R_G = 0)
PRODUCT
GAIN (dB)
NOISE RTI (nV/√Hz)
VCA2615
60
0.7
VCA2615
20
9.0
VCA2616
60
1.1
VCA2616
20
14.0
The VCA accepts a differential input at the +IN and −IN
terminals. Amplifier A1, along with transistors Q2 and Q3,
forms a voltage follower that buffers the +IN signal to be
able to drive the voltage-controlled resistor. Amplifier A3,
along with transistors Q27 and Q28, plays the same role
as A1. The differential signal applied to the
voltage-controlled resistor network is converted to a
current that flows through transistors Q1 through Q4.
Through the mirror action of transistors Q1/Q5 and Q4/Q6,
a copy of this same current flows through Q5 and Q6.
Assuming that the signal current is less than the
programmed clipping current (that is, the current flowing
through transistors Q7 and Q8), the signal current will then
go through the diode bridge (D1 through D4) and be sent
through either R2 or R1, depending upon the state of Q9.
This signal current multiplied by the feedback resistor
associated with amplifier A2, determines the signal
voltage that is designated −OUT. Operation of the circuitry
associated with A3 and A4 is identical to the operation of
the previously described function to create the signal
+OUT.
A1 and its circuitry form a voltage-to-current converter,
while A2 and its circuitry form a current-to-voltage
converter. This architecture was adapted because it has
excellent signal-handling capability. A1 has been
designed to handle a large voltage signal without
overloading, and the various mirroring devices have also
been sized to handle large currents. Good overload
capability is achieved as both the input and output
amplifier are not required to amplify voltage signals.
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