AD8337
Rev. C | Page 18 of
32
THEORY OF OPERATION
VOUT
GAIN
RG
18dB
(8x)
2
1
6
PRAO
VNEG
VCOM
+
–
7
749
107
PrA
6dB
GAIN
INTERFACE
BIAS
+
–
8
VPOS
INPP
INPN
5
3
4
INTERPOLATOR
ATTENUATOR
–24dB TO 0dB
+
–
RFB1 = RFB2 = 100
05
57
5-
0
65
RFB2
RFB1
Figure 65. Circuit Block Diagram
OVERVIEW
The AD8337 is a low noise, single-ended, linear-in-dB, general-
purpose variable gain amplifier (VGA) usable at frequencies up
to 100 MHz. It is fabricated using a proprietary Analog Devices
dielectrically isolated, complementary bipolar process. The
bandwidth is dc to 280 MHz and features low dc offset voltage
and an ideal nominal gain range of 0 dB to 24 dB. Requiring
about 15.5 mA, the power consumption is only 78 mW from
either a single +5 V or a dual ±2.5 V supply.
Figure 65 is the
circuit block diagram of the AD8337.
PREAMPLIFIER
An uncommitted current-feedback op amp included in the
AD8337 can be used as a preamplifier to buffer the ladder
network attenuator of the X-AMP. As with any op amp, the gain
is established using external resistors, and the preamplifier is
specified with a noninverting gain of 6 dB (2×) and gain resistor
values of 100 Ω. The preamplifier gain can be increased using
larger values of RFB2, trading off bandwidth and offset voltage.
The value of RFB2 is to be ≥100 Ω because the value and an
internal compensation capacitor determine the 3 dB bandwidth,
and smaller values can compromise preamplifier stability.
Because the AD8337 is dc-coupled, larger preamp gains increase
the offset voltage. The offset voltage can be compensated by
connecting a resistor between the INPN input and the supply
voltage. If the offset is negative, the resistor value connects to
the negative supply. For ease of adjustment, a trimmer network
can be used.
For larger gains, the overall noise is reduced if a low value of
RFB1 is selected. For values of RFB1 = 20 Ω and RFB2 = 301 Ω, the
preamp gain is 16× (24.1 dB), and the input-referred noise is
approximately 1.5 nV/√Hz. For this value of gain, the overall
gain range increases by 18 dB; therefore, the gain range is 18 dB
to 42 dB.
VGA
This X-AMP, with its linear-in-dB gain characteristic
architecture, yields the optimum dynamic range for receiver
applications. Referring to
Figure 65, the signal path consists of
a 24 dB variable attenuator followed by a fixed gain amplifier of
18 dB, for a total VGA gain range of 6 dB to +18 dB. With the
preamplifier configured for a gain of 6 dB, the composite gain
range is 0 dB to 24 dB.
The VGA plus preamp, with 6 dB of gain, implements the
following exact gain law:
(dB)
V
dB
19.7
(dB)
ICPT
GAIN
V
Gain
+
×
=
where the nominal intercept (ICPT) = 12.65 dB.
The ICPT increases as the gain of the preamp is increased. For
example, if the gain of the preamp is increased by 6 dB, ICPT
increases to 18.65 dB. Although the previous equation shows
the exact gain law as based on statistical data, a quick estimation
of signal levels can be made using the default slope of 20 dB/V
for a particular gain setting. For example, the change in gain for
a VGAIN change of 0.3 V is 6 dB using a slope of 20 dB/V and
5.91 dB using the exact slope of 19.6 dB/V. This is a difference
of only 0.09 dB.
GAIN CONTROL
The gain control interface provides a high impedance input and
is referenced to the VCOM pin (in a single-supply application to
midsupply at [VPOS + VNEG]/2 for optimum swing). When
dual supplies are used, VCOM is connected to ground. The voltage
on the VCOM pin determines the midpoint of the gain range. For
a ground referenced design, the VGAIN range is from 0.7 V to
+0.7 V with the most linear-in-dB section of the gain control
between 0.6 V and +0.6 V. In the center 80% of the VGAIN
range, the gain error is typically less than ±0.2 dB. The gain
control voltage can be increased or decreased to the positive or
negative rails without gain foldover.