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MCP6031/2/3/4
DS22041A-page 16
2007 Microchip Technology Inc.
4.6
Supply Bypass
With this family of operational amplifiers, the power
supply pin (V
DD
for single-supply) should have a local
bypass capacitor (i.e., 0.01 μF to 0.1 μF) within 2 mm
for good high-frequency performance. It also needs a
bulk capacitor (i.e., 1 μF or larger) within 100 mm to
provide large, slow currents. This bulk capacitor can be
shared with other analog parts.
4.7
Unused Op Amps
An unused op amp in a quad package (MCP6034)
should be configured as shown in
Figure 4-5
. These
circuits prevent the output from toggling and causing
crosstalk. Circuit A can use any reference voltage
between the supplies, provides a buffered DC
voltage,and minimizes the supply current draw of the
unused op amp. Circuit B uses fewer components and
operates as a comparator; it may draw more current.
FIGURE 4-5:
Unused Op Amps.
4.8
PCB Surface Leakage
In applications where low input bias current is critical,
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) surface leakage effects
need to be considered. Surface leakage is caused by
humidity, dust or other contamination on the board.
Under low humidity conditions, a typical resistance
between nearby traces is 10
12
Ω
. A 5V difference would
cause 5 pA of current to flow; which is greater than the
MCP6031/2/3/4 family’s bias current at +25°C
(±1.0 pA, typical).
The easiest way to reduce surface leakage is to use a
guard ring around sensitive pins (or traces). The guard
ring is biased at the same voltage as the sensitive pin.
An example of this type of layout is shown in
Figure 4-6
.
FIGURE 4-6:
for Inverting Gain.
Example Guard Ring Layout
1.
Non-inverting Gain and Unity-Gain Buffer:
a.
Connect the non-inverting pin (V
IN
+) to the
input with a wire that does not touch the
PCB surface.
b.
Connect the guard ring to the inverting input
pin (V
IN
–). This biases the guard ring to the
common mode input voltage.
Inverting Gain and Transimpedance Gain Ampli-
fiers (convert current to voltage, such as photo
detectors):
a.
Connect the guard ring to the non-inverting
input pin (V
IN
+). This biases the guard ring
to the same reference voltage as the op
amp (e.g., V
DD
/2 or ground).
b.
Connect the inverting pin (V
IN
–) to the input
with a wire that does not touch the PCB
surface.
2.
V
DD
V
DD
MCP6034 (A)
MCP6034 (B)
R
R
V
DD
Guard Ring
V
IN
– V
IN
+
V
SS