Fully Differential Amplifiers

N/A fully differential operational amplifiers (op amps) simplifies how designers optimize the performance of high- speed, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Designers can replace the three op amps with one fully differential device and eliminate the need for precisely matched resistors. This reduces (or eliminates) the considerable analog expertise a system designer needs to devise a front-end to the ADC. Other implementations use transformers to drive the high performance ADCs that can be expensive and susceptible to noise.

The balanced, fully differential outputs of these new op amps, the THS41xx family, block most of the common-mode noise and give the devices low total harmonic distortion (THD). The best THD among the devices in the family is -83 dB at 1 MHz. The initial devices in this family, the THS4141 and THS4131, will be high-performance op amps that have a top bandwidth of 160 MHz and slew rates of 450 V/µs and 150 MHz with 51 V/µs respectively. These devices also have a wide power supply range from 5V to +15 V.

The op amps feature an output common mode voltage (VOCM) pin that can be used to set the devices' output voltage.

These devices are offered with a power shutdown mode for low- power applications. When the devices are not in use, they move into shutdown mode where they can draw 860 µA of supply current.

The THS41xx family is fabricated using BiCom-I complementary bipolar process technology. The devices come in an 8-pin small outline integrated circuit (SOIC) package or PowerPad MSOP for enhanced thermal management.

<%=company%>, Semiconductor Group, Literature Response Center, P. O. Box 954, Santa Clara, CA 91380. Phone: (800) 477-8924, ext. 4500.