Application Hints
AMPLIFIER TOPOLOGY
The topology chosen for the LPC660 is unconventional
(compared to general-purpose op amps) in that the tradi-
tional unity-gain buffer output stage is not used; instead, the
output is taken directly from the output of the integrator, to
allow rail-to-rail output swing. Since the buffer traditionally
delivers the power to the load, while maintaining high op
amp gain and stability, and must withstand shorts to either
rail, these tasks now fall to the integrator.
As a result of these demands, the integrator is a compound
affair with an embedded gain stage that is doubly fed forward
(via C
f
and C
ff
) by a dedicated unity-gain compensation
driver. In addition, the output portion of the integrator is a
push-pull configuration for delivering heavy loads. While
sinking current the whole amplifier path consists of three
gain stages with one stage fed forward, whereas while
sourcing the path contains four gain stages with two fed
forward.
The large signal voltage gain while sourcing is comparable
to traditional bipolar op amps, for load resistance of at least
5kΩ. The gain while sinking is higher than most CMOS op
amps, due to the additional gain stage; however, when driv-
ing load resistance of 5 kΩor less, the gain will be reduced
as indicated in the Electrical Characteristics. The op amp
can drive load resistance as low as 500Ωwithout instability.
COMPENSATING INPUT CAPACITANCE
Refer to the LMC660 or LMC662 datasheets to determine
whether or not a feedback capacitor will be necessary for
compensation and what the value of that capacitor would be.
CAPACITIVE LOAD TOLERANCE
Like many other op amps, the LPC660 may oscillate when
its applied load appears capacitive. The threshold of oscilla-
tion varies both with load and circuit gain. The configuration
most sensitive to oscillation is a unity-gain follower. See the
Typical Performance Characteristics.
The load capacitance interacts with the op amp’s output
resistance to create an additional pole. If this pole frequency
is sufficiently low, it will degrade the op amp’s phase margin
so that the amplifier is no longer stable at low gains. The
addition of a small resistor (50Ωto 100Ω) in series with the
op amp’s output, and a capacitor (5 pF to 10 pF) from
inverting input to output pins, returns the phase margin to a
safe value without interfering with lower-frequency circuit
operation. Thus, larger values of capacitance can be toler-
ated without oscillation. Note that in all cases, the output will
ring heavily when the load capacitance is near the threshold
for oscillation.
Capacitive load driving capability is enhanced by using a pull
up resistor to V
+
(Figure 3). Typically a pull up resistor
conducting 50 µA or more will significantly improve capaci-
tive load responses. The value of the pull up resistor must be
determined based on the current sinking capability of the
amplifier with respect to the desired output swing. Open loop
gain of the amplifier can also be affected by the pull up
resistor (see Electrical Characteristics).
PRINTED-CIRCUIT-BOARD LAYOUT
FOR HIGH-IMPEDANCE WORK
It is generally recognized that any circuit which must operate
with less than 1000 pA of leakage current requires special
layout of the PC board. When one wishes to take advantage
of the ultra-low bias current of the LPC660, typically less
than 0.04 pA, it is essential to have an excellent layout.
Fortunately, the techniques for obtaining low leakages are
quite simple. First, the user must not ignore the surface
leakage of the PC board, even though it may sometimes
appear acceptably low, because under conditions of high
humidity or dust or contamination, the surface leakage will
be appreciable.
To minimize the effect of any surface leakage, lay out a ring
of foil completely surrounding the LPC660’s inputs and the
terminals of capacitors, diodes, conductors, resistors, relay
terminals, etc. connected to the op-amp’s inputs. See Figure
4. To have a significant effect, guard rings should be placed
on both the top and bottom of the PC board. This PC foil
must then be connected to a voltage which is at the same
voltage as the amplifier inputs, since no leakage current can
flow between two points at the same potential. For example,
a PC board trace-to-pad resistance of 10
12
ohms, which is
01054706
FIGURE 1. LPC660 Circuit Topology (Each Amplifier)
01054707
FIGURE 2. Rx, Cx Improve Capacitive Load Tolerance
01054726
FIGURE 3. Compensating for Large
Capacitive Loads with A Pull Up Resistor
LPC660
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