Low Noise, 90 MHz
Variable Gain Amplifier
AD603
Data Sheet
The decibel gain is linear in dB, accurately calibrated, and stable
over temperature and supply. The gain is controlled at a high
impedance (50 MΩ), low bias (200 nA) differential input; the
scaling is 25 mV/dB, requiring a gain control voltage of only
1 V to span the central 40 dB of the gain range. An overrange
and underrange of 1 dB is provided whatever the selected range.
The gain control response time is less than 1 μs for a 40 dB change.
FEATURES
Linear-in-dB gain control
Pin-programmable gain ranges
−11 dB to +31 dB with 90 MHz bandwidth
9 dB to 51 dB with 9 MHz bandwidth
Any intermediate range, for example −1 dB to +41 dB
with 30 MHz bandwidth
Bandwidth independent of variable gain
1.3 nV/√Hz input noise spectral density
±0.5 dB typical gain accuracy
The differential gain control interface allows the use of either
differential or single-ended positive or negative control voltages.
Several of these amplifiers may be cascaded and their gain
control gains offset to optimize the system SNR.
The AD603 can drive a load impedance as low as 100 Ω with
low distortion. For a 500 Ω load in shunt with 5 pF, the total
harmonic distortion for a ±1 V sinusoidal output at 10 MHz is
typically −60 dBc. The peak specified output is ±2.5 V minimum
into a 500 Ω load.
APPLICATIONS
RF/IF AGC amplifiers
Video gain controls
A/D range extensions
Signal measurements
The AD603 uses a patented proprietary circuit topology—the
X-AMP®. The X-AMP comprises a variable attenuator of 0 dB
to −42.14 dB followed by a fixed-gain amplifier. Because of the
attenuator, the amplifier never has to cope with large inputs and
can use negative feedback to define its (fixed) gain and dynamic
performance. The attenuator has an input resistance of 100 Ω,
laser trimmed to ±3%, and comprises a 7-stage R-2R ladder
network, resulting in an attenuation between tap points of
6.021 dB. A proprietary interpolation technique provides a
continuous gain control function that is linear in dB.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The AD603 is a low noise, voltage-controlled amplifier for use
in RF and IF AGC systems. It provides accurate, pin-selectable
gains of −11 dB to +31 dB with a bandwidth of 90 MHz or +9 dB to
51+ dB with a bandwidth of 9 MHz. Any intermediate gain
range may be arranged using one external resistor. The input
referred noise spectral density is only 1.3 nV/√Hz, and power
consumption is 125 mW at the recommended ±5 V supplies.
The AD603 is specified for operation from −40°C to +85°C.
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
SCALING
REFERENCE
PRECISION PASSIVE
INPUT ATTENUATOR
FIXED-GAIN
AMPLIFIER
GPOS
VOUT
VG
GNEG
6.44kΩ*
AD603
GAINCONTROL
INTERFACE
FDBK
694Ω*
0dB
VINP
–6.02dB
R
2R
–12.04dB –18.06dB –24.08dB
R
2R
R
2R
R
2R
–30.1dB
R
2R
–36.12dB –42.14dB
R
2R
R
R
20Ω*
00539-001
COMM
R-2R LADDER NETWORK
*NOMINAL VALUES.
Figure 1.
Rev. K
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