
Application Hints
POWER SUPPLY BYPASS
Since the LM2406 is a wide bandwidth amplifier, proper
power supply bypassing is critical for optimum performance.
Improper power supply bypassing can result in large over-
shoot, ringing and oscillation. A 0.01
m
F capacitor should be
connected as close to the supply pin, V
a
, as is practical
(preferably less than
(/4
×
from the supply pin). Additionally,
a 10
m
F–100
m
F electrolytic capacitor should be connected
from the supply pin to ground. The electrolytic capacitor
should also be placed reasonably close to the LM2406’s
supply pin. A 0.1
m
F capacitor should be connected from
the bias pin to ground, as close as is practical to the
LM2406.
The LM2406 is short circuit proof to momentary shorts to
ground (
k
1 sec.).
ARC PROTECTION
During normal CRT operation, internal arcing may occasion-
ally occur. Spark gaps of 200V–300V at the cathodes will
limit the maximum voltage, but to a value that is much high-
er than allowable on the LM2406. This fast, high voltage,
high energy pulse can damage the LM2406 output stage.
The addition of clamp diodes D1 and D2 (as shown in Fig-
ure 7) will help clamp the voltage at the output of the
LM2406 to a safe level. The clamp diodes should have a
fast transient response, high peak current rating, low series
impedance and low shunt capacitance. FDH400 or equiva-
lent diodes are recommended. Resistor R2 inFigure 7 limits
the arcover current while R1 limits the current into the
LM2406 and reduces the power dissipation of the output
transistors when the output is stressed beyond the supply
voltage. Having large value resistors for R1 and R2 would
be desirable, but this has the effect of increasing rise and
fall times.
IMPROVING RISE AND FALL TIMES
Because of an emitter follower output stage, the rise and fall
times of the LM2406 are relatively insensitive to capacitive
loading. However, the series resistors R1 and R2 (see Fig-
ure 7 ) will increase the rise and fall times when driving the
CRT’s cathode which appears as a capacitive load. The ca-
pacitance at the cathode typically ranges from 8 pF–12 pF.
To improve the rise and fall times at the cathode, a small
inductor is often used in series with the output of the amplifi-
er. The inductor L
P
inFigure 7 peaks the amplifiers frequen-
cy response at the cathode, thus improving rise and fall
times The inductor value is empirically determined and is
dependent on the load. An inductor value of 0.1
m
H is a
good starting value. Note that peaking the amplifier’s fre-
quency response will increase the overshoot.
THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS
Power supply current increases as the input signal increas-
es and consequently power dissipation also increases.
The LM2406 cannot be used without heat sinking. Typical
‘‘a(chǎn)verage’’ power dissipation with the device output voltage
at one half the supply voltage is 2.4W per channel for a total
dissipation of 7.2W package dissipation. Under white screen
conditions, i.e., 25V output, dissipation increases to 3.5W
per channel or 10.5W total. The LM2406 case temperature
must be maintained below 100
§
C. If the maximum expected
ambient temperature is 50
§
C, then a maximum heat sink
thermal resistance can be calculated:
R
th
e
100
§
C
b
50
§
C
10.5W
e
4.76
§
C/W.
This example assumes a typical CRT capacitive load and is
without a resistive load.
TYPICAL APPLICATION
A typical application of the LM2406 is shown in Figure 8.
Used in conjunction with an LM1207, a complete video
channel from monitor input to CRT cathode can be
achieved. Performance is satisfactory for all applications up
to 1024 x 768 non-interlaced.
TL/H/12327–8
FIGURE 7. One Section of the LM2406 with Arc Protection and Peaking Inductor L
P
4