Typical Performance Characteristics
V
S
=
±
7.5V, T
A
= 25C unless otherwise specified (Continued)
Application Hints
AMPLIFIER TOPOLOGY
The LMC6044 incorporates a novel op-amp design topology
that enables it to maintain rail to rail output swing even when
driving a large load. Instead of relying on a push-pull unity
gain outupt buffer stage, the output stage is taken directly
from the internal integrator, which provides both low output
impedance and large gain. Special feed-forward compensa-
tion design techniques are incorporated to maintain stability
over a wider range of operating conditions than traditional
micropower op-amps. These features make the LMC6044
both easier to design with, and provide higher speed than
products typically found in this ultra-low power class.
COMPENSATING FOR INPUT CAPACITANCE
It is quite common to use large values of feedback resis-
tance with amplifiers with ultra-low input current, like the
LMC6044.
Although the LMC6044 is highly stable over a wide range of
operating conditions, certain precautions must be met to
achieve the desired pulse response when a large feedback
resistor is used. Large feedback resistors and even small
values of input capacitance, due to transducers, photo-
diodes, and circuits board parasitics, reduce phase margins.
When high input impedance are demanded, guarding of the
LMC6044 is suggested. Guarding input lines will not only re-
duce leakage, but lowers stray input capacitance as well.
(See
Printed-Circuit-Board Layout for High Impedance
Work.
)
The effect of input capacitance can be compensated for by
adding a capacitor. Adding a capacitor, C
f
, around the feed-
back resistor (as in Figure 1 ) such that:
or
R
1
C
IN
≤
R
2
C
f
Since it is often difficult to know the exact value of C
, C
can
be experimentally adjusted so that the desired pulse re-
sponse is achieved. Refer to the LMC660 and the LMC662
for a more detailed discussion on compensating for input ca-
pacitance.
CAPACITIVE LOAD TOLERANCE
Direct capacitive loading will reduce the phase margin of
many op-amps. A pole in the feedback loop is created by the
combination of the op-amp’s output impedance and the ca-
pacitive load. This pole induces phase lag at the unity-gain
crossover frequency of the amplifier resulting in either an os-
cillatory or underdamped pulse response. With a few exter-
nal components, op amps can easily indirectly drive capaci-
tive loads, as shown in Figure 2
In the circuit of Figure 2 R1 and C1 serve to counteract the
loss of phase margin by feeding the high frequency compo-
Stability vs Capacitive Load
DS011138-43
Stability vs Capacitive Load
DS011138-44
DS011138-5
FIGURE 1. Canceling the Effect of Input Capacitance
DS011138-6
FIGURE 2. LMC6044 Noninverting Gain of 10 Amplifier,
Compensated to Handle Capacitive Loads
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