
OP279
–8–
REV. D
7
2
0
0.01
0.100
CAPACITIVE LOAD – nF
10
1
5
1
3
4
6
B
V
S
=
6
5V
R
L
= 1k
V
T
A
= +25
8
C
Figure 25. OP279 Bandwidth vs. Capacitive Load
1/2
OP279
R
S
20V
C
S
1μF
C
10nF
+5V
V
IN
100mV p-p
V
OUT
Figure 26. Snubber Network Compensates for Capacitive
Load
T he first step is to determine the value of the resistor, R
S
. A
good starting value is 100
(typically, the optimum value will
be less than 100
). T his value is reduced until the small-signal
transient response is optimized. Next, C
S
is determined—10
μ
F
is a good starting point. T his value is reduced to the smallest
value for acceptable performance (typically, 1
μ
F). For the case
of a 10 nF load capacitor on the OP279, the optimal snubber
network is a 20
in series with 1
μ
F. T he benefit is immedi-
ately apparent as seen in the scope photo in Figure 27. T he top
trace was taken with a 10 nF load and the bottom trace with the
20
, 1
μ
F snubber network in place. T he amount of overshot
and ringing is dramatically reduced. T able I below illustrates a
few sample snubber networks for large load capacitors.
90
100
10nF LOAD
ONLY
SNUBBER
IN CIRCUIT
10
0%
50mV
2
m
s
Figure 27. Overshoot and Ringing Is Reduced by Adding a
“ Snubber” Network in Parallel with the 10 nF Load
T able I. Snubber Networks for Large Capacitive Loads
Load Capacitance (C
L
)
10 nF
100 nF
1
μ
F
Snubber Network (R
S
, C
S
)
20
, 1
μ
F
5
, 10
μ
F
0
, 10
μ
F
Overload Recovery T ime
Overload, or overdrive, recovery time of an operational amplifier
is the time required for the output voltage to recover to its linear
region from a saturated condition. T his recovery time is impor-
tant in applications where the amplifier must recover after a
large transient event. T he circuit in Figure 28 was used to
evaluate the OP279’s overload recovery time. T he OP279 takes
approximately 1
μ
s to recover from positive saturation and
approximately 1.2
μ
s to recover from negative saturation.
1/2
OP279
R
L
499
V
+5V
V
OUT
–5V
R3
10k
V
R2
1k
V
R1
909
V
2V p-p
@ 100Hz
Figure 28. Overload Recovery Time Test Circuit
Output T ransient Current Recovery
In many applications, operational amplifiers are used to provide
moderate levels of output current to drive the inputs of ADCs,
small motors, transmission lines, and current sources. It is in
these applications that operational amplifiers must recover
quickly to step changes in the load current while maintaining
steady-state load current levels. Because of its high output
current capability and low closed-loop output impedance, the
OP279 is an excellent choice for these types of applications.
For example, when sourcing or sinking a 25 mA steady-state
load current, the OP279 exhibits a recovery time of less than
500 ns to 0.1% for a 10 mA (i.e., 25 mA to 35 mA and 35 mA
to 25 mA) step change in load current.
A Precision Negative Voltage Reference
In many data acquisition applications, the need for a precision
negative reference is required. In general, any positive voltage
reference can be converted into a negative voltage reference
through the use of a operational amplifier and a pair of matched
resistors in an inverting configuration. T he disadvantage to that
approach is that the largest single source of error in the circuit is
the relative matching of the resistors used.
T he circuit illustrated in Figure 29 avoids the need for tightly
matched resistors with the use of an active integrator circuit. In
this circuit, the output of the voltage reference provides the
input drive for the integrator. T he integrator, to maintain cir-
cuit equilibrium, adjusts its output to establish the proper rela-
tionship between the reference’s V
OUT
and GND. T hus, various
negative output voltages can be chosen be simply substituting
for the appropriate reference IC (see table). T o speed up the