Differential Amplifiers

Benefits of Differential Signal Processing

The Benefits Become Apparent when Trying to get the

Most Speed and/or Resolution out of a Design
o
o

Avoid Grounding/Return Noise Problems

Better Distortion/Dynamic Range
For the same Amplitude Differential Signal the Outputs do not
Swing as Close to the Rail
Lower Distortion especially the 2nds
Analog Signals in High-performance Systems Start and End
Differential
Almost Always the Signal Source from the Real World is
Differential
High-speed ADCs Have Differential Inputs

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Single-ended Components Cannot

Reject Ground Noise
n

Each Part of the Circuit Has a Different Reference Point

No Matter How Careful you are with Grounding High Frequency

Ground Currents will Cause Some Problems which May be Difficult
to Work Around

Op Amp Can not Reject This Ground Noise

VSIGNAL

GND 1

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ZGND

INOISE

GND 2

Differential Amps Have Effective CMRR

n

Differential Signal does not Need a Reference

Ground and Other Noise Sources are Common to Both

Inputs
o

CMRR of Differential Amp is Effective

VSIGNAL
VOCM

VOCM

GND 1

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ZGND

INOISE

GND 2

Why Differential Signal Processing is

not More Common
n

Differential Signals are Commonly used Today for ADC and

Line Driving
n

Differential Signaling is not Generally Considered for Other Uses

Because:
o

Discrete Differential Designs can Be Difficult to Implement

Some Applications can not Tolerate the Higher Cost

o

Not Many Differential ICs are Available

Transformers must be Used

n

As Speeds and Resolution Increase the Benefits of Differential

Signaling Become More Necessary

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Differential Input/Output
High-speed Amps
AD8131/2/8

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High Speed Differential Amps for

Challenging Designs
VS+
VOCM

VOUT+

VOUT,

VOCM

Single ended

VOUT-

o
o
o

Avoid Ground Noise

2x Dynamic Range of Op Amps
Balanced Outputs Minimize EMI
High CMRR Reduces EMI Susceptibility

High Speed ADC Driving

o

VS-

Differential Signal Processing Simplifies Circuit Design

o

VOUT,Differential

ADCs Perform Better when Driven Differentially

Like a Voltage Feedback Op Amp:

o

Gain Set by Ratio of R F/RG

Signal Gain, Filtering, Level Shifting, Buffering / Driving

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Whats Inside the AD8131/2/8 Diff Amps?

n

Internal CM Feedback forces Forces both outputs to be balanced,

o

Equal in amplitude 180 out of phase: VOUT, CM = (VOUT+ + VOUT-)/2)

Balance is unaffected by RF/RG matching

Differential feedback effectively creates 2 summing nodes

o
o

Forces Both Inputs to the same voltage when the loop is closed
High Input Z, Low Output Z

RF

VOUT-

VIN+
VIN-

RG

8
1

RG

VOCM
VOUT+

RF
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Understanding How They Work

w/ Alternate Circuit Configurations
Like Non-inverting Op Amp
VIN

VOUT-

VOCM
VOUT+

RG

RF

2 Feedback Loops

Non-inverting example:
o

Like Inverting Op Amp

RF

VIN

RG

n
VOUT-

VOCM

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For RF = 0
VOut+ = VIN
Gain = 2

Inverting example:
o
o

VOUT+

Differential feedback forces

inputs to the same voltage
Common mode Feedback
forces VOUT- = -VOUT+-

For RF = RG
High input Z summing node
Vout- = -VIN
Gain = 2
9

More About the VOCM Pin

n

VOCM Pin separates our diff amps from other diff amp
configurations
o
o

Creates Best Available Balance @ High Frequencies

Can be used with AC signal for Modulation as well as
DC Reference Voltages

Easy Level Shift

o
o
o

From Ground Referenced Signals (+/-5V supplies) to

Single +5V Supply Signals for ADCs
Better Distortion in signal chain for +/-5V, than +5V
Connect to the ADC reference or any other reference
voltage

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10

AD8131/2/8 vs. Dual Op Amp

Configurations
n

Compared to Dual Op Amp Configuration for

Differential Driving:
o

2 Op Amps, G = +1 and G = -1
Output Dynamics are Different at High Frequencies
Poor output balance; EMI emissions

No Easy Way to Change Common Mode Output Level

Distortion Products are Additive

AD8131/2/8 even harmonics are Nulled by the Common
Mode Feedback and Odd Harmonics are low by design

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11

AD8131/2/8 vs. Transformers

n

AD8131/2/8 are similar to Center-taped

Transformers
o
o

Differential or Single-ended In with Differential

Out
CM Output Adjustment

AD8131/2/8 :
o
o
o
o
o
o

VCM

Bandwidth to DC
Does not require I/O impedance matching
Can have signal power gain
Smaller in size
Lower cost than most transformers
Has higher reliability

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12

Using the AD8138 in Active Filters

n

Op amps have inverting and non-inverting inputs

available.

AD8138 inputs are both inverting

o

Filter topologies must be inverting types.

Note two feedback loops.

V OCM

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VOUT DM

13

Filter Design
n

Low-pass, High-pass and Band-pass Are Possible

o

Butterworth, Bessel and Chebyshev Filters can be Realized in

MF filters

MF filters are 2nd Order (conjugate pole pairs)

o
o

Higher order filters may be realized by stacking sections

Multiple Feedback Filter topologies provide a DC path for the
input bias current.
Not acceptable
Sallen Key Low Pass

+
-

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Acceptable
Multiple Feedback Low Pass

14

Differential Filter Characterization

n

Low Pass, High pass and band-pass active filters were

designed, built and tested
o

As shown in the following slides, theoretical and actual results

closely agree.

AD8138 needs Small resistor values (10-47 Ohms) in

series with the feedback circuitry to prevent oscillation
at approximately 300 MHz.

AD8132 does not Require a small resistor

Feedback capacitance greater than a few pF may result

in high frequency de-stabilization of the AD8132/8.

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15

Ex.: 2 Pole Low Pass Schematic

2 Pole Low Pass Butterworth

Anti-aliasing Filter, fc = 5 MHz
10

+ In A

1.37k
1.37k

22p

+5V

332

100p
+
100p
1.37k

332
-5V

- In B
1.37k

22p
10

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16

Differential Input to Single-ended Out Amps

AD8129/30

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AD8129/30 Receivers
n

Active Feedback Topology, Like the

AD830
o
o

High CMRR @ High Freq

High Input Impedance
CMRR Insensitive to Input Z
Feedback network Independent of
signal path

AD8129/30

Diff In

Vout

Use as:
o

o
o

Differential Receiver
+ & - Inputs have same Dynamic
Response
Difference Amp
High Frequency InAmp

VoutREF

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18

AD8129/30 vs. Op Amp Configurations

n Compared to Single Op Amp Differential

Amp Configuration for Receiver
o Poor CMRR
Unbalanced Input Impedances
Requires resistor matching for good CMRR

n Compared to 3 Op Amp Receiver

o Lots of parts and Design Time
o Extra Amps in Signal path lowers BW

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19

AD8129/30 vs. Transformers

n AD8129/30 are similar to Transformers
o Differential In with Single-ended Out
o Output Reference Adjustment

n AD8129/30 :
o Bandwidth to DC
o Can have signal power gain
o Smaller in size
o Lower cost than most transformers
o Has higher reliability

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VOUT
Diff In
VOUT REF

20

For Use with High-speed Converters

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ADCs Perform Better when Driven

Differentially
n

Especially as Frequency Increases

AD9240 (-6dBFS, 5V span)
-30

Single-ended
Differential
Differential

THD [dB]

-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
0.1

0.2

0.5

10

20

Frequency [MHz]
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22

AD8138 Driving an AD9224 12-bit

40 MSPS A/D on +5V Supply
+5V
+5 V
.1
.1

500
50

500

AVDD
VINB

50
Source

VOCM

.1
525

AD8138
50

DVDD
Digital
Outputs

AD9224

VINA
SENSE
AVSS
CML

DVSS

500
-5V

AD9224 Reference CML output drives VOCM to set optimum CM output

o

Easy level shift using VOCM

The AD8138 provides low-distortion drive on +5V or +/-5V Supplies

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23

3V Circuit: AD8132 Driving an AD9203

10-bit 40 MSPS A/D
+3V
+3V
.1

.1

499
1k

VOCM
.1
523
1k

AVDD

49.9

499

20pF
49.9
20pF

AINAIN+

DRVDD

AD9203
AVSS

Digital
Outputs

DRVSS

499

AD8132 Provides +/-1V output swing on 3V supply with low distortion for low
cost ADCs

VOCM Level Shifts from Ground-referenced input

Resistor and capacitor between Amp and ADC needed to filter Switchedinput current glitches
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n

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24

The AD8138 is the Worlds Best

Amplifier for Driving High-speed ADCs
> -80dB SFDR using the AD8138 to drive the AD9226

SFDR over frequency

1Vp-p signal @ 20MHz

-50

0
-60

SFDR-dB

[dB]

-20
-40
-60

-70

-80

-80

+5V
+/-5 V

-90

-100
-100

-120
5

10

15

20

Frequency [MHz]

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25

30

0.0E+00 5.0E+06 1.0E+07 1.5E+07 2.0E+07 2.5E+07 3.0E+07 3.5E+07

Frequency-Hz

25

Diff amps to Help Reduce Clock Jitter

n

Some ADCs have Differential Clock Inputs to Minimize Ground

Noise Effects on Jitter
o

Ground Noise is only one source of jitter which decreases the

performance of the fastest ADCs

As Discussed before, With Differential Signals the Ground Noise

becomes Common Mode
o

AD8131/2/8 can be used to send the clock signal from its source into
the ADC

Isolating Analog and Digital Grounds

Minimizing Radiated EMI

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26

Buffered Differential Out for

12-16 bit High-speed DACs
n

Virtual GND Reduces Effect of DACs Nonlinear Output

Impedance
o
o

To Achieve Larger Output Power without having a large

compliance voltage on the DAC Output
When Level Shifting is Needed use VOCM
150
0-20mA

AD975X
AD976X

AD813x

6V Diff
Output

20-0mA

VOCM

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150

27

Differential to Singled-end Buffer for

12-16 bit High-speed DACs
n

AD8129/30 can be used to Isolate the reactive load of the

filter from the DAC output.
o

Filter cap may be needed to reduce excessive slewrate on

the amp input to improve amp settling

To Achieve Larger Output Power without having a large

compliance voltage on the DAC Output
o

When Level Shifting is Needed use Ref input of the

AD8129/30
Ref Input
0-20mA

AD975X
AD976X

CF

AD8130

20-0mA

RF
25

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L-C
LPF

RG

28

For Driving and Receiving

High-speed Signals

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Differential Driver and Receiver

Vs+

500

500

Vs+

VfB
AD8130
Vocm

VsVs-

Balanced Driver Minimizes EMI Generation

High CMRR Receiver Minimizes EMI Pick-up

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30

Cable Driving Challenge

1,000 ft. (300 m)

Want Transmitter
plus Receiver
Response to be
Inverse of Cable

CAT 5-UTP

Gain

0 dB
-20 dB
@ 10 MHz

-60 dB
@ 100 MHz

100kHz
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1MHz

10MHz

100MHz

Frequency
31

Drive / Receive Requirements

n Receiver

n Driver

o CMRR needed to reject CM Noise

o Feedback network independent of
receive section
o High BW for equalization boost

AD8130 Common Mode Rejection vs Frequency

(Vs = +/-5V, Vcm = 1Vp-p)

AD8138 Output Balance Vs Frequency

+/-5V

-20

+5V

-30

-20

-40

CMRR (dB)

[Output Balance Error dBc]

o Balance needed to minimize

radiated EMI
o Simple to use, no Z matching
required
o High BW to transmit boosted
signal

-30
-40
-50

-50
-60
-70
-80
-90

-60

-100

-70

-110

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10

Frequency

100

1000

-120
0.01

0.1

10

100

Frequency (MHz)

32

Receive-Side Equalization
n Receiver Line equalization
AD8129/30

Equalized
Signal Out

o 40dB or more of gain can be

achieved at high frequency
o Feedback network zeros set the
gain
o AD8129 has more GBWP and
Lower noise

Equalizing
Network

Gain

Rf
HF Boost

Frequency
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33

Drive Side High Frequency Boost

+5V

499

10pF

49.9
24 9
24 9

VOCM

10pF

Twisted -pair Cable

49.9

100

499

24.9
-5V

Integrator on input adds zero to boost signal @ high frequency

For Equalization when Driving Long Cables

o

Gain Limited by Output swing capability

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34

AD8132 Makes Simple Very High Speed

Full-wave Rectifier
+5V

348
348
VOCM
49.9

348
HP2835
(Shottky)

348

-5V

Useful for measuring RMS of AC Signals

Operates to greater than 300 MHz

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FW Rectified
Output
50

35

ADI Multi-Purpose Differential Amp Family

Part #

AD8131

AD8138

AD8132

Differential-to-Differential Driver
Features

Fixed
Gain=2x

Bandwidth

400MHz

310MHz

Slew Rate

2000V/s

Position

Line Driver

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Adjustable Gain /
Feedback

AD8129

AD8130

Differential-to-Single Ended
Receiver
10x stable

1x stable

350MHz

200MHz

270MHz

1150V/s

1200V/s

1060V/s

1090V/s

Best ADC
Driver

Low Cost
Gen Purp

Diff-to-S.E.
converter

Diff-to-S.E.
converter

36

High-Speed Amplifiers (HSA)

Fast FETs
The NEW Standard for JFET Amplifiers
n

Very Easy to Use

Negligible Ibias and I noise

R-R output

Wide supply range

Low Supply Current

Low Price

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38

Fast FETs
Low-Cost High-Speed AD8033/4
n

AD8033/4
o
o
o
o
o
o

75MHz Bandwidth
80V/s Slew Rate
3.2mA/Amp Typical Supply
Current
Rail-to-Rail output
Wide Supply Range 5-24V
Very Low Pricing
$1.19 @ 1K - AD8033 (Single)
$1.59 @ 1K - AD8034 (Dual)
Part Status
Final Silicon
Release Qtr

SOT23-8

AD8033 (3Q02)
AD8034 (2Q02)
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39

Fast FETs
High-Performance High-Speed AD8065/6
n

AD8065/66
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

140MHz Bandwidth
160V/s Slew Rate
7 nV/vHz Noise
6.5mA/Amp Typical supply current
Rail-to-Rail output
Low offset voltage and drift
Wide Supply Range 5-24V
Price @ 1K
$1.59 - AD8065 (Single)
$2.29 - AD8066 (Dual)
Part Status
Final Silicon
Release Qtr
AD8065 (2Q02)
AD8066 (3Q02)

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40

Ultra Low-Distortion and Noise Amplifier

AD8007/8
n

Extremely Low SFDR

o
o
o

Low Noise
o
o

9mA/Amp Typical supply current

Pricing @ 1k
o
o

600MHz Bandwidth
1000V/s Slew Rate

Low Power
o

2.6 nV/v Hz
22 pA/v Hz

High Speed
o
o

-96dB@5MHz
-86dB@20MHz
-55dB@70MHz

$1.19 - AD8007
$1.99 - AD8008

Part Status
o
o

Final Silicon
Release Qtr
AD8007 (3Q02)
AD8008 (1Q03)

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41

Low-Power High-Speed Amplifier

AD8038/9
n

Low Power
o

High Speed
o
o

-86dB @ 1MHz
-77dB @ 5MHz

Price @ 1K
o
o

250pA/v Hz
7nV/v Hz

Low SFDR
o
o

315MHz Bandwidth
425V/s Slew Rate

Low Noise
o
o

1.1mA/Amp Typical supply current

$0.85 - AD8038
$1.20 - AD8039

Part Status
o
o

Final Silicon
Release Qtr
AD8038 (2Q02)
AD8039 (1Q02)

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42

Summary of New Products

Generic

Description

Samples

Release

AD8033

Fast FETs Low-Cost High-Speed (single)

1Q02

3Q02

AD8034

Fast FETs Low-Cost High-Speed (dual)

Now

2Q02

AD8065

Fast FETs High-Performance High-Speed (single)

Now

2Q02

AD8066

Fast FETs High-Performance High-Speed (dual)

1Q02

3Q02

AD8007

Ultra Low-Distortion and Noise (single)

Now

3Q02

AD8008

Ultra Low-Distortion and Noise (dual)

1Q02

1Q03

AD8038

Low-Power High-Speed (single)

1Q02

2Q01

AD8039

Low-Power High-Speed (dual)

Now

1Q01

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43