mode. The CLC532 output signal can be slew limited by using
its compensation capacitors. This approach also has the
advantage of limiting the excess noise passed through the
CLC532 and on to the ADC. Figure 7 shows the recommended
+1
-1
INA
RECTIFIER
INPUT
C
COMP valuesasafunctionofADCSamplerate. Sincetheoptimal
VOUT
CLC532
values will change from one ADC to the next, this graph should
be used as a starting point for CCOMP selection. Both CCOMP
capacitorsshouldbethesamevaluetomaintainoutputsymmetry.
RL
INB
Flash ADCs are similar to subranging ADCs in that the sampling
period is very brief. The primary difference is that the acquisition
time of a flash converter is much shorter than that of a subranging
ADC. With a flash ADC, the transition of the CLC532 output
should be after the sampling instant ("Aperture Delay" after the
CONVERT command). It is only during this period that a flash
converter is susceptible to interference from a rapidly changing
analog input signal.
10114
+20
50Ω
VBB
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
0.1µF
Zero Crossing
Treshold
Detector
-2V
Gain Selection for an ADC
Figure 9: Low Distortion Full Wave Rectifier
In many applications, such as RADAR, the dynamic range
requirements may exceed the accuracy requirements. Since
wide dynamic range ADCs are also typically highly accurate
ADCs, this often leads the designer into selecting an ADC which
is a technical overkill and a budget buster. By using the CLC532
as a selectable-gain stage, a less expensive ADC can be used.
As an example, if an application calls for 80dB of dynamic Range
and 0.05% accuracy, rather than using a 14-bit converter, a 12-
bit converter combined with the circuit in figure 8 will meet the
same objective. The CLC532 is used to select between the
analog input signal and a version of the input signal attenuated
Use of the CLC532 as a Mixer.
A double balanced mixer, such as is shown in figure 10, operates
by multiplying the RF input by the LO input. This is done by using
the LO to select one of two paths through a diode bridge
dependingupontheLOsign. TheresultisanoutputwhereIF=RF
when LO>0 and IF=-RF if LO<0. This same result can be
obtained with the circuit shown in figure 11. The CLC532 based
circuit uses a digital LO making system design easier in those
cases where the LO is digitally derived. One advantage of the
CLC532 based approach is excellent isolation between all three
ports. Also see the RF design awards article by Thomas Hack
in the January 1993 issue of RF Design.
by 12dB.
This circuit affords 14-bit dynamic range, 12-bit
accuracy and 12-bit ease of implementation.
+5V
+6.8µF
LO
INPUT
µ
RF
INPUT
0.1
F
To 0Ω
Input
Source
50Ω
2
1
10pF
INA
13
R7
14
12
10
To 50Ω
Load
11 48.7
Ω
IF
200 Ω R6
CLC532
OUTPUT
ROUT
6
Figure 10: Typical Double-Balanced Mixer
4
3
DREF
9
INB
8
7
5
66.6 Ω R INB
10pF
To 50Ω
Source
DGND
MINI-CIRCUITS
+6.8µF
0.1µF
T4-1T
Gain
SELECT
INA
RF INPUT
50Ω
IF OUTPUT
200Ω
CLC532
-5.2V
RL
INB
Figure 8: Selectable Gain Stage Improves
ADC Dynamic Range
DIGITAL
LO INPUT
Full Wave Rectifier Circuit
Figure 11: High-Isolation Mixer Implementation
The use of a diode rectifier provides significant distortion for
signals that are small compared to the forward bias voltage.
Accordingly,whenlowdistortionperformanceisneeded,standard
diode based circuits do not work well. The CLC532 can be
configured to provide a very low distortion full wave rectifier. The
circuit in figure 9 is used to select between an analog input signal
and an inverted version of the input signal. The resulting output
exhibits very little distortion for small scale signals up to several
hundred kilohertz.
Evaluation Board
An evaluation board (part number CLC730028) for the CLC532
is available. This board can be used for fast, trouble-free,
evaluation and characterization of the CLC532. Additionally,
this board serves as a template for layout and fabrication
information. TheCLC532evaluationboarddatasheetisavailable.
http://www.national.com
8