COMPENSATION
error band of ±200µV centered around the final value of 2V.
The OPA621 is stable in inverting gains of ≥–2V/V and in
non-inverting gains ≥+2V/V. Phase margin for both con-
figurations is approximately 50°. Inverting and non-invert-
ing gains of unity should be avoided. The minimum stable
gains of +2V/V and –2V/V are the most demanding circuit
configurations for loop stability and oscillations are most
likely to occur in these gains. If possible, use the device in
a noise gain greater than three to improve phase margin and
reduce the susceptibility to oscillation. (Note that, from a
stability standpoint, an inverting gain of –2V/V is equivalent
to a noise gain of 3.) Gain and phase response for other gains
are shown in the Typical Performance Curves.
Settling time, specified in an inverting gain of two, occurs in
only 25ns to 0.01% for a 2V step, making the OPA621 one
of the fastest settling monolithic amplifiers commercially
available. Settling time increases with closed-loop gain and
output voltage change as described in the Typical Perform-
ance Curves. Preserving settling time requires critical
attention to the details as mentioned under “Wiring Precau-
tions.” The amplifier also recovers quickly from input
overloads. Overload recovery time to linear operation from
a 50% overload is typically only 30ns.
In practice, settling time measurements on the OPA621
prove to be very difficult to perform. Accurate measurement
is next to impossible in all but the very best equipped labs.
Among other things, a fast flat-top generator and high speed
oscilloscope are needed. Unfortunately, fast flat-top genera-
tors, which settle to 0.01% in sufficient time, are scarce and
expensive. Fast oscilloscopes, however, are more commonly
available. For best results a sampling oscilloscope is recom-
mended. Sampling scopes typically have bandwidths that
are greater than 1GHz and very low capacitance inputs.
They also exhibit faster settling times in response to signals
that would tend to overload a real-time oscilloscope.
The high-frequency response of the OPA621 in a good
layout is flat with frequency for higher-gain circuits. How-
ever, low-gain circuits and configurations where large
feedback resistances are used, can produce high-frequency
gain peaking. This peaking can be minimized by connecting
a small capacitor in parallel with the feedback resistor. This
capacitor compensates for the closed-loop, high frequency,
transfer function zero that results from the time constant
formed by the input capacitance of the amplifier (typically
2pF after PC board mounting), and the input and feedback
resistors. The selected compensation capacitor may be a
trimmer, a fixed capacitor, or a planned PC board capaci-
tance. The capacitance value is strongly dependent on circuit
layout and closed-loop gain. Using small resistor values will
preserve the phase margin and avoid peaking by keeping the
break frequency of this zero sufficiently high. When high
closed-loop gains are required, a three-resistor attenuator
(tee network) is recommended to avoid using large value
resistors with large time constants.
Figure 7 shows the test circuit used to measure settling time
for the OPA621. This approach uses a 16-bit sampling
oscilloscope to monitor the input and output pulses. These
waveforms are captured by the sampling scope, averaged,
and then subtracted from each other in software to produce
the error signal. This technique eliminates the need for the
traditional “false-summing junction,” which adds extra
parasitic capacitance. Note that instead of an additional flat-
top generator, this technique uses the scope’s built-in cali-
bration source as the input signal.
SETTLING TIME
Settling time is defined as the total time required, from the
input signal step, for the output to settle to within the
specified error band around the final value. This error band
is expressed as a percentage of the value of the output
transition, a 2V step. Thus, settling time to 0.01% requires an
DIFFERENTIAL GAIN AND PHASE
Differential Gain (DG) and Differential Phase (DP) are
among the more important specifications for video applica-
tions. DG is defined as the percent change in closed-loop
gain over a specified change in output voltage level. DP is
1pF to 4pF (Adjust for Optimum Settling)
0 to +2V, f = 1.25MHz
VIN
100Ω
200Ω
+5VDC
0 to –2V
VOUT
OPA621
NOTE: Test fixture built using all surface-mount components. Ground
plane used on component side and entire fixture enclosed in metal case.
Both power supplies bypassed with 10µF Tantalum || 0.01µF ceramic
capacitors. It is directly connected (without cable) to TIME CAL trigger
source on Sampling Scope (Data Precision's Data 6100 with Model
640-1 plug-in). Input monitored with Active Probe (Channel 1).
200Ω
To Active Probe (Channel 2)
on sampling scope.
–5VDC
FIGURE 7. Settling Time Test Circuit.
®
13
OPA621