7.8 dB noise figure to 100 MHz @ maximum gain
HD2/HD3 better than 77 dBc for 1 V p-p differential output
−3 dB bandwidth of 150 MHz
41 dB gain range
1 dB step size ± 0.2 dB
Serial 8-bit bidirectional SPI control interface
Wide input dynamic range
Pin-programmable output stage
Power-down feature
Single 5 V supply: 106 mA per channel
32-lead LFCSP, 5 mm × 5 mm package
APPLICATIONS
Differential ADC drivers
CMTS upstream direct sampling receivers
CATV modem signal scaling
Generic RF/IF gain stages
Single-ended-to-differential conversion
Programmable Dual VGA
AD8372
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
ENB1
IPC1
INC1
RXT2
CLK1
SDO1
SDI1
LCH1
IPC2
INC2
REF1
AD8372
CHANNEL 2
CHANNEL 1
REGISTERS
AND
GAIN DECODER
Figure 1.
POSTAMP
POSTAMP
REF2
OPC1
ONC1
RXT2
CLK2
SDO2
SDI2
LCH2
OPC2
ONC2
ENB2
07051-001
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The AD8372 is a dual, digitally controlled, variable gain
amplifier that provides precise gain control, high IP3, and
low noise figure. The excellent distortion performance and
moderate signal bandwidth make the AD8372 a suitable
gain control device for a variety of multichannel receiver
applications.
For wide input dynamic range applications, the AD8372
provides a broad 41 dB gain range. The gain is programmed
through a bidirectional 4-pin serial interface. The serial interface consists of a clock, latch, data input, and data output lines
for each channel.
The AD8372 provides the ability to set the transconductance of
the output stage using a single external resistor. The RXT1 and
RXT2 pins provide a band gap derived stable reference voltage
of 1.56 V. Typically 2.0 k shunt resistors to ground are used to
set the maximum gain to a nominal value of 31 dB. The current
setting resistors can be adjusted to manipulate the gain and
distortion performance of each channel. This is a flexible
feature in applications where it is desirable to trade off distortion
performance for lower power consumption.
The AD8372 is powered on by applying the appropriate logic
level to the ENB1, ENB2 pins. When powered down, the AD8372
consumes less than 2.6 mA and offers excellent input-to-output
isolation. The gain setting is preserved when powered down.
Fabricated on an Analog Devices high frequency BiCMOS
process, the AD8372 provides precise gain adjustment capabilities
with good distortion performance. The quiescent current of the
AD8372 is typically 106 mA per channel. The AD8372 amplifier
comes in a compact, thermally enhanced 5 mm × 5 mm 32-lead
LFCSP package and operates over the temperature range of
−40°C to +85°C.
Rev. 0
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Anal og Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or ot her
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Maximum Input Swing at Each Input Pin 5 V p-p
Input Resistance Differential 150 Ω
Common-Mode Input Voltage 2.4 V
CMRR Gain code = 1x101010 (max gain) 55 dB
GAIN
Maximum Voltage Gain Gain code = 1x101010 32 dB
Minimum Voltage Gain Gain code = 1x000001 −9 dB
Gain Step Size From gain code 1x000001 to 1x101010 1.0 dB
Gain Step Accuracy From gain code 1x000001 to 1x101010 ±0.3 dB
Gain Flatness Gain code = 1x101010, from 5 MHz to 65MHz 0.7 dB
Gain Temperature Sensitivity Gain code = 1x101010 7.5 mdB/°C
Step Response For 6 dB gain step, 10% settling 20 ns
Minimum voltage for a logic high 2.4 V
Input Bias Current 400 nA
Serial Port Output Feedthrough
Worse-case feedthrough from CLK1, CLK2, SDI1,
SDI2, SDO1, SDO2, LCH1, LCH2 to OPC1 and ONC2,
or OPC2 and ONC2
106 mA
−60 dB
Table 2. Gain Code vs. Voltage Gain Look-Up Table
8-Bit Binary Gain Code
1
Voltage Gain (dB)
RW DC 000000 < −60
RW DC 000001 −9
RW DC 000010 −8
RW DC 000011 −7
RW DC 000100 −6
RW DC 000101 −5
RW DC 000110 −4
RW DC 000111 −3
RW DC 001000 −2
RW DC 001001 −1
RW DC 001010 0
RW DC 001011 +1
RW DC 001100 +2
RW DC 001101 +3
RW DC 001110 +4
RW DC 001111 +5
RW DC 010000 +6
RW DC 010001 +7
RW DC 010010 +8
RW DC 010011 +9
RW DC 010100 +10
RW DC 010101 +11
1
RW is the Read/Write bit, RW = 0 for read mode, RW = 1 for write mode. DC is
the Don’t Care bit.
8-Bit Binary Gain Code
1
Voltage Gain (dB)
RW DC 010110 +12
RW DC 010111 +13
RW DC 011000 +14
RW DC 011001 +15
RW DC 011010 +16
RW DC 011011 +17
RW DC 011100 +18
RW DC 011101 +19
RW DC 011110 +20
RW DC 011111 +21
RW DC 100000 +22
RW DC 100001 +23
RW DC 100010 +24
RW DC 100011 +25
RW DC 100100 +26
RW DC 100101 +27
RW DC 100110 +28
RW DC 100111 +29
RW DC 101000 +30
RW DC 101001 +31
RW DC 101010 +32
RW DC 101011 < −60
Rev. 0 | Page 4 of 16
Page 5
AD8372
SERIAL CONTROL INTERFACE TIMING
t
CLK
CLK1 OR CLK2
LCH1 OR LCH2
SDI1 OR SDI2
NOTES
1. THE FI RST SDI BIT DETERMINES WHETHER THE PART IS WRITING T O OR READING FROM THE INTERNAL GAIN WORD REGI STER. F OR A
WRITE O PERATION, THE FI RST BIT S HOULD BE A HIG H LOGIC LEVEL, FOR A READ OPERATION THE FIRST BI T SHOULD BE A LOGIC 1.
THE GAIN W ORD BIT IS THEN REGISTERED INTO THE SDI PI N ON THE NEXT RISING CL OCK.
Setup Time Data vs. Clock (tDS) 0.0 ns
Hold Time Data vs. Clock (tDH) 1.6 ns
Setup Time Latch vs. Clock (tLS) −1.8 ns
Hold Time Latch vs. Clock (tLH) 2.0 ns
Read Mode
Clock to Data Out (tD) 4.5 ns
Rev. 0 | Page 5 of 16
Page 6
AD8372
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Table 4.
Parameter Rating
Supply Voltage, VS 5.5 V
+ 500 mV
ENB1, ENB2, SDI1, SDI2, SDO1, SDO2,
V
S
CLK1, CLK2, LCH1, LCH2
Differential Input Voltage, V
V
− V
IPC2
INC2
IPC1
− V
INC1
V p-p
,
Internal Power Dissipation 1.4 W
θJA (Exposed Paddle Soldered Down) 34.6°C/W
θJC (At Exposed Paddle) 3.6°C/W
1, 2
2
Maximum Junction Temperature 150°C
Operating Temperature Range −40°C to +85°C
Storage Temperature Range −65°C to +150°C
1
Still air.
2
All values are modeled using a standard 4-layer JEDEC test board with the
pad soldered to the board and thermal vias in the board.
Stresses above those listed under Absolute Maximum Ratings
may cause permanent damage to the device. This is a stress
rating only; functional operation of the device at these or any
other conditions above those indicated in the operational
section of this specification is not implied. Exposure to absolute
maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect
device reliability.
1 DVS1 Digital Supply Pin for Channel 1
2 LCH1 Latch Input for Channel 1
3 SDI1 Serial Data Input for Channel 1
4 CLK1 Clock Input for Channel 1
5 CLK2 Clock Input for Channel 2
6 SDI2 Serial Data Input for Channel 2
7 LCH2 Serial Data Input for Channel 2 Latch Input for Channel 2
8 DVS2 Digital Supply Pin for Channel 2
9 DGD2 Digital Ground for Channel 2
10 INC2 Negative Input for Channel 2
11 IPC2 Positive Input for Channel 2
12 REF2 Reference Voltage for Channel 2
13 RXT2 External Bias Setting Resistor Connection for Channel 2
14 AGD2 Analog Ground for Channel 2
15 ENB2 Chip Enable Pin for Channel 2
16 AVS2 Analog Supply Pin for Channel 2
17 OPC2 Positive Output for Channel 2
18 ONC2 Negative Output for Channel 2
19 AGD2 Analog Ground for Channel 2
20 SDO2 Serial Data Output for Channel 2
21 SDO1 Serial Data Output for Channel 1
22 AGD1 Analog Ground for Channel 1
23 ONC1 Negative Output for Channel 1
24 OPC1 Positive Output for Channel 1
25 AVS1 Analog Supply Pin for Channel 1
26 ENB1 Chip Enable Pin for Channel 1
27 AGD1 Analog Ground for Channel 1
28 RXT1 External Bias Setting Resistor Connection for Channel 1
29 REF1 Reference Voltage for Channel 1
30 IPC1 Positive Input for Channel 1
31 INC1 Negative Input for Channel 1
32 DGD1 Digital Ground for Channel 1
07051-002
Rev. 0 | Page 7 of 16
Page 8
AD8372
–
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
VS = 5 V, TA = 25°C, ZS = 150 , ZL = 250 Ω, 1 V p-p differential output, both channels enabled, unless otherwise noted.
40
20
30
20
10
0
VOLTAGE GAIN (dB)
–10
–20
–30
1M10M100M1G
FREQUENCY (Hz)
Figure 5. Gain vs. Frequency by Gain Code (All Codes),
Differential In, Differential Out
60
–65
–70
–75
–80
–85
–90
HARMONIC DISTO RTION (d Bc)
–95
–100
0 102030405060708090
Figure 6. 2
HD2
HD3
FREQUENCY (MHz)
nd
and 3rd Harmonic Distortion
19
+25°C
18
+85°C
–40°C
17
16
OUTPUT REFERRED P1dB (dBm)
15
0 102030405060708090
07051-005
FREQUENCY (MHz)
07051-008
Figure 8. P1dB, Maximum Gain
180
160
140
120
100
80
RESISTANCE (Ω)
60
40
20
0
0
07051-006
50000000
100000000
FREQUENCY (MHz)
150000000
200000000
250000000
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
300000000
CAPACIT ANCE (pF )
07051-009
Figure 9. Input Equivalent Parallel Impedance
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
OIP2/OIP3 (dBm)
30
20
10
0
0 102030405060708090
OIP3 – A
OIP2 – A
= 10
V
= 32
V
OIP2 – A
FREQUENCY (MHz)
= 10
V
OIP2 – A
OIP3 – AV = 32
OIP3 – A
Figure 7. OIP2 and OIP3
V
= –9
V
= –9
07051-007
70
60
50
40
30
CMRR (dB)
20
10
0
0 102030405060708090100
FREQUENCY (MHz)
Figure 10. CMRR vs. Frequency
07051-010
Rev. 0 | Page 8 of 16
Page 9
AD8372
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
NOISE FIGURE (dB)
15
10
5
0
0
20406080 100 120 140 160 180 200
Figure 11. Noise Figure vs. Frequency
AV = 0dB
AV = 10dB
= 20dB
A
V
A
= 32dB
V
FREQUENCY (MHz)
20ns/DIV
07051-012
07051-011
Figure 13. AD8372 Response to 6 dB Step Change in Gain (Gain Register
Setting 36 to Setting 42); Falling Edge Shown is Serial Clock Input Edge
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
(dB)
–50
–60
–70
–80
–90
1M10M100M1G
FREQUENCY (Hz)
Figure 12. Isolation, Input to Opposite Output at Maximum Gain
(To calculate output to output gain, subtract 29 dB from this plot)
07051-013
Rev. 0 | Page 9 of 16
Page 10
AD8372
THEORY OF OPERATION
The AD8372 is a dual differential variable gain amplifier. Each
amplifier consists of a 150 digitally controlled 6 dB attenuator
followed by a 1 dB vernier and a fixed gain transconductance
amplifier.
The differential output on each amplifier consists of a pair of
open-collector transistors. It is recommended that each opencollector output be biased to +5 V with a high value inductor.
A 33 H inductor, such as the Coilcraft® 1812LS-333XJL, is an
excellent choice for this component. A 250 resistor should be
placed across the differential outputs to provide a current-tovoltage conversion and as a source impedance for passive
filtering, post AD8372.
The gain for each side is based on a 250 differential load and
varies as the R
Gain = 20log(R
Gain = 10log(R
changes per the following equations:
LOAD
/250), for voltage gain
LOAD
/250), for power gain
LOAD
The dependency of the gain on the load is due to the opencollector output stage that is biased using external chokes. The
inductance of the chokes and the resistance of the load determine the low frequency pole of the amplifier. The high frequency
pole is set by the parasitic capacitance of the chokes and outputs
in parallel with the output resistance.
The total supply current of 106 mA per side consists of 70 mA
for the combined outputs and about 36 mA through the power
supply pins. Each side has an external resistor (R
) to ground
EXT
to set the transconductance of the output stage. For optimum
distortion, 106 mA total current per side is recommended,
making the R
value about 2.0 k. Each side has a 2.4 V
EXT
reference pin and that same common-mode voltage appears on
the inputs. This reference should be decoupled using a 0.1 F
capacitor. The part can be powered down to less than 2.6 mA by
setting the ENB pin low for the appropriate side.
The noise figure of the AD8372 is 7.8 dB at maximum gain and
increases as the gain is reduced. The increase in noise figure is
equal to the reduction in gain.
The linearity of the part measured at the output is first-order
independent of the gain setting.
Layout considerations should include minimizing capacitance
on the outputs by avoiding ground planes under the chokes, and
equalizing the output line lengths for phase balance.
SINGLE-ENDED AND DIFFERENTIAL SIGNALS
The AD8372 was designed to be used by applying differential
signals to the inputs and using the differential output drive of
the device to drive the next device in the signal chain. The
excellent distortion performance of the AD8372 is due
primarily to the use of differential signaling techniques to
cancel various distortion components in the device. In addition,
all ac characterization was done using differential signal paths.
Using this device with either the input or the output in a singleended circuit significantly degrades the overall performance of
the AD8372.
PASSIVE FILTER TECHNIQUES
The AD8372 has a 100 differential input impedance. For
optimal performance, the differential output load should be
250 . When designing passive filters around the AD8372,
these impedances must be taken into account.
DIGITAL GAIN CONTROL
The digital gain control interface consists of four pins: SDI,
SDO, CLK, and LATCH. The interface is active when the
LATCH pin is shifted low. Gain words are written into the
AD8372 via the SDI pin, and read back from the SDO pin. The
first bit clocked into the data input pin determines whether the
interface is in write or read mode. The second bit is a don’t care
bit, while the remaining six bits program the gain. In read
mode, the SDO pin clocks out the 6-bit gain word, LSB to MSB.
The gain can be programmed between −9 dB and 32 dB in 1 dB
steps. Timing details are given in
gain code table is given in
Figure 2 and Figure 3. The
Tabl e 3 .
DRIVING ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTERS
The AD8372 was designed with the intention of driving high
speed, high dynamic range ADCs. The circuit in
represents a simplified front end of one-half of the AD8372 dual
VGA driving an
AD9445 14-bit, 125 MHz analog-to-digital
converter. The input of the AD8372 is driven differentially
using a 1:3 impedance ratio transformer, which also matches
the 150 input resistance to a 50 source. The open-collector
outputs are biased through the 33 H inductors and are accoupled from the 142 load resistors that, in parallel with the
2 k input resistance of the ADC, provide a 250 load for gain
accuracy. The ADC is ac-coupled from the 142 resistors to
negate a dc affect on the input common-mode voltage of the
AD9445. Including the series 33 resistors improves the
isolation of the AD8372 from the switching currents caused by
the ADC input sample and hold. The AD9445 represents a 2 k
differential load and requires a 2 V p-p signal when VREF = 1 V
for a full-scale output. This circuit provides variable gain,
isolation, and source matching for the AD9445. Using this
circuit with the AD8372 in a gain of 32 dB (maximum gain), an
SFDR performance of 74.5 dBc is achieved at 85 MHz. See
Figure 15.