=
=
7.5V, TA 25˚C unless otherwise specified (Continued)
±
Typical Performance Characteristics VS
Stability vs Capacitive Load
Stability vs Capacitive Load
DS011137-43
DS011137-44
Applications Hints
AMPLIFIER TOPOLOGY
The effect of input capacitance can be compensated for by
adding a capacitor. Place a capacitor, Cf, around the feed-
back resistor (as in Figure 1 ) such that:
The LMC6042 incorporates a novel op-amp design topology
that enables it to maintain rail-to-rail output swing even when
driving a large load. Instead of relying on a push-pull unity
gain output buffer stage, the output stage is taken directly
from the internal integrator, which provides both low output
impedance and large gain. Special feed-forward compensa-
tion design techniques are incorporated to maintain stability
over a wider range of operating conditions than traditional
micropower op-amps. These features make the LMC6042
both easier to design with, and provide higher speed than
products typically found in this ultra-low power class.
or
R1 CIN ≤ R2 Cf
Since it is often difficult to know the exact value of CIN, Cf can
be experimentally adjusted so that the desired pulse re-
sponse is achieved. Refer to the LMC660 and the LMC662
for a more detailed discussion on compensating for input ca-
pacitance.
COMPENSATING FOR INPUT CAPACITANCE
It is quite common to use large values of feedback resis-
tance with amplifiers with ultra-low input curent, like the
LMC6042.
CAPACITIVE LOAD TOLERANCE
Direct capacitive loading will reduce the phase margin of
many op-amps. A pole in the feedback loop is created by the
combination of the op-amp’s output impedance and the ca-
pacitive load. This pole induces phase lag at the unity-gain
crossover frequency of the amplifier resulting in either an os-
cillatory or underdamped pulse response. With a few exter-
nal components, op amps can easily indirectly drive capaci-
tive loads, as shown in Figure 2.
Although the LMC6042 is highly stable over a wide range of
operating conditions, certain precautions must be met to
achieve the desired pulse response when a large feedback
resistor is used. Large feedback resistors and even small
values of input capacitance, due to transducers, photo-
diodes, and circuit board parasitics, reduce phase margins.
When high input impedances are demanded, guarding of the
LMC6042 is suggested. Guarding input lines will not only re-
duce leakage, but lowers stray input capacitance as well.
(See Printed-Circuit-Board Layout for High Impedance
Work).
DS011137-6
DS011137-5
FIGURE 2. LMC6042 Noninverting Gain of 10 Amplifier,
Compensated to Handle Capacitive Loads
FIGURE 1. Cancelling the Effect of Input Capacitance
In the circuit of Figure 2, R1 and C1 serve to counteract the
loss of phase margin by feeding the high frequency compo-
7
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