
AD600/AD602 
THEORY OF OPERATION 
The AD600/AD602 have the same general design and features. 
They comprise two fixed gain amplifiers, each preceded by a 
voltage-controlled attenuator of 0 dB to 42.14 dB with independent 
control interfaces, each having a scaling factor of 32 dB per volt. 
The AD600 amplifiers are laser trimmed to a gain of 41.07 dB 
(×113), providing a control range of 1.07 dB to +41.07 dB 
(0 dB to +40 dB with overlap). The AD602 amplifiers have a 
gain of 31.07 dB (×35.8) and provide an overall gain of 
11.07 dB to +31.07 dB (10 dB to +30 dB with overlap).  
Rev. E | Page 10 of 28 
The advantage of this topology is that the amplifier can use 
negative feedback to increase the accuracy of its gain. In 
addition, because the amplifier does not have to handle large 
signals at its input, the distortion can be very low. Another 
feature of this approach is that the small-signal gain and phase 
response, and thus the pulse response, are essentially 
independent of gain. 
Figure 21 is a simplified schematic of one channel. The input 
attenuator is a 7-stage R-2R ladder network, using untrimmed 
resistors of nominally R = 62.5 Ω, which results in a characteristic 
resistance of 125 Ω ± 20%. A shunt resistor is included at the 
input and laser trimmed to establish a more exact input 
resistance of 100 Ω ± 2%, which ensures accurate operation 
(gain and HP corner frequency) when used in conjunction with 
external resistors or capacitors. 
PRECISION PASSIVE
INPUT ATTENUATOR
GATING
INTERFACE
SCALING
REFERENCE
GAT1
A1OP
A1CM
C1HI
C1LO
A1HI
A1LO
V
G
R-2R LADDER NETWORK
GAIN CONTROL
INTERFACE
RF2
2.24k
 (AD600)
694
 (AD602)
RF1
20
FIXED-GAIN
AMPLIFIER
41.07dB (AD600)
31.07dB (AD602)
500
0dB
–6.02dB
–12.04dB
–18.06dB
–22.08dB
–30.1dB
–36.12dB
–42.14dB
62.5
0
Figure 21. Simplified Block Diagram of Single Channel of the AD600/AD602 
The nominal maximum signal at input A1HI is 1 V rms (±1.4 V 
peak) when using the recommended ±5 V supplies; although, 
operation to ±2 V peak is permissible with some increase in HF 
distortion and feedthrough. Each attenuator is provided with a 
separate signal LO connection for use in rejecting common 
mode, the voltage between input and output grounds. Circuitry 
is included to provide rejection of up to ±100 mV. 
The signal applied at the input of the ladder network is 
attenuated by 6.02 dB by each section; thus, the attenuation to 
each of the taps is progressively 0 dB, 6.02 dB, 12.04 dB, 18.06 dB, 
24.08 dB, 30.1 dB, 36.12 dB, and 42.14 dB. A unique circuit 
technique is employed to interpolate between these tap points, 
indicated by the slider in Figure 21, providing continuous 
attenuation from 0 dB to 42.14 dB. 
To understand the AD600, it helps to think in terms of a 
mechanical means for moving this slider from left to right; in 
fact, it is voltage controlled. The details of the control interface 
are discussed later. Note that the gain is exactly determined at 
all times, and a linear decibel relationship is guaranteed 
automatically between the gain and the control parameter that 
determines the position of the slider. In practice, the gain 
deviates from the ideal law by about ±0.2 dB peak (see Figure 28). 
Note that the signal inputs are not fully differential. A1LO, 
A1CM (for CH1), A2LO, and A2CM (for CH2) provide 
separate access to the input and output grounds. This recognizes 
that even when using a ground plane, small differences arise in the 
voltages at these nodes. It is important that A1LO and A2LO be 
connected directly to the input ground(s). Significant impedance in 
these connections reduces the gain accuracy. A1CM and A2CM 
should be connected to the load ground(s). 
NOISE PERFORMANCE 
An important reason for using this approach is the superior 
noise performance that can be achieved. The nominal resistance 
seen at the inner tap points of the attenuator is 41.7 Ω (one third of 
125 Ω), which, at 27°C, exhibits a Johnson noise spectral density 
(NSD) of 0.84 nV/√Hz (that is, √4kTR), a large fraction of the 
total input noise. The first stage of the amplifier contributes 
another 1.12 nV/√Hz, for a total input noise of 1.4 nV/√Hz. 
The noise at the 0 dB tap depends on whether the input is 
short-circuited or open-circuited. When shorted, the minimum 
NSD of 1.12 nV/√Hz is achieved. When open, the resistance of 
100 Ω at the first tap generates 1.29 nV/√Hz, so the noise 
increases to 1.71 nV/√Hz. This last calculation would be important 
if the AD600 were preceded, for example, by a 900 Ω resistor to 
allow operation from inputs up to ±10 V rms. However, in most 
cases, the low impedance of the source limits the maximum 
noise resistance.