AD9772A
Rev. C | Page 26 of 40
APPLYING THE AD9772A
OUTPUT CONFIGURATIONS
The following sections illustrate some typical output
configurations for the AD9772A. Unless otherwise noted, it is
assumed that IOUTFS is set to a nominal 20 mA for optimum
performance. For applications requiring the optimum dynamic
performance, a differential output configuration can consist of
either an RF transformer or a differential op amp configuration.
The transformer configuration provides the optimum high
frequency performance and is recommended for any application
allowing ac coupling. The differential op amp configuration is
suitable for applications requiring dc coupling, a bipolar output,
signal gain, and/or level shifting.
A single-ended output is suitable for applications requiring a
unipolar voltage output. A positive unipolar output voltage
results if IOUTA and/or IOUTB is connected to an appropriately
sized load resistor, R
B
LOAD
, referred to ACOM. This configuration
may be more suitable for a single-supply system requiring a dc-
coupled, ground-referred output voltage. Alternatively, an amplifier
can be configured as an I-V converter, thus converting IOUTA or
IOUTB
B
into a negative unipolar voltage. This configuration
provides the best dc linearity because IOUTA or IOUTB is
maintained at a virtual ground.
B
DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING USING A TRANSFORMER
An RF transformer can be used as shown in
Figure 47 to perform a
differential-to-single-ended signal conversion. A differentially
coupled transformer output provides the optimum distortion
performance for output signals whose spectral content lies within
the pass band of the transformer. An RF transformer such as the
Mini-Circuits T1-1T provides excellent rejection of common-
mode distortion (that is, even-order harmonics) and noise over a
wide frequency range. It also provides electrical isolation and the
ability to deliver twice the power to the load. Transformers with
different impedance ratios can also be used for impedance
matching purposes. Note that the transformer provides ac coupling
only, and its linearity performance degrades at the low end of its
frequency range due to core saturation.
OPTIONAL
RDIFF
RLOAD
MINI-CIRCUITS
T1-1T
AD9772A
IOUTA
IOUTB
0
2253
-0
47
Figure 47. Differential Output Using a Transformer
The center tap on the primary side of the transformer must be
connected to ACOM to provide the necessary dc current path
for both IOUTA and IOUTB. The complementary voltages appearing
at I
B
OUTA
and IOUTB (that is, VOUTA and VOUTB) swing symmetrically
around ACOM and should be maintained with the specified
output compliance range of the AD9772A. A differential
resistor, RDIFF, can be inserted into applications in which the
output of the transformer is connected to the load, RLOAD, via a
passive reconstruction filter or cable. RDIFF is determined by the
transformer’s impedance ratio and provides the proper source
termination, resulting in a low voltage standing wave ratio
(VSWR). Note that approximately half the signal power is
dissipated across RDIFF.
DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING USING AN OP AMP
An op amp can also be used to perform a differential-to-single-
ended conversion as shown in
Figure 48. The AD9772A is
configured with two equal load resistors, RLOAD, each of 25 Ω. The
differential voltage developed across IOUTA and IOUTB is converted to
a single-ended signal via the differential op amp configuration. An
optional capacitor can be installed across IOUTA and IOUTB, forming a
real pole in a low-pass filter. The addition of this capacitor also
enhances the distortion performance of the op amp by preventing
the DAC’s high slewing output from overloading the op amp input.
AD9772A
IOUTA
IOUTB
AD8055
C
25
225
500
OPT
02
253
-0
48
Figure 48. DC Differential Coupling Using an Op Amp
The common-mode rejection of this configuration is typically
determined by the resistor matching. In this circuit, the differential
op amp circuit using the AD8055 is configured to provide some
additional signal gain. The op amp must operate from a dual
supply because its output is approximately ±1.0 V. A high speed
amplifier capable of preserving the differential performance of
the AD9772A while meeting other system-level objectives (such
as cost and power) should be selected. The op amp’s differential
gain, gain-setting resistor values, and full-scale output swing
capabilities should be considered when optimizing this circuit.
The differential circuit shown in
Figure 49 provides the
necessary level shifting required in a single-supply system. In
this case, AVDD, the positive analog supply for both the
AD9772A and the op amp, is also used to level-shift the
differential output of the AD9772A to midsupply (that is,
AVDD/2). The AD8057 is a suitable op amp for this application.
AD9772A
IOUTA
IOUTB
AD8057
COPT
25
225
500
1k
AVDD
0
225
3-
049
Figure 49. Single-Supply DC Differential Coupled Circuit
SINGLE-ENDED, UNBUFFERED VOLTAGE OUTPUT
Figure 50 shows the AD9772A configured to provide a unipolar
output range of approximately 0 V to 0.5 V for a doubly termi-
nated 50 Ω cable because the nominal full-scale current, IOUTFS,