7
FN957.10
July 11, 2005
Output Circuit Considerations
Excellent interfacing with TTL circuitry is easily achieved with
a single 6.2V zener diode connected to Terminal 8 as shown
in Figure 1. This connection assures that the maximum
output signal swing will not go more positive than the zener
voltage minus two base-to-emitter voltage drops within the
CA3140. These voltages are independent of the operating
supply voltage.
Figure 2 shows output current sinking capabilities of the
CA3140 at various supply voltages. Output voltage swing to
the negative supply rail permits this device to operate both
power transistors and thyristors directly without the need for
level shifting circuitry usually associated with the 741 series
of operational amplifiers.
Figure 4 shows some typical configurations. Note that a
series resistor, RL, is used in both cases to limit the drive
available to the driven device. Moreover, it is recommended
that a series diode and shunt diode be used at the thyristor
input to prevent large negative transient surges that can
appear at the gate of thyristors, from damaging the
integrated circuit.
Offset Voltage Nulling
The input offset voltage can be nulled by connecting a 10k
potentiometer between Terminals 1 and 5 and returning its
wiper arm to terminal 4, see Figure 3A. This technique,
however, gives more adjustment range than required and
therefore, a considerable portion of the potentiometer
rotation is not fully utilized. Typical values of series resistors
(R) that may be placed at either end of the potentiometer,
see Figure 3B, to optimize its utilization range are given in
the Electrical Specifications table.
An alternate system is shown in Figure 3C. This circuit uses
only one additional resistor of approximately the value
shown in the table. For potentiometers, in which the
resistance does not drop to 0
at either end of rotation, a
value of resistance 10% lower than the values shown in the
table should be used.
Low Voltage Operation
Operation at total supply voltages as low as 4V is possible
with the CA3140. A current regulator based upon the PMOS
threshold voltage maintains reasonable constant operating
current and hence consistent performance down to these
lower voltages.
The low voltage limitation occurs when the upper extreme of the
input common mode voltage range extends down to the voltage
at Terminal 4. This limit is reached at a total supply voltage just
below 4V. The output voltage range also begins to extend down
to the negative supply rail, but is slightly higher than that of the
input. Figure 8 shows these characteristics and shows that with
2V dual supplies, the lower extreme of the input common mode
voltage range is below ground potential.
3
2
4
CA3140
8
6
7
V+
5V TO 36V
6.2V
≈5V
LOGIC
SUPPLY
5V
TYPICAL
TTL GATE
FIGURE 1. ZENER CLAMPING DIODE CONNECTED TO
TERMINALS 8 AND 4 TO LIMIT CA3140 OUTPUT
SWING TO TTL LEVELS
1
0.01
0.1
LOAD (SINKING) CURRENT (mA)
1.0
10
100
1000
O
U
TP
U
T
ST
A
G
E
TR
A
N
SI
ST
OR
(
Q
15
,Q
16
)
S
A
TURA
TIO
N
V
O
L
T
A
G
E
(mV)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V-) = 0V
TA = 25
oC
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V+) = +5V
+15V
+30V
FIGURE 2. VOLTAGE ACROSS OUTPUT TRANSISTORS (Q15
AND Q16) vs LOAD CURRENT
FIGURE 3A. BASIC
FIGURE 3B. IMPROVED RESOLUTION
FIGURE 3C. SIMPLER IMPROVED RESOLUTION
FIGURE 3. THREE OFFSET VOLTAGE NULLING METHODS
3
2
4
CA3140
7
6
V+
5
1
V-
10k
3
2
4
CA3140
7
6
V+
5
1
V-
10k
R
3
2
4
CA3140
7
6
V+
5
1
V-
10k
R
CA3140, CA3140A