FOA1251B1, FOA1252B1
Circuit Description
Advance Datasheet, Document Rev. 1.0
2-9
10June1999
Advance Information
2
Circuit Description
The single ended input signal from the PIN-diode or APD is fed into an inverting amplifier
block with high gain and high bandwidth. An internal feedback stabilizes the overall
operation and gives the pre-amplifier block a linear gain and phase up to its bandwidth
limit of min. 1.6 GHz for the FOA1252B1. The amplified signal continues to an amplifier
stage with differential output. Finally, the signal goes through a post-amplifier before it
leaves the device on the Q+ and Q- terminals. The output terminals are both internally
terminated with a 60
pull-up resistor to V
CC
.
An internal voltage reference is connected to the intermediate amplifier block. Hence, the
DC content of the differential output from this amplifier stage is proportional to the DC
value of the input signal. The DC content is extracted by a separate amplifier and fed
back internally to the input amplifier. This internal feedback accomplishes overall DC
compensation of the device, so that the output signal at the Q+ and Q- is widely
independent of the DC content in the input signal.
The differential output signals Q+ and Q- are internally connected to the positive supply
V
CC
via 60
pull-up resistors. In order to prevent any DC shift problems, the output
signals should be AC coupled to the load. Coupling capacitors of approximately 100 nF
are suitable values, but may need to be optimized for the specific application. The
outputs can be used single or differentially ended; but, it is strongly recommended to use
differential operation for best performance. However, if single-ended operation is
necessary, the unused output should be terminated with an impedance equal to the load
on the pin in use.
The single-ended monitor output signal is a low pass filtered "copy" of the PIN diode
current. It can be used for supervision of the state ot the PIN-diode or APD, or it can be
left unconnected if not needed.
The occurence of an overload condition is detected at the transimpedance amplifier
stage. This early detection feature allows for an active biasing of the circuit, thus avoiding
performance losses due to saturation effects.
All device pins should be soldered to the PCB in order to obtain the best possible
grounding and thermal drainage of the device.