Operational Amplifier, Low
Voltage
NCV5230
The NCV5230 is a very low voltage operational amplifier that can
perform with a voltage supply as low as 1.8 V or as high as 15 V.
In addition, split or single supplies can be used, and the output will
swing to ground when applying the latter. There is a bias adjusting pin
which controls the supply current required by the device and thereby
controls its power consumption. If the part is operated at ±0.9 V
supply voltages, the current required is only 110 mA when the current
control pin is left open. Even with this low power consumption, the
device obtains a typical unity gain bandwidth of 250 kHz. When the
bias adjusting pin is connected to the negative supply, the unity gain
bandwidth is typically 600 kHz while the supply current is increased
to 600 mA. In this mode, the part will supply full power output beyond
the audio range.
The NCV5230 also has a unique input stage that allows the
common−mode input range to go above the positive and below the
negative supply voltages by 250 mV. This provides for the largest
possible input voltages for low voltage applications. The part is also
internally−compensated to reduce external component count.
The NCV5230 has a low input bias current of typically ±40 nA, and
a large open−loop gain of 125 dB. These two specifications are
beneficial when using the device in transducer applications. The large
open−loop gain gives very accurate signal processing because of the
large “excess” loop gain in a closed−loop system.
The output stage is a class AB type that can swing to within 100 mV
of the supply voltages for the largest dynamic range that is needed in
many applications. The NCV5230 is ideal for portable audio
equipment and remote transducers because of its low power
consumption, unity gain bandwidth, and 30 nV/√Hz noise
specification.
8
1
SOIC−8
D SUFFIX
CASE 751
PIN CONNECTIONS
N, D Packages
NC
1
8
−IN
2
7
VCC
+IN
3
6
OUTPUT
5
BIAS ADJ.
VEE
−
+
4
NC
(Top View)
DEVICE MARKING INFORMATION
See general marking information in the device marking
section on page 15 of this data sheet.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Features
•
•
•
•
•
•
www.onsemi.com
See detailed ordering and shipping information in the package
dimensions section on page 15 of this data sheet.
Works Down to 1.8 V Supply Voltages
Adjustable Supply Current
Low Noise
Common−mode Includes Both Rails
VOUT Within 100 mV of Both Rails
These are Pb−Free Devices
Applications
•
•
•
•
•
•
Portable Precision Instruments
Remote Transducer Amplifier
Portable Audio Equipment
Rail−to−Rail Comparators
Half−wave Rectification without Diodes
Remote Temperature Transducer with 4.0 to 20 mA Output
Transmission
© Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, 2010
February, 2020 − Rev. 6
1
Publication Order Number:
NE5230/D
NCV5230
MAXIMUM RATINGS
Rating
Symbol
Value
Unit
VCC
18
V
Dual Supply Voltage
VS
±9
V
Input Voltage (Note 1)
VIN
±9 (18)
V
±VS
V
V
Single Supply Voltage
Differential Input Voltage (Note 1)
Common−Mode Voltage (Positive)
VCM
VCC + 0.5
Common−Mode Voltage (Negative)
VCM
VEE − 0.5
V
PD
500
mW
RqJA
182
°C/W
Operating Junction Temperature (Note 2)
TJ
150
°C
Operating Temperature Range
TA
−40 to 125
°C
Indefinite
s
Power Dissipation (Note 2)
Thermal Resistance, Junction−to−Ambient
D Package
80 Output Short−Circuit Duration to Either Power Supply Pin (Notes 2 and 3)
Storage Temperature
Tstg
−65 to 150
°C
Lead Soldering Temperature (10 sec max)
Tsld
230
°C
Stresses exceeding those listed in the Maximum Ratings table may damage the device. If any of these limits are exceeded, device functionality
should not be assumed, damage may occur and reliability may be affected.
1. Can exceed the supply voltages when VS ≤ ±7.5 V (15 V).
2. The maximum operating junction temperature is 150°C. At elevated temperatures, devices must be derated according to the package thermal
resistance and device mounting conditions.
Derate above 25°C at the following rates:
D package at 5.5 mW/°C.
3. Momentary shorts to either supply are permitted in accordance to transient thermal impedance limitations determined by the package and
device mounting conditions.
RECOMMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS
Characteristic
Value
Unit
1.8 to 15
V
Dual Supply Voltage
±0.9 to ±7.5
V
Common−Mode Voltage (Positive)
VCC + 0.25
V
Common−Mode Voltage (Negative)
VEE − 0.25
V
Temperature
−40 to +125
°C
Single Supply Voltage
www.onsemi.com
2
NCV5230
DC AND AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTIC Unless otherwise specified, ±0.9V ≤ Vs ≤ ±7.5 V or equivalent single supply,
RL = 10 kW, full input common−mode range, over full operating temperature range.
Characteristic
Symbol
Test Conditions
Bias
TA = 25°C
TA = Tlow to Thigh
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
Any
0.4
3.0
mV
Any
3.0
4.0
Any
2.0
5.0
mV/°C
High
3.0
50
nA
Low
3.0
30
NCV5230
Offset Voltage
VOS
Drift
VOS
Offset Current
IOS
TA = 25°C
TA = Tlow to Thigh
Drift
Bias Current
Low
0.3
1.4
IB
High
40
150
Low
20
60
TA = 25°C
TA = 25°C
VS = ±0.9 V
TA = Tlow to Thigh
TA = 25°C
VS = ±7.5 V
TA = Tlow to Thigh
Common−Mode Rejection Ratio
VCM
High
300
Low
300
High
2.0
4.0
Low
2.0
4.0
Low
110
160
High
600
750
Low
High
320
550
High
1100
1600
Low
600
High
1700
V+ + 0.25
VOS ≤ 20 mV, TA = Tlow to Thigh
Any
V−
V+
RS = 10 kW; VCM = ±7.5 V;
TA = 25°C
Any
85
RS = 10 kW; VCM = ±7.5 V;
TA = Tlow to Thigh
Any
80
High
PSRR
TA = 25°C
dB
Low
85
95
High
75
80
6
Sink
VS = ±0.9 V; TA = 25°C
High
5.0
7
Source
VS = ±7.5 V; TA = 25°C
High
16
Sink
VS = ±7.5 V; TA = 25°C
High
32
Source
VS = ±0.9 V; TA = Tlow to Thigh
Any
1.0
5
Sink
VS = ±0.9 V; TA = Tlow to Thigh
Any
2.0
6
Source
VS = ±7.5 V; TA = Tlow to Thigh
Any
4.0
10
Sink
VS = ±7.5 V; TA = Tlow to Thigh
Any
5.0
15
3
V
105
4.0
www.onsemi.com
mA
90
Low
For NCV5230 devices, Tlow = −40°C and Thigh = +125°C.
mA
dB
High
IL
nA/°C
95
VS = ±0.9 V; TA = 25°C
Source
nA
850
Low
V− − 0.25
CMRR
nA/°C
275
Any
TA = Tlow to Thigh
Load Current
1.4
VOS ≤ 6 mV, TA = 25°C
VS = ±7.5 V
Power Supply Rejection Ratio
60
0.5
IS
Common−Mode Input Range
Low
High
IB
Supply Current
100
IOS
TA = Tlow to Thigh
Drift
High
mA
NCV5230
DC AND AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTIC Unless otherwise specified, ±0.9V ≤ Vs ≤ ±7.5 V or equivalent single supply,
RL = 10 kW, full input common−mode range, over full operating temperature range.
Characteristic
Symbol
Test Conditions
Bias
Min
Typ
High
120
2000
Low
60
750
High
100
Max
Unit
NCV5230
Large−Signal Open−Loop Gain
AVOL
VS = ±7.5 V
RL = 10 kW; TA = 25°C
TA = Tlow to Thigh
Output Voltage Swing
VOUT
VS = ±0.9 V
VS = ±7.5 V
Slew Rate
SR
Inverting Unity Gain Bandwidth
BW
Phase Margin
qM
Settling Time
tS
Input Noise
VINN
Total Harmonic Distortion
THD
Low
50
TA = 25°C +SW
Any
750
800
800
TA = 25°C −SW
Any
750
TA = Tlow to Thigh; +SW
Any
700
TA = Tlow to Thigh; −SW
Any
700
TA = 25°C +SW
Any
7.30
7.35
TA = 25°C −SW
Any
−7.32
−7.35
TA = Tlow to Thigh; +SW
Any
7.25
7.30
TA = Tlow to Thigh; −SW
Any
−7.30
−7.35
TA = 25°C
CL = 100 pF; TA = 25°C
CL = 100 pF; TA = 25°C
CL = 100 pF, 0.1%
RS = 0 W; f = 1.0 kHz
High
0.25
V/ms
0.09
V/ms
0.6
MHz
Low
0.25
MHz
Any
70
°
High
2.0
ms
Low
5.0
ms
High
30
nV/√Hz
nV/√Hz
60
High
0.003
VS = ±0.9 V
AV = 1, VIN = 500 mV; f = 1.0 kHz
High
0.002
4
V
Low
Low
www.onsemi.com
mV
High
VS = ±7.5 V
AV = 1; VIN = 500 mV; f = 1.0 kHz
For NCV5230 devices, Tlow = −40°C and Thigh = +125°C.
V/mV
%
%
NCV5230
THEORY OF OPERATION
voltage moves from the range where only the NPN pair was
Operational amplifiers which are able to function at
operating to where both of the input pairs were operating, the
minimum supply voltages should have input and output
effective transconductance would change by a factor of two.
stage swings capable of reaching both supply voltages
Frequency compensation for the ranges where one input pair
within a few millivolts in order to achieve ease of quiescent
was operating would, of course, not be optimal for the range
biasing and to have maximum input/output signal handling
where both pairs were operating. Secondly, fast changes in
capability. The input stage of the NCV5230 has a
the common−mode voltage would abruptly saturate and
common−mode voltage range that not only includes the
restore the emitter current sources, causing transient
entire supply voltage range, but also allows either supply to
distortion. These problems were overcome by assuring that
be exceeded by 250 mV without increasing the input offset
only the input transistor pair which is able to function
voltage by more than 6.0 mV. This is unequalled by any
properly is active. The NPN pair is normally activated by the
other operational amplifier today.
current source IB1 through Q5 and the current mirror Q6 and
In order to accomplish the feat of rail−to−rail input
Q7, assuming the PNP pair is non−conducting. When the
common−mode range, two emitter−coupled differential
common−mode input voltage passes below the reference
pairs are placed in parallel so that the common−mode
voltage, VB1 − 0.8 V at the base of Q5, the emitter current is
voltage of one can reach the positive supply rail and the other
gradually steered toward the PNP pair, away from the NPN
can reach the negative supply rail. The simplified schematic
pair. The transfer of the emitter currents between the
of Figure 1 shows how the complementary emitter−coupler
complementary input pairs occurs in a voltage range of
transistors are configured to form the basic input stage cell.
about 120 mV around the reference voltage VB1. In this way
Common−mode input signal voltages in the range from
the sum of the emitter currents for each of the NPN and PNP
0.8 V above VEE to VCC are handled completely by the NPN
transistor pairs is kept constant; this ensures that the
pair, Q3 and Q4, while common−mode input signal voltages
transconductance of the parallel combination will be
in the range of VEE to 0.8 V above VEE are processed only
constant, since the transconductance of bipolar transistors is
by the PNP pair, Q1 and Q2. The intermediate range of input
proportional to their emitter currents.
voltages requires that both the NPN and PNP pairs are
An essential requirement of this kind of input stage is to
operating. The collector currents of the input transistors are
minimize the changes in input offset voltage between that of
summed by the current combiner circuit composed of
the NPN and PNP transistor pair which occurs when the
transistors Q8 through Q11 into one output current.
input common−mode voltage crosses the internal reference
Transistor Q8 is connected as a diode to ensure that the
voltage, VB1. Careful circuit layout with a cross−coupled
outputs of Q2 and Q4 are properly subtracted from those of
quad for each input pair has yielded a typical input offset
Q1 and Q3.
voltage of less than 0.3 mV and a change in the input offset
The input stage was designed to overcome two important
voltage of less than 0.1 mV.
problems for rail−to−rail capability. As the common−mode
Input Stage
VCC
R11
R10
VIN−
Q3
Q2
Q1
Q4
VIN+
Q6
IOUT
Q9
Q8
Q5
+
V Vb1
Q11
Q10
Ib1
Q7
+
V Vb2
R8
R9
VEE
Figure 1. Input Stage
www.onsemi.com
5
NCV5230
Output Stage
combined voltages across diodes D1 and D2 are
proportional to the logarithm of the square of the reference
current IB1. When the diode characteristics and
temperatures of the pairs Q1, D1 and Q3, Q2 are equal, the
relation IOP × ION − IB1 × IB1 is satisfied.
Separating the functions of biasing and driving prevents
the driving signals from becoming delayed by the biasing
circuit. The output Darlington transistors are directly
accessible for in−phase driving signals on the bases of Q5
and Q2. This is very important for simple high−frequency
compensation. The output transistors can be high−frequency
compensated by Miller capacitors CM1A and CM1B
connected from the collectors to the bases of the output
Darlington transistors.
A general−purpose op amp of this type must have enough
open−loop gain for applications when the output is driving
a low resistance load. The NCV5230 accomplishes this by
inserting an intermediate common−emitter stage between
the input and output stages. The three stages provide a very
large gain, but the op amp now has three natural dominant
poles − one at the output of each common−emitter stage.
Frequency compensation is implemented with a simple
scheme of nested, pole−splitting Miller integrators. The
Miller capacitors CM1A and CM1B are the first part of the
nested structure, and provide compensation for the output
and intermediate stages. A second pair of Miller integrators
provide pole−splitting compensation for the pole from the
input stage and the pole resulting from the compensated
combination of poles from the intermediate and output
stages. The result is a stable, internally−compensated op
amp with a phase margin of 70°.
Processing output voltage swings that nominally reach to
less than 100 mV of either supply voltage can only be
achieved by a pair of complementary common−emitter
connected transistors. Normally, such a configuration
causes complex feed−forward signal paths that develop by
combining biasing and driving which can be found in
previous low supply voltage designs. The unique output
stage of the NCV5230 separates the functions of driving and
biasing, as shown in the simplified schematic of Figure 2 and
has the advantage of a shorter signal path which leads to
increasing the effective bandwidth.
This output stage consists of two parts: the Darlington
output transistors and the class AB control regulator. The
output transistor Q3 connected with the Darlington
transistors Q4 and Q5 can source up to 10 mA to an output
load. The output of NPN Darlington connected transistors
Q1 and Q2 together are able to sink an output current of
10 mA. Accurate and efficient class AB control is necessary
to insure that none of the output transistors are ever
completely cut off. This is accomplished by the differential
amplifier (formed by Q8 and Q9) which controls the biasing
of the output transistors. The differential amplifier compares
the summed voltages across two diodes, D1 and D2, at the
base of Q8 with the summed voltages across the
base−emitter diodes of the output transistors Q1 and Q3. The
base−emitter voltage of Q3 is converted into a current by Q6
and R6 and reconverted into a voltage across the
base−emitter diode of Q7 and R7. The summed voltage
across the base−emitter diodes of the output transistors Q3
and Q1 is proportional to the logarithm of the product of the
push and pull currents IOP and ION, respectively. The
VCC
R6
Ib1
Ib2
Ib3
Q3
Q6
Vb5
Q5
IOP
Q4
CM1B
VOUT
CM1A
Q2
Vb2
Q8
ION
Q9
R7
D1
Ib4
Q7
Q1
Ib5
D2
VEE
Figure 2. Output Stage
www.onsemi.com
6
NCV5230
THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS
When using the NCV5230, the internal power dissipation
capabilities of each package should be considered.
ON Semiconductor does not recommend operation at die
temperatures above 110°C in the SO package because of its
inherently smaller package mass. Die temperatures of
150°C can be tolerated in all the other packages. With this
in mind, the following equation can be used to estimate the
die temperature:
Tj + Tamb ) (PD
qJA)
negative supply. The resistor can be selected between 1.0 W
to 100 kW to provide any required supply current over the
indicated range. In addition, a small varying voltage on the
bias current control pin could be used for such exotic things
as changing the gain−bandwidth for voltage controlled low
pass filters or amplitude modulation. Furthermore, control
over the slew rate and the rise time of the amplifier can be
obtained in the same manner. This control over the slew rate
also changes the settling time and overshoot in pulse
response applications. The settling time to 0.1% changes
from 5.0 ms at low bias to 2.0 ms at high bias. The supply
current control can also be utilized for wave−shaping
applications such as for pulse or triangular waveforms. The
gain−bandwidth can be varied from between 250 kHz at low
bias to 600 kHz at high bias current. The slew rate range is
0.08 V/ms at low bias and 0.25 V/ms at high bias.
(eq. 1)
POWER SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
Where
Tamb = Ambient Temperature
Tj = Die Temperature
PD = Power Dissipation
= (ICC x VCC)
qJA = Package Thermal Resistance
= 270°C/W for SO−8 in PC Board Mounting
See the packaging section for information regarding other
methods of mounting.
qJA − 100°C/W for the plastic DIP.
The maximum supply voltage for the part is 15 V and the
typical supply current is 1.1 mA (1.6 mA max). For
operation at supply voltages other than the maximum, see
the data sheet for ICC versus VCC curves. The supply current
is somewhat proportional to temperature and varies no more
than 100 mA between 25°C and either temperature extreme.
Operation at higher junction temperatures than that
recommended is possible but will result in lower Mean Time
Between Failures (MTBF). This should be considered
before operating beyond recommended die temperature
because of the overall reliability degradation.
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
100
200
300
400 500 600700
UNITY GAIN BANDWIDTH (kHz)
Figure 3. Unity Gain Bandwidth vs. Power Supply
Current for VCC = ±0.9 V
DESIGN TECHNIQUES AND APPLICATIONS
The NCV5230 is a very user−friendly amplifier for an
engineer to design into any type of system. The supply
current adjust pin (Pin 5) can be left open or tied through a
pot or fixed resistor to the most negative supply (i.e., ground
for single supply or to the negative supply for split supplies).
The minimum supply current is achieved by leaving this pin
open. In this state it will also decrease the bandwidth and
slew rate. When tied directly to the most negative supply, the
device has full bandwidth, slew rate and ICC. The
programming of the current−control pin depends on the
trade−offs which can be made in the designer’s application.
The graphs in Figures 3 and 4 will help by showing
bandwidth versus ICC. As can be seen, the supply current can
be varied anywhere over the range of 100 mA to 600 mA for
a supply voltage of 1.8 V. An external resistor can be
inserted between the current control pin and the most
1.4
ICC CURRENT (mA)
1.2
VCC − 15V
1.0
VCC − 9V
0.8
VCC − 6V
VCC − 3V
0.6
VCC − 2V
0.4
TA − 25°C
VCC − 12V
VCC − 1.8V
0.2
0.0 0
10
101
102
103
104
105
RADJ (W)
Figure 4. ICC Current vs. Bias Current Adjusting
Resistor for Several Supply Voltages
www.onsemi.com
7
NCV5230
voltage. Many competitive parts will show severe clipping
caused by input common−mode limitations. The NCV5230
in this configuration offers more freedom for quiescent
biasing of the inputs close to the positive supply rail where
similar op amps would not allow signal processing.
There are not as many considerations when designing
with the NCV5230 as with other devices. Since the
NCV5230 is internally−compensated and has a unity
gain−bandwidth of 600 kHz, board layout is not so stringent
as for very high frequency devices such as the NE5205. The
output capability of the NCV5230 allows it to drive
relatively high capacitive loads and small resistive loads.
The power supply pins should be decoupled with a low−pass
RC network as close to the supply pins as possible to
eliminate 60 Hz and other external power line noise,
although the power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) for the
part is very high. The pinout for the NCV5230 is the same
as the standard single op amp pinout with the exception of
the bias current adjusting pin.
The full output power bandwidth range for VCC equals
2.0 V, is above 40 kHz for the maximum bias current setting
and greater than 10 kHz at the minimum bias current setting.
If extremely low signal distortion (