DESIGN FEATURES A 4.5ns, 4mA, Single-Supply, Dual Comparator Optimized for by Joseph G. Petrofsky 3V/5V Operation Introduction NONLINEAR STAGE The LT1720 is an UltraFast™ (4.5ns), low power (4mA/comparator), singlesupply, dual comparator designed to operate on a single 3V or 5V supply. These comparators feature internal hysteresis, making them easy to use, even with slowly moving input signals. The LT1720 is fabricated in Linear Technology’s 6GHz complementary bipolar process, resulting in unprecedented speed for its low power consumption. Table 1 summarizes the LT1720’s perfor mance specifications. The LT1720 is offered in SO-8, with just three pins per comparator plus power and ground. For a full-featured, 7ns, single-supply comparator with dual complementary outputs and internal latch, the LT1394 is available from this same high speed process. These fast, small, low power comparators are versatile building blocks for a variety of high speed, singlesupply applications, such as clock generators, window comparators, timing skew generators, coincidence detectors and pulse stretchers. – + +IN + + –IN Σ + + AV1 + – Σ AV2 OUT – + – GND Figure 1. LT1720 block diagram Circuit Description The block diagram of one comparator in the LT1720 is shown in Figure 1. There are differential inputs (+IN/ –IN), an output (OUT), a single positive supply (VCC) and ground (GND). The two comparators are completely independent, sharing only the power and ground pins. The circuit topology consists of a differential input stage, a gain stage with hysteresis and a complementary common-emitter out- Table 1. Typical LT1720 specifications, TA = 25°C Parameter Conditions Value Propagation Delay Overdrive = 20mV 4.5ns Propagation Delay Overdrive = 5mV 7ns Supply Current VCC = 5V 4mA per Comparator Supply Voltage Full Temperature Range Limits 2.7V to 6V Input Voltage Range Full Temperature Range Limits –0.1V to (VCC – 1.2V) Input Offset Voltage VCC = 5V, VCM = 1V 1mV Input-Referred Hysteresis VCC = 5V, VCM = 1V 3.5mV Output Voltage (Low) ISINK = 10mA 0.4V Max Output Voltage (High) ISOURCE = 4mA (VCC – 0.4V) Min 10 VCC + put stage. All of the internal signal paths utilize low voltage swings for high speed at low power. The input stage topology maximizes the input dynamic range available without requiring the power, complexity and die area of two complete input stages such as are found in railto-rail input comparators. With a 2.7V supply, the LT1720 still has a respectable 1.6V of input common mode range. The differential input voltage range is rail-to-rail, without the large input currents found in competing devices. The input stage also features phase reversal protection to prevent false outputs when the inputs are driven below the –100mV common mode voltage limit. The internal hysteresis is implemented by positive, nonlinear feedback around a second gain stage. Until this point, the signal path has been entirely differential. The signal path is then split into two drive signals for the upper and lower output transistors. The output transistors are connected common emitter for rail-to-rail output operation. The Linear Technology Magazine • November 1998 VOH VHYST (= VTRIP+ – VTRIP–) VHYST/2 VOL ∆VIN = VIN+ – VIN– 0 VTRIP– VOS = VTRIP+ ++V VTRIP – TRIP 2 Figure 2. Hysteresis I/O characteristics Schottky clamps limit the output voltages at about 300mV from the rail, not quite the 50mV or 15mV of Linear Technology’s rail-to-rail amplifiers and other products. But the output of a comparator is digital, and this output stage can drive TTL or CMOS directly. It can also drive a host of other loads, as will be demonstrated in the applications below. The bias conditions and signal swings in the output stages are designed to turn their respective output transistors off faster than on. This nearly eliminates the surge of current from VCC to ground that occurs at transitions, keeping the power consumption low even with high output-toggle frequencies. In fact, the internal-frequency-dependent current drain is the equivalent of putting just 15pF on the output. The low surge current also helps keep the LT1720 well behaved in high speed applications. Internal Hysteresis The LT1720 includes internal hysteresis, eliminating the linear region where high speed comparators are most temperamental. The inputoutput transfer characteristic is illustrated in Figure 2, which shows the definitions of VOS and VHYST based upon the two measurable trip points. The 3.5mV (typical) hysteresis band makes the LT1720 well behaved, even with slowly moving inputs. The exact amount of hysteresis will vary from unit-to-unit; the LT1720 specifications include both upper and lower limits that are guaranteed over Linear Technology Magazine • November 1998 temperature. The hysteresis will also vary slightly with changes in supply voltage and common mode voltage. If a comparator is used to detect a threshold crossing in one direction only, only that trip point is significant. Therefore, a stable offset voltage with an unpredictable level of hysteresis, as seen in many competing comparators, is useless. The LT1720 is many times better than prior comparators in this regard. Figure 3 shows a typical LT1720’s input voltages vs supply voltages. The VOS shift is only 320µ V, corresponding to a typical PSRR of 80dB. Speed Limits The LT1720 comparators are intended for high speed applications, where it is important to understand a few limitations. These limitations can roughly be divided into three categories: input speed limits, output speed limits and internal speed limits. There are no significant input speed limits except the shunt capacitance of the input nodes. If the 2pF typical input nodes are driven, the LT1720 will respond. The output speed is constrained by the slew currents available from the output transistors. To maintain low power quiescent operation, the LT1720 output transistors are sized to deliver 25mA–45mA typical slew currents. This is sufficient to drive small capacitive loads and logic gate inputs at extremely high speeds. But the slew rate will slow dramatically VCC 2.7V–6V 1MHz–10MHz CRYSTAL (AT-CUT) 2k 220Ω 620Ω GROUND CASE + OUTPUT 1/2 LT1720 – 2k 0.1µF 1.8k Figure 4. Simple 1MHz–10MHz crystal oscillator 3 VTRIP+ VOS AND TRIP VOLTAGE (mV) VOUT DESIGN FEATURES 2 1 VOS 0 –1 –2 –3 2.5 VTRIP– TJ = 25°C VCM = 1V 3.0 5.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V) 5.5 6.0 1720 G01 Figure 3. The LT1720’s hysteresis is insensitive to supply-voltage variations. with heavy capacitive loads. Because the propagation delay (tPD) definition ends at the time the output voltage is halfway between the supplies, the fixed slew current actually makes the LT1720 faster at 3V than 5V with 20mV of input overdrive. The internal speed limits manifest themselves as dispersion. All comparators have some degree of dispersion, defined as a change in propagation delay vs input overdrive. The propagation delay of the LT1720 will vary with overdrive, from a typical of 4.5ns at 20mV overdrive to 7ns at 5mV overdrive (typical). The LT1720’s primary source of dispersion is the hysteresis stage. As a change of polarity arrives at the gain stage, the positive feedback of the hysteresis stage subtracts from the overdrive available. Only when enough time has elapsed for a signal to propagate forward through the gain stage, backwards through the hysteresis stage and forward through the gain stage again, will the output stage receive the same level of overdrive that it would have received in the absence of hysteresis. With 5mV of overdrive, the LT1720 is faster with a 5V supply than with a 3V supply, the opposite of what is true with 20mV overdrive. This is due to the internal speed limit, because the gain stage is faster at 5V than 3V due primarily to the reduced junction capacitances with higher reverse voltage bias. In many applications, as shown in the following examples, there is plenty of input overdrive. Even in applica11 DESIGN FEATURES VCC 2.7V–6V tions providing low levels of overdrive, the LT1720 is fast enough that the absolute dispersion of 2.5ns (= 7 – 4.5) is small enough to ignore. The gain and hysteresis stage of the LT1720 is simple, short and high speed to minimize dispersion. This internal “self-latch” can be usefully exploited in many applications because it occurs early in the signal chain, in a low power, fully differential stage. It is therefore highly immune to disturbances from other parts of the circuit, either in the same comparator, on the supply lines or from the other comparator in the same package. Once a high speed signal trips the hysteresis, the output will respond, after a fixed propagation delay, without regard to these external influences that can cause trouble in nonhysteretic comparators. 1MHz–10MHz CRYSTAL (AT-CUT) 2k 220Ω 620Ω GROUND CASE + C1 1/2 LT1720 OUTPUT – 100k 2k 0.1µF + A1 LT1636 1.8k 0.1µF – 1k 0.1µF 100k + C2 1/2 LT1720 OUTPUT – Figure 5. Crystal oscillator with complementary outputs and 50% duty cycle Applications Crystal Oscillators Figure 4 shows a simple crystal oscillator using one half of an LT1720. The 2k–620Ω resistor pair set a bias point at the comparator’s noninverting input. The 2k–1.8k–0.1µ F path sets the inverting input node at an appropriate DC average level based on the output. The crystal’s path provides resonant positive feedback and stable oscillation occurs. Although the LT1720 will give the correct logic output when one input is outside the common mode range, additional delays may occur when it is so operated, opening the possibility of spurious operating modes. Therefore, the DC bias voltages at the inputs are set near the center of the LT1720’s VCC 2.7V–6V 1MHz–10MHz CRYSTAL (AT-CUT) 2k 220Ω 620Ω + GROUND CASE C1 1/2 LT1720 OUTPUT 0 – OPTIONAL— SEE TEXT 100k 2k + A1 LT1636 1.3k 0.1µF – 0.1µF 1k 2.2k 0.1µF 100k + C2 1/2 LT1720 OUTPUT 1 – common mode range and the 220Ω resistor attenuates the feedback to the noninverting input. The circuit will operate with any AT -cut crystal from 1MHz to 10MHz over a 2.7V to 6V supply range. The output duty cycle for the circuit of Figure 4 is roughly 50% but it is affected by resistor tolerances and, to a lesser extent, by comparator offsets and timings. The circuit of Figure 5 creates a pair of complementary outputs with a forced 50% duty cycle. Crystals are narrow-band elements, so the feedback to the noninverting input is a filtered analog version of the square wave output. Changing the noninverting reference level can therefore vary the duty cycle. C1 operates as in the previous example, whereas C2 creates a complementary output by comparing the same two nodes with the opposite input polarity. A1 compares band-limited versions of the outputs and biases C1’s negative input. C1’s only degree of freedom to respond is variation of pulse width; hence the outputs are forced to 50% duty cycle. This circuit works well because of the two matched delays and rail-to-rail style outputs. Figure 6. Crystal-based nonoverlapping 10MHz clock generator 12 Linear Technology Magazine • November 1998 DESIGN FEATURES switching circuits requiring identical settling times. It cannot adjust the relative phases between the two outputs to be exactly 180° apart because the signal at the input node driven by the crystal is not an exact sinusoid. Q0 2V/DIV Q1 2V/DIV For a number of reasons, the LT1720 is an excellent choice for applications requiring differential timing skew. The two comparators in a single package are inherently well matched, with just 300ps ∆t PD typical. Monolithic construction keeps the delays well matched vs supply voltage and temperature. Crosstalk between the comparators, usually a disadvantage in monolithic duals, has minimal effect on the LT1720 timing due to the internal hysteresis, as discussed earlier. The circuits of Figure 8 show basic building blocks for differential timing skews. The 2.5k resistance interacts with the 2pF typical input capacitance to create at least ±4ns delay, controlled by the potentiometer setting. A differential and a single-ended version are shown. In the differential configuration, the output edges can be smoothly scrolled through ∆t = 0 with negligible interaction. AC errors than other semiconductorbased switching technologies. This circuit features 20dB of gain, 10MHz full power bandwidth and 100µ V/°C baseline uncertainty. Switching delay is less than 15ns and the minimum sampling window width for full power response is 30ns. The input waveform is presented to the diode bridge switch, the output of which feeds the LT1227 wideband amplifier. The LT1720 comparators, triggered by the sample command, generate phase-opposed outputs. These signals are level shifted by the transistors, providing complementary bipolar drive to switch the bridge. A skew compensation trim ensures bridge-drive signal simultaneity within 1ns. The AC balance corrects for parasitic capacitive bridge imbalances. A DC balance adjustment trims bridge offset. The trim sequence involves grounding the input via 50Ω and applying a 100kHz sample command. The DC balance is adjusted for minimal bridge ON vs OFF variation at the output. The skew compensation and AC balance adjustments are then optimized for minimum AC disturbance in the output. Finally, unground the input and the circuit is ready for use. Fast Waveform Sampler Coincidence Detector Figure 9 uses a diode-bridge-type switch for clean, fast waveform sampling. The diode bridge, because of its inherent symmetry, provides lower High speed comparators are especially suited for interfacing pulse-output transducers, such as particle detectors, to logic circuitry. The matched Timing Skews 10ns/DIV Figure 7, Nonoverlapping outputs of Figure 6’s circuit The circuit in Figure 6 shows a crystal oscillator circuit that generates two nonoverlapping clocks by making full use of the two independent comparators of the LT1720. C1 oscillates as before, but with a lower reference level, C2’s output will toggle at different times. The resistors set the degree of separation between the output’s high pulses. With the values shown, each output has a 44% high and 56% low duty cycle, sufficient to allow 2ns between the high pulses where both are at logic low. Figure 7 shows the two outputs. The optional A1 feedback network shown can be used to force identical output duty. Because the reference level set for C2 is lower than that set for C1, the steady state duty cycles will be 44% rather than 50%. Note, though, that the addition of this network only adjusts the percentage of time each output is high to be the same, which can be important in LT1720 CIN LT1720 + CIN INPUT – CIN DIFFERENTIAL ±4ns RELATIVE SKEW 2.5k INPUT – 2.5k CIN + CIN 0ns–4ns SINGLE-ENDED DELAY – CIN + – + CIN CIN VREF VREF Figure 8. Timing-skew generation is easy with the LT1720. Linear Technology Magazine • November 1998 13 DESIGN FEATURES 5V 2.2k 2.2k INPUT ±100mV FULL SCALE + OUTPUT ±1V FULL SCALE LT1227 1k – 909Ω 100Ω = 1N5711 = CA3039 DIODE ARRAY (SUBSTRATE TO –5V) AC BALANCE 3pF 5V 1.5k 3.6k 1.1k 1.1k 0.1µF + 1/2 LT1720 CIN – SAMPLE COMMAND 2k SKEW COMP 10pF 2.5k 1.1k 1.1k + 1/2 LT1720 – 2k MRF501 MRF501 CIN DC BALANCE 500Ω 11 820Ω 8 680Ω LM3045 6 9 10 13 820Ω 7 51Ω 51Ω –5V Figure 9. Fast waveform sampler using the LT1720 for timing-skew compensation delays of a monolithic dual are well suited for those cases where the coincidence of two pulses needs to be detected. The circuit of Figure 10 is a coincidence detector that uses an LT1720 and discrete components as a fast AND gate. The reference level is set to 1V, an arbitrary threshold. Only when both input signals exceed this will a coincidence be detected. The Schottky diodes from the comparator outputs to the base of the MRF-501 form the AND gate, while the other two 14 Schottkys provide for fast turn-off. A logic AND gate could instead be used, but would add considerably more delay than the 300psec contributed by this discrete stage. This circuit can detect coincident pulses as narrow as 2.5ns. For narrower pulses, the output will degrade gracefully, responding, but with narrow pulses that don’t rise all the way to high before starting to fall. The decision delay is 4.5ns with input signals 50mV or more above the reference level. This circuit creates a TTL compatible output but it can typically drive CMOS as well. Pulse Stretcher For detecting short pulses from a single sensor, a pulse stretcher is often required. The circuit of Figure 11 acts as a one-shot, stretching the width of an incoming pulse to a consistent 100ns. Unlike a logic one-shot, this LT1720-based circuit requires only 100pV-s of stimulus to trigger. The circuit works as follows: Comparator C1 functions as a threshold Linear Technology Magazine • November 1998 DESIGN FEATURES The new LT1720 dual 4.5ns singlesupply comparators feature high speeds and low power consumption. They are versatile and easy-to-use building blocks for a wide variety of system design challenges. 1 See Linear Technology Application Note 47, Appendix B. This circuit can detect the output of the pulse generator described after 40dB of attenuation. Authors can be contacted at (408) 432-1900 Linear Technology Magazine • November 1998 5V 300Ω + MRF501 (GROUND CASE LEAD) 1/2 LT1720 51Ω – 3.9k 5V OUTPUT 1k – 0.1µF 1/2 LT1720 + 4× 1N5711 300Ω 51Ω 300ps AND GATE COINCIDENCE COMPARATORS Figure 10. A 2.5ns coincidence detector 5V 0.01µF 15k – OUTPUT C1 1/2 LT1720 PULSE SOURCE + 50Ω 51Ω 100ns 24Ω 6.8k R 1k C 100pF 1N5711 C2 1/2 LT1720 + Conclusion 5V – detector, whereas comparator C2 is configured as a one-shot. The first comparator is prebiased with a threshold of 8mV to overcome comparator and system offsets and establish a low output in the absence of an input signal. An input pulse sends the output of C1 high, which in turn latches C2’s output high. The output of C2 is fed back to the input of the first comparator, causing regeneration and latching both outputs high. Timing capacitor C now begins charging through R and, at the end of 100ns, C2 resets low. The output of C1 also goes low, latching both outputs low. A new pulse at the input of C1 can now restart the process. Timing capacitor C can be increased without limit for longer output pulses. This circuit has an ultimate sensitivity of better than 14mV with 5ns–10ns input pulses. It can even detect an avalanche generated test pulse of just 1ns duration with sensitivity better than 100mV. 1 It can detect short events better than the coincidence detector above because the one-shot is configured to catch just 100mV of upward movement from C1’s VOL, whereas the coincidence detector’s 2.5ns specification is based on a full, legitimate logic high. 2k 2k 2k Figure 11. A 1ns pulse stretcher for the latest information on LTC products, visit www.linear-tech.com 15