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DESIGN APPLICATION NOTE --- AN035
Gain Block Active Bias Circuit
Abstract
Gain Block amplifiers (SGA,NGA,SNA,SCA series)
sometimes require power supply voltages very close
to the rated device voltage. This provides a
challenge to stabilize current with temperature and
device-to-device bias voltage variations. A cost
effective and power efficient solution to this problem
is discussed here.
Introduction
In order to obtain stable bias current and consistent RF performance using gain block amplifiers,
RFMD recommends that customers normally use a
dropping resistor in series with the power supply
voltage so that a minimum 2 Volt drop is maintained
across it. This circuit configuration is shown in Figure 1(a). To emphasize the temperature dependence of Vd, it is represented in the expression for
device current as Vd(T). Many customers who utilize our products in battery operated or other low
voltage applications find that they do not have a 2
Volt margin to spare. This problem can be addressed by utilizing a high compliance current
source.
Figure 1(b) shows a high-compliance constantcurrent generator used as an active bias source.By
appropriate component selection, this circuit will
provide precise constant current bias for AR1 for
maximum AR1 device voltages of 92% Vs . DC
Preliminary
regulation power efficiency can reach 90 %.
Design / Performance Summary
The SGA-5589 was selected as the target device
around which the design example shown on Page
2 was centered. The goal is to bias the SGA-5589
with a constant current at it’s rated value of 60 mA
over temperature (-40C to +85C) using only a single
5 Volt supply.
(a)
(b)
Figure 1 : (a) Standard Gain Block Passive Bias Circuit
(b) High Compliance Current Source Active Bias Circuit
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable at press time.RFMD assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions.RFMD assumes no responsibility for
the use of this information, and all such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described
herein are implied or granted to any third party.RFMD does not authorize or warrant anyRFMD product for use in life-support devices and/or systems.
Copyright 2002 RFMD All worldwide rights reserved.
522 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (800) SMI-MMIC
1
http://www.RFMD.com
EAN-101941 Rev B
DESIGN APPLICATION NOTE --- AN035
Gain Block Active Bias Circuit
Design Example
The goal in the remaining pages is to demonstrate
the procedure for tailoring the circuit in Figure 1(b)
to suit the needs of a particular amplifier and show
the component selection techniques. In this case,
the SGA-5589 has been selected and the goal is
to design the high compliance current source to
work from a power supply source of +5 Volts and
to provide constant current bias over temperature
and over a distribution of device voltage values,
typical of a production lot.
Procedure
The datasheet for the SGA-5589 indicates that a
nominal bias current of 60 mA is required in order
to achieve the specified RF performance. We also
see that the typical device voltage at room
temperature required for 60 mA bias current is
3.9 Volts. On page 7, a typical histogram of device
voltage for this part at room temperature is shown.
The datasheet for this device states that the
allowable device voltage range @25C is 3.5 to
4.3 Volts. From the sample histogram shown, a
few devices in this wafer were
above the 4.3 Volt upper limit and some were just
barely within it. It is therefore desirable to design
the active bias circuit to supply room temperature
device voltages of at least the 4.3 Volt upper limit.
An additional constraint on devicePreliminary
voltage is temperature variation @ 60 mA, shown also on page
7. The graph shown was taken from a sample
device and indicates an average Vd temperature
coefficient of about -4.1 mV/ Deg. C. over the
-40C to +85C temprature range. From +25C to
-40C , we see an increase of 300 milliVolts in Vd.
Since we can assume that the temperature characteristic is fairly constant from device to device,
an amplifier with a Vd @+25 Deg. C which falls
precisely at 4.3 Volts should rise to about 4.6 Volts
at -40 Deg. C. This should be the worst case load
voltage experienced by the constant current
source over temperature. This means that the
value for Vref (defined in Figures 1(b) and 2) needs
to be 4.6 Volts plus an allowance for the VCE saturation voltage of control transistor Q1. Obviously,
this number should be as low as possible. Many
devices can be used here, but the device chosen
Table of Component Values
Ref. Desig.
Description
Value
R2,R4
Resistor,
1%,1/8W
1 KW
R1
Resistor,
1%,1/8W
4.99 KW
R3
Resistor,
1%,1/8W
4.64 KW
Rref1
Resistor,
5%,1/8W
5.1 W
Rref2
Resistor,
5%,1/8W
91 W
Vs
Supply Voltage
+ 5.00 Volts
U1
Operational
Amplifier
LMC 7111
Q1
Transistor, PNP FMMT-717
Figure 2 : Test Circuit for High Compliance Current Source
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable at press time.RFMD assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions.RFMD assumes no responsibility for
the use of this information, and all such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described
herein are implied or granted to any third party.RFMD does not authorize or warrant anyRFMD product for use in life-support devices and/or systems.
Copyright 2002 RFMD. All worldwide rights reserved.
522 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (800) SMI-MMIC
2
http://www.RFMD.com
EAN-101941 Rev B
DESIGN APPLICATION NOTE --- AN035
Gain Block Active Bias Circuit
Design Example (continued)
for this experiment was a ZETEX FMMT-717
PNP transistor. VCEsat (max) for this device is
specified at -0.17V @ 1500 mA. At a current of
60 mA., VCE sat should be about (.06 /1.5)(-.17)
= -.0068 volt. The required value of Vref can therefore be estimated at 4.6 + .01 = 4.61 volts. This
means that maximum load voltage will coincide
with saturation of Q1 at a temperature of about 40 Deg. C. To add a little extra margin, we will
select vref = 4.71 volts.
Vref = Vdmax@25C + DVd(T) + VCE(sat) +
Vmargin = 4.3+0.3+0.01+0.1 = 4.71 Volts
The value of Vref will be determined by selecting
the appropriate gain control resistor values for operational amplifier U1. The component value table
on Page 2 shows the resistor values (R1-R4) required to set Vref at 4.71 volts with a supply voltage of 5.00 volts. U1 must be a single supply,
rail-to-rail op amp with low power consumption
compared to the SGA-5589 and low input offset
voltage. The device used here was an LMC7111
from National Semiconductor. The accuracy of
Vref is important because of the small difference
between it and Vs. Any error in voltage accuracy
is passed on to the generated source current.This
is also why 1% resistors were used for R1-R4.
The value of Rref can now be determined as :
Rref = (Vs-Vref)/Id = (5-4.71)/.06 = 4.83 Ohms.
This value was implemented by using 5.1 and
91 Ohms in parallel (Rref1 and Rref2 in Figure
2). It is acceptable to use 5% resistors in these
slots. The complete list of components is shown
in the table on Page 2. Note that in this design
the value of Vref is directly proportional to Vs. This
means that the current sourced to the load will be
directly proportional to Vs also.
The results of variable load resistance testing for
the circuit of Figure 2 are shown graphically on
page 5. D.C. load voltage and D.C. regulation
efficiency are plotted as functions of load resistance. Note that the maximum load voltage limits
Preliminary
at above 4.6 Volts, as predicted. Also,
the D.C.
regulation efficiency peaks at about 90 % for the
same load. Operating the current source near the
high end of it’s load voltage capacity therefore
results in higher efficiency.
Sheet 5 shows test results of a complete SGA5589 amplifier circuit biased with the high compliance current source. The gain vs. frequency
response delivered by the circuit is shown and
the circuit is performing as expected.
Conclusions
In this application note, we have presented a design for a single supply, high compliance constant
current source that will allow operation of the SGA5589 to within about 350 mV of the 5 Volt supply
rail with a constant current of 60 mA. It should be
recognized however that the reference voltage
could be set even closer to the power supply rail,
simply by proper selection of resistor values using the process described above. The limiting factor will be the saturation characteristics of the bias
transistor Q1, the accuracy to which very low values of Rref can be adjusted and the degree of
resolution to which resistors R1 - R4 can set the
value of Vref. In addition, this basic circuit can be
easily modified to supply the required bias current for any gain block amplifier offered byRFMD.
Please refer to page 4 for a condensed design
procedure which can be used with
this circuit to provide the correct constant current
bias to any of our gain blocks.
RFMD
is pleased to offer this application
note as a design aid for our customers and we
hope that they may find it beneficial.
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable at press time.RFMD assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions.RFMD assumes no responsibility for
the use of this information, and all such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described
herein are implied or granted to any third party.RFMD does not authorize or warrant anyRFMD product for use in life-support devices and/or systems.
Copyright 2002 RFMD. All worldwide rights reserved.
522 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (800) SMI-MMIC
3
http://www.RFMD.com
EAN-101941 Rev B
DESIGN APPLICATION NOTE --- AN035
Gain Block Active Bias Circuit
General Design Procedure for Adaptation of Constant Current Source to any Gain Block Amplifier.
1.0
Select an amplifier and power supply voltage (Vs) such that the power supply voltage is greater
than the maximum device voltage over temperature for all production lots (Vd max) of the amplifier
required for nominal bias current (Ib) by at least 200 millivolts.
Preliminary
2.0
From the amplifier specifications, determine the nominal bias current . Select a value of Vref
such that Vs - 0.1Volt => Vref >= Vd max + 0.1Volt. Calculate the required value of Rref from the
following formula:
Rref = (Vs-Vref) / Ib
3.0
Calculate the values of R1 - R4 to select the gain of operational amplifier U1 so as to generate the
desired value for Vref. Use the following formula:
Vref = (Vs)(1+R3 / R4)(R2 / (R1+R2))
NOTE: It is good practice to make sure that the following relationship holds approximately for
R1-R4 :
(R1)(R2)/(R1+R2) = (R3)(R4)/(R3+R4)
This will ensure minimum input offset error in op amp U1. Values for R1-R4 should also be
within about the 1K to 20K range.
4.0
Use Cd1 and Cd2 values similar to those specified on sheet 6. WARNING: Do not connect
decoupling capacitors directly between the emitter of Q1 and ground, as this may destabilize Q1. Also,
avoid adding decoupling capacitors directly between the inverting input of U1 and ground.
NOTE: The above instructions presume the use of the LMC7111 for U1 and the FMMT-717 for
Q1, or equivalents.
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable at press time.RFMD assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions.RFMD assumes no responsibility for
the use of this information, and all such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described
herein are implied or granted to any third party.RFMD does not authorize or warrant anyRFMD product for use in life-support devices and/or systems.
Copyright 2002 RFMD. All worldwide rights reserved.
522 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (800) SMI-MMIC
4
http://www.RFMD.com
EAN-101941 Rev B
DESIGN APPLICATION NOTE --- AN035
Gain Block Active Bias Circuit
Plot of DC Load Current and % D C E fficiency vs. Load
Resistance for High Compliance Current Source, Vs=+5.00
Volts, Vref = 4.71 Volts,Rref = 4.83 Ohms
100
Preliminary
0.09
90
0.08
80
0.07
70
Iload
0.06
DC Efficiency (%)
Load Current (amps)
0.1
60
0.05
50
0.04
40
%DC Eff.
0.03
30
0.02
20
0.01
10
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Load Resistance (Ohms)
70
80
90
0
100
Plot of DC Load Current and DC Load Voltage vs. Load
Resistance for High Compliance Current Source, Vs=+5.00
Volts,Vref= 4.71 Volts, Rref = 4.83 Ohms
Load Current (amps)
0.09
9
0.08
8
0.07
7
Iload
0.06
6
0.05
5
0.04
4
0.03
3
V load
0.02
2
Load Voltage (DC Volts)
10
0.1
1
0.01
0
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Load Resistance (Ohms)
70
80
90
100
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable at press time.RFMD assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions.RFMD assumes no responsibility for
the use of this information, and all such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described
herein are implied or granted to any third party.RFMD does not authorize or warrant anyRFMD product for use in life-support devices and/or systems.
Copyright 2002 RFMD. All worldwide rights reserved.
522 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (800) SMI-MMIC
5
http://www.RFMD.com
EAN-101941 Rev B
DESIGN APPLICATION NOTE --- AN035
Gain Block Active Bias Circuit
Design Example Experimental Results for CCS interface to actual SGA-5589 Amplifier Circuit
In schematic at left, Lb =1.5 uH. Cc1,2 =.01
uF. Cd1= 1 uF tantalum Cd2 =Preliminary
2x .01 uF
(ceramic chip) +1x22uF tantalum. The dc
conditions per schematic at left were measured per the table below.
Parameter
Value
Vb
(d.c. Volts)
3.948
Vd
(d.c. Volts)
3.826
Id
(dc mA).
60
Plot of Gain vs. Frequency SGA-5589 Amplifier biased w. High
Compliance Constant Current Source.
30
Gain (dB)
28
26
24
22
20
0
200
400
600
Frequency (MHz)
800
1000
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable at press time.RFMD assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions.RFMD assumes no responsibility for
the use of this information, and all such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described
herein are implied or granted to any third party.RFMD does not authorize or warrant anyRFMD product for use in life-support devices and/or systems.
Copyright 2002 RFMD. All worldwide rights reserved.
522 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (800) SMI-MMIC
6
http://www.RFMD.com
EAN-101941 Rev B
DESIGN APPLICATION NOTE --- AN035
Gain Block Active Bias Circuit
Typical SGA-5589 Device Voltage Histogram
for Id = 60 mA @ T = +25C
6000
Preliminary
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
3.5
3.55
3.6
3.65
3.7
3.75
3.8
3.85
3.9
3.95
4
4.05
4.1
4.15
4.2
4.25
4.3
More
Device Voltage Bin (Volts)
Sample Device Voltage vs. Temperature for
SGA-5589, Id = 60 mA
4.2
4.1
Vd (dc Volts)
Frequency of Occurance
5000
4
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
-50
-25
0
25
50
Temperature (Deg.C)
75
100
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable at press time.RFMD assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions.RFMD assumes no responsibility for
the use of this information, and all such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described
herein are implied or granted to any third party.RFMD does not authorize or warrant anyRFMD product for use in life-support devices and/or systems.
Copyright 2002 RFMD. All worldwide rights reserved.
522 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (800) SMI-MMIC
7
http://www.RFMD.com
EAN-101941 Rev B