INTERSIL AN6077

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ENT
DED REPLACEM
Note
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al
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In 1969, the first triple operational transconductance
amplifier or OTA was introduced. The wide acceptance of
this new circuit concept prompted the development of the
single, highly linear operational transconductance amplifier,
the CA3080. Because of its extremely linear
transconductance characteristics with respect to amplifier
bias current, the CA3080 gained wide acceptance as a gain
control block. The CA3094 improved on the performance of
the CA3080 through the addition of a pair of transistors;
these transistors extended the current carrying capability to
300mA, peak. This new device, the CA3094, is useful in an
extremely broad range of circuits in consumer and industrial
applications; this paper describes only a few of the many
consumer applications.
October 2000
AN6077.3
7
V+
Y
Z
OUTPUT
INVERTING
INPUT
AMPLIFIER
BIAS
CURRENT
2
Q1 Q2
5
W
3
NON-INVERTING
INPUT
6
X
IABC
4
V-
FIGURE 2. CURRENT MIRRORS W, X, Y AND Z USED IN
THE OTA
What Is an OTA?
The OTA, operational transconductance amplifier, concept is
as basic as the transistor; once understood, it will broaden the
designer's horizons to new boundaries and make realizable
designs that were previously unobtainable. Figure 1 shows an
equivalent diagram of the OTA. The differential input circuit is
the same as that found on many modern operational
amplifiers. The remainder of the OTA is composed of current
mirrors as shown in Figure 2. The geometry of these mirrors is
such that the current gain is unity. Thus, by highly
degenerating the current mirrors, the output current is
precisely defined by the differential input amplifier. Figure 3
shows the output current transfer characteristic of the
amplifier. The shape of this characteristic remains constant
and is independent of supply voltage. Only the maximum
current is modified by the bias current.
7
2
V+
-
OTA
RIN
2RO
ein
gm ein
6
IOUT = gm (±ein)
2RO
3
+
gm = 19.2 • IABC
(mS)
(mA)
4 V-
RO ≈ 7.5/IABC
(MΩ)
(mA)
±IOUT ≈ IABC
Max (mA)
(mA)
5 IABC
1.0
NORMALIZED OUTPUT CURRENT AND
DEVIATION FROM STRAIGHT LINE
[ /Title
(AN60
77)
/Subject
(An IC
Operational
Transc
onductance
Amplifier
(OTA)
With
Power
Capability)
/Autho
r ()
/Keywords
(Intersil
Corporation,
power
switch,
power
amplifier,
programmable
power
switch)
/Creator ()
An IC Operational Transconductance Amplifier
(OTA) With Power Capability
CT
SOLETE PRODU
DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER
TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1.0
-150
-100
-50
0
50
∆Vbe (mV)
100
150
FIGURE 3. THE OUTPUT CURRENT TRANSFER
CHARACTERISTIC OF THE OTA IS THE SAME AS
THAT OF AN IDEALIZED DIFFERENTIAL
AMPLIFIER
The major controlling factor in the OTA is the input amplifier
bias current IABC; as explained in Figure 1, the total output
current and gm are controlled by this current. In addition, the
input bias current, input resistance, total supply current, and
output resistance are all proportional to this amplifier bias
current. These factors provide the key to the performance of
this most flexible device, an idealized differential amplifier,
i.e., a circuit in which differential input to single ended output
conversion can be realized. With this knowledge of the
basics of the OTA, it is possible to explore some of the
applications of the device.
FIGURE 1. EQUIVALENT DIAGRAM OF THE OTA
DC Gain Control
The methods of providing DC gain control functions are
numerous. Each has its advantage: simplicity, low cost, high
level control, low distortion. Many manufacturers who have
nothing better to offer propose the use of a four quadrant
4-1
1-888-INTERSIL or 321-724-7143 | Copyright
© Intersil Corporation 2000
Application Note 6077
+6V
VX
SIGNAL
INPUT
7
51
51
2
OTA
CA3080A
3
+
6
IO
7
DIODE CURRENT = 0mA
6
5
100
4
IABC
CA3080A
S/N RATIO
500µA
80
3
60
10µA
2
S/N RATIO (dB)
The OTA, while providing excellent linear amplifier
characteristics, does provide a simple means of gain control.
For this application the OTA may be considered the
realization of the ideal differential amplifier in which the full
differential amplifier gm is converted to a single ended
output. Because the differential amplifier is ideal, its gm is
directly proportional to the operating current of the
differential amplifier; in the OTA the maximum output current
is equal to the amplifier bias current IABC. Thus, by varying
the amplifier bias current, the amplifier gain may be varied:
A = gm RL where RL is the output load resistance. Figure 4
shows the basic configuration of the OTA DC gain control
circuit.
the improvement in linearity of the transfer characteristic.
Reduced input impedance does result from this shunt
connection. Similar techniques could be used on the OTA
output, but then the output signal would be reduced and the
correction circuitry further removed from the source of non
linearity. It must be emphasized that the input circuitry is
differential.
THD (PERCENT)
multiplier. This is analogous to using an elephant to carry a
twig. It may be elegant but it takes a lot to keep it going!
When operated in the gain control mode, one input of the
standard transconductance multiplier is offset so that only
one half of the differential input is used; thus, one half of the
multiplier is being thrown away.
40
1
20
THD
0
0.1
IO = gm VX
AMPLITUDE
MODULATED
OUTPUT
0
1.0
10
100
1.0V
INPUT VOLTAGE (mV)
FIGURE 5A.
7
DIODE CURRENT = 0.5mA
10K
6
4
5
GAIN
CONTROL
100
IABC
CA3080A
S/N RATIO
500µA
4
3
60
10µA
2
FIGURE 4. BASIC CONFIGURATION OF THE OTA DC GAIN
CONTROL CIRCUIT
The actual performance of the circuit shown in Figure 4 is
plotted in Figure 5. Both signal to noise ratio and total
harmonic distortion are shown as a function of signal input.
Figures 5B and 5C show how the signal handling capability of
the circuit is extended through the connection of diodes on
the input as shown in Figure 6 [2]. Figure 7 shows total
system gain as a function of amplifier bias current for several
values of diode current. Figure 8 shows an oscilloscope
reproduction of the CA3080 transfer characteristic as applied
to the circuit of Figure 4. The oscilloscope reproduction of
Figure 9 was obtained with the circuit shown in Figure 6. Note
4-2
40
THD
1
20
0
0
1
10
100
1V
10V
INPUT VOLTAGE (mV)
FIGURE 5B.
7
DIODE CURRENT = 1mA
6
5
THD (PERCENT)
As long as the differential input signal to the OTA remains
under 50mV peak-to-peak, the deviation from a linear
transfer will remain under 5 percent. Of course, the total
harmonic distortion will be considerably less than this value.
Signal excursions beyond this point only result in an
undesired “compressed” output. The reason for this
compression can be seen in the transfer characteristic of the
differential amplifier in Figure 3. Also shown in Figure 3 is a
curve depicting the departure from a linear line of this
transfer characteristic.
80
S/N RATIO (dB)
RM
5
100
4
80
500µA
60
3
2
1
IABC
CA3080A
S/N
RATIO
10µA
40
S/N RATIO (dB)
VM
THD (PERCENT)
-6V
IABC
THD
20
0
0
DISTORTION IS PRIMARILY
A FUNCTION OF SIGNAL INPUT
1V
100
1
10
INPUT VOLTAGE (mV)
10V
FIGURE 5C.
FIGURE 5. PERFORMANCE CURVES FOR THE CIRCUIT OF
FIGURES 4 AND 6
Application Note 6077
100
2K
51
2
1
3
8
6
+
14
9 12
DIODE
CURRENT
0.5mA
1mA
10K
7
11
100µA
10
6
3
5
2K
EO
CA3080A
4
0mA
10µA
2
GAIN
EIN
1.0
DIODE
CURRENT
13
0.1
V0.01
Transistors from CA3046 array.
AGC System with extended input range.
FIGURE 6. A CIRCUIT SHOWING HOW THE SIGNAL
HANDLING CAPABILITY OF THE CIRCUIT OF
FIGURE 4 CAN BE EXTENDED THROUGH THE
CONNECTION OF DIODES ON THE INPUT
Horizontal: 25mV/Div. Vertical: 50µA/Div., IABC = 100µA
FIGURE 8. CA3080 TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC FOR THE
CIRCUIT OF FIGURE 4
0
100
200
300
400
IABC (µA)
500
FIGURE 7. TOTAL SYSTEM GAIN vs AMPLIFIER BIAS
CURRENT FOR SEVERAL VALUES OF DIODE
CURRENT
Horizontal: 0.5V/Div. Vertical: 50µA/Div., IABC = 100µA,
Diode Current = 1mA
FIGURE 9. CA3080 TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC FOR THE
CIRCUIT OF FIGURE 6
Simplified Differential Input to Single Ended
Output Conversion
One of the more exacting configurations for operational
amplifiers is the differential to single-ended conversion
circuit. Figure 10 shows some of the basic circuits that are
usually employed. The ratios of the resistors must be
precisely matched to assure the desired common mode
rejection. Figure 11 shows another system using the
CA3080 to obtain this conversion without the use of
precision resistors. Differential input signals must be kept
under 126mV for better than 5 percent nonlinearity. The
4-3
common mode range is that of the CA3080 differential
amplifier. In addition, the gain characteristic follows the
standard differential amplifier gm temperature coefficient of
-0.3%/oC. Although the system of Figure 11 does not
provide the precise gain control obtained with the standard
operational amplifier approach, it does provide a good
simple compromise suitable for many differential transducer
amplifier applications.
Application Note 6077
The CA3094
R2
R1
+
DIFFERENTIAL
INPUT
R3
OUTPUT
R1
R
= 3
R2
R4
R4
R4
+
-
R5
R1
DIFFERENTIAL
INPUT
+
R2
OUTPUT
R1 = R3
R3
+
R4
R6
R5
R7
=
R6
R7
+
-
Implicit Tone Controls
R1
DIFFERENTIAL
INPUT
R3
R2
R1
R2
=
R4
R3
R4
+
OUTPUT
FIGURE 10. SOME TYPICAL DIFFERENTIAL TO SINGLE
ENDED CONVERSION CIRCUITS
+V
IABC
500µA
5
2K
7
3
DIFFERENTIAL
INPUT
+
6
CA3080
2K
2
The CA3094 offers a unique combination of characteristics
that suit it ideally for use as a programmable gain block for
audio power amplifiers. It is a transconductance amplifier in
which gain and open-loop bandwidth can be controlled
between wide limits. The device has a large reserve of
output-current capability, and breakdown and power dissipation
ratings sufficiently high to allow it to drive a complementary
pair of transistors. For example, a 12W power amplifier stage
(8Ω load) can be driven with peak currents of 35mA
(assuming a minimum output transistor beta of 50) and
supply voltages of ±18V. In this application, the CA3094A is
operated substantially below its supply voltage rating of 44V
max. and its dissipation rating of 1.6W max. Also in this
application, a high value of open-loop gain suggests the
possibility of precise adjustment of frequency response
characteristics by adjustment of impedances in the feedback
networks.
-
4
OUTPUT
RL
10K
V-
A = gm RL at 500µA, IABC:
gm ≈ 10mS.
∴ A = 10mS x 10K = 100.
FIGURE 11. A DIFFERENTIAL TO SINGLE ENDED
CONVERSION CIRCUIT WITHOUT PRECISION
RESISTORS
4-4
In addition to low distortion, the large amount of loop gain
and flexibility of feedback arrangements available when
using the CA3094 make it possible to incorporate the tone
controls into the feedback network that surrounds the entire
amplifier system. Consider the gain requirements of a
phonograph playback system that uses a typical high quality
magnetic cartridge[3]. A desirable system gain would result
in from 2W to 5W of output at a recorded velocity of 1cm/s.
Magnetic pickups have outputs typically ranging from 4mV to
10mV at 5cm/s. To get the desired output, the total system
needs about 72dB of voltage gain at the reference
frequency.
Figure 12 is a block diagram of a system that uses a passive or
“losser” type of tone control circuit that is inserted ahead of the
gain control. Figure 13 shows a system in which the tone
controls are implicit in the feedback circuits of the power
amplifier. Both systems assume the same noise input voltage
at the equalizer and main-amplifier inputs. The feedback
system shows a small improvement (3.8dB) in signal-to-noise
ratio at maximum gain but a dramatic improvement (20dB) at
the zero gain position. For purposes of comparison, the
assumption is made that the tone controls are set “flat” in both
cases.
Cost Advantages
In addition to the savings resulting from reduced parts count
and circuit size, the use of the CA3094 leads to further
savings in the power supply system. Typical values of power
supply rejection and common-mode rejection are 90dB and
100dB, respectively. An amplifier with 40dB of gain and 90dB
of power supply rejection would require 316mV of power
supply ripple to produce 1mV of hum at the output. Thus, no
further filtering is required other than that given by the energy
storage capacitor at the output of the rectifier system.
Application Note 6077
ESIG = 40mV
ESIG = 4mV
ESIG = 4mV
EO = 4V
ATOTAL = 60dB
EQUALIZER
AREF = 32dB
EN AT INPUT = 1 x 10-6
PICKUP
ESIG =1mV
TONE
CONTROLS
-20dB
EN = 40 x 10-6
VOLUME
CONTROLS
EN = 4 x 10-6
BUFFER STAGE
EN AT INPUT = 5 x 10-6
EN = 4 x 10-6
EO
4
POWER
AMP
8Ω
SPEAKER
EN = 6.23 x 10-3
= 640 AT MAX VOL
6.23 x 10-3
EN
EN = 4mV AT MIN VOL
TOTAL GAIN = 72dB
=
FIGURE 12. BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A SYSTEM USING A “LOSSER” TYPE TONE CONTROL CIRCUIT
ESIG = 40mV
EO = 4V
ESIG = 40mV
ATOTAL = 60dB
EQUALIZER
AREF = 32dB
EN AT INPUT = 1 x 10-6
PICKUP
ESIG =1mV
AMPLIFIER WITH FEEDBACK TONE CONTROLS
EN = 5 x 10-6
VOLUME
CONTROLS
EN = 40 x 10-6
EN = 40 x 10-6
EO
EN
4
=
EN = 4.03 x 10-3
4.03 x 10-3
= 990 AT MAX VOL
EN = 0.5mV AT MIN VOL
FIGURE 13. A SYSTEM IN WHICH TONE CONTROLS ARE IMPLICIT IN THE FEEDBACK CIRCUIT OF THE POWER AMPLIFIER
Power Amplifier Using the CA3094
A complete power amplifier using the CA3094 and three
additional transistors is shown schematically in Figure 14.
The amplifier is shown in a single-channel configuration, but
power supply values are designed to support a minimum of
two channels. The output section comprises Q1 and Q2,
complementary epitaxial units connected in the familiar
“bootstrap” arrangement. Capacitor C3 provides added base
drive for Q1 during positive excursions of the output. The
circuit can be operated from a single power supply as well as
from a split supply as shown in Figure 15. The changes
required for 14.4V operation with a 3.2Ω speaker are also
indicated in the diagram.
The amplifier may also be modified to accept input from
ceramic phonograph cartridges. For standard inputs
(equalizer preamplifiers, tuners, etc.) C1 is 0.047µF, R1 is
250kΩ, and R2 and C2 are omitted. For ceramic-cartridge
inputs, C1 is 0.0047µF, R1 is 2.5MΩ, and the jumper across
C2 is removed.
Output Biasing
Instead of the usual two-diode arrangement for establishing
idling currents in Q1 and Q2, a “Vbe Multiplier”, transistor Q3, is
used. This method of biasing establishes the voltage between
the base of Q1 and the base of Q2 at a constant multiple of the
base to emitter voltage of a single transistor while maintaining a
low variational impedance between its collector and emitter
(see Appendix A). If transistor Q3 is mounted in intimate
thermal contact with the output units, the operating temperature
of the heat sink forces the Vbe of Q3 up and down inversely
with heat-sink temperature. The voltage bias between the
bases of Q1 and Q2 varies inversely with heat sink temperature
and tends to keep the idling current in Q1 and Q2 constant.
4-5
A bias arrangement that can be accomplished at lower cost
than those already described replaces the Vbe multiplier with a
1N5391 diode in series with an 8.2Ω resistor. This arrangement
does not provide the degree of bias stability of the Vbe
multiplier, but is adequate for many applications.
Tone-Controls
The tone controls, the essential elements of the feedback
system, are located in two sets of parallel paths. The bass
network includes R3, R4, R5, C4, and C5. C6 blocks the DC
from the feedback network so that the DC gain from input to the
feedback takeoff point is unity. The residual DC output voltage
at the speaker terminals is then
 R 11 + R 12
 R 1 --------------------------- I ABC
R 12 

where R1 is the source resistance. The input bias current is
then
I ABC
( V CC – V BE )
------------- = – ---------------------------------2β
2βR 6
The treble network consists of R7, R8, R9, R10, C7, C8, C9,
and C10. Resistors R7 and R9 limit the maximum available cut
and boost, respectively. The boost limit is useful in curtailing
heating due to finite turn-off time in the output units. The limit is
also desirable when there are tape recorders nearby. The cut
limit aids the stability of the amplifier by cutting the loop gain at
higher frequencies where phase shifts become significant.
In cases in which absolute stability under all load conditions is
required, it may be necessary to insert a small inductor in the
output lead to isolate the circuit from capacitive loads. A 3µH
inductor (1A) in parallel with a 22Ω resistor is adequate. The
derivation of circuit constants is shown in Appendix B. Curves
of control action versus electrical rotation are also given.
Application Note 6077
“BOOST” R20
(CW) 15K
0.12µF
R9
68Ω
C7
R7
“CUT”
(CCW) 0.01µF 820Ω
T1
+
C9
220Ω
1W
0.001µF
+
220Ω
1W
0.001µF
-
5µF
+
D3
Q1
2N6292
30Ω
C1
7
-
D4
R11
330Ω
Q2
2N6107
8
+
3
0.47Ω
27Ω
CA3094
4700
µF
Q3
2N6292
1
2
+
0.47Ω
3pF
ES
R1
120V AC
D2
C3
15µF
5600Ω
120V AC TO
26.8VCT AT 1A
D1
4700µF
-
R8
TREBLE
1800Ω
C8
R12
47Ω
6
R2
1.8MΩ
4
5
1Ω
R6
680K
0.47
µF
C5
0.2µF
C6
25µF
-
BASS
“BOOST” R4
(CW) 100K
C4
0.02µF
“CUT”
(CCW)
C2
0.47µF
R3
10K
JUMPER
FIGURE 14. A COMPLETE POWER AMPLIFIER USING THE CA3094 AND THREE ADDITIONAL TRANSISTORS
+36V
VCC
220K
5%
0.12µF
R5
1.2M
TREBLE
15K
68
R1
220Ω
1W +
5.6K
5µF
820
0.001µF
R3
30Ω
5
0.22µF
220K
220K
5%
6
3
4
0.02µF
100K
BASS
10K
Q1
2N6292
0.47Ω
Q3
2N6292
1500µF
+ 330
Ω
0.47Ω
Q2
2N6107
1
0.2µF
1K
8
CA3094
25µF
1/2VCC
25µF
1/2VCC
- +
R4
27Ω
7
2
100K
-
R2 15µF
220Ω
1W
0.01µF
1.8K
+
+
R5
1K
+
C10
1Ω
47Ω
0.47µF
3pF
47K
FIGURE 15. A POWER AMPLIFIER OPERATED FROM A SINGLE SUPPLY
4-6
Application Note 6077
Performance
60
TREBLE BOOST
BASS BOOST
55
50
EO /ES (dB)
45
FLAT
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
60Hz
0.8
60Hz
0.6
2kHz
7kHz
60Hz
12kHz
2
4
0.4
0.2
0
40
6
8
10
12
14
OUTPUT POWER (W)
35
30
FIGURE 18. IM DISTORTION OF THE AMPLIFIER WITH AN
UNREGULATED SUPPLY
25
TREBLE CUT
20
Companion RlAA Preamplifier
BASS CUT
15
10
2
10
3 68
2
100
3 68
2
1000
3 68
2
10K
3 68
100K
FREQUENCY (Hz)
FIGURE 16. THE MEASURED RESPONSE OF THE AMPLIFIER
AT EXTREMES OF TONE CONTROL ROTATION
1.0
26kHz
1kHz
0.9
2kHz
16kHz
0.8
0.7
0.6
4kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION (%)
INTERMODULATION DISTORTION (%)
2.0
Figure 16 is a plot of the measured response of the complete
amplifier at the extremes of tone control rotation. A
comparison of Figure 16 with the computed curves of Figure
B4 (Appendix B) shows good agreement. The total harmonic
distortion of the amplifier with an unregulated power supply is
shown in Figure 17; IM distortion is plotted in Figure 18. Hum
and noise are typically 700µV at the output, or 83dB down.
0.5
0.4
0.3
26kHz
0.2
16kHz
1kHz
0.1
4kHz
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
OUTPUT POWER (W)
FIGURE 17. TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION OF THE
AMPLIFIER WITH AN UNREGULATED POWER
SUPPLY
4-7
Many available preamplifiers are capable of providing the
drive for the power amplifier of Figure 14. Yet the unique
characteristics of the amplifier, its power supply, input
impedance, and gain make possible the design of an RIAA
preamplifier that can exploit these qualities. Since the input
impedance of the amplifier is essentially equal to the value of
the volume control resistance (250kΩ), the preamplifier need
not have high output current capability. Because the gain of
the power amplifier is high (40dB) the preamplifier gain only
has to be approximately 30dB at the reference frequency
(1kHz) to provide optimum system gain.
Figure 19 shows the schematic diagram of a CA3080
preamplifier. The CA3080, a low cost OTA, provides sufficient
open-loop gain for all the bass boost necessary in RIAA
compensation. For example, a gm of 10mS with a load
resistance of 250kΩ provides an open-loop gain of 68dB,
thus allowing at least 18dB of loop gain at the lowest
frequency. The CA3080 can be operated from the same
power supply as the main amplifier with only minimal
decoupling because of the high power supply rejection
inherent in the device circuitry. In addition, the high voltage
swing capability at the output enables the CA3080
preamplifier to handle badly over modulated (over-cut)
recordings without overloading. The accuracy of equalization
is within ±1dB of the RIAA curve, and distortion is virtually
immeasurable by classical methods. Overload occurs at an
output of 7.5V, which allows for undistorted inputs of up to
186mV (260mV peak).
Application Note 6077
The derivative of Equation A1 with respect to I yields the
incremental impedance of the Vbe multiplier:
120K
V+
5.6K
R1
dE 1
K3 R2
BR 1
---------- = Z = ------------- + 1 + -------------------------------------------------dI
β+1
( β + 1 )R 2 R 2 I e + K 3
0.002µF 680pF
1.5M
6
CA3080
1µF
EOUT
+
3
ES
50µF
-
-
2
5µF
+
7
3.9K
(EQ. A3)
4
where K3 is a constant of the transistor Q1 and can be found
from:
V be = K 3 lnI e – K 2
56K
(EQ. A4)
5
56K
Equation A4 is but another form of the diode equation:
5.6K
V-
120K
Ie = IS e
0.002µF 680pF
1.5M
7
3.9K
+
2
-
3
+
5µF
1µF
6
CA3080
ES
EOUT
4
qV be
--------------- – 1
KT
(EQ. A5)
Using the values shown in Figure 14, plus data on the
2N6292 (a typical transistor that could be used in the circuit),
the dynamic impedance of the circuit at a total current of
40mA is found to be 4.6Ω. In the actual design of the Vbe
multiplier, the value of IR2 must be greater than Vbe or the
transistor will never become forward biased.
56K
5
-
Appendix B - Tone Controls
50µF
Figure B1 shows four operational amplifier circuit
configurations and the gain expressions for each. The
asymptotic low frequency gain is obtained by letting S
approach zero in each case:
+
56K
FIGURE 19. A CA3080 PREAMPLIFIER
Appendix A - Vbe Multiplier
The equivalent circuit for the Vbe multiplier is shown in
Figure A1. The voltage E1 is given by:
R1 I
R1
E 1 = ------------- + V be 1 + ------------------------β+1
R (β + 1)
(EQ. A1)
R1 + R2 + R3
Bass Cut: A LOW = ----------------------------------R2 + R3
C1 + C4
Treble Boost: A LOW = --------------------C4
2
C1 + C4
Treble Cut: A LOW = --------------------C4
E1
The asymptotic high-frequency gain is obtained by letting S
increase without limit in each expression:
R1
I
R1 + R2 + R3
Bass Boost: A LOW = ----------------------------------R2
Vbe
R1 + R2
Bass Boost: A HIGH = --------------------R2
R2
Ie
R1 + R2
Bass Cut: A HIGH = --------------------R2
FIGURE A1. EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT FOR THE Vbe MULTIPLIER
The value of Vbe is itself dependent on the emitter current of
the transistor, which is, in turn, dependent on the input
current I since:
V be
I e = I – ---------R2
(EQ. A2)
4-8
 C 3 + C 4
Treble Boost: A HIGH = 1 + C 1  ---------------------
 C3 C4 
C1 C4
C 2 + --------------------C1 + C4
Treble Cut: A HIGH = ----------------------------------C1 + C2
Application Note 6077
Note that the expressions for high frequency gain are
identical for both bass circuits, while the expressions for low
frequency gain are identical for the treble circuits.
Figure B2 shows cut and boost bass and treble controls that
have the characteristics of the circuits of Figure B1. The
value REFF in the treble controls of Figure B1 is derived from
the parallel combination of R1 and R2 of Figure B2 when the
control is rotated to its maximum counterclockwise position.
When the control is rotated to its maximum clockwise
position, the value is equal to R1.
To compute the circuit constants, it is necessary to decide in
advance the amounts of boost and cut desired. The gain
expressions of Figure B1 indicate that the slope of the
amplitude versus frequency curve in each case will be 6dB
per octave (20dB per decade). If the ratios of boosted and
cut gain are set at 10, i.e.
:
Bass Circuit: A LOW ( Boost ) = 10A MID
A MID
A LOW ( Cut ) = -------------10
Treble Circuit: A HIGH ( Boost ) = 10A MID
A MID
A HIGH ( Cut ) = -------------10
then the following relationships result:
Bass Circuit: R 1 = 10R 2
R 3 = 99R 2
Treble Circuit: C 1 = 10C 4
10C 4
C 2 = -------------99
C2
C1
R2
R1
R3
R1
+
R2
EO
R3
-
EO
+
ES
ES
( R2 R3 + R1 R3 )
1 + SC 2 -----------------------------------------( R1 + R2 + R3 )
 R 1 + R 2 + R 3
A =  ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------+
R
R

 R2 R3 
2
3 
1 + SC2  ---------------------
 R 2 + R 3
( R2 R3 + R1 R3 )
 R 1 + R 2 + R 3 1 + SC ----------------------------------------1 ( R + R + R )A =  -----------------------------------
1
2
3
R2

 --------------------------------------------------------------1 + SR 3 C 1
R1 + R2 + R3
A LOW FREQUENCY = ----------------------------------R2
R1 + R2 + R3
A LOW FREQUENCY = ----------------------------------R2 + R3
FIGURE B1 (A). BASS BOOST
FIGURE B1 (B). BASS CUT
C3
C2
C1
C4
C4
-
REFF
+
C1
REFF
EO
-
+
EO
ES
ES
( C1 C4 + C3 C4 + C1 C3 )
 C 1 + C 4 1 + SR
EFF --------------------------------------------------------------A =  ---------------------
( C1 + C4 )
 C 4  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 + SR EFF C 3
( C1 C4 + C2 C4 + C1 C2 )
 C 1 + C 4 1 + SR
EFF --------------------------------------------------------------A =  ---------------------
( C1 + C4 )
 C 4  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 + SR EFF ( C 1 + C 2 )
C1 + C4
A LOW FREQUENCY = --------------------C4
C1 + C4
A LOW FREQUENCY = --------------------C4
FIGURE B1 (C). TREBLE BOOST
FIGURE B1 (D). TREBLE CUT
FIGURE B1. FOUR OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT CONFIGURATIONS AND THE GAIN EXPRESSIONS FOR EACH
4-9
Application Note 6077
The unaffected portion of the gain (AHIGH for the bass
control and ALOW for the treble control) is 11 in each case.
R2
CW
R3
To make the controls work symmetrically, the low and high
frequency break points must be equal for both boost and cut.
CCW
R1
C2
C1
Thus:
-
C1 R3 ( R1 + R2 )
C2 R2 R3
Bass Control: ------------------------------------------ = ----------------------R1 + R2 + R3
R2 + R3
+
C2 R3 ( R1 + R2 )
and C 1 R = -----------------------------------------3
R1 + R2 + R3
FIGURE B2 (A). BASS CONTROL
since R3 ≅ R2 + R3, C2 = 10C1
( C1 C4 + C3 C4 + C1 C3 )
Treble Control: R 1 --------------------------------------------------------------C +C
1
C1
4
R1
CW
C4
CCW
R2
R1 R2
= --------------------- ( C 1 + C 2 )
R1 + R2
 R R  (C C + C C + C C )
( C1 + C4 )
 R 1 + R 2
C3
1 2
1 4
2 4
1 2
and R 2 C 3 =  -------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
C2
-
+
since C 1 ≅ 100C 2 , C 2 = C 3 and C 1 = 10C 4 , R 1 = 9R 2
To make the controls work in the circuit of Figure 14, breaks
were set at 1000Hz:
1
for the base control 0.1C 1 R 3 = -------------------------
FIGURE B2 (B). TREBLE CONTROL
2π × 1000
1
and for the treble control R 1 C 3 = -------------------------
2π × 1000
FIGURE B2. CUT AND BOOST BASS AND TREBLE CONTROLS
THAT HAVE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
CIRCUITS IN FIGURE B1
Response and Control Rotation
In a practical design, it is desirable to make “flat” response
correspond to the 50% rotation position of the control, and to
have an aural sensation of smooth variation of response on
either side of the mechanical center. It is easy to show that
the “flat” position of the bass control occurs when the wiper
arm is advanced to 91% of its total resistance. The
amplitude response of the treble control is, however, never
completely “flat”; a computer was used to generate response
curves as controls were varied.
15K
0.001µF
1K
45
40
Q = 1.0
ES
820Ω
-
+
EO
0.02
µF
Q
P = 1.0
35 Q = 0.99
30
0.2
µF
0.01µF
0.001
µF
1.8K P
EO/ES (dB)
Figure B3 is a plot of the response with bass and treble tone
controls combined at various settings of both controls. The
values shown are the practical ones used in the actual
design. Figure B4 shows the information of Figure B3
replotted as a function of electrical rotation. The ideal taper
for each control would be the complement of the 100Hz plot
for the bass control and the 10kHz response for the treble
control. The mechanical center should occur at the
crossover point in each case.
68Ω 0.12µF
100K
Q = 0.98
10K
P = 0.99
P = 0.98
P = 0.96
Q = 0.96
25
Q =0.914
20 Q = 0.85
15
10
5
Q=0
0
10
100
Q = 0.75
Q = 0.5
Q = 0.2
P = 0.92
P = 0.8
P = 0.5
P = 0.3
P = 0.1
P = 0.05
1000
P=0
10K
100K
FREQUENCY (Hz)
FIGURE B3. A PLOT OF THE RESPONSE OF THE CIRCUIT OF
FIGURE 14 WITH BASS AND TREBLE TONE
CONTROLS COMBINED AT VARIOUS SETTINGS
OF BOTH CONTROLS
4-10
Application Note 6077
45
40
40
35
35
30
GAIN (dB)
GAIN (dB)
30
25
20
1000Hz
100Hz
15
1kHz
20
15
10kHz
31.6kHz
10
31.6Hz
10
25
5
5
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
ELECTRICAL ROTATION OF BASS CONTROL
FIGURE B4 (A).
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
ELECTRICAL ROTATION OF TREBLE CONTROL
FIGURE B4 (B).
FIGURE B4. THE INFORMATION OF FIGURE B3 PLOTTED AS A
FUNCTION OF ELECTRICAL ROTATION
References
For Intersil documents available on the internet, see web site
http://www.intersil.com/
Intersil AnswerFAX (321) 724-7800.
[1] AN6668 Application Note, “Applications of the CA3080
and CA3080A High Performance Operational
Transconductance Amplifiers,” H. A. Wittlinger, Intersil
Corporation.
[2] “A New Wide-Band Amplifier Technique,” B. Gilbert,
IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits, Vol. SC-3, No. 4,
December, 1968.
[3] “Trackability,” James A. Kogar, Audio, December, 1966.
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