NSC LMP7732MMX

LMP7732
2.9 nV/sqrt(Hz) Low Noise, Precision, RRIO Amplifier
General Description
Features
The LMP7732 is a dual low noise, low offset voltage, rail-torail input and output, low voltage precision amplifier. The
LMP7732 is part of the LMP® precision amplifier family and is
ideal for precision and low noise applications with low voltage
requirements.
This operational amplifier offers low voltage noise of 2.9 nV/
with a 1/f corner of only 3 Hz and low DC offset with a
maximum value of ±40 µV, targeting high accuracy, low frequency applications. The LMP7732 has bipolar junction input
stages with a bias current of only 1.5 nA. This low input bias
current, complemented by the very low AC and DC levels of
voltage noise, makes the LMP7732 an excellent choice for
photometry applications.
The LMP7732 provides a wide GBW of 22 MHz while consuming only 4 mA of current. This high gain bandwidth along
with the high open loop gain of 130 dB enables accurate signal conditioning in applications with high closed loop gain
requirements.
The LMP7732 has a supply voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V,
making it an ideal choice for battery operated portable applications.
The LMP7732 is offered in the 8-Pin SOIC and MSOP packages.
The LMP7731 is the single version of this product and is offered in the 5-Pin SOT-23 and 8-Pin SOIC packages.
(Typical values, TA = 25°C, VS = 5V)
■ Input voltage noise
— f = 3 Hz
— f = 1 kHz
■ Offset voltage (max)
■ Offset voltage drift (max)
■ CMRR
■ Open loop gain
■ GBW
■ Slew rate
■ THD @ f = 10 kHz, AV = 1, RL = 2 kΩ
■ Supply current
■ Supply voltage range
■ Operating temperature range
■ Input bias current
■ RRIO
3.3 nV/√Hz
2.9 nV/√Hz
±40 µV
±1.3 µV/°C
130 dB
130 dB
22 MHz
2.4 V/µs
0.001%
4.4 mA
1.8V to 5.5V
−40°C to 125°C
±1.5 nA
Applications
■
■
■
■
Thermopile amplifier
Gas analysis instruments
Photometric instrumentation
Medical instrumentation
Typical Application
Thermopile Signal Amplifier
30015001
LMP® is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation.
© 2008 National Semiconductor Corporation
300150
www.national.com
LMP7732 Low Noise, Precision, RRIO Amplifier
June 16, 2008
LMP7732
Storage Temperature Range
Junction Temperature (Note 3)
Soldering Information
Infrared or Convection (20 sec)
Wave Soldering Lead Temp. (10 sec)
Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1)
If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required,
please contact the National Semiconductor Sales Office/
Distributors for availability and specifications.
ESD Tolerance (Note 2)
Human Body Model
For inputs pins only
For all other pins
Machine Model
Charge Device Model
VIN Differential
Supply Voltage (VS = V+ – V−)
Operating Ratings
2000V
2000V
200V
1000V
±2V
6.0V
2.5V Electrical Characteristics
−65°C to 150°C
+150°C max
235°C
260°C
(Note 1)
Temperature Range
Supply Voltage (VS = V+ – V–)
−40°C to 125°C
1.8V to 5.5V
Package Thermal Resistance (θJA)
8-Pin SOIC
8-Pin MSOP
190 °C/W
235°C/W
(Note 4)
Unless otherwise specified, all limits are guaranteed for TA = 25°C, V+ = 2.5V, V− = 0V, VCM = V+/2, RL >10 kΩ to V+/2. Boldface limits apply at the temperature extremes.
Symbol
VOS
TCVOS
IB
IOS
Parameter
Input Offset Voltage
(Note 7)
Conditions
Min
Typ
Max
(Note 6) (Note 5) (Note 6)
VCM = 2.0V
±9
±50
±150
VCM = 0.5V
±9
±40
±125
Input Offset Voltage Temperature Drift VCM = 2.0V
±0.5
±1.3
VCM = 0.5V
±0.2
±0.8
Input Offset Voltage Time Drift
VCM = 0.5V and VCM = 2.0V
0.35
Input Bias Current
VCM = 2.0V
±1
±30
±45
VCM = 0.5V
±12
±50
±75
VCM = 2.0V
±1
±50
±75
VCM = 0.5V
±11
±60
±80
Input Offset Current
TCIOS
Input Offset Current Drift
VCM = 0.5V and VCM = 2.0V
CMRR
Common Mode Rejection Ratio
0.15V ≤ VCM ≤ 0.7V
101
89
120
1.5V ≤ VCM ≤ 2.35V
105
99
129
2.5V ≤ V+ ≤ 5V
111
105
129
0.23V ≤ VCM ≤ 0.7V
1.5V ≤ VCM ≤ 2.27V
PSRR
Power Supply Rejection Ratio
CMVR
Common Mode Voltage Range
AVOL
Open Loop Voltage Gain
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Large Signal CMRR ≥ 80 dB
nA
nA
nA/°C
dB
dB
0
2.5
112
104
130
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
VOUT = 0.5V to 2.0V
109
90
119
2
μV/°C
117
RL = 10 kΩ to
VOUT = 0.5V to 2.0V
V+/2
μV
μV/month
0.0474
1.8V ≤ V+ ≤ 5.5V
Units
V
dB
VOUT
Parameter
Output Voltage Swing High
Output Voltage Swing Low
IOUT
IS
Output Current
Supply Current
Conditions
Min
Typ
Max
(Note 6) (Note 5) (Note 6)
RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
4
50
75
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
13
50
75
RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
6
50
75
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
9
50
75
Sourcing, VOUT = V+/2
VIN (diff) = 100 mV
22
12
31
Sinking, VOUT = V+/2
VIN (diff) = −100 mV
15
10
44
Units
mV from
either rail
mA
VCM = 2.0V
4.0
5.4
6.8
VCM = 0.5V
4.6
6.2
7.8
mA
SR
Slew Rate
AV = +1, CL = 10 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
VOUT = 2 VPP
2.4
V/μs
GBW
Gain Bandwidth
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
21
MHz
GM
Gain Margin
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
14
dB
ΦM
Phase Margin
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
60
deg
RIN
Input Resistance
Differential Mode
38
kΩ
Common Mode
151
MΩ
0.002
%
THD+N
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
AV = 1, fO = 1 kHz, Amplitude = 1V
en
Input Referred Voltage Noise Density
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 2.0V
3.0
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 0.5V
3.0
Input Voltage Noise
0.1 Hz to 10 Hz
75
Input Referred Current Noise Density
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 2.0V
1.1
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 0.5V
2.3
in
3.3V Electrical Characteristics
nV/
nVPP
pA/
(Note 4)
Unless otherwise specified, all limits are guaranteed for TA = 25°C, V+ = 3.3V, V− = 0V, VCM = V+/2, RL > 10 kΩ to V+/2. Boldface limits apply at the temperature extremes.
Symbol
VOS
TCVOS
IB
IOS
Parameter
Input Offset Voltage
(Note 7)
Conditions
Min
Typ
Max
(Note 6) (Note 5) (Note 6)
VCM = 2.5V
±6
±50
±150
VCM = 0.5V
±6
±40
±125
Input Offset Voltage Temperature Drift VCM = 2.5V
±0.5
±1.3
VCM = 0.5V
±0.2
±0.8
Input Offset Voltage Time Drift
VCM = 0.5V and VCM = 2.5V
0.35
Input Bias Current
VCM = 2.5V
±1.5
±30
±45
VCM = 0.5V
±13
±50
±77
VCM = 2.5V
±1
±50
±70
VCM = 0.5V
±11
±60
±80
Input Offset Current
3
Units
μV
μV/°C
μV/month
nA
nA
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LMP7732
Symbol
LMP7732
Symbol
Parameter
Conditions
Min
Typ
Max
(Note 6) (Note 5) (Note 6)
Units
0.048
nA/°C
TCIOS
Input Offset Current Drift
VCM = 0.5V and VCM = 2.5V
CMRR
Common Mode Rejection Ratio
0.15V ≤ VCM ≤ 0.7V
101
89
120
1.5V ≤ VCM ≤ 3.15V
105
99
130
2.5V ≤ V+ ≤ 5.0V
111
105
129
0.23V ≤ VCM ≤ 0.7V
1.5V ≤ VCM ≤ 3.07V
PSRR
Power Supply Rejection Ratio
1.8V ≤ V+ ≤ 5.5V
CMVR
Common Mode Voltage Range
AVOL
Open Loop Voltage Gain
VOUT
Output Voltage Swing High
Output Voltage Swing Low
IS
Output Current
Supply Current
dB
117
Large Signal CMRR ≥ 80 dB
0
3.3
RL = 10 kΩ to
VOUT = 0.5V to 2.8V
112
104
130
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
VOUT = 0.5V to 2.8V
110
92
119
V+/2
5
50
75
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
14
50
75
9
50
75
13
50
75
RL = 10 kΩ to
V+/2
Sourcing, VOUT = V+/2
VIN (diff) = 100 mV
28
22
45
Sinking, VOUT = V+/2
VIN (diff) = −100 mV
25
20
48
V
dB
RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
IOUT
dB
mV from
either rail
mA
VCM = 2.5V
4.2
5.6
7.0
VCM = 0.5V
4.8
6.4
8.0
mA
SR
Slew Rate
AV = +1, CL = 10 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
VOUT = 2 VPP
2.4
GBW
Gain Bandwidth
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
22
MHz
GM
Gain Margin
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
14
dB
ΦM
Phase Margin
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to
THD+N
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
AV = 1, fO = 1 kHz, Amplitude = 1V
RIN
Input Resistance
en
in
Input Referred Voltage Noise Density
62
deg
0.002
%
Differential Mode
38
kΩ
Common Mode
151
MΩ
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 2.5V
2.9
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 0.5V
2.9
V+/2
Input Voltage Noise
0.1 Hz to 10 Hz
75
Input Referred Current Noise Density
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 2.5V
1.1
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 0.5V
2.1
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V/μs
4
nV/
nVPP
pA/
(Note 4)
Unless otherwise specified, all limits are guaranteed for TA = 25°C, V+ = 5V, V− = 0V, VCM = V+/2, RL > 10 kΩ to V+/2. Boldface
limits apply at the temperature extremes.
Symbol
VOS
TCVOS
IB
IOS
Parameter
Input Offset Voltage
(Note 7)
Conditions
VCM = 4.5V
±6
±50
±150
VCM = 0.5V
±6
±40
±125
Input Offset Voltage Temperature Drift VCM = 4.5V
±0.5
±1.3
VCM = 0.5V
±0.2
±0.8
Input Offset Voltage Time Drift
VCM = 0.5V and VCM = 4.5V
0.35
Input Bias Current
VCM = 4.5V
±1.5
±30
±50
VCM = 0.5V
±14
±50
±85
VCM = 4.5V
±1
±50
±70
VCM = 0.5V
±11
±65
±80
Input Offset Current
TCIOS
Input Offset Current Drift
VCM = 0.5V and VCM = 4.5V
CMRR
Common Mode Rejection Ratio
0.15V ≤ VCM ≤ 0.7V
120
1.5V ≤ VCM ≤ 4.85V
105
99
130
2.5V ≤ V+ ≤ 5V
111
105
129
1.5V ≤ VCM ≤ 4.77V
Power Supply Rejection Ratio
1.8V ≤ V+ ≤ 5.5V
CMVR
Common Mode Voltage Range
AVOL
Open Loop Voltage Gain
VOUT
Output Voltage Swing High
Output Voltage Swing Low
IOUT
IS
Output Current
Supply Current
Large Signal CMRR ≥ 80 dB
μV
μV/°C
nA
nA
nA/°C
dB
dB
117
0
5
RL = 10 kΩ to
VOUT = 0.5V to 4.5V
112
104
130
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
VOUT = 0.5V to 4.5V
110
94
119
V+/2
Units
μV/month
0.0482
101
89
0.23V ≤ VCM ≤ 0.7V
PSRR
Min
Typ
Max
(Note 6) (Note 5) (Note 6)
dB
RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
8
50
75
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
24
50
75
RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
9
50
75
RL = 2 kΩ to V+/2
23
50
75
Sourcing, VOUT = V+/2
VIN (diff) = 100 mV
33
27
47
Sinking, VOUT = V+/2
VIN (diff) = −100 mV
30
25
49
V
mV from
either rail
mA
VCM = 4.5V
4.4
6.0
7.4
VCM = 0.5V
5.0
6.8
8.4
mA
SR
Slew Rate
AV = +1, CL = 10 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
VOUT = 2 VPP
2.4
V/μs
GBW
Gain Bandwidth
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
22
MHz
5
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LMP7732
5V Electrical Characteristics
LMP7732
Symbol
Parameter
Conditions
GM
Gain Margin
ΦM
Phase Margin
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to
RIN
Input Resistance
Differential Mode
Min
Typ
Max
(Note 6) (Note 5) (Note 6)
CL = 20 pF, RL = 10 kΩ to V+/2
12
dB
V+/2
65
deg
38
kΩ
151
MΩ
0.001
%
Common Mode
THD+ N Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
AV = 1, fO = 1 kHz, Amplitude = 1V
en
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 4.5V
2.9
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 0.5V
2.9
in
Input Referred Voltage Noise Density
Units
Input Voltage Noise
0.1 Hz to 10 Hz
75
Input Referred Current Noise Density
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 4.5V
1.1
f = 1 kHz, VCM = 0.5V
2.2
nV/
nVPP
pA/
Note 1: Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. Operating Ratings indicate conditions for which the device is
intended to be functional, but specific performance is not guaranteed. For guaranteed specifications and the test conditions, see the Electrical Characteristics
Tables.
Note 2: Human Body Model, applicable std. MIL-STD-883, Method 3015.7. Machine Model, applicable std. JESD22-A115-A (ESD MM std. of JEDEC) FieldInduced Charge-Device Model, applicable std. JESD22-C101-C (ESD FICDM std. of JEDEC).
Note 3: The maximum power dissipation is a function of TJ(MAX), θJA, and TA. The maximum allowable power dissipation at any ambient temperature is
PD = (TJ(MAX) - TA)/ θJA. All numbers apply for packages soldered directly onto a PC board.
Note 4: Electrical Table values apply only for factory testing conditions at the temperature indicated. Factory testing conditions result in very limited self-heating
of the device such that TJ = TA. No guarantee of parametric performance is indicated in the electrical tables under conditions of internal self-heating where TJ >
TA. Absolute maximum Ratings indicate junction temperature limits beyond which the device maybe permanently degraded, either mechanically or electrically.
Note 5: Typical values represent the most likely parametric norm as determined at the time of characterization. Actual typical values may vary over time and will
also depend on the application and configuration. The typical values are not tested and are not guaranteed on shipped production material.
Note 6: All limits are guaranteed by testing, statistical analysis or design.
Note 7: Ambient production test is performed at 25°C with a variance of ±3°C.
Connection Diagram
8-Pin SOIC/MSOP
30015003
Top View
Ordering Information
Package
8-Pin SOIC
Part Number
LMP7732MA
LMP7732MAX
Package Marking
95 units/Rails
LMP7732MA
2.5k Units Tape and Reel
LMP7732MM
8-Pin MSOP
LMP7732MME
NSC Drawing
M08A
1k Units Tape and Reel
AZ3A
250 Units Tape and Reel
LMP7732MMX
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Transport Media
3.5k Units Tape and Reel
6
MUA08A
Unless otherwise noted: TA = 25°C, RL > 10 kΩ, VCM = VS/2.
Offset Voltage Distribution
TCVOS Distribution
30015076
30015071
Offset Voltage Distribution
TCVOS Distribution
30015074
30015073
Offset Voltage Distribution
TCVOS Distribution
30015077
30015070
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LMP7732
Typical Performance Characteristics
LMP7732
Offset Voltage Distribution
TCVOS Distribution
30015075
30015072
Offset Voltage vs. Temperature
Offset Voltage vs. Temperature
30015082
30015083
PSRR vs. Frequency
CMRR vs. Frequency
30015062
30015029
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8
LMP7732
Offset Voltage vs. Supply Voltage
Offset Voltage vs. VCM
30015053
30015054
Offset Voltage vs. VCM
Offset Voltage vs. VCM
30015056
30015055
Input Offset Voltage Time Drift
Slew Rate vs. Supply Voltage
30015080
30015020
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LMP7732
Input Voltage Noise vs. Frequency
Input Current Noise vs. Frequency
30015063
30015064
Time Domain Voltage Noise
Time Domain Voltage Noise
30015065
30015067
Time Domain Voltage Noise
Output Voltage vs. Output Current
30015066
30015057
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LMP7732
Input Bias Current vs. VCM
Input Bias Current vs. VCM
30015026
30015025
Input Bias Current vs. VCM
Open Loop Frequency Response Over Temperature
30015018
30015027
Open Loop Frequency Response
Open Loop Frequency Response
30015028
30015019
11
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LMP7732
THD+N vs. Frequency
THD+N vs. Output Voltage
30015085
30015069
Large Signal Step Response
Small Signal Step Response
30015022
30015021
Large Signal Step Response
Small Signal Step Response
30015024
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30015023
12
Output Swing High vs. Supply Voltage
30015081
30015058
Output Swing Low vs. Supply Voltage
Sinking Current vs, Supply Voltage
30015059
30015060
Sourcing Current vs. Supply Voltage
30015061
13
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LMP7732
Supply Current vs. Supply Voltage
LMP7732
one of the input stages as the circuitry is symmetrical for both
stages.
Figure 1 shows that as the common mode voltage gets closer
to one of the extreme ends, current I1 significantly increases.
This increased current shows as an increase in voltage drop
across resistor R1 equal to I1*R1 on IN+ of the amplifier. This
voltage contributes to the offset voltage of the amplifier. When
common mode voltage is in the mid-range, the transistors are
operating in the linear region and I1 is significantly small. The
voltage drop due to I1 across R1 can be ignored as it is orders
of magnitude smaller than the amplifier's input offset voltage.
As the common mode voltage gets closer to one of the rails,
the offset voltage generated due to I1 increases and becomes
comparable to the amplifiers offset voltage.
Application Notes
LMP7732
The LMP7732 is a dual low noise, low offset voltage, rail-torail input and output, low voltage precision amplifier.
with a 1/f corThe low input voltage noise of only 2.9 nV/
ner at 3 Hz makes the LMP7732 ideal for sensor applications
where DC accuracy is of importance.
The LMP7732 has very low guaranteed offset voltage of only
±40 µV. This low offset voltage along with the very low input
voltage noise allows higher signal integrity and higher signal
to noise ratios since the error contribution by the amplifier is
at a minimum.
The LMP7732 has high gain bandwidth of 22 MHz. This wide
bandwidth enables the use of the amplifier at higher gain settings while retaining ample usable bandwidth for the application. This is particularly beneficial when system designers
need to use sensors with very limited output voltage range as
it allows larger gains in one stage which in turn increases signal to noise ratio.
The LMP7732 has a proprietary input bias cancellation circuitry on the input stages. This allows the LMP7732 to have
only about 1.5 nA bias current with a bipolar input stage. This
low input bias current, paired with the inherent lower input
voltage noise of bipolar input stages makes the LMP7732 an
excellent choice for precision applications. The combination
of low input bias current, low input offset voltage, and low input
voltage noise enables the user to achieve unprecedented accuracy and higher signal integrity.
National Semiconductor is heavily committed to precision
amplifiers and the market segment they serve. Technical support and extensive characterization data is available for sensitive applications or applications with a constrained error
budget.
The LMP7732 comes in the 8-Pin SOIC and MSOP packages. These small packages are ideal solutions for area
constrained PC boards and portable electronics.
30015006
FIGURE 1. Input Bias Current Cancellation
INPUT VOLTAGE NOISE MEASUREMENT
The LMP7732 has very low input voltage noise. The peak-topeak input voltage noise of the LMP7732 can be measured
using the test circuit shown in Figure 2
INPUT BIAS CURRENT CANCELLATION
The LMP7732 has proprietary input bias current cancellation
circuitry on its input stage.
The LMP7732 has rail-to-rail input. This is achieved by having
a p-input and n-input stage in parallel. Figure 1 only shows
30015079
FIGURE 2. 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz Noise Test Circuit
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14
DIODES BETWEEN THE INPUTS
The LMP7732 has a set of anti-parallel diodes between their
input pins, as shown in Figure 5. These diodes are present to
protect the input stage of the amplifiers. At the same time,
they limit the amount of differential input voltage that is allowed on the input pins. A differential signal larger than the
voltage needed to turn on the diodes might cause damage to
the diodes. The differential voltage between the input pins
should be limited to ±3 diode drops or the input current needs
to be limited to ±20 mA.
30015066
FIGURE 3. 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz Input Voltage Noise
Measuring the very low peak-to-peak noise performance of
the LMP7732, requires special testing attention. In order to
achieve accurate results, the device should be warmed up for
at least five minutes. This is so that the input offset voltage of
the op amp settles to a value. During this warm up period, the
offset can typically change by a few µV because the chip
temperature increases by about 30°C. If the 10 seconds of
the measurement is selected to include this warm up time,
some of this temperature change might show up as the measured noise.Figure 4 shows the start-up drift of five typical
LMP7732 units.
30015004
FIGURE 5. Anti-Parallel Diodes between Inputs
30015080
FIGURE 4. Start-Up Input Offset Voltage Drift
15
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LMP7732
During the peak-to-peak noise measurement, the LMP7732
must be shielded. This prevents offset variations due to airflow. Offset can vary by a few nV due to this airflow and that
can invalidate measurements of input voltage noise with a
magnitude which is in the same range. For similar reasons,
sudden motions must also be restricted in the vicinity of the
test area. The feed-through which results from this motion
could increase the observed noise value which in turn would
invalidate the measurement.
The frequency response of this noise test circuit at the 0.1 Hz
corner is defined by only one zero. The test time for the
0.1 Hz to 10 Hz noise measurement using this configuration
should not exceed 10 seconds, as this time limit acts as an
additional zero to reduce or eliminate the contributions of
noise from frequencies below 0.1 Hz.
Figure 3 shows typical peak-to-peak noise for the LMP7732
measured with the circuit in Figure 2.
LMP7732
THERMOPILE AMPLIFIER
DRIVING AN ADC
Analog to Digital Converters, ADCs, usually have a sampling
capacitor on their input. When the ADC's input is directly connected to the output of the amplifier a charging current flows
from the amplifier to the ADC. This charging current causes
a momentary glitch that can take some time to settle. There
are different ways to minimize this effect. One way is to slow
down the sampling rate. This method gives the amplifier sufficient time to stabilize its output. Another way to minimize the
glitch, caused by the switch capacitor, is to have an external
capacitor connected to the input of the ADC. This capacitor is
chosen so that its value is much larger than the internal
switching capacitor and it will hence provide the charge needed to quickly and smoothly charge the ADC's sampling capacitor. Since this large capacitor will be loading the output of
the amplifier as well, an isolation resistor is needed between
the output of the amplifier and this capacitor. The isolation
resistor, RISO, separates the additional load capacitance from
the output of the amplifier and will also form a low-pass filter
and can be designed to provide noise reduction as well as
anti-aliasing. The draw back of having RISO is that it reduces
signal swing since there is some voltage drop across it.
Figure 6 (a) shows the ADC directly connected to the amplifier. To minimize the glitch in this setting, a slower sample rate
needs to be used. Figure 6 (b) shows RISO and an external
capacitor used to minimize the glitch.
Thermopile Sensors
Thermopiles are arrays of interconnected thermocouples
which can detect surface temperature of an object through
radiation rather than direct contact. The hot and cold junctions
of the thermocouples are thermally isolated. The hot junctions
are exposed to IR radiation emitted from the measurement
surface and the cold junctions are connected to a heat sink.
The incident IR changes the temperature of the hot junctions
of the thermopile and produces an output voltage proportional
to this change.
The hot junction of the thermopile is covered with a highly
emissive coating. The IR radiation incident to this highly emissive material changes the temperature of this coating. The
temperature change is converted to a voltage by the thermopile. Emissivity represents the radiation or absorption efficiency of a material relative to a black body. An ideal black
body has an emissivity of 1.0. Excluding shiny metals, most
objects have emissivities above 0.85. As a practical matter,
shiny metals are not good candidates for IR sensing because
of their low emissivity. The low emissivity means that the material is highly reflective. Reflective materials often “reflect”
the surrounding environment's temperature rather than their
own heat radiation. This makes them not suitable for thermopile applications.
The output voltage of a thermopile is related to temperature
and emissivity by the following formula:
Where:
VOUT : Output voltage of the thermopile
K : Proportionality constant
εOBJ: Emissivity of object being measured
TOBJ: Temperature of object being measured
δ : Correction factor. This is needed since thermopile filters
do not allow all wavelengths to enter the sensor
εTP: Emissivity of the thermopile
TTP: Temperature of the thermopile
As mentioned above, the IR radiation generates a static voltage across the pyroelectric material. If the illumination is
constant, the signal level detection declines. This is why the
radiation needs to be periodically refreshed. This task is usually achieved by the means of a mechanical chopper in front
of the detector.
Thermopiles offer much faster response time compared to
other temperature measurement devices. Packaged thermistors and thermocouples have response times that can range
up to a few seconds, where as packaged thermopiles can
easily achieve response times in the order of tens of milliseconds. Thermopiles also provide superior thermal isolation
compared to their contact temperature measurement counterparts. Physical contact disturbs the systems temperature
and also creates temperature gradients.
Figure 7 shows a simplified schematic of a thermopile. The
cold junctions are connected to a heat sink, and the absorber
material covers the hot junction. The output voltage resulting
from temperature difference between the two junctions is
measured at the two ends of the array of thermocouples. As
is evident in Figure 7, increasing the number of thermocouples in a thermopile increases the output voltage range. This
also increases the active area of the thermopile sensor.
30015005
FIGURE 6. Driving An ADC
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16
And
As it is shown above, one cannot just compare the NEP of
two thermopiles without considering the corresponding active
areas.
A better way to compare thermopiles is to look at their specific
detectivity, D*. Specific detectivity includes both the device
noise and its sensitivity. It is normalized with respect to the
detector's active area and also noise bandwidth. D* is given
by:
30015007
FIGURE 7. Thermopile
Thermopiles have very wide temperature ranges of -100°C to
1000°C
When choosing a thermopile for a certain application, one
must pay attention to several parameters. Some of these parameters are discussed below:
Thermopiles' sensitivity, or responsivity, is determined by the
ratio of output voltage to the absorbed input signal power and
is usually specified in V/W. Typical sensitivity of thermopiles
ranges from 10s of V/W to about 100 V/W. Generally, higher
values of sensitivity are desirable. Sensitivity is dependent on
the absorber's area and number of thermocouples used in the
sensor. Sensitivity is often represented by S where:
S = VOUT/PIN
The sensitivity of a thermopile changes with change in temperature. This change is usually specified as the Temperature
Coefficient, TC, of sensitivity. Lower numbers are desired for
this parameter.
Resistance of the thermopile is usually specified in the
datasheet. This is the impedance which will be seen by the
input of the amplifier used to process the thermopile's output
signal. Typical values for thermopile resistance, RTP, range
from 10s of kilo-ohms to about 100 kΩ. This resistance is also
a function of temperature. The temperature coefficient of the
resistance is usually specified in a thermopile's datasheet. As
with any other parameter, minimum variation with temperature is desired.
The dominant noise source for a thermopile is its resistance.
Noise spectral density of a resistor is calculated by:
Unit of D* is cm
/ W. Typical values for specific detectivity
range from 108 to 3*108 cm
/ W.
After receiving radiation, the thermopile takes some time before it comes to thermal equilibrium. The time it takes for the
sensor to achieve this equilibrium is called response time or
time constant of the sensor. Clearly, lower time constants are
very desirable.
Precision Amplifier
Since the output of thermopiles are usually very small and at
most in the order of only a few millivolts, the first part of the
signal conditioning path should involve amplification. In
choosing an amplifier for this purpose, a few different sensor
characteristics and the way they interface with the amplifier
should be considered. These are:
Sensor's Impedance and Opamp's Input Bias Current
The input bias current causes a voltage drop across the sensor and the amount of this voltage is equal to the sensor's
impedance multiplied by the magnitude of bias current. The
higher the sensor's input impedance, the more accentuated
the effect of amplifier's input bias current will be. For very high
impedance sensors, it is imperative that opamps with very low
input bias currents be used. Thermopiles have input
impedances in the range of 100 kΩ, so input bias current is
not as critical as in some other applications.
Sensor's output voltage range:
The output signal of the sensor is fed into the opamp where
it will be amplified or otherwise conditioned, (e.g. level shifted,
buffered.) It is important to pay attention to different parameters of this output signal.
One important aspect is the lowest expected level of the
sensor's output and compare that with different parameters
contributing to the amplifier's total input noise. If the sensor's
output level is in the same order of magnitude or smaller than
the opamp's total input noise, then signal integrity at the
opamp's output and the ADC's input will be compromised.
Where k is the Boltzman constant and T is absolute temperature. Unit of noise spectral density is: V/
For the thermopile sensor, this noise is usually represented
by VNOISE where:
Typical values for this voltage noise are in the order of a few
tens of nV/
.
The Noise Equivalent Power, NEP, is often used to specify
the minimum detectable signal level per square root band-
17
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LMP7732
width. A smaller NEP is desired, however NEP is dependent
on the thermopile active area, AD. For a thermopile:
LMP7732
30015078
FIGURE 8. Thermopile Amplifier
Figure 8 shows the LMP7732 used as a thermopile amplifier.
The LMP7732 is a great choice for use with thermopile sensors. The LMP7732 provides unprecedented accuracy and
precision because of its very low input voltage noise and the
very low 1/f corner frequency. The 1/f noise is one of the main
sources of error in DC operating mode. Since thermopiles and
most other sensors operate on DC signals, signal integrity at
the DC level is very important. The LMP7732 also has very
low offset voltage and offset voltage drift which greatly reduces the effects of input offset voltage of the amplifier on the
thermopile signal. The thermopile used in this circuit is
TPS332 from PerkinElmer Optoelectronics, PKI. This thermopile has an internal resistance, RTP, of 75 kΩ. The output
voltage of the thermopile is represented with a DC voltage
source. The TPS332 has a thermistor integrated in the package. The thermistor is used to measure the ambient temperature of the thermopile at the time of measurement. The
thermistor's resistance at room temperature is 30 kΩ. More
information about this thermopile and other sensors from PKI
can be found on http://www.perkinelmer.com/
The circuit in Figure 8 shows how the LMP7732 is connected
to the thermopile. This circuit is comprised of two LMP7732
amplifiers, the LM4140A-2.5 which is a precision voltage reference, the ADC122S021 which is a two channel Analog to
Digital converter, and the thermopile sensor. Note that the two
amplifiers used in this circuit are numbered for ease of refer-
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ence. The LMP7732 amplifiers are referred to as amplifier 1
and amplifier 2 per Figure 8.
In Figure 8the LM4140A is providing a precision voltage reference of 2.5V. This reference voltage is applied to the thermistor via the 30 kΩ resistor. The thermistor's resistance is
converted to a voltage using this set up. This voltage is fed
into the ADC's channel one. The ADC uses this voltage and
the thermistor's look up table to convert this voltage to temperature. The 2.5V reference is also fed into amplifier 1, which
is configured as a buffer. This LMP7732 transfers the 2.5V
signal to both inputs of amplifier 2. This means the 2.5V will
show up on the output of amplifier 2. Having an output level
that is mid-supply is important since the thermopile sensor
has a bipolar output signal and this way the amplifier can accurately gain the thermopile voltage, whether its polarity is
positive or negative. It is also important because the output
signal of amplifier 2 is only positive. ADCs can only handle
positive signals on their inputs. Amplifier 2 is used to gain and
filter the thermopile signal. The low pass filter ensures that AC
noise will not be gained up and, as a result, the output signal
will be cleaner. The output of amplifier 2 is fed into the ADC's
channel 0. The ADC uses the ambient temperature, which
was calculated using the voltage on Channel 1 and the
thermistor's look up table, along with the thermopiles' gained
output voltage available on channel 0 and the thermopile's
look up table to determine the object's temperature.
18
LMP7732
Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted
8-Pin SOIC
NS Package Number M08A
8-Pin MSOP
NS Package Number MUA08A
19
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LMP7732 Low Noise, Precision, RRIO Amplifier
Notes
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