TI LM12

LM12,LM12CL
LM12CL 80W Operational Amplifier
Literature Number: SNOSBY8C
LM12CL
80W Operational Amplifier
General Description
The LM12 is a power op amp capable of driving ±25V at ±10A
while operating from ±30V supplies. The monolithic IC can
deliver 80W of sine wave power into a 4Ω load with 0.01%
distortion. Power bandwidth is 60 kHz. Further, a peak dissipation capability of 800W allows it to handle reactive loads
such as transducers, actuators or small motors without derating. Important features include:
• input protection
• controlled turn on
• thermal limiting
• overvoltage shutdown
• output-current limiting
• dynamic safe-area protection
The IC delivers ±10A output current at any output voltage yet
is completely protected against overloads, including shorts to
the supplies. The dynamic safe-area protection is provided by
instantaneous peak-temperature limiting within the power
transistor array.
The turn-on characteristics are controlled by keeping the output open-circuited until the total supply voltage reaches 14V.
The output is also opened as the case temperature exceeds
150°C or as the supply voltage approaches the BVCEO of the
output transistors. The IC withstands overvoltages to 80V.
This monolithic op amp is compensated for unity-gain feedback, with a small-signal bandwidth of 700 kHz. Slew rate is
9V/μs, even as a follower. Distortion and capacitive-load stability rival that of the best designs using complementary output transistors. Further, the IC withstands large differential
input voltages and is well behaved should the common-mode
range be exceeded.
The LM12 establishes that monolithic ICs can deliver considerable output power without resorting to complex switching
schemes. Devices can be paralleled or bridged for even
greater output capability. Applications include operational
power supplies, high-voltage regulators, high-quality audio
amplifiers, tape-head positioners, x-y plotters or other servocontrol systems.
The LM12 is supplied in a four-lead, TO-3 package with V−
on the case. A gold-eutectic die-attach to a molybdenum interface is used to avoid thermal fatigue problems. The LM12
is specified for either military or commercial temperature
range.
Typical Application*
Connection Diagram
870402
870401
*Low distortion (0.01%) audio amplifier
4-pin glass epoxy TO-3
socket is available from
AUGAT INC.
Part number 8112-AG7
Bottom View
Order Number LM12CLK
See NS Package Number K04A
© 2008 National Semiconductor Corporation
8704
8704 Version 7 Revision 4
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LM12CL 80W Operational Amplifier
OBSOLETE
September 16, 2008
LM12CL
Storage Temperature Range
Lead Temperature
(Soldering, 10 seconds)
Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1)
If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required,
please contact the National Semiconductor Sales Office/
Distributors for availability and specifications.
Total Supply Voltage (Note 1)
Input Voltage
Output Current
Junction Temperature
300°C
Operating Ratings
80V
(Note 2)
Internally Limited
(Note 3)
Electrical Characteristics
−65°C to 150°C
Total Supply Voltage
Case Temperature (Note 4)
15V to 60V
0°C to 70°C
(Note 4)
Parameter
Conditions
Typ
25°C
Input Offset Voltage
±10V ≤ VS ≤ ±0.5 VMAX, VCM = 0
Input Bias Current
LM12CL
Units
Limits
2
15/20
mV (max)
V− + 4V ≤ VCM ≤ V+ −2V
0.15
0.7/1.0
μA (max)
Input Offset Current
V− +4V ≤ VCM ≤ V+ −2V
0.03
0.2/0.3
μA (max)
Common Mode
V− +4V ≤ VCM ≤ V+ −2V
86
70/65
dB (min)
Power Supply
V+ = 0.5 VMAX,
90
70/65
dB (min)
Rejection
−6V ≥ V− ≥ −0.5 VMAX
110
75/70
dB (min)
1.8
2.2/2.5
V (max)
4
5
5/7
V (max)
V (max)
Rejection
V− = −0.5 VMAX,
6V ≤ V+ ≤ 0.5 VMAX
Output Saturation
tON = 1 ms,
Threshold
ΔVIN = 5 (10 ) mV,
IOUT = 1A
8A
10A
Large Signal Voltage
tON = 2 ms,
Gain
VSAT = 2V, IOUT = 0
100
30/20
V/mV (min)
VSAT = 8V, RL = 4Ω
50
15/10
V/mV (min)
PDISS = 50W, tON = 65 ms
30
100
μV/W (max)
A (max)
Thermal Gradient
Feedback
Output-Current Limit
tON = 10 ms, VDISS = 10V
13
16
tON = 100 ms, VDISS = 58V
1.5
0.9/0.6
A (min)
1.5
1.7
A (max)
W (min)
Power Dissipation
tON = 100 ms, VDISS = 20V
100
80/55
Rating
VDISS = 58V
80
52/35
W (min)
DC Thermal Resistance
(Note 5) VDISS = 20V
2.3
2.9
°C/W (max)
VDISS = 58V
2.7
4.5
°C/W (max)
AC Thermal Resistance
(Note 5)
1.6
2.1
°C/W (max)
Supply Current
VOUT = 0, IOUT = 0
60
120/140
mA (max)
Note 1: Absolute maximum ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. The maximum voltage for which the LM12 is guaranteed to
operate is given in the operating ratings and in Note 4. With inductive loads or output shorts, other restrictions described in applications section apply.
Note 2: Neither input should exceed the supply voltage by more than 50 volts nor should the voltage between one input and any other terminal exceed 60 volts.
Note 3: Operating junction temperature is internally limited near 225°C within the power transistor and 160°C for the control circuitry.
Note 4: The supply voltage is ±30V (VMAX = 60V), unless otherwise specified. The voltage across the conducting output transistor (supply to output) is VDISS and
internal power dissipation is PDISS. Temperature range is 0°C ≤ TC ≤ 70°C where TC is the case temperature. Standard typeface indicates limits at 25°C while
boldface type refers to limits or special conditions over full temperature range. With no heat sink, the package will heat at a rate of 35°C/sec per 100W of
internal dissipation.
Note 5: This thermal resistance is based upon a peak temperature of 200°C in the center of the power transistor and a case temperature of 25°C measured at
the center of the package bottom. The maximum junction temperature of the control circuitry can be estimated based upon a dc thermal resistance of 0.9°C/W
or an ac thermal resistance of 0.6°C/W for any operating voltage.
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Output-Transistor Ratings (guaranteed)
Safe Area
DC Thermal Resistance
870432
870431
Pulse Thermal Resistance
870433
Typical Performance Characteristics
Pulse Power Limit
Pulse Power Limit
870434
870435
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LM12CL
Although the output and supply leads are resistant to electrostatic discharges from handling, the input leads are not. The
part should be treated accordingly.
LM12CL
Peak Output Current
Output Saturation Voltage
870436
870437
Large Signal Response
Follower Pulse Response
870438
870439
Large Signal Gain
Thermal Response
870440
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870441
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LM12CL
Total Harmonic Distortion
Frequency Response
870442
870443
Output Impedance
Power Supply Rejection
870445
870444
Input Bias Current
Input Noise Voltage
870446
870447
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LM12CL
Common Mode Rejection
Supply Current
870448
870449
Supply Current
Cross-Supply Current
870450
870451
This application summary starts off by identifying the origin of
strange problems observed while using the LM12 in a wide
variety of designs with all sorts of fault conditions. A few simple precautions will eliminate these problems. One would do
well to read the section on supply bypassing, lead inductance, output clamp diodes, ground loops and reactive
loading before doing any experimentation. Should there
be problems with erratic operation, blow-outs, excessive
distortion or oscillation, another look at these sections is
in order.
The management and protection circuitry can also affect operation. Should the total supply voltage exceed ratings or drop
below 15–20V, the op amp shuts off completely. Case temperatures above 150°C also cause shut down until the temperature drops to 145°C. This may take several seconds,
depending on the thermal system. Activation of the dynamic
safe-area protection causes both the main feedback loop to
lose control and a reduction in output power, with possible
oscillations. In ac applications, the dynamic protection will
cause waveform distortion. Since the LM12 is well protected
against thermal overloads, the suggestions for determining
power dissipation and heat sink requirements are presented
last.
Application Information
GENERAL
Twenty five years ago the operational amplifier was a specialized design tool used primarily for analog computation.
However, the availability of low cost IC op amps in the late
1960's prompted their use in rather mundane applications,
replacing a few discrete components. Once a few basic principles are mastered, op amps can be used to give exceptionally good results in a wide range of applications while
minimizing both cost and design effort.
The availability of a monolithic power op amp now promises
to extend these advantages to high-power designs. Some
conventional applications are given here to illustrate op amp
design principles as they relate to power circuitry. The inevitable fall in prices, as the economies of volume production
are realized, will prompt their use in applications that might
now seem trivial. Replacing single power transistors with an
op amp will become economical because of improved performance, simplification of attendant circuitry, vastly improved
fault protection, greater reliability and the reduction of design
time.
Power op amps introduce new factors into the design equation. With current transients above 10A, both the inductance
and resistance of wire interconnects become important in a
number of ways. Further, power ratings are a crucial factor in
determining performance. But the power capability of the IC
cannot be realized unless it is properly mounted to an adequate heat sink. Thus, thermal design is of major importance
with power op amps.
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SUPPLY BYPASSING
All op amps should have their supply leads bypassed with
low-inductance capacitors having short leads and located
close to the package terminals to avoid spurious oscillation
problems. Power op amps require larger bypass capacitors.
The LM12 is stable with good-quality electrolytic bypass capacitors greater than 20 μF. Other considerations may require
larger capacitors.
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LM12CL
The current in the supply leads is a rectified component of the
load current. If adequate bypassing is not provided, this distorted signal can be fed back into internal circuitry. Low distortion at high frequencies requires that the supplies be
bypassed with 470 μF or more, at the package terminals.
LEAD INDUCTANCE
With ordinary op amps, lead-inductance problems are usually
restricted to supply bypassing. Power op amps are also sensitive to inductance in the output lead, particularly with heavy
capacitive loading. Feedback to the input should be taken directly from the output terminal, minimizing common inductance with the load. Sensing to a remote load must be
accompanied by a high-frequency feedback path directly from
the output terminal. Lead inductance can also cause voltage
surges on the supplies. With long leads to the power source,
energy stored in the lead inductance when the output is shorted can be dumped back into the supply bypass capacitors
when the short is removed. The magnitude of this transient is
reduced by increasing the size of the bypass capacitor near
the IC. With 20 μF local bypass, these voltage surges are important only if the lead length exceeds a couple feet (> 1 μH
lead inductance). Twisting together the supply and ground
leads minimizes the effect.
870406
Heat sinking of the clamp diodes is usually unimportant in that
they only clamp current transients. Forward drop with 15A
fault transients is of greater concern. Usually, these transients
die out rapidly. The clamp to the negative supply can have
somewhat reduced effectiveness under worst case conditions
should the forward drop exceed 1.0V. Mounting this diode to
the power op amp heat sink improves the situation. Although
the need has only been demonstrated with some motor loads,
including a third diode (D3 above) will eliminate any concern
about the clamp diodes. This diode, however, must be capable of dissipating continuous power as determined by the
negative supply current of the op amp.
REACTIVE LOADING
The LM12 is normally stable with resistive, inductive or smaller capacitive loads. Larger capacitive loads interact with the
open-loop output resistance (about 1Ω) to reduce the phase
margin of the feedback loop, ultimately causing oscillation.
The critical capacitance depends upon the feedback applied
around the amplifier; a unity-gain follower can handle about
0.01 μF, while more than 1 μF does not cause problems if the
loop gain is ten. With loop gains greater than unity, a speedup
capacitor across the feedback resistor will aid stability. In all
cases, the op amp will behave predictably only if the supplies
are properly bypassed, ground loops are controlled and highfrequency feedback is derived directly from the output terminal, as recommended earlier.
So-called capacitive loads are not always capacitive. A highQ capacitor in combination with long leads can present a
series-resonant load to the op amp. In practice, this is not
usually a problem; but the situation should be kept in mind.
GROUND LOOPS
With fast, high-current circuitry, all sorts of problems can arise
from improper grounding. In general, difficulties can be avoided by returning all grounds separately to a common point.
Sometimes this is impractical. When compromising, special
attention should be paid to the ground returns for the supply
bypasses, load and input signal. Ground planes also help to
provide proper grounding.
Many problems unrelated to system performance can be
traced to the grounding of line-operated test equipment used
for system checkout. Hidden paths are particularly difficult to
sort out when several pieces of test equipment are used but
can be minimized by using current probes or the new isolated
oscilloscope pre-amplifiers. Eliminating any direct ground
connection between the signal generator and the oscilloscope synchronization input solves one common problem.
OUTPUT CLAMP DIODES
When a push-pull amplifier goes into power limit while driving
an inductive load, the stored energy in the load inductance
can drive the output outside the supplies. Although the LM12
has internal clamp diodes that can handle several amperes
for a few milliseconds, extreme conditions can cause destruction of the IC. The internal clamp diodes are imperfect in that
about half the clamp current flows into the supply to which the
output is clamped while the other half flows across the supplies. Therefore, the use of external diodes to clamp the
output to the power supplies is strongly recommended. This
is particularly important with higher supply voltages.
Experience has demonstrated that hard-wire shorting the output to the supplies can induce random failures if these external clamp diodes are not used and the supply voltages are
above ±20V. Therefore it is prudent to use outputclamp
diodes even when the load is not particularly inductive. This
also applies to experimental setups in that blowouts have
been observed when diodes were not used. In packaged
equipment, it may be possible to eliminate these diodes, providing that fault conditions can be controlled.
870407
Large capacitive loads (including series-resonant) can be accommodated by isolating the feedback amplifier from the load
as shown above. The inductor gives low output impedance at
lower frequencies while providing an isolating impedance at
high frequencies. The resistor kills the Q of series resonant
circuits formed by capacitive loads. A low inductance, carboncomposition resistor is recommended. Optimum values of L
and R depend upon the feedback gain and expected nature
of the load, but are not critical. A 4 μH inductor is obtained
with 14 turns of number 18 wire, close spaced, around a oneinch-diameter form.
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LM12CL
870408
The LM12 can be made stable for all loads with a large capacitor on the output, as shown above. This compensation
gives the lowest possible closed-loop output impedance at
high frequencies and the best load-transient response. It is
appropriate for such applications as voltage regulators.
A feedback capacitor, C1, is connected directly to the output
pin of the IC. The output capacitor, C2, is connected at the
output terminal with short leads. Single-point grounding to
avoid dc and ac ground loops is advised.
The impedance, Z1, is the wire connecting the op amp output
to the load capacitor. About 3-inches of number-18 wire
(70 nH) gives good stability and 18-inches (400 nH) begins to
degrade load-transient response. The minimum load capacitance is 47 μF, if a solid-tantalum capacitor with an equivalent
series resistance (ESR) of 0.1Ω is used. Electrolytic capacitors work as well, although capacitance may have to be
increased to 200 μF to bring ESR below 0.1Ω.
Loop stability is not the only concern when op amps are operated with reactive loads. With time-varying signals, power
dissipation can also increase markedly. This is particularly
true with the combination of capacitive loads and high-frequency excitation.
870410
Extending input compensation to the integrator connection is
shown here. Both the follower and this integrator will handle
1 μF capacitive loading without LR output isolation.
CURRENT DRIVE
870411
This circuit provides an output current proportional to the input
voltage. Current drive is sometimes preferred for servo motors because it aids in stabilizing the servo loop by reducing
phase lag caused by motor inductance. In applications requiring high output resistance, such as operational power
supplies running in the current mode, matching of the feedback resistors to 0.01% is required. Alternately, an adjustable
resistor can be used for trimming.
INPUT COMPENSATION
The LM12 is prone to low-amplitude oscillation bursts coming
out of saturation if the high-frequency loop gain is near unity.
The voltage follower connection is most susceptible. This
glitching can be eliminated at the expense of small-signal
bandwidth using input compensation. Input compensation
can also be used in combination with LR load isolation to improve capacitive load stability.
PARALLEL OPERATION
870409
An example of a voltage follower with input compensation is
shown here. The R2C2 combination across the input works
with R1 to reduce feedback at high frequencies without greatly
affecting response below 100 kHz. A lead capacitor, C1, improves phase margin at the unity-gain crossover frequency.
Proper operation requires that the output impedance of the
circuitry driving the follower be well under 1 kΩ at frequencies
up to a few hundred kilohertz.
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870412
Output drive beyond the capability of one power amplifier can
be provided as shown here. The power op amps are wired as
followers and connected in parallel with the outputs coupled
through equalization resistors. A standard, high-voltage op
amp is used to provide voltage gain. Overall feedback compensates for the voltage dropped across the equalization
resistors.
With parallel operation, there may be an increase in unloaded
supply current related to the offset voltage across the equalization resistors. More output buffers, with individual equalization resistors, may be added to meet even higher drive
requirements.
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LM12CL
HIGH VOLTAGE AMPLIFIERS
870413
This connection allows increased output capability without
requiring a separate control amplifier. The output buffer, A2,
provides load current through R5 equal to that supplied by the
main amplifier, A1, through R4. Again, more output buffers can
be added.
Current sharing among paralleled amplifiers can be affected
by gain error as the power-bandwidth limit is approached. In
the first circuit, the operating current increase will depend upon the matching of high-frequency characteristics. In the second circuit, however, the entire input error of A2 appears
across R4 and R5. The supply current increase can cause
power limiting to be activated as the slew limit is approached.
This will not damage the LM12. It can be avoided in both cases by connecting A1 as an inverting amplifier and restricting
bandwidth with C1.
870415
The voltage swing delivered to the load can be doubled by
using the bridge connection shown here. Output clamping to
the supplies can be provided by using a bridge-rectifier assembly.
SINGLE-SUPPLY OPERATION
870416
One limitation of the standard bridge connection is that the
load cannot be returned to ground. This can be circumvented
by operating the bridge with floating supplies, as shown
above. For single-ended drive, either input can be grounded.
870414
Although op amps are usually operated from dual supplies,
single-supply operation is practical. This bridge amplifier supplies bi-directional current drive to a servo motor while operating from a single positive supply. The output is easily
converted to voltage drive by shorting R6 and connecting R7
to the output of A2, rather than A1.
Either input may be grounded, with bi-directional drive provided to the other. It is also possible to connect one input to
a positive reference, with the input signal varying about this
voltage. If the reference voltage is above 5V, R2 and R3 are
not required.
870417
This circuit shows how two amplifiers can be cascaded to
double output swing. The advantage over the bridge is that
the output can be increased with any number of stages, although separate supplies are required for each.
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LM12CL
870418
Discrete transistors can be used to increase output drive to
±70V at ±10A as shown above. With proper thermal design,
the IC will provide safe-area protection for the external transistors. Voltage gain is about thirty.
OPERATIONAL POWER SUPPLY
870419
Note: Supply voltages for the LM318s are ±15V
External current limit can be provided for a power op amp as
shown above. The positive and negative current limits can be
set precisely and independently. Fast response is assured by
D1 and D2. Adjustment range can be set down to zero with
SERVO AMPLIFIERS
When making servo systems with a power op amp, there is a
temptation to use it for frequency shaping to stabilize the servo loop. Sometimes this works; other times there are better
ways; and occasionally it just doesn't fly. Usually it's a matter
of how quickly and to what accuracy the servo must stabilize.
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potentiometers R3 and R7. Alternately, the limit can be programmed from a voltage supplied to R2 and R6. This is the set
up required for an operational power supply or voltage-programmable power source.
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LM12CL
VOLTAGE REGULATORS
870422
An op amp can be used as a positive or negative regulator.
Unlike most regulators, it can sink current to absorb energy
dumped back into the output. This positive regulator has a 0–
50V output range.
870420
This motor/tachometer servo gives an output speed proportional to input voltage. A low-level op amp is used for frequency shaping while the power op amp provides current
drive to the motor. Current drive eliminates loop phase shift
due to motor inductance and makes high-performance servos
easier to stabilize.
870423
Dual supplies are not required to use an op amp as a voltage
regulator if zero output is not required. This 4V to 50V regulator operates from a single supply. Should the op amp not be
able to absorb enough energy to control an overvoltage condition, a SCR will crowbar the output.
REMOTE SENSING
870421
This position servo uses an op amp to develop the rate signal
electrically instead of using a tachometer. In high-performance servos, rate signals must be developed with large
error signals well beyond saturation of the motor drive. Using
a separate op amp with a feedback clamp allows the rate signal to be developed properly with position errors more than
an order of magnitude beyond the loop-saturation level as
long as the photodiode sensors are positioned with this in
mind.
870424
Remote sensing as shown above allows the op amp to correct
for dc drops in cables connecting the load. Even so, cable
drop will affect transient response. Degradation can be minimized by using twisted, heavy-gauge wires on the output line.
Normally, common and one input are connected together at
the sending end.
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LM12CL
where ZL is the magnitude of the load impedance and θ its
phase angle. Maximum average dissipation occurs below
maximum output swing for θ < 40°.
AUDIO AMPLIFIERS
870426
870425
The instantaneous power dissipation over the conducting half
cycle of one output transistor is shown here. Power dissipation is near zero on the other half cycle. The output level is
that resulting in maximum peak and average dissipation.
Plots are given for a resistive and a series RL load. The latter
is representative of a 4Ω loudspeaker operating below resonance and would be the worst case condition in most audio
applications. The peak dissipation of each transistor is about
four times average. In ac applications, power capability is often limited by the peak ratings of the power transistor.
The pulse thermal resistance of the LM12 is specified for constant power pulse duration. Establishing an exact equivalency
between constant-power pulses and those encountered in
practice is not easy. However, for sine waves, reasonable
estimates can be made at any frequency by assuming a constant power pulse amplitude given by:
A power amplifier suitable for use in high-quality audio equipment is shown above. Harmonic distortion is about 0.01percent. Intermodulation distortion (60 Hz/7 kHz, 4:1) measured 0.015-percent. Transient response and saturation
recovery are clean, and the 9 V/μs slew rate of the LM12 virtually eliminates transient intermodulation distortion. Using
separate amplifiers to drive low- and high-frequency speakers
gets rid of high-level crossover networks and attenuators.
Further, it prevents clipping on the low-frequency channel
from distorting the high frequencies.
DETERMINING MAXIMUM DISSIPATION
It is a simple matter to establish power requirements for an
op amp driving a resistive load at frequencies well below
10 Hz. Maximum dissipation occurs when the output is at onehalf the supply voltage with high-line conditions. The individual output transistors must be rated to handle this power
continuously at the maximum expected case temperature.
The power rating is limited by the maximum junction temperature as determined by
TJ = TC + PDISS θJC,
where φ = 60° and θ is the absolute value of the phase angle
of ZL. Equivalent pulse width is tON ≃ 0.4τ for θ = 0 and tON ≃
0.2τ for θ ≥ 20°, where τ is the period of the output waveform.
where TC is the case temperature as measured at the center
of the package bottom, PDISS is the maximum power dissipation and θJC is the thermal resistance at the operating voltage
of the output transistor. Recommended maximum junction
temperatures are 200°C within the power transistor and 150°
C for the control circuitry.
If there is ripple on the supply bus, it is valid to use the average
value in worst-case calculations as long as the peak rating of
the power transistor is not exceeded at the ripple peak. With
120 Hz ripple, this is 1.5 times the continuous power rating.
Dissipation requirements are not so easily established with
time varying output signals, especially with reactive loads.
Both peak and continuous dissipation ratings must be taken
into account, and these depend on the signal waveform as
well as load characteristics.
With a sine wave output, analysis is fairly straightforward.
With supply voltages of ±VS, the maximum average power
dissipation of both output transistors is
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DISSIPATION DRIVING MOTORS
A motor with a locked rotor looks like an inductance in series
with a resistance, for purposes of determining driver dissipation. With slow-response servos, the maximum signal amplitude at frequencies where motor inductance is significant can
be so small that motor inductance does not have to be taken
into account. If this is the case, the motor can be treated as a
simple, resistive load as long as the rotor speed is low enough
that the back emf is small by comparison to the supply voltage
of the driver transistor.
A permanent-magnet motor can build up a back emf that is
equal to the output swing of the op amp driving it. Reversing
this motor from full speed requires the output drive transistor
to operate, initially, along a loadline based upon the motor
resistance and total supply voltage. Worst case, this loadline
will have to be within the continuous dissipation rating of the
drive transistor; but system dynamics may permit taking advantage of the higher pulse ratings. Motor inductance can
cause added stress if system response is fast.
Shunt- and series-wound motors can generate back emf's
that are considerably more than the total supply voltage, resulting in even higher peak dissipation than a permanentmagnet motor having the same locked-rotor resistance.
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POWER LIMITING
870428
The design of heat sink is beyond the scope of this work.
Convection-cooled heat sinks are available commercially,
and their manufacturers should be consulted for ratings. The
preceding figure is a rough guide for temperature rise as a
function of fin area (both sides) available for convection cooling.
Proper mounting of the IC is required to minimize the thermal
drop between the package and the heat sink. The heat sink
must also have enough metal under the package to conduct
heat from the center of the package bottom to the fins without
excessive temperature drop.
A thermal grease such as Wakefield type 120 or Thermalloy
Thermacote should be used when mounting the package to
the heat sink. Without this compound, thermal resistance will
be no better than 0.5°C/W, and probably much worse. With
the compound, thermal resistance will be 0.2°C/W or less,
assuming under 0.005 inch combined flatness runout for the
package and heat sink. Proper torquing of the mounting bolts
is important. Four to six inch-pounds is recommended.
Should it be necessary to isolate V− from the heat sink, an
insulating washer is required. Hard washers like berylium oxide, anodized aluminum and mica require the use of thermal
compound on both faces. Two-mil mica washers are most
common, giving about 0.4°C/W interface resistance with the
compound. Silicone-rubber washers are also available. A 0.5°
C/W thermal resistance is claimed without thermal compound. Experience has shown that these rubber washers
deteriorate and must be replaced should the IC be dismounted.
“Isostrate” insulating pads for four-lead TO-3 packages are
available from Power Devices, Inc. Thermal grease is not required, and the insulators should not be reused.
870427
Should the power ratings of the LM12 be exceeded, dynamic
safe-area protection is activated. Waveforms with this power
limiting are shown for the LM12 driving ±26V at 30 Hz into
3Ω in series with 24 mH (θ = 45°). With an inductive load, the
output clamps to the supplies in power limit, as above. With
resistive loads, the output voltage drops in limit. Behavior with
more complex RCL loads is between these extremes.
Secondary thermal limit is activated should the case temperature exceed 150°C. This thermal limit shuts down the IC
completely (open output) until the case temperature drops to
about 145°C. Recovery may take several seconds.
POWER SUPPLIES
Power op amps do not require regulated supplies. However,
the worst-case output power is determined by the low-line
supply voltage in the ripple trough. The worst-case power
dissipation is established by the average supply voltage with
high-line conditions. The loss in power output that can be
guaranteed is the square of the ratio of these two voltages.
Relatively simple off-line switching power supplies can provide voltage conversion, line isolation and 5-percent regulation while reducing size and weight.
The regulation against ripple and line variations can provide
a substantial increase in the power output that can be guaranteed under worst-case conditions. In addition, switching
power supplies can convert low-voltage power sources such
as automotive batteries up to regulated, dual, high-voltage
supplies optimized for powering power op amps.
Definition of Terms
Input offset voltage: The absolute value of the voltage between the input terminals with the output voltage and current
at zero.
Input bias current: The absolute value of the average of the
two input currents with the output voltage and current at zero.
13
8704 Version 7 Revision 4
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www.national.com
LM12CL
HEAT SINKING
A semiconductor manufacturer has no control over heat sink
design. Temperature rating can only be based upon case
temperature as measured at the center of the package bottom. With power pulses of longer duration than 100 ms, case
temperature is almost entirely dependent on heat sink design
and the mounting of the IC to the heat sink.
VOLTAGE REGULATOR DISSIPATION
The pass transistor dissipation of a voltage regulator is easily
determined in the operating mode. Maximum continuous dissipation occurs with high line voltage and maximum load
current. As discussed earlier, ripple voltage can be averaged
if peak ratings are not exceeded; however, a higher average
voltage will be required to insure that the pass transistor does
not saturate at the ripple minimum.
Conditions during start-up can be more complex. If the input
voltage increases slowly such that the regulator does not go
into current limit charging output capacitance, there are no
problems. If not, load capacitance and load characteristics
must be taken into account. This is also the case if automatic
restart is required in recovering from overloads.
Automatic restart or start-up with fast-rising input voltages
cannot be guaranteed unless the continuous dissipation rating of the pass transistor is adequate to supply the load
current continuously at all voltages below the regulated output
voltage. In this regard, the LM12 performs much better than
IC regulators using foldback current limit, especially with highline input voltage above 20V.
LM12CL
Input offset current: The absolute value of the difference in
the two input currents with the output voltage and current at
zero.
Common-mode rejection: The ratio of the input voltage
range to the change in offset voltage between the extremes.
Supply-voltage rejection: The ratio of the specified supplyvoltage change to the change in offset voltage between the
extremes.
Output saturation threshold: The output swing limit for a
specified input drive beyond that required for zero output. It is
measured with respect to the supply to which the output is
swinging.
Large signal voltage gain: The ratio of the output voltage
swing to the differential input voltage required to drive the
output from zero to either swing limit. The output swing limit
is the supply voltage less a specified quasi-saturation voltage.
A pulse of short enough duration to minimize thermal effects
is used as a measurement signal.
Thermal gradient feedback: The input offset voltage
change caused by thermal gradients generated by heating of
the output transistors, but not the package. This effect is de-
layed by several milliseconds and results in increased gain
error below 100 Hz.
Output-current limit: The output current with a fixed output
voltage and a large input overdrive. The limiting current drops
with time once the protection circuitry is activated.
Power dissipation rating: The power that can be dissipated
for a specified time interval without activating the protection
circuitry. For time intervals in excess of 100 ms, dissipation
capability is determined by heat sinking of the IC package
rather than by the IC itself.
Thermal resistance: The peak, junction-temperature rise,
per unit of internal power dissipation, above the case temperature as measured at the center of the package bottom.
The dc thermal resistance applies when one output transistor
is operating continuously. The ac thermal resistance applies
with the output transistors conducting alternately at a high
enough frequency that the peak capability of neither transistor
is exceeded.
Supply current: The current required from the power source
to operate the amplifier with the output voltage and current at
zero.
Equivalent Schematic
(excluding active protection circuitry)
870429
www.national.com
14
8704 Version 7 Revision 4
Print Date/Time: 2008/09/16 12:48:40
LM12CL
Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted
4-Lead TO-3 Steel Package (K)
Order Number LM12CLK
NS Package Number K04A
15
8704 Version 7 Revision 4
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www.national.com
LM12CL 80W Operational Amplifier
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