Diodes LM2902/ LM2902A/ LM2904/ LM2904A - Manual (Page 8)

LM2902/ LM2902A/ LM2904/ LM2904A
Document number: DS36780 Rev. 1 - 2
8 of 13
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March 2014
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LM2902/ LM2902A/ LM2904/ LM2904A
Application Information
General Information
The LM2902/2904 series are op amps which operate with only a single power supply voltage, have true-differential inputs, and remain in the linear
mode with an input common-mode voltage of 0 V
DC
. These amplifiers operate over a wide range of power supply voltage with little change in
performance characteristics. At +25°C amplifier operation is possible down to a minimum supply voltage of 2.3 V
DC
.
Precautions should be taken to insure that the power supply for the integrated circuit never becomes reversed in polarity or that the unit is not
inadvertently installed backwards in a test socket as an unlimited current surge through the resulting forward diode within the IC could cause fusing
of the internal conductors and result in a destroyed unit.
Large differential input voltages can be easily accommodated and, as input differential voltage protection diodes are not needed, no large input
currents result from large differential input voltages. The differential input voltage may be larger than V
+ without damaging the device. Protection
should be provided to prevent the input voltages from going negative more than -0.3 V
DC
(@ +25°C). An input clamp diode with a resistor to the IC
input terminal can be used.
To reduce the power supply current drain, the amplifiers have a class A output stage for small signal levels which converts to class B in a large
signal mode. These allows the amplifiers to both source and sink large output currents. Therefore both NPN and PNP external current boost
transistors can be used to extend the power capability of the basic amplifiers. The output voltage needs to raise approximately 1 diode drop above
ground to bias the on-chip vertical PNP transistor for output current sinking applications.
For ac applications, where the load is capacitive coupled to the output of the amplifier, a resistor should be used, from the output of the amplifier to
ground to increase the class A bias current and prevent crossover distortion. Where the load is directly coupled, as in dc applications, there is no
crossover distortion.
Capacitive loads which are applied directly to the output of the amplifier reduce the loop stability margin. Values of 50pF can be accommodated
using the worst-case non-inverting unity gain connection. Large closed loop gains or resistive isolation should be used if larger load capacitance
must be driven by the amplifier.
The bias network of the LM2902/2904 series establishes a quiescent current which is independent of the magnitude of the power supply voltage
over the range of 3 V
DC
to 30 V
DC
.
Output short circuits either to ground or to the positive power supply should be of short time duration. Units can be destroyed, not as a result of the
short circuit current causing metal fusing, but rather due to the large increase in IC chip dissipation which will cause eventual failure due to
excessive function temperatures. Putting direct short-circuits on more than one amplifier at a time will increase the total IC power dissipation to
destructive levels, if not properly protected with external dissipation limiting resistors in series with the output leads of the amplifiers. The larger
value of output source current which is available at +25°C provides a larger output current capability at elevated temperatures (see typical
performance characteristics) than a standard IC op amp.
The circuits presented in the section on typical applications emphasize operation on only a single power supply voltage. If complementary power
supplies are available, all of the standard op amp circuits can be used. In general, introducing a pseudo-ground (a bias voltage reference of V
CC
/2)
will allow operation above and below this value in single power supply systems. Many application circuits are shown which take advantage of the
wide input common-mode voltage range which includes ground. In most cases, input biasing is not required and input voltages which range to
ground can easily be accommodated.