AD603 Low Noise, 90 MHz Variable Gain Amplifier

The AD603 is a low noise, voltage-controlled amplifier for use in RF and IF AGC systems. It provides accurate, pin-selectable gains of −11 dB to +31 dB with a bandwidth of 90 MHz or +9 dB to 51+ dB with a bandwidth of 9 MHz. Any intermediate gain range may be arranged using one external resistor. The input referred noise spectral density is only 1.3 nV/√Hz, and power consumption is 125 mW at the recommended ±5 V supplies.

The decibel gain is linear in dB, accurately calibrated, and stable over temperature and supply. The gain is controlled at a high impedance (50 MΩ), low bias (200 nA) differential input; the scaling is 25 mV/dB, requiring a gain control voltage of only 1 V to span the central 40 dB of the gain range. An overrange and underrange of 1 dB is provided whatever the selected range. The gain control response time is less than 1 μs for a 40 dB change.

The differential gain control interface allows the use of either differential or single-ended positive or negative control voltages. Several of these amplifiers may be cascaded and their gain control gains offset to optimize the system SNR.

The AD603 can drive a load impedance as low as 100 Ω with low distortion. For a 500 Ω load in shunt with 5 pF, the total harmonic distortion for a ±1 V sinusoidal output at 10 MHz is typically −60 dBc. The peak specified output is ±2.5 V minimum into a 500 Ω load.

The AD603 uses a patented proprietary circuit topology—the X-AMP®. The X-AMP comprises a variable attenuator of 0 dB to −42.14 dB followed by a fixed-gain amplifier. Because of the attenuator, the amplifier never has to cope with large inputs and can use negative feedback to define its (fixed) gain and dynamic performance. The attenuator has an input resistance of 100 Ω, laser trimmed to ±3%, and comprises a 7-stage R-2R ladder network, resulting in an attenuation between tap points of 6.021 dB. A proprietary interpolation technique provides a continuous gain control function that is linear in dB.

The AD603 is specified for operation from −40°C to +85°C.

Applications
  • RF/IF AGC amplifiers
  • Video gain controls
  • A/D range extensions
  • Signal measurements
Features and Benefits
  • Linear-in-dB gain control
  • Pin-programmable gain ranges
    −11 dB to +31 dB with 90 MHz bandwidth
    9 dB to 51 dB with 9 MHz bandwidth
  • Any intermediate range, for example −1 dB to +41 dB with 30 MHz bandwidth
  • Bandwidth independent of variable gain
  • 1.3 nV/√Hz input noise spectral density
  • ±0.5 dB typical gain accuracy
  • Amplifiers
    Application Specific
    AD603 SPICE Macro-Model
    Data Sheets
    Documentnote
    AD603: Low Noise, 90 MHz Variable Gain Amplifier Data Sheet (Rev. K)PDF 545 kB
    AD603: Military Data Sheet
    Application Notes
    Documentnote
    AN-214: Ground Rules for High Speed CircuitsPDF 356 kB
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Documentnote
    Order Information
    Part NumberPackagePacking QtyTemp RangePrice 100-499Price 1000+RoHS
    5962-9457203MPA Production8 ld CerDIPOTH 48-55 to 125C47.2542.71N
    AD603ACHIPS ProductionCHIPS OR DIEREEL 18025C05.45Y
    AD603AQ Production8 ld CerDIPOTH 48-40 to 85C7.676.93N
    AD603AR Production8 ld SOICOTH 98-40 to 85C7.546.83N
    AD603AR-REEL Production8 ld SOICREEL 2500-40 to 85C06.83N
    AD603AR-REEL7 Production8 ld SOICREEL 750-40 to 85C06.83N
    AD603ARZ Production8 ld SOICOTH 98-40 to 85C6.666.03Y
    AD603ARZ-REEL Production8 ld SOICREEL 2500-40 to 85C06.03Y
    AD603ARZ-REEL7 Production8 ld SOICREEL 750-40 to 85C6.666.03Y
    AD603SQ/883B Production8 ld CerDIPOTH 48-55 to 125C47.2542.71N
    Evaluation Boards
    Part NumberDescriptionPriceRoHS
    AD603-EVALZEvaluation Board82.62Y
    Reference Materials
    AD603: Low Noise, 90 MHz Variable Gain Amplifier Data Sheet (Rev. K) ad603
    AD603 SPICE Macro-Model Rev. A, 12/94 ad603
    AD603A SPICE Macro-Model Rev. A, 12/94 ad603
    AD600: Military Data Sheet ad600
    AN-214: Ground Rules for High Speed Circuits ad1674
    Design and Operation of Automatic Gain Control Loops for Receivers in Modern... ad8369
    Variable Gain Amplifier Selection Table ad8369