LT1719 Linear Technology, LT1719 Datasheet - Page 12

• Manufacturer Part Number: LT1719
• Description: 4ns/ 150MHz Dual Comparator with Independent Input/Output Supplies
• Manufacturer: Linear Technology

APPLICATIONS
LT1719
common mode range. The differential input voltage range
is rail-to-rail, without the large input currents found in
competing devices. The input stage also features phase
reversal protection to prevent false outputs when the
inputs are driven below the –100mV common mode
voltage limit.
The internal hysteresis is implemented by positive, nonlin-
ear feedback around a second gain stage. Until this point,
the signal path has been entirely differential. The signal
path is then split into two drive signals for the upper and
lower output transistors. The output transistors are con-
nected common emitter for rail-to-rail output operation.
The Schottky clamps limit the output voltages at about
300mV from the rail, not quite the 50mV or 15mV of Linear
Technology’s rail-to-rail amplifiers and other products.
But the output of a comparator is digital, and this output
stage can drive TTL or CMOS directly. It can also drive ECL,
as described earlier, or analog loads as demonstrated in
the applications to follow.
The bias conditions and signal swings in the output stage
are designed to turn their respective output transistors off
faster than on. This helps minimize the surge of current
from + V
the frequency-dependent increase in power consumption.
The frequency dependence of the supply current is shown
in the Typical Performance Characteristics.
12
S
to ground that occurs at transitions, to minimize
+IN
–IN
U
INFORMATION
U
+
–
A
V1
V
V
CC
EE
W
SHUTDOWN
+
+
Figure 7. LT1719 Block Diagram
U
NONLINEAR STAGE
+
–
BIAS CONTOL
A
V2
Speed Limits
The LT1719 comparator is intended for high speed appli-
cations, where it is important to understand a few limita-
tions. These limitations can roughly be divided into three
categories: input speed limits, output speed limits, and
internal speed limits.
There are no significant input speed limits except the
shunt capacitance of the input nodes. If the 2pF typical
input nodes are driven, the LT1719 will respond.
The output speed is constrained by two mechanisms, the
first of which is the slew currents available from the output
transistors. To maintain low power quiescent operation,
the LT1719 output transistors are sized to deliver 35mA to
60mA typical slew currents. This is sufficient to drive small
capacitive loads and logic gate inputs at extremely high
speeds. But the slew rate will slow dramatically with heavy
capacitive loads. Because the propagation delay (t
definition ends at the time the output voltage is halfway
between the supplies, the fixed slew current makes the
LT1719 faster at 3V than 5V with large capacitive loads and
sufficient input overdrive.
Another manifestation of this output speed limit is skew,
the difference between t
the LT1719 vary with the process variations of the PNP
and NPN transistors, for rising edges and falling edges
respectively. The typical 0.5ns skew can have either polar-
ity, rising edge or falling edge faster. Again, the skew will
increase dramatically with heavy capacitive loads.
+
–
+
–
PD
+
and t
1719 F07
PD
–
. The slew currents of
+V
OUT
GND
S
PD
)