Other Parts Discussed in Post: OPA140, OPA827

Last week we looked at the effect that internal differential input clamp diodes could have on op amps when used as a comparator. I posed a question--can these clamps affect op amp circuits. Op amps should have near zero volts between the two input terminals, right? So these diodes will never forward bias in normal op amp circuits... or will they?

Just a reminder, we’re talking about the differential clamp diodes that may be present in some op amps, see figure 1.

 

The effect in op amp circuits is often seen in the basic non-inverting amplifier configurations, including a simple G=1 buffer amplifier. Consider a positive-going input step. The output cannot immediately follow the abrupt input voltage change. If the input step is greater than 0.7V, D1 will conduct, disturbing the non-inverting input. During this period when the op amp is slewing to its new output voltage, the current in the input terminal of the op amp will spike to a much higher value, see figure2. Eventually, when the output “catches up” to the input and all will be well again.

 

Many applications process inherently slow or band-limited signals, well below the slew rate of the op amp so this behavior would never occur. And in other applications, even with fast changing input voltage, the transient in input terminal current does not adversely affect circuit operation. But in some special cases, the pulse of input current can cause problems. One noteworthy situation is in a multiplexed data acquisition system--a simplified case just showing two input channels is shown below.

 

As the multiplexer switches from channel 1 to channel 2, in this example, U1’s output is required to quickly slew from -5V to +5V. D1 forward biases and the resulting input current transient passes through the multiplexer switch, discharging the voltage on C2. R/C input filters are often used to hold a steady voltage during channel switching but the current pulse partially discharges C2. It will now take additional time for C2 to recharge to the correct input voltage thus slowing down the possible multiplex rate or reducing accuracy.

The solution is to use an op amp without differential clamps for U1. A FET-input amplifier such as the OPA140 has low input bias current (so as to not load the series resistance of the MUX) and no differential input clamps. It’s great for multiplexed inputs. The OPA827 is an extraordinary performer in most applications--FET input, very low noise, high speed and fast settling. But it has differential input clamps so the OPA827 is probably not the best choice for the op amp following a multiplexer. Last week’s blog had some general guidelines on various op amp types with focus on differential clamps. Check it out for more details… Op Amps as Comparators.

I certainly don't want to leave an impression that op amps with differential input clamps are risky and should be avoided. They are not. But with awareness, you can make better-informed selections in the rare instances where they could affect your circuits. Have you found other ways that differential input clamps affect your circuits?

Thanks for reading,

Bruce

Anonymous
  • Hi Bruce,

    I have an OPA241 op-amp current source (2-wire) where it looks like inputs are conducting.

    When "latched-up", I see the following (approximately, relative to current-source - terminal):

    V(+supply) = 5.74

    V(+ input) = 2.35

    V(-input) = 3.00

    V(- supply) = 3.00

    V(output) = 3.00

    V(+input) should be 2.00V (200uA reference current into 10k) but the op-amp inputs seem to be conducting about 35uA through the differential inputs (- to +) into my 10k resistor.  

    1. Does OPA241 have input clamps?

    If so,  I need a similarly low-quiescent current, low offset (as low as available) single op-amp that can operate low voltage (as low as possible) without the clamps.

    What about LMC6061?  Does it have input clamps?

    LMC6041 data sheet says "insensitivity to latch-up" ... is that referring to input clamps conducting?

    Which TI op-amps do not have the clamps? Is there a list? A parameter search?

    I can send you my circuit schematic.

  • Steffen-- Could I ask you to please post this question on our E2E forum? Your question is not directly related to the topic this blog and could result in multiple posts to select the best op amp for your application. Here is the link to the precision amplifier forum...

    e2e.ti.com/.../default.aspx

    Regards-- Bruce

  • Hello Bruce,

    I have a similar application like the one described in figure 3. Is there an alternative to the OPA140 with an increased Common-Mode Voltage Range? My supply voltage is +-12V, and according to the data sheet the upper limit of the Common-Mode Voltage Range of the OPA140 is (V+)–3.5. The input signal to the voltage follower in my application is +-10V.

    Regards,

    Steffen