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Amplifier and comparator question

kazola
Guru 18605 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TLV3401, TLV3701

Hi,

just a little question from a non-hardware guy :)

I would like to know your opinion and/or suggestion for the best TI products when considering:

  1. Low-power comparators. We are working with a MAX9119 which consumes... 350nA if I do not remember wrong, but I would like reducing these value even more :) The comparator it's placed at the end of a RF circuit.
  2. I also would like your TI suggestions regarding low-power amplifiers. This should be placed at the beginning of the RF circuit :) I would also like to ask if this should be placed before or after a pass-band filter (for example at the 2.4GHz) and why.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm not a hardware guy and perhaps this questions are silly.

Let's see what you all can tell me. Thanks! :)

  • 0
    TI__Guru* 93105 points

    Hello Kazola,

    The comparator you mention is in the nanopower category and that is about as low in power as they come at this time. TI has a similar nanopower, push-pull comparator the TLV3701. It and the competitive nanopower comparator have the same maximum quiescent current specification set to 800 nA. In either case the operating current will increase with increased switching speed. Changing to an open-drain comparator such as the TLV3401 can decrease the quiescent current to a typical of about 470 nA, but that type may or may not be suitable for you application.

    I assume the amplifier you are asking about is for use in the 2.4 GHz range and not a low-power, low-frequency operational amplifier. In nearly every narrow band amplifier case that I know of the amplifier follows the band-pass filter. One of the primary reasons for doing so is the amplifier is less exposed to strong out-of-band signals. If such signals are allowed to enter the amplifier not only will they be amplified, but they can result in intermodulation distortion if the amplifier goes non-linear. Intermodulation products are produced at many different frequencies and some may fall within the pass-band following the amplifier stage. Overall this is not a good thing for the system and achieving specific levels of performance become ever more difficult.

    Regards, Thomas

    PA - Linear Applications Engineering