The AD600/AD6021 dual channel, low noise, variable gain amplifiers are optimized for use in ultrasound imaging systems but are applicable to any application requiring precise gain, low noise and distortion, and wide bandwidth. Each independent channel provides a gain of 0 dB to +40 dB in the AD600 and −10 dB to +30 dB in the AD602. The lower gain of the AD602 results in an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the output. However, both products have the same 1.4 nV/Hz input noise spectral density. The decibel gain is directly proportional to the control voltage, accurately calibrated, and supply and temperature stable.
To achieve the difficult performance objectives, a proprietary circuit form, the X-AMP®, was developed. Each channel of the X-AMP comprises a variable attenuator of 0 dB to −42.14 dB followed by a high speed fixed gain amplifier. In this way, the amplifier never has to cope with large inputs and can benefit from the use of negative feedback to precisely define the gain and dynamics. The attenuator is realized as a 7-stage R-2R ladder network having an input resistance of 100 , laser trimmed to ±2%. The attenuation between tap points is 6.02 dB; the gain-control circuit provides continuous interpolation between these taps. The resulting control function is linear in dB.
The gain-control interfaces are fully differential, providing an input resistance of ~15 M and a scale factor of 32 dB/V (that is, 31.25 mV/dB) defined by an internal voltage reference. The response time of this interface is less than 1 s. Each channel also has an independent gating facility that optionally blocks signal transmission and sets the dc output level to within a few millivolts of the output ground. The gating control input is TTL- and CMOS-compatible.
The maximum gain of the AD600 is 41.07 dB, and the maximum gain of the AD602 is 31.07 dB; the −3 dB bandwidth of both models is nominally
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