CA3280, CA3280A

Data Sheet

May 2002

Dual, 9MHz, Operational

Transconductance Amplifier (OTA)

FN1174.6

Features
Low Initial Input Offset Voltage: 500V (Max) (CA3280A)

The CA3280 and CA3280A types consist of two variable

operational amplifiers that are designed to substantially reduce
the initial input offset voltage and the offset voltage variation
with respect to changes in programming current. This design
results in reduced AGC thump, an objectionable characteristic
of many AGC systems. Interdigitation, or crosscoupling, of
critical portions of the circuit reduces the amplifier dependence
upon thermal and processing variables.
The CA3280 has all the generic characteristics of an
operational voltage amplifier except that the forward transfer
characteristics is best described by transconductance rather
than voltage gain, and the output is current, not voltage. The
magnitude of the output current is equal to the product of
transconductance and the input voltage. This type of
operational transconductance amplifier was first introduced in
1969, and it has since gained wide acceptance as a gateable,
gain controlled building block for instrumentation and audio
applications, such as linearization of transducer outputs,
standardization of widely changing signals for data processing,
multiplexing, instrumentation amplifiers operating from the
nanopower range to high current and high speed comparators.
For additional application information on this device and on
OTAs in general, please refer to Application Notes: AN6818,
AN6668, and AN6077.

Low Offset Voltage Change vs IABC: <500V (Typ)

for All Types
Low Offset Voltage Drift: 5V/oC (Max) (CA3280A)
Excellent Matching of the Two Amplifiers for All
Characteristics
Internal Current-Driven Linearizing Diodes Reduce the
External Input Current to an Offset Component
Flexible Supply Voltage Range . . . . . . . . . . 2V to 15V

Applications
Voltage Controlled Amplifiers
Voltage Controlled Oscillators
Multipliers
Demodulators
Sample and Hold
Instrumentation Amplifiers
Function Generators
Triangle Wave-to-Sine Wave Converters
Comparators
Audio Preamplifier

Pinout
CA3280 (PDIP)
TOP VIEW
ID, A1 1

A1

EMITTER, A1 2

Functional Diagram

16 +IN, A1
15 -IN, A1

V- 4

13 OUT, A1

NC 5

12 OUT, A2

11 V+, A2

IABC, A2 6
EMITTER, A2 7

14

1/2 CA3280

11

14 V+, A1

IABC, A1 3

10 -IN, A2

9 +IN, A2

A2

ID, A2 8

15

10

7
2

+ 16
13

9
2K

2K

12

Ordering Information

8
4

PART NUMBER
CA3280AE
CA3280E

TEMP.
RANGE (oC)

PACKAGE

PKG.
NO.

-55 to 125

16 Ld PDIP

E16.3

0 to 70

16 Ld PDIP

E16.3

CAUTION: These devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge; follow proper IC Handling Procedures.
1-888-INTERSIL or 321-724-7143 | Intersil (and design) is a trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.
Copyright Intersil Americas Inc. 2002. All Rights Reserved

CA3280, CA3280A
.

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Thermal Information

Supply Voltage (Between V+ and V-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .+36V

Differential Input Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5V
Input Voltage Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V+ to VInput Current at ID = 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100A
Amplifier Bias Current (IABC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10mA
Output Short Circuit Duration (Note 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indefinite
Linearizing Diode Bias Current, ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5mA
Peak Input Current with Linearizing Diode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ID

Thermal Resistance (Typical, Note 1)

JA (oC/W)

JC (oC/W)

PDIP Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
90
N/A
Maximum Junction Temperature (Plastic Package) . . . . . . . .150oC
Maximum Storage Temperature Range . . . . . . . . . -65oC to 150oC
Maximum Lead Temperature (Soldering 10s) . . . . . . . . . . . . 300oC

Operating Conditions
Temperature Range
CA3280 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0oC to 70oC
CA3280A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -55oC to 125oC
Supply Voltage Range (Typ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2V to 15V
CAUTION: Stresses above those listed in Absolute Maximum Ratings may cause permanent damage to the device. This is a stress only rating and operation of the
device at these or any other conditions above those indicated in the operational sections of this specification is not implied.

NOTE:
1. JA is measured with the component mounted on a low effective thermal conductivity test board in free air. See Tech Brief TB379 for details.
2. Short circuit may be applied to ground or to either supply.
For Equipment Design, at TA = 25oC, VSUPPLY = 15V, Unless Otherwise Specified

Electrical Specifications

CA3280
PARAMETER

SYMBOL

Input Offset Voltage

VIO

|VIO|

Input Offset Voltage Drift

TEST CONDITIONS

CA3280A

MIN

TYP

MAX

MIN

TYP

MAX

UNITS

IABC = 1mA

0.5

mV

IABC = 100A

0.7

0.25

0.5

mV

IABC = 10A

0.5

mV

IABC = 1mA to 10A,

TA = Full Temp. Range

0.8

0.8

1.5

mV

IABC = 1A to 1mA

0.5

0.5

mV

IABC = 100A, TA = Full

Temperature Range

V/oC

Amplifier Bias Voltage

VABC

IABC = 100A

1.2

1.2

Peak Output Voltage

VOM+

IABC = 500A

12

13.7

12.5

13.7

12

-14.3

-13.3

-14.3

12

13.9

12.5

13.9

12

-14.5

-13.5

-14.5

-13

13

-13

13

10Hz

20

20

nV/Hz

1kHz

nV/Hz

10kHz

nV/Hz

VOMVOM+

IABC = 5A

VOMCommon Mode Input Voltage

Range
Noise Voltage

VICR

IABC = 100A

eN

IABC = 500A

Input Offset Current

IIO

IABC = 500A

-Z

0.3

0.7

0.3

0.7

Input Bias Current

IIB

IABC = 500A

1.8

1.8

IABC = 500A, TA = Full

Temperature Range

CA3280, CA3280A
For Equipment Design, at TA = 25oC, VSUPPLY = 15V, Unless Otherwise Specified (Continued)

Electrical Specifications

CA3280
PARAMETER

SYMBOL

MIN

TYP

MAX

MIN

TYP

MAX

UNITS

Source

350

410

650

350

410

650

Sink

-350

-410

-650

-350

-410

-650

Source

4.1

4.1

IOM-

Sink

-3

-4.1

-7

-3

-4.1

-7

IOM -,
IOM+

IABC = 500A, TA = Full

Temperature Range

350

450

550

350

450

550

ID = 100A

10

10

Offset Current

ID = 10A

0.5

0.5

Dynamic Impedance

ID = 100A

700

700

IABC = 100A

250

400

800

250

400

800

IABC = 500A

2.4

2.4

mA

IABC = 0, VO = 0V

0.015

0.1

0.015

0.1

nA

IABC = 0, VO = 30V

0.15

0.15

nA

Peak Output Current

IOM+

TEST CONDITIONS

CA3280A

IABC = 500A

IOMIOM+

Peak Output Current Sink and

Source
Linearization Diodes

Diode Network Supply Current

Amplifier Supply Current
(Per Amplifier)

I+

Amplifier Output Leakage Current

IOL

IABC = 5A

Common Mode Rejection Ratio

CMRR

IABC = 100A

80

100

94

100

dB

Power Supply Rejection Ratio

PSRR

IABC = 100A

86

105

94

105

dB

IABC = 100A,
RL = , VO = 20VP-P

94

100

94

100

dB

50

100

50

100

kV/V

Open Loop Voltage Gain

AOL

Forward Transconductance

GM

IABC = 50A, Large Signal

0.8

1.2

0.8

1.2

mS

gM

IABC = 1mA, Small Signal

16

22

16

22

mS

RI

IABC = 10A

0.5

0.5

f = 1kHz

94

94

dB

THD

f = 1kHz, IABC = 1.5mA,

RL = 15k, VO = 20VP-P

0.4

0.4

Bandwidth

fT

IABC = 1mA, RL = 100

MHz

Slew Rate, Open Loop

SR

IABC = 1mA

125

125

V/s

Capacitance

CI

IABC = 100A

Input

4.5

4.5

pF

Output

7.5

7.5

pF

63

63

Input Resistance
Channel Separation
Open Loop Total
Harmonic Distortion

CO
Output Resistance

RO

IABC = 100A

CA3280, CA3280A
Test Circuits and Waveforms
V+
+30V
INPUT
16
14

30V
0V

15

I
TEST
POINT

1/2
CA3280
+

16

15

13

+
1/2
CA3280

1k

0.1
F

OUTPUT
13
3

4
4

0.1F

14

30k
V-

V+

10k

3
30k
1k

FIGURE 1. LEAKAGE CURRENT TEST CIRCUIT

FIGURE 2. CHANNEL SEPARATION TEST CIRCUIT

V+
15V
14
10k
16
IOUT

1/2
CA3280

13

10k
15
4
3

1k

V-15V
VIN

IABC

IABC = 650A, ID = 200A; Vertical = 200A/Div.;

Horizontal = 1V/Div.

IDIODE

FIGURE 3A. EFFECTS OF DIODE LINEARIZATION, WITH DIODE PROGRAMMING TERMINAL ACTIVE

V+
15V
11
10k
9
1/2
CA3280

12
IOUT

10k
10
6
4

1k

8
IDIODE

IABC
V-15V

VIN

IABC = 650A; ID = 0; Vertical = 200A/Div.;

Horizontal = 25mV/Div.
FIGURE 3B. WITH DIODE PROGRAMMING TERMINAL CUTOFF
FIGURE 3. CA3280 TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS

CA3280, CA3280A
Application Information
Figures 4 and 5 show the equivalent circuits for the current
source and linearization diodes in the CA3280. The current
through the linearization network is approximately equal to the
programming current. There are several advantages to driving
these diodes with a current source. First, only the offset current
from the biasing network flows through the input resistor.
Second, another input is provided to extend the gain control
dynamic range. And third, the input is truly differential and can
accept signals within the common mode range of the CA3280.

Typical Applications
The structure of the variable operational amplifier eliminates
the need for matched resistor networks in differential to single
ended converters, as shown in Figure 6. A matched resistor
network requires ratio matching of 0.01% or trimming for 80dB
of common-mode rejection. The CA3280, with its excellent
common mode rejection ratio, is capable of converting a small
(25mV) differential input signal to a single-ended output
without the need for a matched resistor network.
Figure 7 shows the CA3280 in a typical gain control application.
Gain control can be performed with the amplifier bias current

(lABC). With no diode bias current, the gain is merely gMRL. For
example, with an lABC of 1mA, the gM is approximately 16mS.
With the CA3280 operating into a 5k resistor, the gain is 80.
The need for external buffers can be eliminated by the use of
low value load resistors, but the resulting increase in the
required amplifier bias current reduces the input impedance
of the CA3280. The linearization diode impedance also
decreases as the diode bias current increases, which further
loads the input. The diodes, in addition to acting as a
linearization network, also operate as an additional
attenuation system to accommodate input signals in the volt
range when they are applied through appropriate input
resistors.
Figure 10 shows a triangle wave to sine wave converter
using the CA3280. Two 100k resistors are connected
between the differential amplifier emitters and V+ to reduce
the current flow through the differential amplifier. This allows
the amplifier to fully cut off during peak input signal
excursions. THD is appropriately 0.37% for this circuit.

RD = SMALL SIGNAL DIODE

IMPEDANCE

V+

RD

70
52
ID(mA) x 1.34 = ID
RD
VOA
VOA

ID

IABC
ID

IABC

V-

FIGURE 4. VOA SHOWING LINEARIZATION DIODES AND

CURRENT DRIVE

FIGURE 5. BLOCK DIAGRAM OF LINEARIZED VOA

10VP-P
INPUT

+15V

V+ = +15V
OUTPUT
21VP-P
14mV AGC
FEEDTHRU
400V
NOISE AT
MAX GAIN

68k
600

68k

1
16

2k
16
DIFFERENTIAL
INPUT 2k
15

14

10k

14
+
1/2
CA3280

V+
13

SINGLEENDED
OUTPUT

330k

+
1/2
CA3280

15

100k

13
4
15k

4
10k
1

V-

3
10k
20k
V- = -15V

-15V

FIGURE 6. DIFFERENTIAL TO SINGLE ENDED CONVERTER

VOLTAGE
CONTROL

FIGURE 7. TYPICAL GAIN CONTROL CIRCUIT

CA3280, CA3280A
3
+15V
2k
16

+
1/2
CA3280

33pF

51

10k

14
13

15

1800pF

2k
2k

6
9

51

10k

+
1/2
CA3280

33pF

10

-15V
1N914

14

OUTPUT
100k

12
300pF
10k

100

TO 10k
6

1/2 CD4013

4
8

TO 10k

-15V

0.05F

FIGURE 8. TWO CHANNEL LINEAR MULTIPLEXER

V+

3.6k

V+ = +7.5V

14
16

0.1F

+
1/2
CA3280

200
15

13

V+
560k

11
10

4
V+

1/2
CA3280

2.7k

3.3k

CA3160

15 - 115pF
3

910k

V-

200

100k
V+

V-

8
4

0.1F

100k

12

1
VV- = -7.5V

V+

3.3k

V10k
MAX FREQ.
SET

5.6k

4 - 60pF

500

1k
MIN FREQ. SET

2k

1N914

1N914

FIGURE 9. CA3280 USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A CA3160 TO PROVIDE A FUNCTION GENERATOR WITH A TUNABLE RANGE OF
2Hz TO 1MHz

+15V
170mVP-P
2k
16

15
0.1
F

30k

14

6.8
1
M M

3
+
1/2
CA3280

13
100k

2
+15V

+15V

51

11
-15V
+15V
1M
10
100k
-15V

200

6
9

2k

+
1/2
CA3280

7
12

3.9
k

100k

4
-15V

FIGURE 10. TRIANGLE WAVE-TO-SINE WAVE CONVERTER

CA3280, CA3280A
Typical Performance Curves

IABC = 3mA

104

101

TA = 25oC
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

SMALL SIGNAL FORWARD

TRANSCONDUCTANCE (mS)

105

IABC = 300A

103

IABC = 30A

102

IABC = 3.0A

101

IABC = 0.3A

I
= 0.03A
0.1 ABC
101 102
103

104

105

106

107

108

TA = 25oC
VS = 15V

10-1

10-2
10-1

109

101

FIGURE 11. AMPLIFIER GAIN vs FREQUENCY

2
INPUT OFFSET VOLTAGE (mV)

INPUT OFFSET CURRENT (nA)

FIGURE 12. SUPPLY CURRENT vs DIODE CURRENT

VS = 15V
TA = -55oC
TA = 25oC
TA = 125oC

102

101

101

102

1
0
TA = 125oC
TA = 25oC
TA = -55oC

-1
-2
TA = 125oC

-3
-4
-5

103

101
102
AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT (A)

AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT (A)

FIGURE 13. INPUT OFFSET CURRENT vs AMPLIFIER BIAS

CURRENT

103

FIGURE 14. INPUT OFFSET VOLTAGE vs AMPLIFIER BIAS

CURRENT

16

106
VS = 15V

105
INPUT CURRENT (pA)

15
PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)

103

DIODE CURRENT (A)

FREQUENCY (Hz)

103

102

14
13

TA = 125oC
TA = 25oC
TA = -55oC

0
-13

TA = 125oC
TA = 25oC
TA = -55oC

-14

TA = 125oC

104
103
102
TA = 25oC

101

-15
-16
1

101

102

103

AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT (A)

FIGURE 15. PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE vs AMPLIFIER BIAS

CURRENT

1
0

DIFFERENTIAL INPUT VOLTAGE (V)

FIGURE 16. INPUT CURRENT vs INPUT DIFFERENTIAL

VOLTAGE

10

CA3280, CA3280A
Typical Performance Curves

(Continued)
1800
AMPLIFIER BIAS VOLTAGE (mV)

LEAKAGE CURRENT (nA)

104
103
V9 = V10 = V12 = 30V

102

10
1
V9 = V10 = V12 = 0V

10-1
10-2
-75

VS = 15V

1600

TA = -55oC

1400
TA = 25oC

1200
1000

TA = 100oC

800

TA = 125oC

600
400

-50

-25

25

50

75

100

125

150 175

101

TEMPERATURE (oC)

FIGURE 18. AMPLIFIER BIAS VOLTAGE vs AMPLIFIER BIAS

CURRENT

103

TA = 25oC

20

PEAK OUTPUT CURRENT (A)

1/ f NOISE VOLTAGE (nV/Hz)

22
18
16
14
12
10

IABC = 500A

8
6
4

VS = 15V

TA = -55oC
TA = 25oC
TA = 125oC

102

101
TA = 125oC
TA = -55oC
TA = 25oC

2
1

0
101

102

103

104

105

101

FIGURE 19. 1/f NOISE vs FREQUENCY

103

FIGURE 20. PEAK OUTPUT CURRENT vs AMPLIFIER BIAS

CURRENT

105

106
TA = 25oC
VS = +15V

105

SMALL SIGNAL FORWARD

TRANSCONDUCTANCE (S)

DIODE RESISTANCE ()

102

AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT (A)

FREQUENCY (Hz)

104

103

102

101
10-1

103

AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT (A)

FIGURE 17. LEAKAGE CURRENT vs TEMPERATURE

24

102

101

102

103

DIODE CURRENT (A)

FIGURE 21. DIODE RESISTANCE vs DIODE CURRENT

104

104

TA = -55oC
TA = 25oC
TA = 125oC

103
102
101
1
10-1
10-3

10-2

10-1

101

102

103

104

AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT (A)

FIGURE 22. AMPLIFIER GAIN vs AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT

CA3280, CA3280A
Typical Performance Curves

104

VS = 15V

VS = 15V

103

INPUT BIAS CURRENT (nA)

SUPPLY CURRENT (A)

104

(Continued)

102
TA = 125oC
101
TA = -55oC, 25oC
1

103

102

TA = 125oC
TA = 25oC

101
TA = -55oC

10-1

10-1

101

102

103

AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT (A)

FIGURE 23. SUPPLY CURRENT vs AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT

1
10-1

101

102

AMPLIFIER BIAS CURRENT (A)

FIGURE 24. INPUT BIAS CURRENT vs AMPLIFIER BIAS

CURRENT

103

CA3280, CA3280A
Dual-In-Line Plastic Packages (PDIP)
N

E16.3 (JEDEC MS-001-BB ISSUE D)

E1
INDEX
AREA

1 2 3

16 LEAD DUAL-IN-LINE PLASTIC PACKAGE

N/2

INCHES
-B-

SYMBOL

-AE

D
BASE
PLANE

-C-

A2

SEATING
PLANE

A
L

D1

B1

D1

eA

A1

eC

B
0.010 (0.25) M

C
L

C A B S

eB

NOTES:
1. Controlling Dimensions: INCH. In case of conflict between English and
Metric dimensions, the inch dimensions control.

MILLIMETERS

MIN

MAX

MIN

MAX

NOTES

0.210

5.33

A1

0.015

0.39

A2

0.115

0.195

2.93

4.95

0.014

0.022

0.356

0.558

B1

0.045

0.070

1.15

1.77

8, 10

0.008

0.014

0.204

0.355

0.735

0.775

18.66

19.68

D1

0.005

0.13

0.300

0.325

7.62

8.25

E1

0.240

0.280

6.10

7.11

0.100 BSC

2.54 BSC

3. Symbols are defined in the MO Series Symbol List in Section 2.2 of

Publication No. 95.

eA

0.300 BSC

7.62 BSC

eB

0.430

10.92

4. Dimensions A, A1 and L are measured with the package seated in JEDEC seating plane gauge GS-3.

0.115

0.150

2.93

3.81

2. Dimensioning and tolerancing per ANSI Y14.5M-1982.

5. D, D1, and E1 dimensions do not include mold flash or protrusions.

Mold flash or protrusions shall not exceed 0.010 inch (0.25mm).
6. E and eA are measured with the leads constrained to be perpendicular to datum -C- .

16

16

9
Rev. 0 12/93

7. eB and eC are measured at the lead tips with the leads unconstrained.
eC must be zero or greater.
8. B1 maximum dimensions do not include dambar protrusions. Dambar
protrusions shall not exceed 0.010 inch (0.25mm).
9. N is the maximum number of terminal positions.
10. Corner leads (1, N, N/2 and N/2 + 1) for E8.3, E16.3, E18.3, E28.3,
E42.6 will have a B1 dimension of 0.030 - 0.045 inch (0.76 - 1.14mm).

All Intersil U.S. products are manufactured, assembled and tested utilizing ISO9000 quality systems.
Intersil Corporations quality certifications can be viewed at www.intersil.com/design/quality
Intersil products are sold by description only. Intersil Corporation reserves the right to make changes in circuit design, software and/or specifications at any time without
notice. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned to verify that data sheets are current before placing orders. Information furnished by Intersil is believed to be accurate and
reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by Intersil or its subsidiaries for its use; nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result
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10