LM2900, LM3900

QUADRUPLE NORTON OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS

SLOS059 JULY 1979 REVISED SEPTEMBER 1990

D
D
D
D
D
D
D

N PACKAGE
(TOP VIEW)

Wide Range of Supply Voltages, Single or

Dual Supplies
Wide Bandwidth
Large Output Voltage Swing
Output Short-Circuit Protection
Internal Frequency Compensation
Low Input Bias Current
Designed to Be Interchangeable With
National Semiconductor LM2900 and
LM3900, Respectively

1IN +
2IN +
2IN
2OUT
1OUT
1IN
GND

14

13

12

11

10

VCC
3IN +
4IN +
4IN
4OUT
3OUT
3IN

description
These devices consist of four independent, highgain frequency-compensated Norton operational
amplifiers that were designed specifically to
operate from a single supply over a wide range of
voltages. Operation from split supplies is also
possible. The low supply current drain is
essentially independent of the magnitude of the
supply voltage. These devices provide wide bandwidth and large output voltage swing.

symbol (each amplifier)

IN +

OUT

IN

The LM2900 is characterized for operation from

40C to 85C, and the LM3900 is characterized
for operation from 0C to 70C.

schematic (each amplifier)

VCC
Constant
Current
Generator

200 A

OUT
IN
1.3 mA

IN +

Copyright 1990, Texas Instruments Incorporated

PRODUCTION DATA information is current as of publication date.

Products conform to specifications per the terms of Texas Instruments
standard warranty. Production processing does not necessarily include
testing of all parameters.

POST OFFICE BOX 655303

DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

LM2900, LM3900
QUADRUPLE NORTON OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
SLOS059 JULY 1979 REVISED SEPTEMBER 1990

absolute maximum ratings over operating free-air temperature range (unless otherwise noted)
LM2900

LM3900

UNIT

Supply voltage, VCC (see Note 1)

36

36

Input current

20

20

mA

unlimited

unlimited

Duration of output short circuit (one amplifier) to ground at (or below) 25C free-air temperature
(see Note 2)
Continuous total dissipation

See Dissipation Rating Table

Operating free-air temperature range

40 to 85

0 to 70

Storage temperature range

65 to 150

65 to 150

260

260

Lead temperature 1,6 mm (1/16 inch) from case for 10 seconds

NOTES: 1. All voltage values, except differential voltages, are with respect to the network ground terminal.
2. Short circuits from outputs to VCC can cause excessive heating and eventual destruction.
DISSIPATION RATING TABLE
PACKAGE
N

TA 25C
POWER RATING
1150 mW

DERATING FACTOR
ABOVE TA = 25C
9.2 mW/C

TA = 70C
POWER RATING

TA = 85C
POWER RATING

736 mW

598 mW

recommended operating conditions

LM2900
Supply voltage, VCC (single supply)

LM3900

UNIT

MIN

MAX

MIN

MAX

4.5

32

4.5

32

V
V

Supply voltage, VCC + (dual supply)

2.2

16

2.2

16

Supply voltage, VCC (dual supply)

2.2

16

2.2

16

mA

Input current (see Note 3)

Operating free-air temperature, TA

40
85
0
70
C
NOTE 3: Clamp transistors are included that prevent the input voltages from swinging below ground more than approximately 0.3 V. The
negative input currents that may result from large signal overdrive with capacitive input coupling must be limited externally to values
of approximately 1 mA. Negative input currents in excess of 4 mA causes the output voltage to drop to a low voltage. These
values apply for any one of the input terminals. If more than one of the input terminals are simultaneously driven negative, maximum
currents are reduced. Common-mode current biasing can be used to prevent negative input voltages.

POST OFFICE BOX 655303

DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

LM2900, LM3900
QUADRUPLE NORTON OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
SLOS059 JULY 1979 REVISED SEPTEMBER 1990

electrical characteristics, VCC = 15 V, TA = 25C (unless otherwise noted)

IIB

LM2900

TEST CONDITIONS

PARAMETER
Input bias current (inverting input)

II + = 0

MIN

Change in mirror gain

MAX

30

200

TA = 25C
TA = Full range

II+ = 20 A to 200 A
TA = Full range,
range
See Note 4

Mirror gain

LM3900

TYP

MIN

300
09
0.9

TYP

MAX

30

200

300
11
1.1

09
0.9

11
1.1

2%

5%

2%

5%

10

500

10

500

UNIT
nA
A/A

Mirror current

VI + = VI ,
See Note 4

g ,
TA = Full range,

AVD

Large-signal differential
voltage amplification

VO = 10 V,
f = 100 Hz

RL = 10 k,

ri

Input resistance (inverting input)

ro

Output resistance

B1

Unity-gain bandwidth (inverting

input)

2.5

2.5

MHz

kSVR

Supply voltage rejection ratio

(VCC /VIO)

70

70

dB

VOH

High-level output voltage

III+ = 0
0,
II = 0

VOL

Low-level output voltage

II + = 0,
RL = 2 k

II = 10 A,

IOS

Short-circuit output current

(output internally high)

II + = 0,
VO = 0

II = 0,

1.2

RL = 2 k

1.2

13.5

VCC = 30 V,
No load

Pulldown current

2.8

2.8

A
V/mV

13.5
29.5
0.09

29.5
0.2

0.09

0.2

18

10

mA

0.5

1.3

0.5

1.3

mA

IOL
II = 5 A
VOL = 1 V
5
5
mA
ICC
Supply current (four amplifiers)
No load
6.2
10
6.2
10
mA
All characteristics are measured under open-loop conditions with zero common-mode voltage unless otherwise specified. Full range for TA is
40C to 85C for LM2900 and 0C to 70C for LM3900.
The output current-sink capability can be increased for large-signal conditions by overdriving the inverting input.
NOTE 4: These parameters are measured with the output balanced midway between VCC and GND.
Low-level output current

operating characteristics, VCC = 15 V, TA = 25C

PARAMETER
SR

Slew rate at unity gain

TEST CONDITIONS
Low-to-high output
High-to-low output

V
VO = 10 V,

POST OFFICE BOX 655303

pF
CL = 100 pF,

DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

RL = 2 k

MIN

TYP
0.5
20

MAX

UNIT
V/s

LM2900, LM3900
QUADRUPLE NORTON OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
SLOS059 JULY 1979 REVISED SEPTEMBER 1990

TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS
INPUT BIAS CURRENT (INVERTING INPUT)
vs
FREE-AIR TEMPERATURE

MIRROR GAIN
vs
FREE-AIR TEMPERATURE
1.2

80
VCC = 15 V
VO = 7.5 V
II + = 0

VCC = 15 V
II + = 10 A

1.15
1.1

60
II /I + Mirror Gain

IIB Input Bias Current nA

70

50
40
30

1.05
1
0.95

20

0.9

10

0.85

0
75

50

25
0
25
50
75
TA Free-Air Temperature C

0.8
75

100

50

25
0
25
50
75
100
TA Free-Air Temperature C

Figure 1

Figure 2
LARGE SIGNAL
DIFFERENTIAL VOLTAGE AMPLIFICATION
vs
SUPPLY VOLTAGE

LARGE SIGNAL
DIFFERENTIAL VOLTAGE AMPLIFICATION
vs
FREQUENCY
104

104
VCC = 15 V
TA = 25C

AVD Differential Voltage Amplification

AVD Differential Voltage Amplification

RL 10 k

103
RL = 2 k

102

10

1
100

1k

10 k

100 k

1M

10 M

103

102

10
RL = 10 k
TA = 25C
1

10

15

20

25

VCC Supply Voltage V

f Frequency Hz

Figure 3

Figure 4

Data at high and low temperatures are applicable only within the rated operating free-air temperature ranges of the various devices.

125

POST OFFICE BOX 655303

DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

30

LM2900, LM3900
QUADRUPLE NORTON OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
SLOS059 JULY 1979 REVISED SEPTEMBER 1990

TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS
LARGE SIGNAL
DIFFERENTIAL VOLTAGE AMPLIFICATION
vs
FREE-AIR TEMPERATURE

SUPPLY VOLTAGE REJECTION RATIO

vs
FREQUENCY
100
KSVR Supply Voltage Rejection Ratio dB

AVD Differential Voltage Amplification

104

103

102

10
VCC = 15 V
VO = 10 V
RL = 10 k
1
75

50

25

25

50

75

100

VCC = 15 V
TA = 25C

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
100

125

400 1 k

TA Free-Air Temperature C

SHORT-CIRCUIT OUTPUT CURRENT

(OUTPUT INTERNALLY HIGH)
vs
SUPPLY VOLTAGE

PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE

vs
FREQUENCY
16

30
VCC = 15 V
RL = 2 k
II + = 0
TA = 25C

14
12

IOS Short-Circuit Output Current mA

VO(PP) Peak-To-Peak Output Voltage V

40 k 100 k 400 k 1 M

Figure 6

Figure 5

10
8
6

4
2
0
1k

4k 10 k

f Frequency Hz

10 k

100 k

1M

10 M

VO = 0
II + = 0
II = 0

25

TA = 0C
20
TA = 25C
15

10

f Frequency Hz

Figure 7

10
15
20
VCC Supply Voltage V

25

30

Figure 8

Data at high and low temperatures are applicable only within the rated operating free-air temperature ranges of the various devices.

POST OFFICE BOX 655303

DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

LM2900, LM3900
QUADRUPLE NORTON OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
SLOS059 JULY 1979 REVISED SEPTEMBER 1990

TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS
LOW-LEVEL OUTPUT CURRENT
vs
SUPPLY VOLTAGE

PULLDOWN CURRENT
vs
SUPPLY VOLTAGE
2

VOL = 1 V
II + = 0
TA = 25C

50

1.8

II = 100 A

40

30

20
II = 10 A
10

1.4
TA = 25C

1.2
1
TA = 85C

0.8
0.6
0.4

II = 5 A

TA = 40C

1.6
Pulldown Current mA

IOL Low-Level Output Current mA

60

0.2

10
15
20
VCC Supply Voltage V

25

30

10
15
20
VCC Supply Voltage V

25

30

Figure 10

Figure 9

TOTAL SUPPLY CURRENT

vs
SUPPLY VOLTAGE

PULLDOWN CURRENT
vs
FREE-AIR TEMPERATURE
8

2
VCC = 15 V
1.8

7
I CC Total Supply Current mA

Pulldown Current mA

1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
75

50

25

25

50

75

100

125

6
5
4
3
2
TA = 25C
No Signal
No Load

1
0

TA Free-Air Temperature C

10

15

20

25

30

VCC Supply Voltage V

Figure 11

Figure 12

Data at high and low temperatures are applicable only within the rated operating free-air temperature ranges of the various devices.

POST OFFICE BOX 655303

DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

LM2900, LM3900
QUADRUPLE NORTON OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
SLOS059 JULY 1979 REVISED SEPTEMBER 1990

APPLICATION INFORMATION
Norton (or current-differencing) amplifiers can be used in most standard general-purpose operational amplifier
applications. Performance as a dc amplifier in a single-power-supply mode is not as precise as a standard
integrated-circuit operational amplifier operating from dual supplies. Operation of the amplifier can best be
understood by noting that input currents are differenced at the inverting input terminal and this current then flows
through the external feedback resistor to produce the output voltage. Common-mode current biasing is generally
useful to allow operating with signal levels near (or even below) ground.
Internal transistors clamp negative input voltages at approximately 0.3 V but the magnitude of current flow has to
be limited by the external input network. For operation at high temperature, this limit should be approximately
100 A.
Noise immunity of a Norton amplifier is less than that of standard bipolar amplifiers. Circuit layout is more critical since
coupling from the output to the noninverting input can cause oscillations. Care must also be exercised when driving
either input from a low-impedance source. A limiting resistor should be placed in series with the input lead to limit the
peak input current. Current up to 20 mA will not damage the device, but the current mirror on the noninverting input
will saturate and cause a loss of mirror gain at higher current levels, especially at high operating temperatures.
V+
1 M
10 k

1 M

1 k

1 M

Input

30 k

100 k
+

Output

91 k
IO 1 mA per input volt

Figure 13. Voltage-Controlled Current Source

V+

1 M

1 M

Output

100 k
+

Input

100 k

1 k

IO

1 mA per input volt

Figure 14. Voltage-Controlled Current Sink

POST OFFICE BOX 655303

DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

LM2900, LM3900
QUADRUPLE NORTON OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
SLOS059 JULY 1979 REVISED SEPTEMBER 1990

POST OFFICE BOX 655303

DALLAS, TEXAS 75265

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Texas Instruments and its subsidiaries (TI) reserve the right to make changes to their products or to discontinue
any product or service without notice, and advise customers to obtain the latest version of relevant information
to verify, before placing orders, that information being relied on is current and complete. All products are sold
subject to the terms and conditions of sale supplied at the time of order acknowledgement, including those
pertaining to warranty, patent infringement, and limitation of liability.
TI warrants performance of its semiconductor products to the specifications applicable at the time of sale in
accordance with TIs standard warranty. Testing and other quality control techniques are utilized to the extent
TI deems necessary to support this warranty. Specific testing of all parameters of each device is not necessarily
performed, except those mandated by government requirements.
CERTAIN APPLICATIONS USING SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS MAY INVOLVE POTENTIAL RISKS OF
DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE (CRITICAL
APPLICATIONS). TI SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED, AUTHORIZED, OR
WARRANTED TO BE SUITABLE FOR USE IN LIFE-SUPPORT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS OR OTHER
CRITICAL APPLICATIONS. INCLUSION OF TI PRODUCTS IN SUCH APPLICATIONS IS UNDERSTOOD TO
BE FULLY AT THE CUSTOMERS RISK.
In order to minimize risks associated with the customers applications, adequate design and operating
safeguards must be provided by the customer to minimize inherent or procedural hazards.
TI assumes no liability for applications assistance or customer product design. TI does not warrant or represent
that any license, either express or implied, is granted under any patent right, copyright, mask work right, or other
intellectual property right of TI covering or relating to any combination, machine, or process in which such
semiconductor products or services might be or are used. TIs publication of information regarding any third
partys products or services does not constitute TIs approval, warranty or endorsement thereof.

Copyright 1998, Texas Instruments Incorporated

This datasheet has been download from:

www.datasheetcatalog.com
Datasheets for electronics components.