LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

FEATURES
s s s s s s s s s

12-Bit, 14-Bit, 16-Bit, 50Msps DACs DESCRIPTIO

The LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 are 12-/14-/16-bit, 50Msps differential current output DACs implemented on a high performance BiCMOS process with laser trimmed, thin-film resistors. The combination of a novel currentsteering architecture and a high performance process produces DACs with exceptional AC and DC performance. The LTC1668 is the first 16-bit DAC in the marketplace to exhibit an SFDR (spurious free dynamic range) of 87dB for an output signal frequency of 1MHz. Operating from 5V supplies, the LTC1666/LTC1667/ LTC1668 can be configured to provide full-scale output currents up to 10mA. The differential current outputs of the DACs allow single-ended or true differential operation. The 1V to 1V output compliance of the LTC1666/ LTC1667/LTC1668 allows the outputs to be connected directly to external resistors to produce a differential output voltage without degrading the converters linearity. Alternatively, the outputs can be connected to the summing junction of a high speed operational amplifier, or to a transformer. The LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 are pin compatible and are available in a 28-pin SSOP and are fully specified over the industrial temperature range.
, LTC and LT are registered trademarks of Linear Technology Corporation.

50Msps Update Rate Pin Compatible 12-Bit, 14-Bit and 16-Bit Devices High Spectral Purity: 87dB SFDR at 1MHz fOUT 5pV-s Glitch Impulse Differential Current Outputs 20ns Settling Time Low Power: 180mW from 5V Supplies TTL/CMOS (3.3V or 5V) Inputs Small Package: 28-Pin SSOP

APPLICATIO S
s s s s s s s s

Cellular Base Stations Multicarrier Base Stations Wireless Communication Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) xDSL Modems Arbitrary Waveform Generation Automated Test Equipment Instrumentation

TYPICAL APPLICATION
LTC1668, 16-Bit, 50Msps DAC
5V 0.1F VDD LTC1668

REFOUT 0.1F RSET 2k IREFIN

2.5V REFERENCE

52.3

+
COMP1 C1 0.1F COMP2 C2 0.1F VSS AGND DGND CLK

16-BIT HIGH SPEED DAC

52.3 IOUT B

VOUT 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL

SFDR (dB)

IOUT A

LADCOM DB15 DB0

1666/7/8 TA01

0.1F 5V

CLOCK 16-BIT DATA INPUT INPUT

LTC1668 SFDR vs fOUT and f CLOCK

100 5MSPS 90 25MSPS 80 50MSPS

70

60 DIGITAL AMPLITUDE = 0dBFS 0.1 1.0 fOUT (MHz)

1666/7/8 G05

50

10

100

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

ABSOLUTE

AXI U

RATI GS

Supply Voltage (VDD) ................................................ 6V Negative Supply Voltage (VSS) ............................... 6V Total Supply Voltage (VDD to VSS) .......................... 12V Digital Input Voltage .................... 0.3V to (VDD + 0.3V) Analog Output Voltage (IOUT A and IOUT B) ........ (VSS 0.3V) to (VDD + 0.3V)

PACKAGE/ORDER I FOR ATIO

DB9 DB8 DB7 DB6 DB5 DB4 DB3 DB2 DB1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

DB0 (LSB) 10 NC 11 NC 12 NC 13 NC 14

G PACKAGE 28-LEAD PLASTIC SSOP

TJMAX = 110C, JA = 100C/W

TOP VIEW DB11 DB10 DB9 DB8 DB7 DB6 DB5 DB4 DB3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 28 DB12 27 DB13 (MSB) 26 CLK 25 VDD 24 DGND 23 VSS 22 COMP2 21 COMP1 20 IOUT A 19 IOUT B 18 LADCOM 17 AGND 16 IREFIN 15 REFOUT

ORDER PART NUMBER LTC1667CG LTC1667IG

DB2 10 DB1 11 DB0 (LSB) 12 NC 13 NC 14

G PACKAGE 28-LEAD PLASTIC SSOP TJMAX = 110C, JA = 100C/W

Consult LTC Marketing for parts specified with wider operating temperature ranges.

W W
U

(Note 1)

Power Dissipation ............................................. 500mW Operating Temperature Range LTC1666C/LTC1667C/LTC1668C ........... 0C to 70C LTC1666I/LTC1667I/LTC1668I .......... 40C to 85C Storage Temperature Range ................ 65C to 150C Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 sec).................. 300C

TOP VIEW 28 DB10 27 DB11 (MSB) 26 CLK 25 VDD 24 DGND 23 VSS 22 COMP2 21 COMP1 20 IOUT A 19 IOUT B 18 LADCOM 17 AGND 16 IREFIN 15 REFOUT

ORDER PART NUMBER LTC1666CG LTC1666IG

TOP VIEW DB13 DB12 DB11 DB10 DB9 DB8 DB7 DB6 DB5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 28 DB14 27 DB15 (MSB) 26 CLK 25 VDD 24 DGND 23 VSS 22 COMP2 21 COMP1 20 IOUT A 19 IOUT B 18 LADCOM 17 AGND 16 IREFIN 15 REFOUT

ORDER PART NUMBER LTC1668CG LTC1668IG

DB4 10 DB3 11 DB2 12 DB1 13 DB0 (LSB) 14

G PACKAGE 28-LEAD PLASTIC SSOP

TJMAX = 110C, JA = 100C/W

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
The q denotes specifications which apply over the full operating temperature range, otherwise specifications are at TA = 25C. VDD = 5V, VSS = 5V, LADCOM = AGND = DGND = 0V, IOUTFS = 10mA.
SYMBOL PARAMETER Resolution Monotonicity INL DNL Integral Nonlinearity Differential Nonlinearity Offset Error Offset Error Drift GE Gain Error Internal Reference, RIREFIN = 2k External Reference, VREF = 2.5V, RIREFIN = 2k Internal Reference External Reference VDD = 5V 5% VSS = 5V 5% fCLK = 25Msps, fOUT = 1MHz 0dB FS Output 6dB FS Output 12dB FS Output fCLK = 50Msps, fOUT = 1MHz fCLK = 50Msps, fOUT = 2.5MHz fCLK = 50Msps, fOUT = 5MHz fCLK = 50Msps, fOUT = 20MHz Spurious Free Dynamic Range Within a Window fCLK = 25Msps, fOUT = 1MHz, 2MHz Span fCLK = 50Msps, fOUT = 5MHz, 4MHz Span THD Total Harmonic Distortion fCLK = 25Msps, fOUT = 1MHz fCLK = 50Msps, fOUT = 5MHz 75 77 85 86 86 50 30 0.1 0.2 (Note 2) (Note 2) 0.1 5 2 1 50 30 0.1 0.2 CONDITIONS
q

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MIN 12 12

LTC1666 TYP MAX

MIN 14 14

LTC1667 TYP MAX

MIN 16 14

LTC1668 TYP MAX

UNITS Bits Bits

DC Accuracy (Measured at IOUT A, Driving a Virtual Ground)

1 1 0.2 0.1 5

2 1 0.2 2 1 50 30 1 0.1 5

8 4 0.2 2 1

LSB LSB % FSR ppm/C % FSR % FSR ppm/C ppm/C

Gain Error Drift PSRR Power Supply Rejection Ratio Spurious Free Dynamic Range to Nyquist

0.1 % FSR/V 0.2 % FSR/V

AC Linearity SFDR 76 78 78 87 87 83 85 81 79 70 96 88 84 78 77 dB dB dB dB dB dB dB dB dB dB dB

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
The q denotes specifications which apply over the full operating temperature range, otherwise specifications are at TA = 25C. VDD = 5V, VSS = 5V, LADCOM = AGND = DGND = 0V, IOUTFS = 10mA.
SYMBOL IOUTFS PARAMETER Full-Scale Output Current Output Compliance Range Output Resistance; RIOUT A, RIOUT B Output Capacitance Reference Output Reference Voltage Reference Output Drift Reference Output Load Regulation Reference Input Reference Small-Signal Bandwidth Power Supply VDD VSS IDD ISS PDIS Positive Supply Voltage Negative Supply Voltage Positive Supply Current Negative Supply Current Power Dissipation IFS = 10mA, fCLK = 25Msps, fOUT = 1MHz IFS = 10mA, fCLK = 25Msps, fOUT = 1MHz IFS = 10mA, fCLK = 25Msps, fOUT = 1MHz IFS = 1mA, fCLK = 25Msps, fOUT = 1MHz
q q q q q

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

CONDITIONS
q

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 MIN TYP MAX 1 1 0.7 1.1 5 10 1 1.5

UNITS mA V k pF

Analog Output IFS = 10mA IOUT A, B to LADCOM

q q

REFOUT Tied to IREFIN Through 2k ILOAD = 0mA to 5mA

2.475

2.5 25 6

2.525

V ppm/C mV/mA

IFS = 10mA, CCOMP1 = 0.1F 4.75 4.75

20 5 5 3 33 180 85 50 75 20 8 15 5 4 4 50
q q q

kHz 5.25 5.25 5 40 V V mA mA mW mW Msps ns ns pV-s pV-s ns ns pA/Hz V 0.8 10 V A pF ns ns ns ns

Dynamic Performance (Differential Transformer Coupled Output, 50 Double Terminated, Unless Otherwise Noted) fCLOCK tS tPD Maximum Update Rate Output Settling Time Output Propagation Delay Glitch Impulse tr tf iNO Digital Inputs VIH VIL IIN CIN tDS tDH tCLKH tCLKL Digital High Input Voltage Digital Low Input Voltage Digital Input Current Digital Input Capacitance Input Setup Time Input Hold Time Clock High Time Clock Low Time
q q q q

To 0.1% FSR Single Ended Differential

Output Rise Time Output Fall Time Output Noise 2.4

5 8 4 5 8

Note 1: Absolute Maximum Ratings are those values beyond which the life of the device may be impaired.

Note 2: For the LTC1666, 1LSB = 0.024% of full scale; for the LTC1667, 1LSB = 0.006% of full scale = 61ppm of full scale; for the LTC1668, 1LSB = 0.0015% of full scale = 15.3ppm of full scale.

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 TYPICAL PERFOR A CE CHARACTERISTICS

Single Tone SFDR at 50MSPS
0 10 SFDR = 87dB fCLOCK = 50MSPS fOUT = 1.002MHz AMPL = 0dBFS = 8.25dBm

SIGNAL AMPLITUDE (dBFS)

SIGNAL AMPLITUDE (dBFS)

SIGNAL AMPLITUDE (dBFS)

20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 5

15 FREQUENCY (MHz)

10

4-Tone SFDR, f CLOCK = 5MSPS

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 0.1 50 0.46 0.82 1.18 1.54 FREQUENCY (MHz) 1.9 60 100

SIGNAL AMPLITUDE (dBFS)

SFDR (dB)

SFDR (dB)

SFDR > 82dB fCLOCK = 5MSPS fOUT1 = 0.5MHz fOUT2 = 0.65MHz fOUT3 = 1.10MHz fOUT4 = 1.25MHz AMPL = 0dBFS

SFDR vs f OUT and Digital Amplitude (dBFS) at fCLOCK = 25MSPS

95 90 85 80
SFDR (dB) SFDR (dB)

0dBFS 85 6dBFS 12dBFS 80

SFDR (dB)

75 70 65 60 55 50 0 2 6 fOUT (MHz) 4 8 10
1666/7/8 G07

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20
1666/7/8 G04

(LTC1668) 4-Tone SFDR, f CLOCK = 50MSPS

2-Tone SFDR
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
25

SFDR > 86dB fCLOCK = 50MSPS fOUT1 = 4.9MHz fOUT2 = 5.09MHz AMPL = 0dBFS

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 SFDR > 74dB fCLOCK = 50MSPS fOUT1 = 5.02MHz fOUT2 = 6.51MHz fOUT3 = 11.02MHz fOUT4 = 12.51MHz AMPL = 0dBFS

100 4.5

5.0 FREQUENCY (MHz)

5.5
1666/7/8 G02

4.6

8.2 11.8 15.4 FREQUENCY (MHz)

19

1666/7/8 G01

1666/7/8 G03

SFDR vs f OUT and fCLOCK

100

SFDR vs f OUT and Digital Amplitude (dBFS) at fCLOCK = 5MSPS

95 90 0dBFS 6dBFS 12dBFS

5MSPS 90 25MSPS 80 50MSPS

85 80 75 70 65 60 55

70

DIGITAL AMPLITUDE = 0dBFS 0.1 1.0 fOUT (MHz)

1666/7/8 G05

50 0 0.4 0.8 1.2 fOUT (MHz) 1.6 2.0

10

100

1666/7/8 G06

SFDR vs f OUT and Digital Amplitude (dBFS) at fCLOCK = 50MSPS

90 0dBFS
85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 95 90

SFDR vs f OUT and IOUTFS at fCLOCK = 25MSPS

DIGITAL AMPLITUDE = 0dBFS IOUTFS = 10mA

75 70 65 60 55 50 0 5 10 fOUT (MHz) 15 20
1666/7/8 G08

12dBFS

6dBFS

IOUTFS = 5mA IOUTFS = 2.5mA

2.5

5 fOUT (MHz)

7.5

10
1666/7/8 G09

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 TYPICAL PERFOR A CE CHARACTERISTICS

SFDR vs Digital Amplitude (dBFS) and fCLOCK at fOUT = fCLOCK/11
100 95 90 85
SFDR (dB)

455kHz AT 5MSPS

75 70 65 60 55 50 20

4.55MHz AT 50MSPS 2.277MHz AT 25MSPS

SFDR (dB)

80

15 10 5 DIGITAL AMPLITUDE (dBFS)

Differential Output Full-Scale Transition

V(IOUTA) V(IOUTB)

100mV /DIV

0000

FFFF

CLK IN 5V/DIV 5ns/DIV

1666/7/8 G13

Single-Ended Midscale Glitch Impulse

V(IOUTA), V(IOUTB)

INTEGRAL NONLINEARITY (LSB)

7FFF 1mV/DIV

8000 1mV/DIV

CLK IN 5V/DIV

5ns/DIV
1666/7/8 G16

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1666/7/8 G10

(LTC1668) Single-Ended Outputs Full-Scale Transition

SFDR vs Digital Amplitude (dBFS) and fCLOCK at fOUT = fCLOCK/5

100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55
CLK IN 5V/DIV 100mV /DIV

1MHz AT 5MSPS 5MHz AT 25MSPS

0000 FFFF V(IOUTB)

10MHz AT 50MSPS
V(IOUTA) CLOCK INPUT 5ns/DIV
1666/7/8 G12

50 20

15 10 5 DIGITAL AMPLITUDE (dBFS)

0
1666/7/8 G11

Single-Ended Output Full-Scale Transition

Differential Output Full-Scale Transition

V(IOUTA) V(IOUTB)

V(IOUTA) 100mV /DIV FFFF 0000 100mV /DIV V(IOUTB) CLOCK INPUT 5ns/DIV
1666/7/8 G14

FFFF

0000

CLK IN 5V/DIV

CLK IN 5V/DIV 5ns/DIV

1666/7/8 G15

Differential Midscale Glitch Impulse

V(IOUTA) V(IOUTB)

Integral Nonlinearity
5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4

7FFF

8000

CLK IN 5V/DIV

5ns/DIV
1666/7/8 G17

5 49152 32768 16384 DIGITAL INPUT CODE 65535

1666/7/8 G18

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 TYPICAL PERFOR A CE CHARACTERISTICS

Differential Nonlinearity
2.0
DIFFERENTIAL NONLINEARITY (LSB)

PI FU CTIO S
LTC1666
REFOUT (Pin 15): Internal Reference Voltage Output. Nominal value is 2.5V. Requires a 0.1F bypass capacitor to AGND. IREFIN (Pin 16): Reference Input Current. Nominal value is 1.25mA for IFS = 10mA. IFS = IREFIN 8. AGND (Pin 17): Analog Ground. LADCOM (Pin 18): Attenuator Ladder Common. Normally tied to GND. IOUT B (Pin 19): Complementary DAC Output Current. Fullscale output current occurs when all data bits are 0s. IOUT A (Pin 20): DAC Output Current. Full-scale output current occurs when all data bits are 1s. COMP1 (Pin 21): Current Source Control Amplifier Compensation. Bypass to VSS with 0.1F. COMP2 (Pin 22): Internal Bypass Point. Bypass to VSS with 0.1F. VSS (Pin 23): Negative Supply Voltage. Nominal value is 5V. DGND (Pin 24): Digital Ground. VDD (Pin 25): Positive Supply Voltage. Nominal value is 5V. CLK (Pin 26): Clock Input. Data is latched and the output is updated on positive edge of clock. DB11 to DB0 (Pins 27, 28, 1 to 10 ): Digital Input Data Bits.

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(LTC1668)

1.5 1.0 0.5 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 0 32768 16384 49152 DIGITAL INPUT CODE 65535

1666/7/8 G19

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

PI FU CTIO S
LTC1667
REFOUT (Pin 15): Internal Reference Voltage Output. Nominal value is 2.5V. Requires a 0.1F bypass capacitor to AGND. IREFIN (Pin 16): Reference Input Current. Nominal value is 1.25mA for IFS = 10mA. IFS = IREFIN 8. AGND (Pin 17): Analog Ground. LADCOM (Pin 18): Attenuator Ladder Common. Normally tied to GND. IOUT B (Pin 19): Complementary DAC Output Current. Fullscale output current occurs when all data bits are 0s. IOUT A (Pin 20): DAC Output Current. Full-scale output current occurs when all data bits are 1s. COMP1 (Pin 21): Current Source Control Amplifier Compensation. Bypass to VSS with 0.1F. COMP2 (Pin 22): Internal Bypass Point. Bypass to VSS with 0.1F. VSS (Pin 23): Negative Supply Voltage. Nominal value is 5V. DGND (Pin 24): Digital Ground. VDD (Pin 25): Positive Supply Voltage. Nominal value is 5V. CLK (Pin 26): Clock Input. Data is latched and the output is updated on positive edge of clock. DB13 to DB0 (Pins 27, 28, 1 to 12 ): Digital Input Data Bits.

LTC1668
REFOUT (Pin 15): Internal Reference Voltage Output. Nominal value is 2.5V. Requires a 0.1F bypass capacitor to AGND. IREFIN (Pin 16): Reference Input Current. Nominal value is 1.25mA for IFS = 10mA. IFS = IREFIN 8. AGND (Pin 17): Analog Ground. LADCOM (Pin 18): Attenuator Ladder Common. Normally tied to GND. IOUT B (Pin 19): Complementary DAC Output Current. Fullscale output current occurs when all data bits are 0s. IOUT A (Pin 20): DAC Output Current. Full-scale output current occurs when all data bits are 1s. COMP1 (Pin 21): Current Source Control Amplifier Compensation. Bypass to VSS with 0.1F. COMP2 (Pin 22): Internal Bypass Point. Bypass to VSS with 0.1F. VSS (Pin 23): Negative Supply Voltage. Nominal value is 5V. DGND (Pin 24): Digital Ground. VDD (Pin 25): Positive Supply Voltage. Nominal value is 5V. CLK (Pin 26): Clock Input. Data is latched and the output is updated on positive edge of clock. DB15 to DB0 (Pins 27, 28, 1 to 14 ): Digital Input Data Bits.

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
BLOCK DIAGRA W
LTC1666
5V 0.1F 25 VDD LADCOM IOUT A 15 REFOUT 2.5V REFERENCE ATTENUATOR LADDER IOUT B 18 52.3 20 19 52.3

VREF 0.1F RSET 2k

VOUT 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL

16

IREFIN

LSB SWITCHES IFS/8

SEGMENTED SWITCHES FOR DB15DB12

+
21 22 0.1F 0.1F COMP1 COMP2 VSS 23 5V 0.1F AGND 17

IINT

CURRENT SOURCE ARRAY

INPUT LATCHES DGND 24 CLK 26 CLOCK INPUT DB11 27 12-BIT DATA INPUT DB0 10
1666 BD

LTC1667
5V 0.1F 25 VDD LADCOM IOUT A 15 REFOUT 2.5V REFERENCE ATTENUATOR LADDER IOUT B 18 52.3 20 19 52.3

VREF 0.1F RSET 2k

VOUT 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL

16

IREFIN

LSB SWITCHES IFS/8

SEGMENTED SWITCHES FOR DB15DB12

+
21 22 0.1F 0.1F COMP1 COMP2 VSS 23 5V 0.1F AGND 17

IINT

CURRENT SOURCE ARRAY

INPUT LATCHES DGND 24 CLK 26 CLOCK INPUT DB13 27 14-BIT DATA INPUT DB0 12
1667 BD

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
BLOCK DIAGRA W
LTC1668
5V 0.1F 25 VDD LADCOM IOUT A 15 REFOUT 2.5V REFERENCE ATTENUATOR LADDER IOUT B 18 52.3 20 19 52.3

VREF 0.1F RSET 2k

VOUT 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL

16

IREFIN

LSB SWITCHES IFS/8

SEGMENTED SWITCHES FOR DB15DB12

+
21 22 0.1F 0.1F COMP1 COMP2 VSS 23 5V 0.1F AGND 17

IINT

CURRENT SOURCE ARRAY

INPUT LATCHES DGND 24 CLK 26 CLOCK INPUT DB15 27 16-BIT DATA INPUT DB0 14
1668 BD

TI I G DIAGRA

10

W
DATA INPUT N1 tDS CLK tCLKL tPD IOUT A/IOUT B N1 N tCLKH tST N tDH N+1 0.1%
1666/7/8 TD

UW

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
Theory of Operation The LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 are high speed current steering 12-/14-/16-bit DACs made on an advanced BiCMOS process. Precision thin film resistors and well matched bipolar transistors result in excellent DC linearity and stability. A low glitch current switching design gives excellent AC performance at sample rates up to 50Msps. The devices are complete with a 2.5V internal bandgap reference and edge triggered latches, and set a new standard for DAC applications requiring very high dynamic range at output frequencies up to several megahertz. Referring to the Block Diagrams, the DACs contain an array of current sources that are steered to IOUTA or IOUTB with NMOS differential current switches. The four most significant bits are made up of 15 current segments of equal weight. The remaining lower bits are binary weighted, using a combination of current scaling and a differential resistive attenuator ladder. All bits and segments are precisely matched, both in current weight for DC linearity, and in switch timing for low glitch impulse and low spurious tone AC performance. Setting the Full-Scale Current, IOUTFS The full-scale DAC output current, IOUTFS, is nominally 10mA, and can be adjusted down to 1mA. Placing a resistor, RSET, between the REFOUT pin, and the IREFIN pin sets IOUTFS as follows. The internal reference control loop amplifier maintains a virtual ground at IREFIN by servoing the internal current source, IINT, to sink the exact current flowing into IREFIN. IINT is a scaled replica of the DAC current sources and IOUTFS = 8 (IINT), therefore: IOUTFS = 8 (IREFIN) = 8 (VREF/RSET) (1) For example, if RSET = 2k and is tied to VREF = REFOUT = 2.5V, IREFIN = 2.5/2k = 1.25mA and IOUTFS = 8 (1.25mA) = 10mA.
REFOUT 5V 0.1F EXTERNAL REFERENCE IREFIN RSET + 2.5V REFERENCE LTC1666/ LTC1667/ LTC1668

U
The reference control loop requires a capacitor on the COMP1 pin for compensation. For optimal AC performance, CCOMP1 should be connected to VSS and be placed very close to the package (less than 0.1"). For fixed reference voltage applications, CCOMP1 should be 0.1F or more. The reference control loop small-signal bandwidth is approximately 1/(2) CCOMP1 80 or 20kHz for CCOMP1 = 0.1F. Reference Operation The onboard 2.5V bandgap voltage reference drives the REFOUT pin. It is trimmed and specified to drive a 2k resistor tied from REFOUT to IREFIN, corresponding to a 1.25mA load (IOUTFS = 10mA). REFOUT has nominal output impedance of 6, or 0.24% per mA, so it must be buffered to drive any additional external load. A 0.1F capacitor is required on the REFOUT pin for compensation. Note that this capacitor is required for stability, even if the internal reference is not being used. External Reference Operation Figure 1, shows how to use an external reference to control the LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 full-scale current.
1666/7/8 F02

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Figure 1. Using the LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 with an External Reference

11

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO

Adjusting the Full-Scale Output

In Figure 2, a serial interfaced DAC is used to set IOUTFS. The LTC1661 is a dual 10-bit VOUT DAC with a buffered voltage output that swings from 0V to VREF.
5V 2.5V REFERENCE REF 1/2 LTC1661 RSET 1.9k 0.1F IREFIN LTC1666/ LTC1667/ LTC1668

+
1666/7/8 F03

Figure 2. Adjusting the Full-Scale Current of the LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 with a DAC

DAC Transfer Function The LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 use straight binary digital coding. The complementary current outputs, IOUT A and IOUT B, sink current from 0 to IOUTFS. For IOUTFS = 10mA (nominal), IOUT A swings from 0mA when all bits are low (e.g., Code = 0) to 10mA when all bits are high (e.g., Code = 65535 for LTC1668) (decimal representation). IOUT B is complementary to IOUT A. IOUT A and IOUT B are given by the following formulas: LTC1666: IOUT A = IOUTFS (DAC Code/4096) IOUT B = IOUTFS (4095 DAC Code)/4096 LTC1667: IOUT A = IOUTFS (DAC Code/16384) IOUT B = IOUTFS (16383 DAC Code)/16384 LTC1668: IOUT A = IOUTFS (DAC Code/65536) IOUT B = IOUTFS (65535 DAC Code)/65536 (6) (7) (4) (5) (2) (3)

In typical applications, the LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 differential output currents either drive a resistive load directly or drive an equivalent resistive load through a transformer, or as the feedback resistor of an I-to-V converter. The voltage outputs generated by the IOUT A and IOUT B output currents are then:

12

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VOUT A = IOUT A RLOAD VOUT B = IOUT B RLOAD The differential voltage is: VDIFF = VOUT A VOUT B = (IOUT A IOUT B) (RLOAD) (10) (8) (9) Substituting the values found earlier for IOUT A, IOUT B and IOUTFS (LTC1668): VDIFF = {2 DAC Code 65535)/65536} 8 (RLOAD/RSET) (VREF) (11) From these equations some of the advantages of differential mode operation can be seen. First, any common mode noise or error on IOUT A and IOUT B is cancelled. Second, the signal power is twice as large as in the single-ended case. Third, any errors and noise that multiply times IOUT A and IOUT B, such as reference or IOUTFS noise, cancel near midscale, where AC signal waveforms tend to spend the most time. Fourth, this transfer function is bipolar; e.g. the output swings positive and negative around a zero output at mid-scale input, which is more convenient for AC applications. Note that the term (RLOAD/RSET) appears in both the differential and single-ended transfer functions. This means that the Gain Error of the DAC depends on the ratio of RLOAD to RSET, and the Gain Error tempco is affected by the temperature tracking of RLOAD with RSET. Note also that the absolute tempco of RLOAD is very critical for DC nonlinearity. As the DAC output changes from 0mA to 10mA the RLOAD resistor will heat up slightly, and even a very low tempco can produce enough INL bowing to be significant at the 16-bit level. This effect disappears with medium to high frequency AC signals due to the slow thermal time constant of the load resistor. Analog Outputs The LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 have two complementary current outputs, IOUT A and IOUT B (see DAC Transfer Function). The output impedance of IOUT A and IOUT B (RIOUT A and RIOUT B) is typically 1.1k to LADCOM. (See Figure 3.)

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LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 RIOUT B 1.1k RIOUT A 1.1k LADCOM 18 IOUT A IOUT B

20 52.3 19 52.3

5pF

5pF

VSS

23

Figure 3. Equivalent Analog Output Circuit

LADCOM The LADCOM pin is the common connection for the internal DAC attenuator ladder. It usually is tied to analog ground, but more generally it should connect to the same potential as the load resistors on IOUT A and IOUT B. The LADCOM pin carries a constant current to VSS of approximately 0.32 (IOUTFS), plus any current that flows from IOUT A and IOUT B through the RIOUT A and RIOUT B resistors.

5V 0.1F VDD LTC1668 MINI-CIRCUITS T11T IOUT A 16-BIT HIGH SPEED DAC 110 IOUT B 50 LADCOM AGND DGND CLK DB15 DB0 16 DIGITAL DATA OUT 1 OUT 2 CLK HP8110A DUAL IN PULSE GENERATOR LOW JITTER CLOCK SOURCE HP1663EA CLK LOGIC ANALYZER WITH IN PATTERN GENERATOR 50 TO HP3589A SPECTRUM ANALYZER 50 INPUT

REFOUT 0.1F RSET 2k IREFIN

2.5V REFERENCE

+
COMP1 C1 0.1F COMP2 C2 0.1F VSS

0.1F 5V

Figure 4. AC Characterization Setup (LTC1668)

U
Output Compliance The specified output compliance voltage range is 1V. The DC linearity specifications, INL and DNL, are trimmed and guaranteed on IOUT A into the virtual ground of an I-to-V converter, but are typically very good over the full output compliance range. Above 1V the output current will start to increase as the DAC current steering switch impedance decreases, degrading both DC and AC linearity. Below 1V, the DAC switches will start to approach the transition from saturation to linear region. This will degrade AC performance first, due to nonlinear capacitance and increased glitch impulse. AC distortion performance is optimal at amplitudes less than 0.5VP-P on IOUT A and IOUT B due to nonlinear capacitance and other large-signal effects. At first glance, it may seem counter-intuitive to decrease the signal amplitude when trying to optimize SFDR. However, the error sources that affect AC performance generally behave as additive currents, so decreasing the load impedance to reduce signal voltage amplitude will reduce most spurious signals by the same amount.
5V
1666/7/8 F04 1666/7/8 F05

U U

13

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
Operating with Reduced Output Currents The LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 are specified to operate with full-scale output current, IOUTFS, from the nominal 10mA down to 1mA. This can be useful to reduce power dissipation or to adjust full-scale value. However, the DC and AC accuracy is specified only at IOUTFS = 10mA, and DC and AC accuracy will fall off significantly at lower IOUTFS values. At IOUTFS = 1mA, the LTC1668 INL and DNL typically degrade to the 14-bit to 13-bit level, compared to 16-bit to 15-bit typical accuracy at 10mA IOUTFS. Increasing IOUTFS from 1mA, the accuracy improves rapidly, roughly in proportion to 1/IOUTFS. Note that the AC performance (SFDR) is affected much more by reduced IOUTFS than it is by reduced digital amplitude (see Typical Performance Characteristics). Therefore it is usually better to make large gain adjustments digitally, keeping IOUTFS equal to 10mA. Output Configurations Based on the specific application requirements, the LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 allow a choice of the best of several output configurations. Voltage outputs can be generated by external load resistors, transformer coupling or with an op amp I-to-V converter. Single-ended DAC output configurations use only one of the outputs, preferably IOUT A, to produce a single-ended voltage output. Differential mode configurations use the difference between IOUT A and IOUT B to generate an output voltage, VDIFF, as shown in equation 11. Differential mode gives much better accuracy in most AC applications. Because the DAC chip is the point of interface between the digital input signals and the analog output, some small amount of noise coupling to IOUT A and IOUT B is unavoidable. Most of that digital noise is common mode and is canceled by the differential mode circuit. Other significant digital noise components can be modeled as VREF or IOUTFS noise. In single-ended mode, IOUTFS noise is gone at zero scale and is fully present at full scale. In differential mode, IOUTFS noise is cancelled at midscale input, corresponding to zero analog output. Many AC signals, including broadband and multitone communications signals with high peak to average ratios, stay mostly near midscale.

14

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Differential Transformer-Coupled Outputs Differential transformer-coupled output configurations usually give the best AC performance. An example is shown in Figure 5. The advantages of transformer coupling include excellent rejection of common mode distortion and noise over a broad frequency range and convenient differential-to-single-ended conversion with isolation or level shifting. Also, as much as twice the power can be delivered to the load, and impedance matching can be accomplished by selecting the appropriate transformer turns ratio. The center tap on the primary side of the transformer is tied to ground to provide the DC current path for IOUT A and IOUT B. For low distortion, the DC average of the IOUT A and IOUT B currents must be exactly equal to avoid biasing the core. This is especially important for compact RF transformers with small cores. The circuit in Figure 5 uses a Mini-Circuits T1-1T RF transformer with a 1:1 turns ratio. The load resistance on IOUT A and IOUT B is equivalent to a single differential resistor of 50, and the 1:1 turns ratio means the output impedance from the transformer is 50. Note that the load resistors are optional, and they dissipate half of the output power. However, in lab environments or when driving long transmission lines it is very desirable to have a 50 output impedance. This could also be done with a 50 resistor at the transformer secondary, but putting the load resistors on IOUT A and IOUT B is preferred since it reduces the current through the transformer. At signal frequencies lower than about 1MHz, the transformer core size required to maintain low distortion gets larger, and at some lower frequencies this becomes impractical.
IOUT A LTC1666/ LTC1667/ LTC1668 IOUT B 50
1666/7/8 F06

U U

MINI-CIRCUITS T1-1T

50

110

RLOAD

Figure 5. Differential Transformer-Coupled Outputs

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO

Resistor Loaded Outputs

A differential resistor loaded output configuration is shown in Figure 6. It is simple and economical, but it can drive only differential loads with impedance levels and amplitudes appropriate for the DAC outputs. The recommended single-ended resistor loaded configuration is essentially the same circuit as the differential resistor loaded, casesimply use the IOUT A output, referred to ground. Rather than tying the unused IOUT B output to ground, it is preferred to load it with the equivalent RLOAD of IOUT A. Then IOUT B will still swing with a waveform complementary to IOUT A.

52.3 IOUT A LTC1666/ LTC1667/ LTC1668 IOUT B

52.3

1666/7/8 F07

Figure 6. Differential Resistor-Loaded Output

Op Amp I to V Converter Outputs Adding an op amp differential to single-ended converter circuit to the differential resistor loaded output gives the circuit of Figure 7. This circuit complements the capabilities of the transformer-coupled application at lower frequencies, since available op amps can deliver good AC distortion performance at signal frequencies of a few MHz down to DC. The optional capacitor adds a single real pole of filtering, and

500 200

IOUT A LTC1666/ LTC1667/ LTC1668 IOUT B 52.3 60pF

LT1809 200

IOUT A
1V 10dBm VOUT

+
500

IOUT B
52.3

200
1666/7/8 F09

LADCOM
1666/7/8 F08

Figure 7. Differential to Single-Ended Op Amp I-V Converter

Figure 8. Single-Ended Op Amp I to V Converter

LTC1666/ LTC1667/ LTC1668

U
helps reduce distortion by limiting the high frequency signal amplitude at the op amp inputs. The circuit swings 1V around ground. Figure 8 shows a simplified circuit for a single-ended output using I-to-V converter to produce a unipolar buffered voltage output. This configuration typically has the best DC linearity performance, but its AC distortion at higher frequencies is limited by U1s slewing capabilities. Digital Interface The LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 have parallel inputs that are latched on the rising edge of the clock input. They accept CMOS levels from either 5V or 3.3V logic and can accept clock rates of up to 50MHz. Referring to the Timing Diagram and Block Diagram, the data inputs go to master-slave latches that update on the rising edge of the clock. The input logic thresholds, VIH = 2.4V min, VIL = 0.8V max, work with 3.3V or 5V CMOS levels over temperature. The guaranteed setup time, tDS, is 8ns minimum and the hold time, tDH, is 4ns minimum. The minimum clock high and low times are guaranteed at 6ns and 8ns, respectively. These specifications allow the LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668 to be clocked at up to 50Msps minimum. For best AC performance, the data and clock waveforms need to be clean and free of undershoot and overshoot. Clock and data interconnect lines should be twisted pair, coax or microstrip, and proper line termination is important. If the digital input signals to the DAC are considered as analog AC voltage signals, they are rich in spectral components over a broad frequency range, usually inCOUT RFB 200 IOUTFS 10mA U1 LT1812 VOUT 0V TO 2V

U U

15

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO

cluding the output signal band of interest. Therefore, any direct coupling of the digital signals to the analog output will produce spurious tones that vary with the exact digital input pattern. Clock jitter should be minimized to avoid degrading the noise floor of the device in AC applications, especially where high output frequencies are being generated. Any noise coupling from the digital inputs to the clock input will cause phase modulation of the clock signal and the DAC waveform, and can produce spurious tones. It is normally best to place the digital data transitions near the falling clock edge, well away from the active rising clock edge. Because the clock signal contains spectral components only at the sampling frequency and its multiples, it is usually not a source of in band spurious tones. Overall, it is better to treat the clock as you would an analog signal and route it separately from the digital data input signals. The clock trace should be routed either over the analog ground plane or over its own section of the ground plane. The clock line needs to have accurately controlled impedance and should be well terminated near the LTC1666/ LTC1667/LTC1668. Printed Circuit Board Layout Considerations Grounding, Bypassing and Output Signal Routing The close proximity of high frequency digital data lines and high dynamic range, wide-band analog signals makes clean printed circuit board design and layout an absolute

0.1F

2k IREFIN

REF SERIAL INPUT 1/2 LTC1661 U3 VOUT 2.1k

5% RELATIVE GAIN ADJUSTMENT RANGE

21k

0.1F IREFIN

Figure 9. QAM Modulation Using LTC1668 with Digitally Controlled I vs Q Channel Gain Adjustment

16

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necessity. Figures 11 to 15 are the printed circuit board layers for an AC evaluation circuit for the LTC1668. Ground planes should be split between digital and analog sections as shown. All bypass capacitors should have minimum trace length and be ceramic 0.1F or larger with low ESR. Bypass capacitors are required on VSS, VDD and REFOUT, and all connected to the AGND plane. The COMP2 pin ties to a node in the output current switching circuitry, and it requires a 0.1F bypass capacitor. It should be bypassed to VSS along with COMP1. The AGND and DGND pins should both tie directly to the AGND plane, and the tie point between the AGND and DGND planes should nominally be near the DGND pin. LADCOM should either be tied directly to the AGND plane or be bypassed to AGND. The IOUT A and IOUT B traces should be close together, short, and well matched for good AC CMRR. The transformer output ground should be capable of optionally being isolated or being tied to the AGND plane, depending on which gives better performance in the system. Suggested Evaluation Circuit Figure 10 is the schematic and Figures 11 to 15 are the circuit board layouts for a suggested evaluation circuit, DC245A. The circuit can be programmed with component selection and jumpers for a variety of differentially coupled transformer output and differential and single-ended resistor loaded output configurations.
52.3 REFOUT LTC1668 U1 I-CHANNEL CLK LADCOM IOUT A IOUT B 52.3 LOW-PASS FILTER LOCAL OSCILLATOR 90 52.3 REFOUT LTC1668 U2 Q-CHANNEL CLK
1666/7/8 F10

U U

QUADRATURE MODULATOR

QAM OUTPUT

52.3 LOW-PASS FILTER

LADCOM IOUT A IOUT B

CLOCK INPUT

J1 EXTREF 5V JP2

R1 10

TP1 TP10 TESTPOINT BLK

C1 0.1F JP1 1 2 4 R4 6 C3 0.1F C18 0.1F 3 5 R2 200 TP3 TESTPOINT WHT

5V

LT1460DCS8-2.5

TP2 TESTPOINT WHT 2.5VREF R3 1.91k 0.1%

VIN VOUT

4 R5 +5VD LTC1668 16 16 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 26 CLK J6 EXTCLK GROUND PLANE TIE POINT DB0 (LSB) DB1 DB2 DGND DB3 24 DB4 AGND C12 22pF DB5 VDD 17 5V C10 0.1F 5V C11 0.1F DB6 VSS 25 DB7 23 JP6 JP7 DB8 C7 0.1F C8 0.1F COMP2 DB9 22 C8 0.1F COMP1 DB10 LADCOM 21 DB11 18 JP5 1 J5 IOUT B C9 0.1F JP8 6 MINICIRCUITS T11T DB12 TP5 TESTPOINT WHT DB13 R7 110 C4 IOUT B DB14 19 IOUT A DB15 (MSB) 20 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 22 RN6 1 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 22 1 2 R12 49.9 3 1% 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 REFIN REFOUT JP3 JP4 3 T1 4 J4 VOUT 2 R8 C5 15 RN5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 C17 0.1F J2 IOUT A R6

AMP 102159-9

+5VD

TP4 TESTPOINT WHT

APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO

10

14

13

16

15

18

17

20

19

22

21

24

23

OPTIONAL SIP PULL-UP/ PULL-DOWN RESISTORS (NOT INSTALLED) OPTIONAL SIP PULL-UP/ PULL-DOWN RESISTORS (NOT INSTALLED) R9 50 0.1% R10 50 0.1%

26

25

C12 22pF

R13 0

28

27

30

29

1666/7/8 F11

R14 0 R15 0 R16 0

32

31

34

33

36

35

38

37

40

39

AGND DGND JP9

+5VD +5VA J8 J9

J7

TP6 TESTPOINT RED TP7 TESTPOINT RED 5V

TP8 TESTPOINT RED

+
J11 C21 0.1F C23 0.1F C15 10F 25V

TP9 TESTPOINT BLK

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

Figure 10. Suggested Evaluation Circuit

J10

C19 0.1F

C14 10F 25V

C22 0.1F

C20 0.1F

C16 10F 25V

12

11

U U

C2 0.1F

GND

17

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO U W U U

Figure 11. Suggested Evaluation Circuit BoardSilkscreen

18

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO

Figure 12. Suggested Evaluation Circuit BoardComponent Side

U U

19

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO U W U U

Figure 13. Suggested Evaluation Circuit BoardGND Plane

20

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO

Figure 14. Suggested Evaluation Circuit BoardPower Plane

U U

21

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668

APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO

Figure 15. Suggested Evaluation Circuit BoardSolder Side

22

U U

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
PACKAGE DESCRIPTIO U
G Package 28-Lead Plastic SSOP (5.3mm)
(Reference LTC DWG # 05-08-1640)
10.07 10.33* (.397 .407) 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 7.65 7.90 (.301 .311) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5.20 5.38** (.205 .212) 1.73 1.99 (.068 .078) 0 8 .65 (.0256) BSC .25 .38 (.010 .015) .05 .21 (.002 .008)
G28 SSOP 0501

.13 .22 (.005 .009)

.55 .95 (.022 .037)

NOTE: 1. CONTROLLING DIMENSION: MILLIMETERS MILLIMETERS 2. DIMENSIONS ARE IN (INCHES) 3. DRAWING NOT TO SCALE *DIMENSIONS DO NOT INCLUDE MOLD FLASH. MOLD FLASH SHALL NOT EXCEED .152mm (.006") PER SIDE **DIMENSIONS DO NOT INCLUDE INTERLEAD FLASH. INTERLEAD FLASH SHALL NOT EXCEED .254mm (.010") PER SIDE

Information furnished by Linear Technology Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for its use. Linear Technology Corporation makes no representation that the interconnection of its circuits as described herein will not infringe on existing patent rights.

23

LTC1666/LTC1667/LTC1668
TYPICAL APPLICATIO U
5V 1k VDD LADCOM IOUT A IREFIN 0.1F 0.1F LTC1668 100pF 52.3 52.3

REFOUT 0.1F RSET 2k

LT1227 VOUT 10V

IOUT B COMP1 COMP2 VSS AGND DGND CLK DB15-DB0

+
1k
1666/7/8 F17

5V

CLOCK 18-BIT INPUT DATA INPUT

Figure 16. Arbitrary Waveform Generator Has 10V Output Swing, 50Msps DAC Update Rate

RELATED PARTS
PART NUMBER ADCs LTC1406 LTC1411 LTC1420 LTC1604/LTC1608 DACs LTC1591/LTC1597 LTC1595/LTC1596 LTC1650 LTC1655(L) LTC1657(L) AMPLIFIERs LT1809/LT1810 LT1812/LT1813 Single/Dual 180MHz, 350V/s Op Amp Single/Dual 100MHz, 750V/s Op Amp Rail-to-Rail Input and Output, Low Distortion 3.6mA Supply Current, 8nV/Hz Input Noise Voltage Parallel 14/16-Bit Current Output DACs Serial 16-Bit Current Output DACs Serial 16-Bit Voltage Output DAC Single 16-Bit VOUT DAC with Serial Interface in SO-8 16-Bit Parallel Voltage Output DAC On-Chip 4-Quadrant Resistors Low Glitch, 1LSB Maximum INL, DNL Low Power, Deglitched, 4-Quadrant Multiplying VOUT DAC, 4.5V Output Swing, 4s Settling Time 5V (3V) Single Supply, Rail-to-Rail Output Swing 5V (3V) Low Power, 16-Bit Monotonic Over Temp., Multiplying Capability 8-Bit, 20Msps ADC 14-Bit, 2.5Msps ADC 12-Bit, 10Msps ADC 16-Bit, 333ksps/500ksps ADCs 72dB SINAD at 5MHz fIN 16-Bit, No Missing Codes, 90dB SINAD, 100dB THD Undersampling Capability Up to 70MHz Input DESCRIPTION COMMENTS

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Linear Technology Corporation

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(408) 432-1900 q FAX: (408) 434-0507
q

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