Take the signal to the max

announces a new class of CMOS amplifiers with voltage noise like bipolar amplifiers. Generally known for their low input bias current, CMOS amplifiers are inherently noisier than bipolar designs. The LTC6241 dual and LTC6242 quad amplifiers are said to address this fundamental performance trade off.

With low noise of 550nVp-p in the 0.1Hz to 10Hz region, these amplifiers offer a threefold reduction in voltage noise over existing CMOS amplifiers. According to Linear Technology, this performance, previously unattainable from a CMOS amplifier, delivers maximum signal resolution in a wide variety of high-end instrumentation, medical and communication applications requiring high impedance inputs.

The amplifiers minimise a crucial error source, voltage noise, but they also provide DC precision. The LTC6241 and LTC6242 feature 1pA bias current and less than 125uV input offset voltage. Offset voltage drift is guaranteed under 2.5uV/ degrees C while the high voltage gain of 124dB keeps system error to a minimum.

Linear Technology claims that the 18MHz gain bandwidth and 10V/us slew rate at a low supply current of 2.2mA maximum per amplifier make these amplifiers perfect for use in a wide variety of signal processing applications.

Furthermore, the low input capacitance of 3pF makes them suitable for high source impedance applications. The devices are ideal for use as photodiode, transimpedance and charge coupled amplifiers, precision integrators, filters and I/V converters. End markets include instrumentation, medical, industrial and communications.

"The LTC6241 and LTC6242 are the industry's lowest noise CMOS amplifiers. Prior to the LTC6241 and LTC6242, designers requiring high input precision had to either compromise noise by using chopper-stabilised amplifiers or increase system cost with more expensive low noise bipolar and BiFET amplifiers. These devices put an end to the performance trade-off," said design manager, Bill Jett.

Operating from supply voltages as low as 2.8V and up to 12V (HV version), the LTC6241 dual is offered in an 8-pin SOIC and 3mm x 3mm DFN packages. The LTC6242 quad is available in a 16-pin SSOP package and 5mm x 3mm DFN.