Achieving optimum performance with a
high-frequency amplifier (like the OPAx863) requires careful
attention to board layout parasitics and external component types. The OPA2863
DGK Evaluation Module user's guide can be used as a reference
when designing the circuit board. Recommendations that optimize performance includes
the following:
- Minimize parasitic capacitance to any ac
ground for all of the signal I/O pins. Parasitic capacitance on the output and
inverting input pins can cause instability on the noninverting input and can
react with the source impedance to cause unintentional band-limiting. Open a
window around the signal I/O pins in all of the ground and power planes around
those pins to reduce unwanted capacitance. Otherwise, ground and power planes
must be unbroken elsewhere on the board.
- Minimize the distance (< 0.1 in) from
the power-supply pins to high-frequency 0.01-µF decoupling capacitors. Avoid
narrow power and ground traces to minimize inductance between the pins and the
decoupling capacitors. The power-supply connections must always be decoupled
with these capacitors. Larger (2.2-µF to 6.8-µF) decoupling capacitors,
effective at lower frequency, must also be used on the supply pins. These
capacitors can be placed somewhat farther from the device and shared among
several devices in the same area of the PCB.
- Careful selection and placement of external
components preserves the high-frequency performance of the OPAx863. Resistors must be a low reactance type.
Surface-mount resistors work best and allow a tighter overall layout. Other
network components, such as noninverting input termination resistors, must also
be placed close to the package. Keep resistor values as low as possible and
consistent with load-driving considerations. Lowering the resistor values keeps
the resistor noise terms low and minimizes the effect of the parasitic
capacitance. Lower resistor values, however, increase the dynamic power
consumption because RF and RG become part of the amplifier
output load network.