AD641 250 MHz Demodulating Logarithmic Amplifier

The AD641 is a 250 MHz, demodulating logarithmic amplifier with an accuracy of ±2.0 dB and 44 dB dynamic range. The AD641 uses a successive detection architecture to provide an output current that is logarithmically proportional to its input voltage. The output current can be converted to a voltage using one of several on-chip resistors to select the slope. A single AD641 provides up to 44 dB of dynamic range at speeds up to 250 MHz, and two cascaded AD641s together can provide 58 dB of dynamic range at speeds up to 250 MHz. The AD641 is fully stable and well characterized over either the industrial or military temperature ranges.

The AD641 is not a logarithmic building block, but rather a complete logarithmic solution for compressing and measuring wide dynamic range signals. The AD641 is comprised of five stages and each stage has a full wave rectifier, whose current depends on the absolute value of its input voltage. The output of these stages are summed together to provide the demodulated output current scaled at 1 mA per decade (50 µA/dB).

Without utilizing the 10× input attenuator, log conformance of 2.0 dB is maintained over the input range –44 dBm to 0 dBm. The attenuator offers the most flexibility without significantly impacting performance.

The 250 MHz bandwidth and temperature stability make this product ideal for high speed signal power measurement in RF/ IF systems. ECM/Radar and Communication applications are routinely in the 100 MHz–180 MHz range for power measurement. The bandwidth and accuracy, as well as dynamic range, make this part ideal for high speed, wide dynamic range signals. The AD641 is offered in industrial (–40°C to +85°C) and military (–55°C to +125°C) package temperature ranges. Industrial versions are available in plastic DIP and PLCC; MIL versions are packaged in cerdip.

Applications

Features and Benefits
  • Logarithmic amplifier performance
    • Usable to 250 MHz
    • 44 dB dynamic range
    • ±2.0 dB log conformance
    • 37.5 mV/dB voltage output
    • Stable slope and intercepts
  • Usable to 250 MHz
  • 44 dB dynamic range
  • ±2.0 dB log conformance
  • 37.5 mV/dB voltage output
  • Stable slope and intercepts
  • 2.0 nV/√Hz input noise voltage
  • 50 mV input offset voltage
  • Low power
    • ±5 V supply operation
    • 9 mA (+VS), 35 mA (–VS) quiescent current
  • ±5 V supply operation
  • 9 mA (+VS), 35 mA (–VS) quiescent current
  • Onboard resistors
  • Onboard 10× attenuator
  • Dual polarity current outputs
  • Direct coupled differential signal path
  • RF & Microwave
    Data Sheets
    Documentnote
    AD641: 250 MHz Demodulating Logarithmic Amplifier Data Sheet (Rev. D)PDF 314.78 K
    AD641: Military Data Sheet
    Product Highlight
    Documentnote
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Documentnote
    Order Information
    Part NumberPackagePacking QtyTemp RangePrice 100-499Price 1000+RoHS
    5962-9559801MRA Obsolete20 ld CerDIPOTH 18-55 to 125C00N
    AD641AN Obsolete20 ld PDIPOTH 18-40 to 85C00N
    AD641ANZ Production20 ld PDIPOTH 18-40 to 85C36.3132.82Y
    AD641AP Obsolete20 ld PLCCOTH 49-40 to 85C00N
    AD641AP-REEL7 Obsolete20 ld PLCCREEL 250-40 to 85C00N
    AD641APZ Production20 ld PLCCOTH 49-40 to 85C36.3132.82Y
    Reference Materials
    AD641: 250 MHz Demodulating Logarithmic Amplifier Data Sheet (Rev. D) ad641
    AD641: Military Data Sheet ad641
    ADI Warns Against Misuse of COTS Integrated Circuits ad640
    Space Qualified Parts List ad640
    RF Source Booklet adf9010
    Measurement and Control of RF Power, Part I ad640
    Measurement and Control of RF Power, Part II ad640
    Measurement and Control of RF Power, Part III ad640
    Log Amps and Directional Couplers Enable VSWR Detection ad640
    Measuring VSWR and Gain in Wireless Systems ad640
    Measuring the RF Power in CDMA2000 and W-CDMA High Power Amplifiers (HPAs) ad640
    Detecting Fast RF Bursts using Log Amps ad640
    Make Precise Base-Station Power Measurements ad640
    Design a Logamp RF Pulse Detector ad640