CA3130

The CA3140A and CA3140 are integrated circuit operational amplifiers that combine the
advantages of high voltage PMOS transistors with high voltage bipolar transistors on a single
monolithic chip. The CA3140A and CA3140 BiMOS operational amplifiers feature gate
protected MOSFET (PMOS) transistors in the input circuit to provide very high input
impedance, very low input current, and high speed performance. The CA3140A and CA3140
operate at supply voltage from 4V to 36V (either single or dual supply). These operational
amplifiers are internally phase compensated to achieve stable operation in unity gain follower
operation, and additionally, have access terminal for a supplementary external capacitor
if additional frequency roll-off is desired. Terminals are also provided for use in applications
requiring input offset voltage nulling. The use of PMOS field effect transistors in the input
stage results in common mode input voltage capability down to 0.5V below the negative supply
terminal, an important attribute for single supply applications. The output stage uses bipolar
transistors and includes built-in protectionagainst damage from load terminal short circuiting to
either.
The CA3140A and CA3140 are intended for operation at supply voltages up to 36V (±18V).
As shown in the block diagram, the input terminals may be operated down to 0.5V below the
negative supply rail. Two class A amplifier stages provide the voltage gain, and a unique class
AB amplifier stage provides the current gain necessary to drive low-impedance loads. A biasing
circuit provides control of cascoded constant current flow circuits in the first and second stages.
The CA3140 includes an on chip phase compensating capacitor that is sufficient for the unity
gain voltage follower configuration.
Input Stage
The schematic diagram consists of a differential input stage using PMOS field-effect transistors
(Q9, Q10) working into a mirror pair of bipolar transistors (Q11, Q12) functioning as load
resistors together with resistors R2 through R5. The mirror pair transistors also function as a
differential-to-single-ended converter to provide base current drive to the second stage bipolar
transistor (Q13). Offset nulling, when desired, can be effected with a 10kΩ potentiometer
connected across Terminals 1 and 5 and with its slider arm connected to Terminal 4. Cascode-
connected bipolar transistors Q2, Q5 are the constant current source for the input stage. The base
biasing circuit for the constant current source is described subsequently. The small diodes D3,
D4, D5 provide gate oxide protection against high voltage transients, e.g., static electricity.
Second Stage
Most of the voltage gain in the CA3140 is provided by the second amplifier stage, consisting of
bipolar transistor Q13 and its cascode connected load resistance provided by bipolar transistors
Q3, Q4. On-chip phase compensation, sufficient for a majority of the applications is provided by
C1. Additional Miller-Effect compensation (roll off) can be accomplished, when desired, by
simply connecting a small capacitor between Terminals 1 and 8. Terminal 8 is also used to strobe
the output stage into quiescence. When terminal 8 is tied to the negative supply rail (Terminal 4)
by mechanical or electrical means, the output Terminal 6swings low, i.e., approximately to
Terminal 4 potential.
Output Stage
The CA3140 Series circuits employ a broad band output stage that can sink loads to the negative
supply to complement the capability of the PMOS input stage when operating near the negative
rail. Quiescent current in the emitter-follower cascade circuit (Q17, Q18) is established by
transistors (Q14, Q15) whose base currents are “mirrored” to current flowing through diode D2
in the bias circuit section. When the CA3140 is operating such that output Terminal 6 is sourcing
current, transistor Q18 functions as an emitter-follower to source current from the V+ bus
(Terminal 7), via D7, R9, and R11. Under these conditions, the collector potential of Q13 is
sufficiently high to permit the necessary flow of base current to emitter follower Q17 which, in
turn, drives Q18. When the CA3140 is operating such that output Terminal 6 is sinking current to
the V- bus, transistor Q16 is the current sinking element. Transistor Q16 is mirror connected to
D6, R7, with current fed by way of Q21, R12, and Q20. Transistor Q20, in turn, is biased by
current flow through R13, zener D8, and R14. The dynamic current sink is controlled by voltage
level sensing. For purposes of explanation, it is assumed that output Terminal 6 is quiescently
established at the potential midpoint between the V+ and V- supply rails. When output current
sinking mode operation is required, the collector potential of transistor Q13 is driven below its
quiescent level, thereby causing Q17, Q18 todecrease the output voltage at Terminal 6. Thus, the
gate terminal of PMOS transistor Q21 is displaced toward the V- bus,thereby reducing the
channel resistance of Q21. As a consequence, there is an incremental increase in current flow
through Q20, R12, Q21, D6, R7, and the base of Q16. As a result, Q16 sinks current from
Terminal 6 in direct response to the incremental change in output voltage caused by Q18. This
sink current flows regardless of load; any excess current is internally supplied by the emitter-
follower Q18. Short circuit protection of the output circuit is provided by Q19, which is driven
into conduction by the high voltage drop developed across R11 under output short circuit
conditions. Under these conditions, the collector of Q19 diverts current from Q4 so as to reduce
the base current drive from Q17, thereby limiting current flow in Q18 to the short circuited load
terminal.
Features

1. MOSFET Input Stage

Applications
• Ground-Referenced Single Supply Amplifiers in
Automobile and Portable Instrumentation
• Sample and Hold Amplifiers
• Long Duration Timers/Multivibrators (μseconds-Minutes-Hours)
• Photocurrent Instrumentation
• Peak Detectors
• Active Filters
• Comparators
• Interface in 5V TTL Systems and Other Low Supply Voltage Systems
• All Standard Operational Amplifier Applications
• Function Generators
• Tone Controls
• Power Supplies
• Portable Instruments
• Intrusion Alarm Systems