Theory of Operation

The LM2415 is a high voltage monolithic three channel CRT

driver suitable for high resolution display applications. The

LM2415 operates with 80V and 12V power supplies. The

part is housed in the industry standard 11-lead TO-220

molded plastic power package.

The circuit diagram of the LM2415 is shown in

Figure 1. The

PNP emitter follower, Q5, provides input buffering. Q1 and

Q2 form a fixed gain cascode amplifier with resistors R1 and

R2 setting the gain at −14. Emitter followers Q3 and Q4 iso-

late the high output impedance of the cascode stage from

the capacitance of the CRT cathode which decreases the

sensitivity of the device to load capacitance. Q6 provides bi-

asing to the output emitter follower stage to reduce cross-

over distortion at low signal levels.

Figure 2 shows a typical test circuit for evaluation of the

LM2415. This circuit is designed to allow testing of the

LM2415 in a 50

Ω environment without the use of an expen-

sive FET probe. In this test circuit, two low inductance resis-

tors in series totaling 4.98 k

Ω form a 200:1 wideband, low

capacitance probe when connected to a 50

Ω coaxial cable

anda50

Ω load (such as a 50Ω oscilloscope input). The in-

put signal from the generator is ac coupled to the base of

Q5.

Application Hints

INTRODUCTION

National Semiconductor (NSC) is committed to provide ap-

plication information that assists our customers in obtaining

the best performance possible from our products. The follow-

ing information is provided in order to support this commit-

ment. The reader should be aware that the optimization of

performance was done using a specific printed circuit board

designed at NSC. Variations in performance can be realized

due to physical changes in the printed circuit board and the

application. Therefore, the designer should know that com-

ponent value changes may be required in order to optimize

performance in a given application. The values shown in this

document can be used as a starting point for evaluation pur-

poses. When working with high bandwidth circuits, good lay-

out practices are also critical to achieving maximum perfor-

mance.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The LM2415 performance is targeted for the SXGA (1280 x

1024, 75 Hz refresh) resolution market. The application cir-

cuits shown in this document to optimize performance and to

protect against damage from CRT arc-over are designed

specifically for the LM2415. If another member of the

LM240X family is used, please refer to its datasheet.

POWER SUPPLY BYPASS

Since the LM2415 is a wide bandwidth amplifier, proper

power supply bypassing is critical for optimum performance.

Improper power supply bypassing can result in large over-

shoot, ringing or oscillation. A 0.1 µF capacitor should be

connected from the supply pin, V

the supply and ground pins as is practical. Additionally, a

10 µF to 100 µF electrolytic capacitor should be connected

from the supply pin to ground. The electrolytic capacitor

should also be placed reasonably close to the LM2415’s

supply and ground pins. A 0.1 µF capacitor should be con-

nected from the bias pin, V

tical to the part.

ARC PROTECTION

During normal CRT operation, internal arcing may occasion-

ally occur. Spark gaps, in the range of 200V, connected from

the CRT cathodes to CRT ground will limit the maximum volt-

age, but to a value that is much higher than allowable on the

LM2415. This fast, high voltage, high energy pulse can dam-

age the LM2415 output stage. The application circuit shown

in

Figure 9 is designed to help clamp the voltage at the out-

put of the LM2415 to a safe level. The clamp diodes, D1 and

D2, should have a fast transient response, high peak current

rating, low series impedance and low shunt capacitance.

FDH400 or equivalent diodes are recommended. Do not use

1N4148 diodes for the clamp diodes. D1 and D2 should have

short, low impedance connections to V

spectively. The cathode of D1 should be located very close

to a separately decoupled bypass capacitor (C3 in

Figure 9).

The ground connection of D2 and the decoupling capacitor

should be very close to the LM2415 ground. This will signifi-

cantly reduce the high frequency voltage transients that the

LM2415 would be subjected to during an arcover condition.

Resistor R2 limits the arcover current that is seen by the di-

odes while R1 limits the current into the LM2415 as well as

the voltage stress at the outputs of the device. R2 should be

a 1/2W solid carbon type resistor. R1 can be a 1/4W metal or

carbon film type resistor. Having large value resistors for R1

and R2 would be desirable, but this has the effect of increas-

ing rise and fall times. Inductor L1 is critical to reduce the ini-

tial high frequency voltage levels that the LM2415 would be

subjected to. The inductor will not only help protect the de-

vice but it will also help minimize rise and fall times as well as

minimize EMI. For proper arc protection, it is important to not

omit any of the arc protection components shown in

Figure

9.

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