Blackmer® Trimmable IC

Voltage Controlled Amplifiers

THAT 2181A, 2181B, 2181C

FEATURES APPLICATIONS
• Wide Dynamic Range: >120 dB • Faders

• Wide Gain Range: >130 dB • Panners

• Exponential (dB) Gain Control • Compressors

• Low Distortion: • Expanders

~ 0.0025 % (typical 2181A)
~ 0.005 % (typical 2181C) • Equalizers

• Wide Gain-Bandwidth: 20 MHz • Filters

• Dual Gain-Control Ports (pos/neg) • Oscillators

• Pin-Compatible with 2150-Series • Automation Systems

Description
THAT 2181 Series integrated-circuit voltage The VCA design takes advantage of a fully
controlled amplifiers (VCAs) are very high- complementary dielectric isolation process which
performance current-in/current-out devices with offers closely matched NPN/PNP pairs. This deliv-
two opposing-polarity, voltage-sensitive control ers performance unobtainable through any
ports. They offer wide-range exponential control conventional process, integrated or discrete. The
of gain and attenuation with low signal distortion. parts are available in three grades, allowing the
The parts are selected after packaging based user to optimize cost vs. performance. Both 8-pin
primarily on after-trim THD and control-voltage single-in-line (SIP) and surface mount (SO)
feedthrough performance. packages are available.

Pin Name SIP Pin SO Pin

Input 1 1
7
Ec+ 2 2
2k Vcc
Ec- 3 3

BIAS CURRENT
Sym 4 4
2
COMPENSATION
Ec+ V- 5 5
25
Ec- Gnd 6 6
3
Vbe
MULTI- V+ 7 7
Input 8
PLIER
1 Output Output 8 8
4
6
Sym Table 1. Pin Assignments
Gnd
Iadj Max Trimmed Plastic Plastic
V- THD
5 @1V,1kHz,0dB SIP SO
Iset
0.01% 2181AL08-U 2181AS08-U
0.02% 2181BL08-U 2181BS08-U
0.05% 2181CL08-U 2181CS08-U
Figure 1. 2181 Series Equivalent Circuit Diagram Table 2. Ordering information

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2016, THAT Corporation Document 600030 Rev 03
Document 600030 Rev 03 Page 2 of 12 THAT 2181 Series
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

SPECIFICATIONS 1

Absolute Maximum Ratings 2,3

Positive Supply Voltage (VCC) +20 V Power Dissipation (PD) (TA = 75 ºC) 330 mW
Negative SupplyVoltage (VEE) -20 V Operating Temperature Range (TOP) 0 to +70 ºC
Supply Current (ICC) 10 mA Storage Temperature Range (TST) -40 to +125 ºC
Maximum ∆EC EC+ - (EC-) ±1V

Recommended Operating Conditions

2181A 2181B 2181C
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Units

Positive Supply Voltage VCC +4 +15 +18 +4 +15 +18 +4 +15 +18 V
Negative Supply Voltage VEE -4 -15 -18 -4 -15 -18 -4 -15 -18 V
Bias Current ISET VCC - VEE = 30 V 1 2.4 3.5 1 2.4 3.5 1 2.4 3.5 mA
Signal Current IIN + IOUT ISET = 2.4 mA — 0.35 2.5 — 0.35 2.5 — 0.35 2.5 mA

Electrical Characteristics 2
2181A 2181B 2181C
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Units

Supply Current ICC No signal — 2.4 4 — 2.4 4 — 2.4 4 mA

Equiv. Input Bias Current IB No Signal — 2 10 — 2 12 — 2 15 nA

Input Offset Voltage VOFF(IN) No Signal — ±5 — — ±5 — — ±5 — mV

Output Offset Voltage VOFF(OUT) Rout = 20 kΩ

0 dB gain — 0.5 1 — 1 2 — 1.5 3 mV
+15 dB gain — 1 3 — 1.5 4 — 3 10 mV
+30 dB gain — 3 12 — 5 15 — 9 30 mV

Gain Cell Idling Current IIDLE — 20 — — 20 — — 20 — µA

Gain-Control Constant TA =25°C (TCHIP≅35°C)

-60 dB < gain < +40 dB
EC+ /Gain (dB) Pin 2 (Fig. 15) 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.0 6.1 6.2 mV/dB
EC- /Gain (dB) Pin 3 -6.2 -6.1 -6.0 -6.2 -6.1 -6.0 -6.2 -6.1 -6.0 mV/dB

Gain-Control TempCo ∆EC /∆TCHIP Ref TCHIP = 27°C — +0.33 — — +0.33 — — +0.33 — %/°C

Gain-Control Linearity -60 to +40 dB gain — 0.5 2 — 0.5 2 — 0.5 2 %

1 kHz Off Isolation EC+= -360mV,EC-=+360mV 110 115 — 110 115 — 110 115 — dB

Output Noise en(OUT) 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz

Rout = 20kΩ
0 dB gain — -98 -97 — -98 -96 — -98 -95 dBV
+15 dB gain — -88 -86 — -88 -85 — -88 -84 dBV

Voltage at V- VV- No Signal -3.1 -2.85 -2.6 -3.1 -2.85 -2.6 -3.2 -2.85 -2.6 V

1. All specifications are subject to change without notic e.

2. Unless otherwise noted, T A=25ºC, V CC=+15V, V EE= -15V. Test circuit as shown in Figure 2. SYM ADJ is adjusted for minimum THD at 1 V, 1 kHz, Ec- = -Ec+ = 0 V.
3. Stresses above those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only; the functional operation of
the device at these or any other conditions above those indicated in the operational sections of this specification is not impli ed. Exposure to absolute maximum rating condi -
tions for extended periods may affect device reliability.

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2016, THAT Corporation
THAT 2181 Series Page 3 of 12 Document 600030 Rev 03
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

Electrical Characteristics (con’t) 2

2181A 2181B 2181C
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Min Typ Max Units

Total Harmonic Distortion THD 1 kHz

VIN = 0 dBV, 0 dB gain — 0.0025 0.005 — 0.004 0.008 — 0.005 0.02 %
VIN = +10 dBV, -15 dB gain — 0.018 0.025 — 0.025 0.035 — 0.035 0.07 %
VIN = -5 dBV, +15 dB gain — 0.018 0.025 — 0.025 0.035 — 0.035 0.07 %
VIN = +10 dBV, 0 dB gain — 0.004 0.008 — 0.006 0.010 — 0.015 — %

Slew Rate RIN = ROUT = 20 kΩ — 12 — — 12 — — 12 — V/µs

Symmetry Control Voltage VSYM AV = 0dB, Minimum THD -0.5 — +0.5 -1.5 — +1.5 -2.5 — +2.5 mV

Gain at 0 V Control Voltage EC- = 0 mV -0.1 0.0 +0.1 -0.15 0.0 +0.15 -0.2 0.0 +0.2 dB

Vcc
2181 Ec- 22p
Series
VCA 7 20k
V+ 3
1 Ec- OUT
IN -IN SYM
Ec+ 8
-
GND 4 OP275 OUT
20k 2
10u V-
6 +
5
Vcc

Power Supplies 5.1k Rsym

50k SYM
Vcc = +15 V ADJ
Vee = -15 V 680k (2181A)
220k (2181B)
Vee
130k (2181C)
Vee
Figure 2. Typical Application Circuit

Figure 3. 2181 Series Frequency Response vs. Gain Figure 4. 2181 Series Noise (20kHzNBW) vs. Gain

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

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Document 600030 Rev 03 Page 4 of 12 THAT 2181 Series
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

Theory of Operation 4
The THAT 2181 Series VCAs are designed for
high performance in audio-frequency applications
requiring exponential gain control, low distortion,
wide dynamic range and low control-voltage
feedthrough. These parts control gain by converting
an input current signal to a bipolar logged voltage,
adding a dc control voltage, and re-converting the
summed voltage back to a current through a bipolar
antilog circuit.

Figure 5 presents a considerably simplified inter-

nal circuit diagram of the IC. The ac input signal
current flows in pin 1, the input pin. An internal Figure 6. Gain vs. Control Voltage(EC+, Pin 2) at 25°C
operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) works
to maintain pin 1 at a virtual ground potential by
driving the emitters of Q1 and (through the Voltage
Bias Generator) Q3. Q3/D3 and Q1/D1 act to log the
input current, producing a voltage, V3, which repre-
sents the bipolar logarithm of the input current. (The
voltage at the junction of D1 and D2 is the same as
V3, but shifted by four forward V be drops.)

Gain Control
Since pin 8, the output, is usually connected to a
virtual ground, Q2/D2 and Q4/D4 take the bipolar Figure 7. Gain vs. Control Voltage(EC-, Pin 3) at 25°C
antilog of V3, creating an output current which is a
precise replica of the input current. If pin 2 (EC+) and
pin 3 (EC-) are held at ground (with pin 4 - SYM -
connected to a high impedance current source), the
output current will equal the input current. For pin 2
positive or pin 3 negative, the output current will be
scaled larger than the input current. For pin 2
negative or pin 3 positive, the output current is
scaled smaller than the input.

Figure 8. Gain vs. Control Voltage(EC-) with Temp (°C)

In normal operation, the output current is

converted to a voltage via an opamp-based I-V
converter, as shown in Figure 2, where the conver-
sion ratio is determined by the feedback resistor
connected between the output and inverting input.
The signal path through the VCA and the output
opamp is non-inverting.

The scale factor between the output and input

currents is the gain of the VCA. Either pin 2 (Ec+) or
pin 3 (Ec-), or both, may be used to control gain.
Gain is exponentially proportional to the voltage at
pin 2, and exponentially proportional to the negative
of the voltage at pin 3. Therefore, pin 2 (Ec+) is the
Figure 5. Simplified Internal Circuit Diagram positive control port, while pin 3 (Ec-) is the

4. For more details about the internal workings of the 2181 Series of VCAs, see An Improved Monolithic Voltage-
Controlled Amplifier, by Gary K. Hebert (Chief Technology Officer, for THAT Corporation), presented at the 99th conven-
tion of the Audio Engineering Society, New York, Preprint number 4055.
THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA
Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2016, THAT Corporation
THAT 2181 Series Page 5 of 12 Document 600030 Rev 03
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

negative control port. Because of the exponential Trimming

characteristic, the control voltage sets gain linearly
in decibels. Figure 6 shows the decibel current gain The 2181-Series VCAs are intended to be
of a 2181 versus the voltage at Ec+, while Figure 7 adjusted for minimum distortion by applying a small
shows gain versus the Ec-. variable offset voltage to pin 4, the SYM pin. Note
that there is a 25 Ω resistor internal to the 2181
between pin 4 and pin 2. As shown in Figure 2,
Temperature Effects Page 3, the usual method of applying this offset is to
The logging and antilogging in the VCA depends use the internal 25 Ω resistor along with a larger
on the logarithmic relationship between voltage and value resistor to form a voltage divider connected to
current in a semiconductor junction (in particular, the wiper of a trim pot across the supply rails.
between a transistor's Vbe and IC). As is well known, This trim should be adjusted for minimum
this relationship is temperature dependent. There- harmonic distortion. This is usually done by apply-
fore, the gain of any log-antilog VCA depends on its ing a middle-level, middle-frequency signal (e.g.
temperature. 1 kHz at 1 V) to the audio input, setting the VCA to
Figure 8 shows the effect of temperature on the 0 dB gain, and adjusting the SYM trim while observ-
negative control port. (The positive control port ing THD at the output. In the 2181, this adjustment
behaves in the same manner.) Note that the gain at coincides closely with the setting which produces
Ec = 0 V is 0 dB, regardless of temperature. Chang- minimum control-voltage feedthrough, though the
ing temperature changes the scale factor of the gain two settings are not always identical.
by 0.33%/°C, which pivots the curve about the 0 dB
point.
DC Feedthrough
Normally, a small dc error term flows in pin 8
Mathematically, the 2181's gain characteristic is
(the output). When the gain is changed, the dc term
changes. This control-voltage feedthrough is more
E C+ − E C−
Gain = (0.0061)(1+0.0033 ✁T) , Eq. 1 pronounced with gain; the –A version of the part
produces the least feedthrough, the –C version the
where ∆T is the difference between room most. See Figure 9 for typical curves for dc offset vs.
temperature (25°C) and the actual temperature, and gain
Gain is the gain in decibels. At room temperature,
this reduces to

E C+ − E C−
Gain = 0.0061 , Eq. 2

If only the positive control port is used, this

becomes

E C+
Gain = 0.0061 , Eq. 3

If only the negative control port is used, this

becomes
Figure 9. Representative DC Offset vs. Gain
E C−
Gain = 0.0061 , Eq. 4
Audio Performance
DC Bias Currents The 2181-Series VCA design, fabrication and
testing ensure extremely good audio performance
The 2181 current consumption is determined by when used as recommended. The 2181 maintains
the resistor between pin 5 (V-) and the negative low distortion over a wide range of gain, cut and
supply voltage (VEE). Typically, with 15V supplies, the signal levels. Figures 10 through 12 show typical
resistor is 5.1 kΩ, which provides approximately distortion performance for representative samples of
2.4 mA. This current is split into two paths: 570 µA each grade of the part. At or near unity gain, the
is used for biasing the IC, and the remainder 2181 behaves much like a good opamp, with low
becomes ICELL as shown in Figure 5. I CELL is furth distortion over the entire audio band. Figure 13
shows typical THD for a 2181A over frequency at 0
er split in two parts: about 20 µA biases the core dB gain, with a 1 V input signal, while Figure 14
transistors (Q1 through Q4), the rest is available for details the harmonic content of the distortion in a
input and output signal current. typical A–grade part.

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2016, THAT Corporation
Document 600030 Rev 03 Page 6 of 12 THAT 2181 Series
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

Figure 10. 1 kHz THD+Noise vs. Input Level, 0dB Gain Figure 13. 2181A THD+N vs Frequency, 0dB gain, 1V

Figure 11. 1 kHz THD+Noise vs. Input Level, +15dB Gain Figure 14. FFT of THD, Typical 2181A,
0dB Gain, 1V, 1kHz

Figure 12. 1 kHz THD+Noise vs. Input Level, -15dB Gain

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
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THAT 2181 Series Page 7 of 12 Document 600030 Rev 03
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

Applications
Input High-Frequency Distortion
As mentioned above, input and output signals are The choice of input resistor has an additional,
currents, not voltages. While this often causes some subtle effect on distortion. Since the feedback imped-
conceptual difficulty for designers first exposed to ances around the internal opamp (essentially Q1/D1
this convention, the current input/output mode and Q3/D3) are fixed, low values for the input resis-
provides great flexibility in application. tor will require more closed-loop gain from the
opamp. Since the open-loop gain naturally falls off at
The Input pin (pin 1) is a virtual ground with high frequencies, asking for too much gain will lead
negative feedback provided internally (see Figure 5, to increased high-frequency distortion. For best
Page 4). The input resistor (shown as 20 kΩ in results, this resistor should be kept to 10 kΩ or
Figure 2, Page 3) should be scaled to convert the above.
available ac input voltage to a current within the
linear range of the device. Generally, peak input
Stability
currents should be kept under 1 mA for best distor-
tion performance.
An additional consideration is stability: the inter-
nal op amp is intended for operation with source
Refer to Figures 10 through 12 to see how distor-
impedances of less than 60 kΩ at high frequencies.
tion varies with signal level for the three parts in the
For most audio applications, this will present no
2181 Series for 0 dB, +15 dB and -15 dB gain. The
problem.
circuit of Figure 2, Page 3 was used to generate these
curves.
DC Coupling
For a specific application, the acceptable distor-
tion will usually determine the maximum signal The quiescent dc voltage level at the input (the
current level which may be used. Note that, with input offset voltage) is approximately 0 V, but, as in
20 kΩ current-to-voltage converting resistors, distor- many general-purpose opamps, this is not well
tion remains low even at 10 V rms input at 0 dB or controlled. Any dc input currents will cause dc in the
-15 dB gain, and at 1.7 V rms input at +15 dB gain output which will be modulated by gain; this may
(~10 V rms output). This is especially true in the –A cause audible thumps. If the input is dc coupled, dc
and –B grades of the part. input currents may be generated due to the input
offset voltage of the 2181 itself, or due to offsets in
stages preceeding the 2181. Therefore, capacitive
Distortion vs. Noise coupling is almost mandatory for quality audio appli-
cations. Choose a capacitor which will give accept-
A designer may trade off noise for distortion by
able low frequency performance for the application.
decreasing the 20 kΩ current-to-voltage converting
resistors used at the input and output in Figure 2,
Page 3. For every dB these resistor values are Summing Multiple Input Signals
decreased, the voltage noise at the output of the
OP275 is reduced by one dB. For example, with Multiple signals may be summed via multiple
10 kΩ resistors, the output noise floor drops to resistors, just as with an inverting opamp configura-
–104 dBV (typical) at 0 dB gain — a 6 dB reduction tion. In such a case, a single coupling capacitor may
in noise because 10 kΩ is 1/2 of (6 dB lower than) be located next to pin 1 rather than multiple capaci-
20 kΩ. tors at the driven ends of the summing resistors.
However, take care that the capacitor does not pick
Conversely, if THD is more important than noise up stray signals.
performance, increasing these resistors to 40 kΩ will
increase the noise level by 6 dB, while reducing Output
distortion at maximum voltage levels. Furthermore,
if maximum signal levels are higher (or lower) than The Output pin (pin 8) is intended to be
the traditional 10 V rms, these resistors should be connected to a virtual ground node, so that current
scaled to accommodate the actual voltages prevalent flowing in it may be converted to a voltage (see
in the circuit. Since the 2181 handles signals as Figures 2 & 15). Choose the external opamp for good
currents, these ICs can even operate with signal audio performance. The feedback resistor should be
levels far exceeding the 2181's supply rails, provided chosen based on the desired current-to-voltage
appropriately large resistors are used. conversion constant. Since the input resistor deter-
mines the voltage-to-current conversion at the input,

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

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Document 600030 Rev 03 Page 8 of 12 THAT 2181 Series
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

the familiar ratio of Rf /Ri for an inverting opamp will Mathematically, this can be expressed as
determine the overall voltage gain when the 2181 is
set for 0 dB current gain. Since the VCA performs ICELL ≥ Peak (IIN) + Peak (IOUT) + 220 µA; and
best at settings near unity gain, use the input and
feedback resistors to provide design-center gain or ICELL = ISET - 350 µA. Therefore,
loss, if necessary.
ISET ≥ Peak (I IN) + Peak (I OUT) + 570 µA.
A small feedback capacitor around the output
opamp is needed to cancel the output capacitance of The voltage at V- (pin 5) is four diode drops
the VCA. Without it, this capacitance will destabilize below ground, which, for the 2181, is approximately
most opamps. The capacitance at pin 8 is typically -2.85 V. Since this pin connects to a (high
15 pF. impedance) current supply, not a voltage supply,
bypassing at pin 5 is not normally necessary.

Power Supplies
Ground
Positive The GND pin (pin 6) is used as a ground refer-
ence for the VCA. The non-inverting input of the
The positive supply is connected directly to V+
internal opamp is connected here, as are various
(pin 7). No special bypassing is necessary, but it is
portions of the internal bias network. It may not be
good practice to include a small (~1 µf) electrolytic
used as an additional input pin.
or (~0.1 µf) ceramic capacitor close to the VCA IC on
the PCB. Performance is not particularly dependent
on supply voltage. The lowest permissible supply Voltage Control
voltage is determined by the sum of the input and
output currents plus ISET , which must be supplied Negative Sense
through the output of the internal transconductance
amplifier and down through the core and voltage bias EC- (pin 3) is the negative voltage control port.
generator. Reducing signal currents may help accom- This point controls gain inversely with applied
modate low supply voltages. THAT Corporation voltage: positive voltage causes loss, negative voltage
intends to publish an application note covering causes gain. As described on Page 5, the current gain
operation on low supply voltages. Please inquire for of the VCA is unity when pin 3 is at 0 V with respect
its availability. to pin 2, and varies with voltage at approximately
-6.1 mV/dB, at room temperature.
The highest permissible supply voltage is fixed by
the process characteristics and internal power Positive Sense
consumption. +18 V is the nominal limit.
As mentioned earlier, EC+ (pin 2) is the positive-
Negative sense voltage control port. A typical circuit using this
approach is shown in Figure 15. EC- (Pin 3) should
The negative supply terminal is V- (pin 5). Unlike be grounded, and EC+ (pin 2) driven from a
normal negative supply pins, this point is intended low-impedance voltage source. Using the opposite
to be connected to a current source ISET (usually sense of control can sometimes save an inverter in
simply a resistor to VEE), which determines the the control path.
current available for the device. As mentioned before,
this source must supply the sum of the input and Positive and Negative
output signal currents, plus the bias to run the rest)
of the IC. The minimum value for this current is It is also possible (and sometimes advantageous)
570 µA over the sum of the required signal currents. to drive both control ports, either with differential
Usually, ISET should equal 2.4 mA for most pro audio drive (in which case, the control sensitivities of each
applications with ±15 V supplies. Higher bias levels port are summed), or through two different control
are of limited value, largely because the core signals. There is no reason why both control ports
transistors become ineffective at logging and antilog- cannot be used simultaneously.
ging at currents over 1 mA.

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

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THAT 2181 Series Page 9 of 12 Document 600030 Rev 03
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

Symmetry output impedance of an opamp typically rises at high

frequencies because open loop gain falls off as
The SYM pin (pin 4) is actually a sort of frequency increases. A typical opamp's output
additional positive-sense control port. It is provided impedance is therefore inductive at high frequencies.
to allow Vbe mismatches in the core transistors to be Excessive inductance in the control port source
adjusted after packaging and installation in the impedance can cause the VCA to oscillate internally.
circuit board. It should only be used for this In such cases, a 100 Ω resistor in series with a
purpose. Connect pin 4 only to a high-impedance 1.5 nF capacitor from the control port to ground will
source as shown in Figures 2 and 15. usually suffice to prevent the instability.

Control Port Drive Impedance Noise Considerations

The control ports (pins 2 through 4) are It is second nature among good audio designers
connected directly to the bases of the logging and/or to consider the effects of noisy devices on the signal
antilogging transistors. The accuracy of the logging path. As is well known, this includes not only active
and antilogging is dependent on the EC+ and EC- devices such as opamps and transistors, but extends
voltages being exactly as desired to control gain. The to the choice of impedance levels as well. High value
base current in the core transistors will follow the resistors have higher inherent thermal noise, and the
collector currents, of course. Since the collector noise performance of an otherwise quiet circuit can
currents are signal-related, the base currents are be easily spoiled by the wrong choice of impedance
therefore also signal-related. Should the source levels.
impedance of the control voltage(s) be large, the
signal-related base currents will cause signal-related Less well known, however, is the effect of noisy
voltages to appear at the control ports, which will circuitry and high impedance levels in the control
interfere with precise logging and antilogging, in turn path of voltage-control circuitry. The 2181 Series
causing distortion. VCAs act like multipliers: when no signal is present
at the signal input, noise at the control input is
The 2181 Series VCAs are designed to be rejected. So, when measuring noise (in the absence
operated with zero source impedance at pins 2 and of signal – as most everyone does), even very noisy
3, and a high (≥50 kΩ) source impedance at pin 4. control circuitry often goes unnoticed. However,
To realize all the performance designed into a 2181, noise at the control port of these parts will cause
keep the source impedance of the control voltage noise modulation of the signal. This can become
driver well under 50 Ω. significant if care is not taken to drive the control
ports with quiet signals.
This often suggests driving the control port
directly with an opamp. However, the closed-loop

Vcc
2181 Ec- 22p
Series
VCA 7 20k
V+ 3
1 Ec- OUT
IN -IN SYM
Ec+ 8
-
GND 4 OP275 OUT
20k 2
10u V-
6 +
5
Vcc

Power Supplies 5.1k Rsym

50k SYM
Vcc = +15 V ADJ
Vee = -15 V 680k (2181A)
220k (2181B)
Vee
130k (2181C)
Vee

Figure 15. Positive Control Port using Pin 4

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

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Document 600030 Rev 03 Page 10 of 12 THAT 2181 Series
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

The 2181 Series VCAs have a small amount of null for minimum THD varies with frequency. It is
inherent noise modulation because of its class AB often possible to counteract a small amount of pure
biasing scheme, where the shot noise in the core fundamental picked up in the control path by
transistors reaches a minimum with no signal, and "misadjusting" the symmetry setting. Since the
increases with the square root of the instantaneous amount of pickup usually varies with frequency, the
signal current. However, in an optimum circuit, the optimum trim setting will vary with frequency and
noise floor rises only to -94 dBV with a 50 µA rms level. A useful technique to confirm this problem is
signal at unity gain — 4 dB of noise modulation. By to temporarily bypass the control port to ground via
contrast, if a unity-gain connected, non-inverting a modest-sized capacitor (e.g., 10 µF). If the distor-
5534 opamp is used to directly drive the control tion diminishes, signal pickup in the control path is
port, the noise floor will rise to 92 dBV — 6 dB of the likely cause.
noise modulation.
Temperature Sensitivity
To avoid excessive noise, one must take care to
use quiet electronics throughout the control-voltage As shown by Equation 1 (Page 5), the gain of a
circuitry. One useful technique is to process control 2181 VCA is sensitive to temperature in proportion
voltages at a multiple of the eventual control constant to the amount of gain or loss commanded. The
(e.g., 61 mV/dB — ten times higher than the VCA constant of proportionality is 0.33% of the decibel
requires), and then attenuate the control signal just gain commanded, per degree Celsius, referenced to
before the final drive amplifier. With careful attention 27°>C (300°K). This means that at 0 dB gain, there
to impedance levels, relatively noisy opamps may be is no change in gain with temperature. However, at
used for all but the final stage. -122 mV, the gain will be +20 dB at room tempera-
ture, but will be 20.66 dB at a temperature 10°C
Stray Signal Pickup lower.

It is also common practice among audio design- For most audio applications, this change with
ers to design circuit boards to minimize the pickup temperature is of little consequence. However, if
of stray signals within the signal path. As with noise necessary, it may be compensated by a resistor
in the control path, signal pickup in the control path embedded in the control voltage path whose value
can adversely effect the performance of an otherwise varies with temperature at the same rate of 0.33%/°C.
good VCA. Because it is a multiplier, the 2181 Such parts are available from RCD Components, Inc,
produces second harmonic distortion if the audio www.rcd-comp.com, and KOA/Speer Electronics,
signal itself is present at the control port. Only a www.koaspeer.com.
small voltage at the control port is required: as little
as 10 µV of signal can increase distortion to over
Closing Thoughts
0.01%. This can frequently be seen at high frequen-
cies, where capacitive coupling between the signal THAT Corporation welcomes comments,
and control paths can cause stray signal pickup. questions and suggestions regarding these devices,
their design and application. Our engineering staff
Because the signal levels involved are very small,
includes designers who have decades of experience in
this problem can be difficult to diagnose. One clue to
applying our parts. Please feel free to contact us to
the presence of this problem is that the symmetry
discuss your applications in detail.

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2016, THAT Corporation
THAT 2181 Series Page 11 of 12 Document 600030 Rev 03
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

Package Information
The THAT 2181-series is available in 8-pin SO and makes it possible to solder these devices using lead-
8-pin SIP packages. Package dimensions are shown free and lead-bearing solders.
in Figure 16 and 17 below; Pinouts are given in
Neither the lead-frame nor the plastic mold
Table 1 on page 1. Ordering information is provided
compound used in the 2181-series contains any
in Table 2 also on page 1. hazardous substances as specified in the European
Union's Directive on the Restriction of the Use of
The 2181-series packages are entirely lead-free.
Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and
The lead-frames are copper, plated with successive
Electronic Equipment 2002/95/EG of January 27,
layers of nickel, palladium, and gold. This approach
2003

Package Characteristics
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Units

Through-hole package See Figure 16 for dimensions 8 Pin SIP

Thermal Resistance θJA SIP package soldered to board 100 ºC/W

Environmental Regulation Compliance Complies with January 27, 2003 RoHS requirements

Surface-mount package See Figure 17 for dimensions 8 Pin SO

Thermal Resistance θJA SO package soldered to board 150 ºC/W

Soldering Reflow Profile JEDEC JESD22-A113-D (250ºC)

Moisture Sensitivity Level MSL Above-referenced JEDEC soldering profile 1

Environmental Regulation Compliance Complies with January 27, 2003 RoHS requirements

A I

H
J

1 G M

B K
D F L
C E TYP.
N

ITEM MILLIMETERS INCHES

A 19.5 +0.2/-0 0.77 +0.008/-0
B 1.25 0.049
C 0.65 0.026
D 0.85 0.033
E 2.54 ±0.2 0.100 ±0.008
F 0.9 0.04
G 1.2 0.05
H 5.8 +0.2/-0 0.23 +0.008/-0
I 2.8 +0.1/-0 0.11 +0.004/-0
J 10.5 ±0.5 0.413 ±0.02
K 1.3 0.05
L 0.3 0.012
M 3.5 ±0.5 0.14 ±0.02
N 17.78 ±0.3 0.700 ±0.012

Figure 16. -L (SIP) Version Package Outline Drawing Figure 17. -S (SO) Version Package Outline Drawing

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2016, THAT Corporation
Document 600030 Rev 03 Page 12 of 12 THAT 2181 Series
Blackmer® Trimmable IC VCAs

Revision History

Revision ECO Date Changes Page

00 — 06/24/99 Initial release. —

01 — 04/13/04 Added specification for Max ∆E. 2

02 — 08/24/09 Added the Packaging Characteristics section. Added text —

regarding phase to Gain Control section.

03 2972 06/23/16 Corrected caption in Figure 13. 6

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, Massachusetts 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2016, THAT Corporation