LM1201 Video Amplifier System

January 1995

LM1201 Video Amplifier System

Y Provisions for external gain set and peaking of video
General Description amplifier
The LM1201 is a wideband video amplifier system intended Y Video input voltage reference
for high resolution monochrome or RGB monitor applica- Y Low impedance output driver
tions. In addition to the wideband video amplifier the
LM1201 contains a gated differential input black level clamp
comparator for brightness control and an attenuator circuit Typical Applications
for contrast control. The LM1201 also contains a voltage Y CRT video amplifiers
reference for the video input. For medium resolution RGB Y Video switches
color monitor applications also see the LM1203 Video Am- Y High frequency video preamplifiers
plifier System data sheet. Y Wideband gain controls
Y PC monitors
Features Y Workstations
Y Wideband video amplifier (200 MHz @ b3 dB) Y Facsimile machines
Y Attenuator circuit for contrast control (l40 dB range) Y Printers
Y Externally gated comparator for brightness control

Block and Connection Diagram

TL/H/10006 – 1
FIGURE 1
Order Number LM1201M or LM1201N
See NS Package Number M16A or N16E

C1996 National Semiconductor Corporation TL/H/10006 RRD-B30M56/Printed in U. S. A.

 Absolute Maximum Ratings
If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required, Storage Temperature Range (TSTG) b 65§ C to a 150§ C
please contact the National Semiconductor Sales Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 sec.) 265§ C
Office/Distributors for availability and specifications.
ESD Susceptibility 2 kV
Supply Voltage VCC Pins 10, 12, 15
Human body model: 100 pF discharged through a 1.5 kX
to Ground Pins, 1, 7 13.5V
resistor
Voltage at Any Input Pin (VIN) VCC t VIN t GND
Video Output Current (I8) 28 mA Operating Ratings (Note 4)
Package Power Dissipation at TA e 25§ C 1.56W Temperature Range 0§ C to a 70§ C
(Above 25§ C derate based on (iJA and TJ)
Supply Voltage (VCC) 10.8V s VCC s 13.2V
Package Thermal Resistance (iJA) N16E 80§ C/W
Package Thermal Resistance (iJA) M16A 100§ C/W
Junction Temperature (TJ) 150§ C

Electrical Characteristics See Test Circuit (Figure 2), TA e 25§ C; VCC1 e VCC2 e VCC3 e 12V
DC Static Tests S9 Open; V4 e 6V; V5 e 0V; V6 e 2.0V unless otherwise stated
Tested Design
Units
Symbol Parameter Conditions Typical Limit Limit
(Limits)
(Note 1) (Note 2)
IS Supply Current VCC Pins 12, 15 Only 45 57 mA(max)
V3 Video Input Reference Voltage 2.65 2.4 V(min)
2.95 V(max)
I16 Video Input Bias Current (V3 – V16)/10 kX 5.0 20 mA(max)
V5L Clamp Gate Low Input Voltage Clamp Comparator On 1.2 0.8 V(min)
V5H Clamp Gate High Input Voltage Clamp Comparator Off 1.6 2.0 V(max)
I5L Clamp Gate Low Input Current V5 e 0V b 0.5 b 5.0 mA(max)
I5H Clamp Gate High Input Current V5 e 12V 0.005 1 mA(max)
I2 a Clamp Cap Charge Current V2 e 0V 1 0.55 mA(min)
I2 b Clamp Cap Discharge Current V2 e 5V b1 b 0.55 mA(min)
V8L Video Output Low Voltage V2 e 0V 0.5 0.9 V(max)
V8H Video Output High Voltage V2 e 5V 8.5 8.0 V(min)
VOS Comparator Input Offset Voltage V6 – V9 g 0.5 g 25 mV(max)

AC Dynamic Tests S9 Closed, V5 e 0V, V6 e 4V

Tested Design Units
Symbol Parameter Conditions Typ
Limit (Note 1) Limit (Note 2) (Limits)
Av max Video Amplifier Gain V4 e 12V 8 5.5 V/V(min)
DAv 5V Attenuation @ 5V Ref: Av max, V4 e 5V b 10 dB
DAv 2V Attenuation @ 2V Ref: Av max, V4 e 2V b 45 dB
THD Video Amplifier Distortion V4 e 5V, VO e 1 Vp-p 0.3 %
f (b3dB) Video Amplifier Bandwidth (Note 3) V4 e 12V, VO e 100 mVrms 200 170 MHz(min)
tr Output Rise Time (Note 3) VO e 4 Vp-p 2.5 ns
tf Output Fall Time (Note 3) VO e 4 Vp-p 3 ns
Note 1: These parameters are guaranteed and 100% production tested.
Note 2: Design limits are guaranteed (but not 100% production tested). These limits are not used to calculate outgoing quality levels.
Note 3: When measuring video amplifier bandwidth or pulse rise and fall times, a double sided full ground plane printed circuit board without socket is recommend-
ed.
Note 4: Operating Ratings indicate conditions of which the device is functional, but does not guarantee specific performance limits. For guaranteed specifications
and test conditions, see Electrical Characteristics. The guaranteed specifications apply only for the test conditions listed. Some performance characteristics may
degrade when the device is not operated under the listed test conditions.

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 TL/H/10006 – 2
FIGURE 2. LM1201 AC/DC Test Circuit
Note: When V5 s 0.8V and S9 is closed, DC feedback around the Video Amplifier is provided by the clamp comparator. Under these conditions sine wave or 50%
duty cycle square waves can be used for test purposes. The low frequency dominant pole is determined by C2 at Pin 2. Capacitor C9 at pin 9 prevents overloading
the clamp comparator inverting input. See applications section for additional information.

TL/H/10006 – 3
FIGURE 3. Typical Application of the LM1201
* 30X resistor is added to the input pin for protection against current surges coming from the 10 mF input capacitor. By increasing this resistor to well over 100X
the rise and fall times of the LM1201 can be increased for EMI considerations.

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 APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Figure 4 shows the block diagram of a typical analog mono- supplied by coaxial cable which is terminated in 75X at the
chrome monitor. The monitor is used with CAD/CAM work monitor input and internally AC coupled to the video amplifi-
stations, PCs, arcade games and in a wide range of other er. The input signal is approximately 1V peak-to-peak in am-
applications that benefit from the use of high resolution dis- plitude and at the input of the high voltage video section,
play terminals. Monitor characteristics may differ in such approximately 6V peak-to-peak. At the cathode of the CRT
ways as sweep rates, screen size, or in video amplifier the video signals can be as high as 60V peak to peak. The
speed but will still be generally configured as shown in Fig- block in Figure 4 labeled ‘‘Video Amplification with DC Con-
ure 4 . Separate horizontal and vertical sync signals may be trolled Gain/Black Level’’ contains the function of the
required or they may be contained as a composite signal in LM1201 video amplifier system.
the video input signal. The video input signal is usually

TL/H/10006 – 4
FIGURE 4. Typical Monochrome Monitor Block Diagram

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Circuit Description
Figure 5 is a block diagram of the LM1201 along with the to pin 16 via the 10 mF coupling capacitor. DC bias to the
contrast and brightness controls. The contrast control is a video input is through the 10 kX resistor which is connected
DC operated attenuator which varies the AC gain of the to the 2.6V reference at pin 3. The low frequency roll-off of
amplifier without introducing any signal distortions or DC the amplifier is set by these two components. Transistor Q1
output shift. The brightness control function requires a buffers the video signal to the base of Q2. The Q2 collector
‘‘sample and hold’’ circuit (black level clamp) which holds current is then directed to the VCC1 supply through Q3 or to
the DC bias of the video amplifier and CRT cathodes con- VCC2 through Q4 and the 500X load resistor depending
stant during the black level reference portion of the video upon the differential DC voltage at the bases of Q3 and Q4.
waveform. The clamp comparator, when gated on during The Q3 and Q4 differential base voltage is determined by
this reference period, will charge or discharge the clamp the contrast control circuit which is described below. The
capacitor until the non-inverting input of the clamp compara- black level DC voltage at the collector of Q4 is maintained
tor matches that of the inverting input voltage which was set by Q5 and Q6 which are part of the black level clamp circuit
by the brightness control. also described below. The video signal appearing at the col-
Figure 6 is a simplified schematic of the LM1201 video am- lector of Q4 is then buffered by Q7 and level shifted down
plifier along with the recommended external components. by Z1 and Q8 to the base of Q9 which will then provide
The IC pin numbers are circled with all external components additional system gain.
shown outside of the dashed line. The video input is applied

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FIGURE 5. Block Diagram of LM201 Video Amplifier with Contrast and Black Level Control

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Circuit Description (Continued)

6
TL/H/10006 – 6
FIGURE 6. Simplified LM1201 Video Amplifier Section with Recommended External Components
Circuit Description (Continued)
The ‘‘Drive’’ pin will allow the user to set the maximum gain output pin from going below ground since IC substrate cur-
of the amplifier based on the range of input video signal rents may cause erratic operation. The collector current
levels and the CRT stage gain if it is fixed or limited. When from the video output transistor is returned to the power
using three LM1201 devices for high resolution RGB appli- supply at VCC3, pin 10. When making power dissipation cal-
cations, the ‘‘Drive’’ pin allows the user to trim the gain of culations note that the datasheet specifies only the VCC1
each channel to correct for differences in the three CRT and VCC2 supply currents at 12V. The IC power dissipation
cathodes. A small capacitor (12 pF) in shunt with a 51X contribution of VCC3 is dependent upon the video output
drive resistor at this pin will extend the high frequency gain emitter pull down load.
of the video amplifier by compensating for some of the inter- In normal operation the minimum black level voltage that
nal high frequency roll off. The 51X resistor will set the sys- can be set at the video output pin is approximately 2V at
tem gain to approximately 8 or 18 dB. The video signal at maximum contrast setting. In applications that require a low-
the collector of Q9 is buffered and level shifted down by er black level voltage, a resistor (approximately 16 kX) can
Q10 and Q11 to the base of the output emitter follower Q12. be added from pin 3 to ground. This has the effect of raising
Between the emitter of Q12 and the video output pin is a the DC voltage at the collector of Q4 which will extend the
50X resistor which is included to prevent spurious oscilla- range of the black level clamp by allowing Q5 to remain
tions when driving capacitive loads. An external emitter re- active. In applications that require video amplifier shutdown
sistor must be added between the video output pin and due to fault conditions detected by monitor protection cir-
ground. The value of this resistor should not be less than cuits, pin 3 and the wiper arms of the contrast and bright-
330X, otherwise package power limitations may be exceed- ness controls can be grounded without harming the IC. This
ed when worst case (high supply, max supply current, max assumes some series resistance between the top of the
temp) calculations are made. If negative going pulse slewing control potentiometers and VCC.
is a problem because of high capacitive loads ( l10 pF), a
Figure 7 shows the internal construction of the pin 3 2.6V
more efficient method of emitter pull down would be to con-
reference circuit which is used to provide temperature and
nect a suitable resistor to a negative supply voltage. This
supply voltage tracking compensation for the video amplifier
has the effect of a current source pull down when the minus
input. The value of the external DC biasing resistors should
supply voltage is b12V, and the emitter current is approxi-
not be larger than 10 kX when using more than one
mately 10 mA. The system gain will also increase slightly
LM1201 (e.g. in RGB systems) because minor differences in
because less signal will be lost across the internal 50X re-
input bias currents on the individual video amplifiers may
sistor. Precautions must be taken to prevent the video
cause offsets in gain.

TL/H/10006 – 7
FIGURE 7. LM1201 Video Input Voltage Reference and Contrast Control Circuits

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 Circuit Description (Continued)
Figure 7 also shows how the contrast control circuit is con- shunts the I1 1mA current to ground. When pin 5 is low
figured. Resistors R23, R24, diodes D3, D4, and transistor (k1.3V), the Q21 switch is off and the I1 1mA current
Q13 are used to establish a low impedance zero TC half source is mirrored or ‘‘turned around’’ by reference diode
supply voltage reference at the base of Q14. The differential D5 and Q26 to provide a 1mA current source for the clamp
amplifier formed by Q15, Q16 and feedback transistor Q17 comparator. The inputs to the comparator are similar to the
along with resistors R27, R28 establish a differential base clamp gate input except that an NPN emitter coupled pair is
voltage for Q3 and Q4 in Figure 6 . When externally adding used to control the current which will charge or discharge
or subtracting current from the collector of Q16, a new dif- the clamp capacitor at pin 2. PNP transistors are used at the
ferential voltage is generated that reflects the change in the inputs because they offer a number of advantages over
ratio of currents in Q15 and Q16. To provide voltage control NPNs. PNPs will operate with base voltages at or near
of the Q16 current, resistor R29 is added between the Q16 ground and will usually have a greater reverse emitter-base
collector and pin 4. A capacitor should be added from pin 4 breakdown voltage (BVebo). Because the differential input
to ground to prevent noise from the contrast control pot voltage to the clamp comparator during the video scan peri-
from entering the IC. od could be greater than the BVebo of NPN transistors,
Figure 8 is a simplified schematic of the clamp gate and resistor R34 with a value one half that of R33 or R35 is
clamp comparator section of the LM1201. The clamp gate connected between the bases of Q23 and Q27. This resis-
circuit consists of a PNP input buffer transistor (Q18), a PNP tor will limit the maximum differential input to Q24, Q25 to
emitter coupled pair referenced on one side to 2.1V (Q19, approximately 350 mV. The clamp comparator common
Q20) and an output switch (Q21). When the clamp gate mode range extends from ground to approximately 9V and
input at pin 5 is high (l1.5V), the Q21 switch is on and the maximum differential input voltage is VCC and ground.

TL/H/10006 – 8
FIGURE 8. Simplified Schematic of LM1201 Clamp Gate and Clamp Comparator Circuits

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Applications Information
Figure 9 shows the configuration of a high frequency amplifi- pass filter. Additional low frequency filtering is provided by
er with non-gated DC feedback. Pin 5 is tied low to turn on the clamp capacitor. The Drive pin is grounded to allow for
the clamp comparator (feedback amplifier). The inverting in- the widest range of output signals. Maximum output swing is
put (pin 9) is connected to the amplifier output from a low achieved when the DC output is set to approximately 4.5V.

TL/H/10006 – 9
FIGURE 9. High Frequency Amplifier/Attenuator Circuit with Non-Gated DC Feedback (Non-Video Applications)

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 Applications Information (Continued)
Figure 10 shows the LM1201 set up as a video amplifier be OR’ed together assuming no more than one channel is
with biphase outputs. Because the collector of output tran- selected at any given time. Channel selection is accom-
sistor Q12 is the only internal connection to VCC3, a 75X plished by keeping the appropriate SELECT SWITCH open.
termination to the power supply voltage allows one to obtain Closing the SELECT SWITCH on a given channel disables
inverted video at pin 10. Black level on the non-inverted that channel’s output (pin 8) leaving it in a high impedance
video output (pin 8) is set to 1.5V by the voltage divider on state. A single pair of contrast and brightness potentiome-
pin 6. ters control the selected channel’s gain and output DC
Figure 11 shows how a high frequency video switch may be level.
designed using multiple LM1201 devices. All outputs can

TL/H/10006 – 10
FIGURE 10. Preclamped Video Amplifier with Biphase Outputs

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Applications Information (Continued)

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FIGURE 11. High Frequency Video Switch with Common Contrast and Brightness Controls

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 Rise Time No Socket Rise Time In Socket

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Fall Time No Socket Fall Time In Socket

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HP8082 pulse generator # Actual output signal swings

HP10241A 10:1 voltage divider 4 Vp-p (10:1 divider is used)
HP1120A 500 MHz FET probe # Contrast is set to maximum
Tektronix 2465A 350 MHz scope # VIN e 500 mVp-p
# RDRIVE e 50X
# Vertical scale is actually 1V/div and not
100 mV/div due to 10:1 attenuator used.
# Outputs are centered at 4V DC.
Scale for All PhotosÐVert: 1V/Div
Horiz: 5 ns/Div

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 TL/H/10006 – 16

Note: The p.c.b. layout shown above is suitable for evaluating the performance of the LM1201. Although it is similar to the
typical application circuit of Figure 3, there is no c.r.t. driver stage. Instead, a feedback resistor is connected between Pins 8 and
9 and the brightness control is connected to Pin 6. Again, for best results, a socket should not be used for the LM1201.
COMPONENT VALUES:
R1 75X, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C1 0.1 mF, ceramic
R3 10 kX, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C2 0.1 mF, ceramic
R4 50X, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C4 0.1 mF, ceramic
R5 200X, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C5 0.1 mF, ceramic
R6 75X, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C6 10 mF/6V, electrolytic
R7 330X, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C7 0.1 mF, ceramic
R8 680 kX, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C8 0.1 mF, ceramic
R9 10 kX, trim pot, helitrim model 91 C9 0.1 mF, ceramic
R10 5.1 kX, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C10 0.1 mF, ceramic
R11 43 kX, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C11 0.1 mF, ceramic
R12 12 kX, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C12 0.1 mF, ceramic
R13 10 kX, trim pot, helitrim model 91 C13 100 mF/15V, electrolytic
R14 2 kX, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C14 0.001 mF, mica
R15 200X, 5%, 1/4 watt, carbon composition C15 0.1 mF, ceramic
IC1 LM1201
IC2 LM1881

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Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted

16-Lead (0.1500× Wide) Small Outline Molded Package (M)

Order Number LM1201M
NS Package Number M16A

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LM1201 Video Amplifier System
Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted (Continued) Lit. Ý 107313

16-Lead Molded Dual-In-Line Package (N)

Order Number LM1201N
NS Package Number N16E

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