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Question about ADA4938 effective unity-gain frequency for TIA noise modeling

Thread Summary

The user asked how to estimate the open-loop unity-gain frequency (fu) for noise analysis in a fully differential transimpedance amplifier (TIA) configuration using the ADA4938. The final answer clarified that the 1 GHz closed-loop bandwidth cannot be used directly as fu, but a first-order estimate of fu ≈ 2 GHz can be used for RF = RG and noise gain ≈ 2. For more accurate results, the engineer recommended using the ADA4938 LTspice model to determine the open-loop gain intersection with the TIA noise gain or to run a direct noise simulation.
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Category: Hardware
Product Number: ADA4938-1

Dear Analog Devices Technical Support Team,

I am currently using the ADA4938 in a fully differential transimpedance amplifier configuration and I am trying to estimate the output noise using a noise-gain based TIA model.

In the ADA4938 datasheet, the small-signal −3 dB bandwidth is specified as approximately 1 GHz for G = +1, with RF = RG = 200 Ω. However, I understand that this is a closed-loop bandwidth under a specific feedback condition, not necessarily the open-loop unity-gain frequency or GBWP.

For my TIA noise calculation, I need to estimate the effective frequency at which the amplifier open-loop gain intersects the TIA noise gain. In a simplified model, I would use a term such as:

fp ≈ fu / noise gain

or, for the TIA case,

fp ≈ fu × Cf / (Cf + Cin)

Could you please clarify what value I should use for fu in this type of ADA4938 TIA noise-gain model?

Specifically:

  1. Can the 1 GHz G = +1 closed-loop bandwidth from the datasheet be used directly as fu?

  2. Or should it be converted using the noise gain of the datasheet test condition, for example approximately fu ≈ 2 GHz when RF = RG and noise gain ≈ 2?

  3. Is there an official or recommended effective unity-loop frequency, open-loop gain crossover frequency, or GBWP value for ADA4938 that should be used for this kind of TIA noise analysis?

My goal is to calculate the differential output-referred RMS noise of the ADA4938 TIA and compare it with LTspice simulation and measurement results.

Thank you for your help.

Best regards,
Chanhee Moon

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  • Hi  

    Apologies for the delayed response. To answer your questions directly:

    1. The 1GHz value should not be used directly as fu, because it is the closed loop bandwidth for Rf = Rg= 100Ω
    2. Since this test configuration has a noise gain of 2, fu ≈ 2 GHz may be used as a first-order single-pole estimate. However, this is only an approximation and is not a specified ADA4938 parameter.
    3. There is no official or guaranteed open-loop crossover frequency or GBWP value provided for the ADA4938.

    For a more accurate TIA noise result, I suggest using the ADA4938 LTspice model and either determining the intersection of the model-derived open-loop gain with the actual TIA noise gain or running a direct noise simulation. I've attached an LTspice sim you can use to extract the macromodel open-loop response, but keep in mind that this should not be treated as guaranteed silicon performance. 


    ADA4938_macromodel.asc

    Best Regards,
    Ian