This document serves as a technical guide for designing circuits using high-speed comparators, specifically focusing on the Linear Technology LT1016. It addresses common issues such as power supply bypassing, probe compensation, grounding strategies, and stray capacitance that can affect performance at nanosecond speeds.
The text provides an overview of the LT1016's features, including its 10ns response time and TTL-compatible outputs. It also includes a table of contents listing various application circuits such as voltage-to-frequency converters, sample-and-hold circuits, and precision rectifiers.
| Response Time (10ns Overdrive) | 10ns MAX |
|---|---|
| Response Time (12ns Overdrive) | 12ns MAX |
| Input Offset Voltage | 1.5mV MAX |
| Input Offset Drift | 10µV/°C MAX |
| Input Bias Current | 10yA MAX |
| Differential Propagation Delay | 2ns MAX |
| Common-Mode Range | 4V to -1V |
| Gain | 2000 MIN |
| Power Supply Range | +5V/GND to +5V |
The LT1016 features a 10ns response time with a 20mV overdrive.
Bypassing maintains low supply impedance to prevent the supply line from moving as internal current levels change, which causes oscillation.
Never use 1X or 'straight' probes; instead, use probes that match the oscilloscope's input characteristics and have adequate bandwidth.