
120 dB Range (3 nA to 3 mA)
Dual Logarithmic Converter
ADL5310
Rev. A
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any
infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that may result from its use.
Specifications subject to change without notice. No license is granted by implication
or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices. Trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106, U.S.A.
Tel: 781.329.4700
Fax: 781.326.8703
2004 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved.
FEATURES
2 independent channels optimized for photodiode
interfacing
6-decade input dynamic range
Law conformance 0.3 dB from 3 nA to 3 mA
Temperature-stable logarithmic outputs
Nominal slope 10 mV/dB (200 mV/dec), externally scalable
Intercepts may be independently set by external resistors
User-configurable output buffer amplifiers
Single- or dual-supply operation
Space-efficient, 24-lead 4 mm × 4 mm LFCSP
Low power: < 10 mA quiescent current
APPLICATIONS
Gain and absorbance measurements
Multichannel power monitoring
General-purpose baseband log compression
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The ADL53101 low cost, dual logarithmic amplifier converts
input current over a wide dynamic range to a linear-in-dB
output voltage. It is optimized to determine the optical power
in wide-ranging optical communication system applications,
including control circuitry for lasers, optical switches, atten-
uators, and amplifiers, as well as system monitoring. The device
is equivalent to a dual AD8305 with enhanced dynamic range
(120 dB). While the ADL5310 contains two independent signal
channels with individually configurable transfer function
constants (slope and intercept), internal bias circuitry is shared
between channels for improved power consumption and
channel matching. Dual converters in a single, compact LFCSP
package yield space-efficient solutions for measuring gain or
attenuation across optical elements. Only a single supply is
required; optional dual-supply operation offers added flexibility.
The ADL5310 employs an optimized translinear structure that
use the accurate logarithmic relationship between a bipolar
transistor’s base emitter voltage and collector current, with
appropriate scaling by precision currents to compensate for the
inherent temperature dependence. Input and reference current
pins sink current ranging from 3 nA to 3 mA (limited to ±60 dB
between input and reference) into a fixed voltage defined by the
VSUM potential. The VSUM potential is internally set to
500 mV but may be externally grounded for dual-supply opera-
tion, and for additional applications requiring voltage inputs.
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
TEMPERATURE
COMPENSATION
REFERENCE
GENERATOR
451
14.2k
80k
20k
6.69k
4.
99k
COMM
VREF
VRDZ
VNEG
VSUM
INP2
IRF2
2.5V
0.5V
ILOG
OUT2
SCL2
BIN2
LOG2
04415-0-001
VBIAS
TEMPERATURE
COMPENSATION
451
14.2k
6.69k
4.
99k
COMM
VNEG
VSUM
INP1
IRF1
ILOG
OUT1
VOUT1
VOUT2
SCL1
BIN1
LOG1
VBIAS
IPD1
IPD2
665k
665k
Figure 1.
The logarithmic slope is set to 10 mV/dB (200 mV/decade)
nominal and can be modified using external resistors and the
independent buffer amplifiers. The logarithmic intercepts for
each channel are defined by the individual reference currents,
which are set to 3 μA nominal for maximum input range by
connecting 665 kΩ resistors between the 2.5 V VREF pins and
the IRF1 and IRF2 inputs. Tying VRDZ to VREF effectively sets
the x-intercept four decades below the reference current—
typically 300 pA for a 3 μA reference.
The use of individually optimized reference currents may
be valuable when using the ADL5310 for gain or absorbance
measurements where each channel input has a different current-
range requirement. The reference current inputs
are also fully functional dynamic inputs, allowing log ratio
operation with the reference input current as the denominator.
The ADL5310 is specified for operation from –40°C to +85°C.
1 US Patents: 5,519,308.