TLC251A (ACTIVE) Programmable Low-Power Operational Amplifier

The TLC251C, TLC251AC, and TLC251BC are low-cost, low-power programmable operational amplifiers designed to operate with single or dual supplies. Unlike traditional metal-gate CMOS operational amplifiers, these devices utilize Texas Instruments silicon-gate LinCMOS^TM process, giving them stable input offset voltages without sacrificing the advantages of metal-gate CMOS.

This series of parts is available in selected grades of input offset voltage and can be nulled with one external potentiometer. Because the input common-mode range extends to the negative rail and the power consumption is extremely low, this family is ideally suited for battery-powered or energy-conserving applications. A bias-select pin can be used to program one of three ac performance and power-dissipation levels to suit the application. The series features operation down to a 1.4-V supply and is stable at unity gain.

These devices have internal electrostatic-discharge (ESD) protection circuits that prevent catastrophic failures at voltages up to 2000 V as tested under MIL-STD-883C, Method 3015.1. However, care should be exercised in handling these devices as exposure to ESD may result in a degradation of the device parametric performance.

Because of the extremely high input impedance and low input bias and offset currents, applications for the TLC251C series include many areas that have previously been limited to BIFET and NFET product types. Any circuit using high-impedance elements and requiring small offset errors is a good candidate for cost-effective use of these devices. Many features associated with bipolar technology are available with LinCMOS^TM operational amplifiers without the power penalties of traditional bipolar devices. Remote and inaccessible equipment applications are possible using the low-voltage and low-power capabilities of the TLC251C series.

In addition, by driving the bias-select input with a logic signal from a microprocessor, these operational amplifiers can have software-controlled performance and power consumption. The TLC251C series is well suited to solve the difficult problems associated with single battery and solar cell-powered applications.

The TLC251C series is characterized for operation from 0°C to 70°C.