Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer®

Voltage Controlled Amplifier

THAT 2162

FEATURES APPLICATIONS
• Two Independent Channels • Faders
• Wide Dynamic Range: >118 dB
• Panners
• Wide Gain Range: >130 dB
• Exponential (dB) Gain Control • Compressors & Limiters
• Low Distortion: 0.05% typ. • Gates & Expanders
• Wide Supply Voltage Range:
±2.25V ~ ±16V • Mixers
• Low Supply Current: 5.2 mA typ. (±15V)
• Equalizers
3 mA typ. (±5V)
• Dual Control Ports (pos/neg) • Filters
• Low Cost
• Oscillators
• Small Package (16-pin QSOP)

Description
THAT 2162 contains two high-performance The 2162 operates from a split power supply
Blackmer® voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCAs). up to ±16 Vdc, drawing only 5.2mA at ±15V and
With two opposing-polarity, voltage-sensitive 3 mA at ±5V. The part can also operate at supply
control ports, they offer wide-range exponential voltages as low as ±2.25V, making it suitable for
control of gain and attenuation with low signal battery-operated applications.
distortion. Both VCAs are trimmed at wafer stage
The two VCAs are independent of each other,
to deliver low distortion and control-voltage
sharing only their power supply connections.
feedthrough without further adjustment. The 2162 is extremely flexible and capable of
However, external symmetry adjustment is possi- being configured for a wide range of stereo or
ble to further optimize distortion and control multichannel applications. It is available in a
feedthrough for critical applications. RoHS-compliant 16-pin QSOP package.

Pin Name Pin Number

NC OUT 2 SYM 2 EC- 2 VCC EC+ 2 IN 2 NC NC 1
16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 OUT 1 2
SYM 1 3
Ec- 1 4
EC+ VEE 5
EC-
Ec+ 1 6
OUT VCA2 IN
IN 1 7
SYM
GND 8
NC 9
IN 2 10
Ec+ 2 11
SYM VCC 12
Ec- 2 13
OUT VCA1 IN
SYM 2 14
EC-
EC+ OUT 2 15
NC 16
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Table 1. Pin Assignments
NC OUT 1 SYM 1 EC- 1 VEE EC+ 1 IN 1 GND
Package Order Number
16 pin QSOP 2162Q16-U
Figure 1. THAT 2162 Block Diagram
Table 2. Ordering Information

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation Document 600087 Rev 04
Document 600087 Rev 04 Page 2 of 12 2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA

SPECIFICATIONS 1

Absolute Maximum Ratings 2

Operating Temperature Range (TOP) -40 to +85 ºC Supply Voltages (VCC, VEE) ±18V
Junction Temperature (TJ) +125 ºC VCA Control Voltage ±0.6 V
Storage Temperature Range (TST) -40 to +125 ºC Input or Output Voltage ±0.5 V

Electrical Characteristics 3
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Units

Positive Supply Voltage VCC Referenced to GND +2.25 — +16 V

Negative Supply Voltage VEE Referenced to GND -2.25 — -16 V

Supply Current No Signal

ICC VCC=+15V, VEE= -15V — 5.2 7 mA
IEE VCC=+15V, VEE= -15V — -5.2 -7 mA
ICC VCC=+5V, VEE= -5V — 3 — mA
IEE VCC=+5V, VEE= -5V — -3 — mA

Equivalent Input Bias Current IB 0 dB Gain — 3 — nA

Input Offset Voltage VOFF(IN) 0 dB Gain — -7 — mV

Output Offset Voltage Change4 Δ VOFF(OUT) ROUT = 20 kΩ

0 dB gain — ±1 ±5 mV
+15 dB gain — ±3 ± 20 mV

Gain Cell Idling Current IIDLE 0 dB Gain 20 µA

Power Supply Rejection Ratio PSRR 0 dB Gain, Rin = Rout = 20 kΩ, 100 Hz
Positive supply, 100 Hz — 80 — dB
Negative supply, 100 Hz — 75 — dB

Max. I/O Signal Current iIN(VCA) + iOUT(VCA) VCC=+15V, VEE= -15V ± 1.5 mApeak
VCC=+5V, VEE= -5V ± 815 µApeak

VCA Gain Range -70 — +60 dB

Gain-Control Constant EC+/Gain (dB) -60 dB < gain < +60 dB

VCC = +15V, VEE = -15V — 6.4 — mV/dB
VCC = +5V, VEE = -5V — 6.1 — mV/dB

Gain-Control Tempco ΔEC/ΔTCHIP Ref TCHIP=27ºC — +0.33 — %/ºC

Gain Control Linearity -60 dB to +40 dB Gain — 1 — %

Off Isolation 1 kHz, Ec+ = -0.45 V, Ec- = +0.45 V — 130 — dB

Output Noise eN(OUT) 22Hz~22kHz, RIN = ROUT = 20 kΩ

0 dB gain — -97.5 -95 dBV
+15 dB gain — -86 -84 dBV

Crosstalk 1 kHz, 0 dB Gain, Rin = Rout = 20 kΩ — 110 — dB

1
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
2
If the devices are subjected to stress above the Absolute Maximum Ratings, permanent damage may result. Sustained operation at or near the Absolute Maximum Ratings
conditions is not recommended. In particular, like all semiconductor devices, device reliability declines as operating temperat ure increases.
3
Unless otherwise noted, TA=25ºC, VCC=+15V, VEE= -15V.
4
Reference is to output offset with -40 dB VCA gain.

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

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Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA Page 3 of 12 Document 600087 Rev 04

Electrical Characteristics (con’t) 3

Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Units

Total Harmonic Distortion THD VIN= 0dBV, 1kHz, EC+ = EC- = 0V — 0.05 0.2 %
VIN= -5dBV, 1kHz, EC+ = 0V, EC- = -90mV — 0.09 0.2 %
VIN= +10dBV, 1kHz, EC+ = 0V, EC- = 90mV — 0.09 0.2 %

Slew Rate 0 dB Gain, Rin = Rout = 20 kΩ — 6.5 — V/μs

Gain at 0V Control G0 EC+ = EC- = 0V -1.0 0 +1.0 dB

C1

22p
6 THAT R2 NP0
EC+ 2162
C2 20k0
R3 2
In 1 7
IN VCA1 OUT 2
1
10u 20k0 SYM 3 Out 1
R4
6k8 EC- 3 +15V NJM4580
C3
4 N/C
C4 THAT
100p 2162 12 100n
VCC
8 C6
Ec- 1 GND
VEE
C5
5 22p
NP0
11 THAT R6
2162 100n
EC+ -15V
C7 20k0
R7
In 2
10
IN VCA2 OUT 15 6
7
20k0
SY M 5 Out 2
10u R8
6k8 EC- 14 NJM4580
13
C8 N/C
100p

Ec- 2

Figure 2. Typical Application Circuit

dB dBV
+2 -60

+40dB -70
+1
-80

+0 -90
0dB
-100
+20dB
-1
-110
Gain
-120 dB
Hz
-2 -90 -60 -30 0 +30
20 100 1k 10k 100k

Figure 3. 2162 Frequency Response Vs. Gain Figure 4. 2162 Noise (22 kHz NBW) Vs. Gain

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
Document 600087 Rev 04 Page 4 of 12 2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA

Theory of Operation
The THAT 2162 VCA is designed for high
performance in audio-frequency applications requir- dBr

ing exponential gain control, wide dynamic range, +40

low control-voltage feedthrough, and low cost. This +20
part controls gain by converting an input current +0
signal to a bipolar logged voltage, adding a dc control -20
voltage, and re-converting the summed voltage back
-40
to a current through a bipolar antilog circuit.
-60
Figure 5 presents a considerably simplified
-80
internal circuit diagram of the IC. The ac input signal
mVdc
current flows in pin 7 [10]1, the input pin. An inter- -100
-576 -512 -384 -256 -128 +0 +128 +256
nal operational transconductance amplifier (OTA)
works to maintain pin 7 [10] at a virtual ground
potential by driving the emitters of Q1 and (through Figure 6. Gain Vs. Control Voltage (Ec+) @ 1 kHz
the Voltage Bias Generator) Q3. Q3/D3 and Q1/D1
act to log the input current, producing a voltage, V3, dBr
which represents the bipolar logarithm of the input +40
current. The voltage at the junction of D1 and D2 is +20
the same as V3, but shifted by four forward Vbe
0
drops.
-20
Gain Control -40
Since pin 2 [15], the output, is usually connected -60
to a virtual ground, Q2/D2 and Q4/D4 take the -80
bipolar antilog of V3, creating an output current -100 mVdc
which is a precise replica of the input current. If pin -256 -128 0 +128 +256 +384 +512 +576
6 [11] (EC+) and pin 4 [13] (EC-) are held at ground,
the output current will equal the input current. For
Figure 7. Gain Vs. Control Voltage (Ec-) @ 1 kHz
pin 6 [11] positive or pin 4 [13] negative, the output
current will be scaled larger than the input current.
For pin 6 [11] negative or pin 4 [13] positive, the 50
dB
output current is scaled smaller than the input. 40
The scale factor between the output and input 30
20
currents is the gain of the VCA. Either pin 6 [11]
10
(EC+) or pin 4 [13] (EC-), or both, may be used to
0
control gain. Gain is exponentially proportional to -10
+50
the voltage at pin 6 [11], and exponentially -20
+25

-30
0
-40
V+ -50 mVdc
12 -256 -192 -128 -64 0 64 128 192 256

Iadj
D1 D2 Figure 8. Gain Vs. Control Voltage (Ec-) with Temp (ºC)

proportional to the negative of the voltage at pin 4

6[11] Q1 Q2 4[13] [13]. Therefore, pin 6 [11] (EC+) is the positive
Ec+ Ec-
7[10] Voltage 2[15]
control port, while pin 4 [13] (EC-) is the negative
IN Bias OUT control port. Because of the exponential characteris-
Iin Q3
Generator
Q4 3[14] tic, the control voltage sets gain linearly in decibels.
SYM Figure 6 shows the decibel current gain of a 2162
30
versus the voltage at EC+, while Figure 7 shows gain
30 versus EC-.
D3 D4
Temperature Effects
V3
The logging and antilogging in the VCA depends
V+ Icell on the logarithmic relationship between voltage and
5 current in a semiconductor junction (in particular,
V- between a transistor's Vbe and Ic). As is well known,
this relationship is temperature dependent. There-
fore, the gain of any log-antilog VCA depends on its
Figure 5. Simplified internal circuit
temperature.
1
Pin number references are for VCA1, with VCA2 shown in brackets.
THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA
Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
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2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA Page 5 of 12 Document 600087 Rev 04

Figure 8 shows the effect of temperature on the %THD+N

negative control port. (The positive control port 10
behaves in the same manner.) Note that the gain at
EC = 0 V is 0 dB, regardless of temperature. Chang- 1
ing temperature changes the scale factor of the gain
by 0.33%/C, which pivots the curve about the 0 dB 0.1
point.
Mathematically, the 2162's gain characteristic is 0.01
E C+ −E C− Vin
Gain = (0.0064)(1+0.0033T) , Eq. 1 0.001 rms
0.5 1 10

where ΔT is the difference between room

temperature (25ºC) and the actual temperature, and Figure 11. THD+Noise Vs. Input Level, 0 dB Gain
Gain is the gain in decibels. At room temperature,
this reduces to
%THD+N
10
E C+ −E C−
Gain = 0.0064 , Eq. 2
1
If only the positive control port is used, this
becomes 0.1
E C+
Gain = 0.0064 , Eq. 3
0.01

If only the negative control port is used, this Vin

rms
becomes 0.001
0.1 0.5 1 2
−E C−
Gain = 0.0064 . Eq. 4
Figure 12. THD+Noise Vs. Input Level, +15 dB Gain
DC Bias Currents

The 2162 current consumption is determined by 10

%THD+N
an internal bias generator (ICELL), which varies its
current based on the power supply voltage. At 1
VCC=-VEE=15V, ICELL is approximately 2.25 mA; at
VCC=-VEE=5V, ICELL is approximately 1.15 mA.
0.1

Vdc 0.01
+0.02
Vin
0.001 rms
+0.01 0.5 1 5 10

0
Figure 13. THD+Noise Vs. Input Level, -15 dB Gain
-0.01
Another ~ 350 μA is used to bias each OTA. ICELL is
split in two parts: about 250 μA is necessary for the
-0.02 dB
-90 -60 -30 0 +30 bias generator, the rest is available for the sum of
input and output signal current.

Figure 9. Offset Vs. Gain (Ec+) Trimming

The VCA symmetry (actually, the combined VBE

Vdc offsets of the gain cell transistors) is trimmed for low
+0.02
distortion and control-voltage feedthrough during
+0.01 wafer probe. However, limited trim resolution and
shifts during IC packaging limit the ultimate
pre-trimmed performance of the finished part. In
0
general, the second harmonic distortion and offset
change with gain can be reduced via external
-0.01 trimming, as shown in the circuit of Figure 14. Pin 3
[14] (SYM) allows this adjustment. The 2162
dB
-0.02 includes on-chip 30Ω resistors between the SYM pins
-90 -60 -30 0 +30
and their respective EC+ pins. The external trim
circuitry shown provides for up to ± 880 μV offset
Figure 10. Offset Vs. Gain (Ec-) across these pins. Symmetry should be trimmed for

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
Document 600087 Rev 04 Page 6 of 12 2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA

minimum THD with a modest level (e.g., ~1 Vrms), vary by approximately 0.003% - 0.005% per 5 V
middle-frequency (e.g., ~1 kHz) sine wave input. change in the supply voltage from ±15 V.
The parameter that is being trimmed here (the Most parts will require less than 600 μV of trim
combined VBE offset of the gain cell transistors) is a adjustment. But, in the circuit of Figure 14, the avail-
constant that varies depending on the specific IC able range of adjustment is directly proportional to
involved. It is substantially independent of power the power supply voltage. For best results, R1 should
supply voltage, though the setting will vary slightly be scaled proportional to the supply voltage.
with power supply voltage. Note that the on-board
If the external symmetry circuitry is omitted,
trim is set with ±15 V power supply rails. Typically,
pins 3 and 14 should be left open, as shown in
the 1 kHz THD+N at 0 dB gain and 1 Vrms input will
Figure 2.

DC Feedthrough
Symmetry Trim VR1 +15V

cw
-15V
50k
C1 Normally, a small dc error term flows in pin
R1 2 [15] (the output). When the gain is changed, the dc
22p NPO
6[11]
510k
R2
term changes. This control-voltage feedthrough
C2
EC+ 3[14]
20k0
increases with gain. See Figures 9 and 10 for typical
curves for dc offset vs. gain. As noted above, dc
R3 SYM
7[10] 2[15] 2
In 1 IN
VCA
OUT 1
Out 1
10u 20k0 R4
EC- THAT
3
feedthrough is affected by the symmetry trim.
6k8 NJM4580
2162
Audio Performance
4[13]
C4
100p +15V
C3

Ec- 1 12

THAT
VCC
100n
8
The 2162 VCA design, fabrication and testing
2162
GND
VEE ensure good audio performance when used as
C5
5 recommended. In particular, the 2162 maintains low
-15V 100n distortion over a wide range of gain, cut and signal
levels. Figures 11 through 13 show typical distortion
Figure 14. External trimming circuit performance for representative samples of the part.

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA Page 7 of 12 Document 600087 Rev 04

Applications
Input a virtual ground node, and converted to a voltage via
an external op-amp. The current-to-voltage conver-
Input signals are currents in pin 7 [10] -- the sion ratio is determined by the feedback resistor, R2
2162’s VCA IN pins. These pins are virtual grounds [R6] in Figure 2 connected between the op-amp's
with negative feedback provided internally. The output and its inverting input. The resulting signal
input resistor R3 (R7) in Figure 2 should be scaled to path through the VCA plus op-amp is non-inverting.
convert the available ac input voltage to a current
within the linear range of the device. Generally, peak R3 [R7] -- the input resistor -- determines the
input currents should be kept under 750 μA for best voltage-to-current conversion at the input, and R2
distortion performance. (R6) -- the output resistor -- determines the current-
to-voltage conversion rate at the output. As a result,
Refer to Figures 11 through 13 to see how the familiar ratio of Rf /Ri for an inverting opamp will
distortion typically varies with signal level for 0 dB, determine the overall voltage gain when the 2162 is
+15 dB and -15 dB gain. The circuit of Figure 2, set for 0 dB current gain. Since the VCA performs
Page 3 was used to generate these curves. best at settings near unity gain, use the input and
For a specific application, the acceptable distor- feedback resistors to provide design-center gain or
tion will usually determine the maximum signal loss, if necessary.
current level which may be used. Note that, with A small feedback capacitor around the output
20 kΩ current-to-voltage converting resistors, distor- opamp is needed to cancel the output capacitance of
tion remains low even at 10 V rms input at 0 dB or the VCA. Without it, this capacitance will destabilize
-15 dB gain, and at 1.7 V rms input at +15 dB gain most opamps. The capacitance at pin 2 [15] is
(~10 V rms output). typically 3 pF The 22 pF capacitor shown at C1 (C6)
ensures stability.
AC Coupling
Voltage Control
Pin 7 [10], the VCA IN pin will also have a small The VCA gain is controlled by the voltage applied
dc offset away from ground. It is important to between pin 6 [11] -- EC+ and pin 4 [13] -- EC-. Note
prevent this dc offset from becoming a dc current in that any unused control ports should be connected to
the input, since any dc input currents will be ground (as EC+ is in Figure 2). The gain (in decibels)
modulated by gain changes, thereby becoming is proportional to (EC+ - EC-). The constant of propor-
audible as thumps. To prevent the dc input offset tionality is 6.4 mV/dB for the voltage at EC+ (relative
voltage and the previous stage’s dc output offset from to EC-). See Figure 6 through 8. Note that neither EC+
causing dc input currents, the input pins are or EC- should be driven more than ±0.6 V away from
normally ac-coupled (C2, C7 in Figure 2). This blocks ground.
such offset currents and reduces dc offset variation
with gain. Choose a capacitor which will give accept- Positive and Negative
able low frequency performance for the application.
The mean offset voltage is slightly negative, so if a
Note for Figures 9 and 10 that the EC- port yields
polarized capacitor is used, it should be oriented
lower offset change at very low gains than the EC+
with the negative side toward the VCA input.
port. For best performance with large attenuations
both control ports can be utilized simultaneously
Summing Multiple Input Signals
with differential drives.
Multiple signals may be summed via multiple Symmetry
resistors, just as with an inverting opamp configura-
tion. In such a case, a single coupling capacitor may
As described more fully in the Theory section
be located next to pin 1 rather than multiple capaci-
under “Trimming”, Pin 3 [14] -- the SYM pin -- can be
tors at the driven ends of the summing resistors.
used to improve the preprogrammed distortion
However, take care that the capacitor does not pick
setting, allowing for finer resolution than available
up stray signals.
on-chip, and for shifts that may occur during IC
packaging. The recommended additional trim
Stability
circuitry is shown in Figure 14. The wiper resistor
R1, shown as 510 kΩ, is recommended for the ±15V
In order to guarantee stability at low gains, the supplies shown. For other power supply voltages,
source impedance seen at the VCA IN terminal must scale R1 directly proportional to the supply voltage.
be less than 5 kΩ above approximately 250 kHz.
The R4-C4 and R8-C8 networks in Figure 2 ensure Adjust the Symmetry control for minimum THD
this. with a modest level (e.g., ~1 Vrms), low-frequency
(e.g., ~1 kHz) sine wave input. Since the SYM pins
Output are connected to internal bias generators, if an exter-
nal symmetry adjustment is omitted, leave the SYM
The VCA output signal, at pin 2 (15), is also a
pins open.
current, inverted with respect to the input current. In
normal operation, the output current is connected to

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
Document 600087 Rev 04 Page 8 of 12 2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA

Control Port Drive Impedance To avoid excessive noise, one must take care to
use quiet electronics throughout the control-voltage
The control ports are connected directly to the circuitry. One useful technique is to process control
bases of the logging and/or antilogging transistors. voltages at a multiple of the eventual control constant
The accuracy of the logging and antilogging is (e.g., 64 mV/dB — ten times higher than the VCA
dependent on the EC+ and EC- voltages being exactly requires), and then attenuate the control signal just
as desired to control gain. The base current in the before the final drive amplifier. With careful attention
core transistors will follow the collector currents, of to impedance levels, relatively noisy opamps may be
course. Since the collector currents are used for all but the final stage.
signal-related, the base currents are therefore also
signal-related. Should the source impedance of the Stray Signal Pickup
control voltage(s) be large, the signal-related base
currents will cause signal-related voltages to appear It is also common practice among audio design-
at the control ports, which will interfere with precise ers to design circuit boards to minimize the pickup
logging and antilogging, in turn causing distortion. of stray signals within the signal path. As with noise
in the control path, signal pickup in the control path
The 2162 VCAs are designed to be operated with
can adversely effect the performance of an otherwise
zero source impedance at pins 4 [13] and 6 [11], and
good VCA. Because it is a multiplier, the 2162
a high (> 100 kΩ) source impedance at pin 3 [14].
produces second harmonic distortion if the audio
To realize all the performance designed into a 2162,
signal itself is present at the control port. Only a
keep the source impedance of the control voltage
small voltage at the control port is required: as little
driver well under 50 Ω. as 10 μV of signal can increase distortion by over
0.01%. This can frequently be seen at high frequen-
Noise Considerations cies, where capacitive coupling between the signal
and control paths can cause stray signal pickup.
The VCA's noise performance varies with gain in
a predictable way (shown in Figure 4), but due to the Because the signal levels involved are very small,
way internal bias currents vary with gain, noise at the this problem can be difficult to diagnose. One clue to
output is not strictly the product of a static input the presence of this problem is that the symmetry
noise times the voltage gain commanded. At large null for minimum THD varies with frequency. It is
attenuation, the noise floor is usually limited by the often possible to counteract a small amount of pure
input noise of the output op-amp and its feedback fundamental picked up in the control path by
resistor. At 0 dB gain, the noise floor of ~ -97.5 dBV "misadjusting" the symmetry setting. Since the
is the result of the VCA’s output noise current, amount of pickup usually varies with frequency, the
converted to a voltage by the typical 20 kΩ I-V optimum trim setting will vary with frequency and
converter resistor (R2 [R6] in Figure 2). In the vicinity level. A useful technique to confirm this problem is
of 0 dB gain, the noise increases more slowly than to temporarily bypass the control port to ground via
the gain: approximately 7.5 dB noise increase for a modest-sized capacitor (e.g., 10 μF). If the distor-
every 10 dB gain increase. Finally, as gain tion diminishes, signal pickup in the control path is
approaches 30 dB, output noise begins to increase the likely cause.
directly with gain.
Temperature Sensitivity
Another factor that influences noise is that the
2162 VCAs act like multipliers: when no signal is As shown by Equation 1 (Page 5), the gain of a
present at the signal input, noise at the control input 2162 VCA is sensitive to temperature in proportion
is rejected. So, when measuring noise (in the absence to the amount of gain or loss commanded. The
of signal – as most everyone does), even very noisy constant of proportionality is 0.33% of the decibel
control circuitry often goes unnoticed. However, gain commanded, per degree Celsius, referenced to
noise at the control port of these parts will cause 27°C (300°K). This means that at 0 dB gain, there is
noise modulation of the signal. This can become no change in gain with temperature. However, at
significant if care is not taken to drive the control -122 mV, the gain will be +20 dB at room tempera-
ports with quiet signals. ture, but will be 20.66 dB at a temperature 10 °C
The 2162 VCA has a small amount of inherent lower.
noise modulation because of its class AB biasing For most audio applications, this change with
scheme, where the shot noise in the core transistors temperature is of little consequence. However, if
reaches a minimum with no signal, and increases necessary, it may be compensated by a resistor
with the square root of the instantaneous signal embedded in the control voltage path whose value
current. However, in an optimum circuit, the noise varies with temperature at the same rate of 0.33%/°C.
floor rises only to -93.5 dBV with a 50 μA rms signal Such parts are available from RCD Components, Inc,
at unity gain — 4 dB of noise modulation. By Manchester, NH, USA [+1(603)669-0054],
contrast, if a unity-gain connected, non-inverting [www.rcd-comp.com] and KOA/Speer Electronics,
5534 opamp is used to directly drive the control Bradford, PA, 16701 USA [+1(814)362-5536],
port, the noise floor will rise to 91.5 dBV — 6 dB of [www.koaspeer.com].
noise modulation.

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA Page 9 of 12 Document 600087 Rev 04

Differences Between 2162 and 2180-series temperature of the 2162 compared to that of the
VCAs 2180 Series.
3. As noted in the Applications section under
While the 2162's VCA circuitry is very similar to “Stability,” the source impedance seen at the VCA
that of the THAT 2180 Series VCAs, there are several input must be less than 5 kΩ at frequencies above
important differences, as follows. 250 kHz. In typical applications using a 20 kΩ input
1. As noted in the Theory section under “DC resistor, this is accomplished via a series network
Bias Currents,” supply current for the 2162 VCA consisting of a 6.8 kΩ resistor and a 100 pF capaci-
depends on the supply voltage. At ±5 V, approxi- tor to ground.
mately 850 μA is available for the sum of input and
Closing Thoughts
output signal currents. This increases to about 1.8
mA at ±15 V. (Compare this to ~1.8 mA for a 2180
THAT Corporation welcomes comments,
Series VCA when biased as recommended.)
questions and suggestions regarding these devices,
2. The control-voltage constant is approximately their design and application. Our engineering staff
6.4 mV/dB when operating from ±15V supplies (it is includes designers who have decades of experience in
~6.1mV/dB in the 2180-series). This difference is applying our parts. Please feel free to contact us to
due primarily to the higher internal operating discuss your applications in detail.

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
Document 600087 Rev 04 Page 10 of 12 2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA

Package and Soldering Information

The THAT 2162 is available in a 16-pin QSOP specified in the RoHS directive. For more informa-
package. The package dimensions are shown in tion, including MDDS forms which disclose the
Figure 15 below, while the pinout is given in Table 1 substances contained in our ICs and their packaging,
on page 1. please visit: www.thatcorp.com/RoHShome.html.
The 2162 is available only in a lead-free, "green" The package has been qualified using reflow
package. The lead frame is copper, plated with temperatures as high as 250°C for 10 seconds. This
successive layers of nickel palladium, and gold. This makes it suitable for use in a 100% tin solder
approach makes it possible to solder these devices process. Furthermore, the 2162 has been qualified to
using lead-free and lead-bearing solders. The plastic a JEDEC moisture sensitivity level of MSL1. No
mold compound, and the material in which the parts special humidity precautions are required prior to
are packaged, contains no hazardous substances as flow soldering the parts.

Package Characteristics
Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Units

Package Style See Fig. 15 for dimensions 16 Pin QSOP

Thermal Resistance θJA SO package soldered to board 150 ºC/W

Environmental Regulation Compliance Complies with RoHS requirements

Soldering Reflow Profile JEDEC JESD22-A113-D (250 ºC)

D A

E
B
C G
J H

0-8º
I

ITEM MILLIMETERS INCHES

A 4.80 - 4.98 0.189 - 0.196
B 3.81 - 3.99 0.150 - 0.157
C 5.79 - 6.20 0.228 - 0.244
D 0.20 - 0.30 0.008 - 0.012
E 0.635 BSC 0.025 BSC
G 1.35 - 1.75 0.0532 - 0.0688
H 0.10 - 0.25 0.004 - 0.010
I 0.40 - 1.27 0.016 - 0.050
J 0.19 - 0.25 0.0075 - 0.0098

Figure 15. QSOP-16 surface mount package

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA Page 11 of 12 Document 600087 Rev 04

Revision History

Revision ECO Date Changes Page

00 — Sept. 2008 Release

01 2408 Jun. 2010 -Changed THD spec as follows: 2

Under Vin = 0 dBV, Changed Typ. from 0.04 to 0.05 and Max.
from 0.09 to 0.12
Under Vin = -5 dBV, Changed Typ. from 0.075 to 0.09 and
Max. from 0.1 to 0.15
Under Vin = +10 dBV, Changed Typ. from 0.075 to 0.09 and
Max. from 0.1 to 0.15

02 — Oct. 2010 -Added footnote 1 “All specifications are subject to change 2

without notice” and renumbered existing footnotes
11
sequentially.
-Added Revision History table.

03 2738 Nov. 2012 -Changed Max THD spec to 0.20 % 3

04 2769 Mar. 2013 -Added ground connections to application schematics 3, 6

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
Document 600087 Rev 04 Page 12 of 12 2162 Dual Pre-trimmed Blackmer® VCA

THAT Corporation; 45 Sumner Street; Milford, MA 01757-1656; USA

Tel: +1 508 478 9200; Fax: +1 508 478 0990; Web: www.thatcorp.com
Copyright © 2013, THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
Mouser Electronics

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