Burr-Brown Corporation announced the OPA687, a high gain stable, voltage feedback operational amplifier designed for driving high performance analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) in communications and medical imaging applications.

The high performance OPA687 combines high bandwidth and large signal performance with ultra-low distortion and input noise making it well suited for a wide range of applications. It is ideal for ultra-low distortion requirements as the ADC driver for digital basestations and secure communications. Wideband, high sensitivity optical receivers will also benefit from its low noise and high gain bandwidth.

With the move to 12- and 14-bit, high-resolution signal converters in communication basestations, the OPA687 provides the necessary low distortion to maintain signal integrity in these demanding digital converter applications. In addition, where power savings is critical, it features an optional power down pin that disables the amplifier and decreases the quiescent current to only 1% (2mW) of its powered-up value.

"The OPA687's combinations of features expands the envelope of Burr-Brown's ultra-high dynamic range op amp capability," said Michael Steffes, strategic marketing engineer at Burr-Brown. "This family of products provides a broad range of gain values and the lowest harmonic distortion on the market."

According to estimates from ICE Corporation, the high-speed amplifier market will exceed revenues of $300 million in 1998 and grow 16% annually through the year 2000.

You've got to love Bur-Brown's ability to produce op amps that just "do it." This amplifier fits an immediate need in the change of base station architecture to push as many channels as possible through a single pipe for as long as possible, so reducing the overall complexity of a station. While the station manufacturers are willing to pay a premium for parts like the RF amplifiers capable of doing this, there are extremely demanding specifications resulting from the change in the converters, the amplifiers (RF and baseband), and a need for extremely clean power supplies. This op amp is a major part of bringing all that together and has been priced at a level that will keep the competition away for quite a while.

The numbers are incredibly good -- but necessary -- for the demanding applications where the product will be used. The OPA687 is in production and is priced at $3.49 in 1000-piece lots. It is in an 8-pin SO-8 or a SOT23-6.