High Speed Amps for Video Applications Part 1

Welcome to Texas Instruments High Speed Amplifiers for Video Applications - Part 1. This module will be the first of a series of three that discusses TI's solutions for video applications. We will go over some basics of analog video amplifiers; ways to select and amplify these types of signals. For the most part, the discussion will use analog video as an example, but it is equally applicable to other high speed operational amplifier applications as well. We’ll be going over some technical details necessary to understand the requirements of the amplifiers specified and used in analog video circuits. The discussion is limited to video applications only. First, we’ll go over standard analog video signal and its characteristics. Then, we will consider what is involved in displaying that video signal on a display screen. Next, we shall show examples of DC coupled, AC coupled, and single supply amplifier designs. The output characteristics of the Op Amp are discussed as they pertain to driving a video-specific load. The task of switching between multiple sources is usually performed with video MUXs. We will explore a way to do this using a special Op Amp. Then, we will briefly discuss transmission of analog video over unshielded twisted pair, or UTP wire, which is often a low-cost approach. At the receiving end, you can do things to improve the received signal to remove some artifacts introduced by the cable and so on. And finally, we will briefly show you how to make sure a high-power device keeps its cool.