Theory of Operation of Logarithmic Amplification

Theory of Operation of Logarithmic Amplification

In this technical note, we discuss some general principles relating to logarithmic amplification. First of all, no amplifier can produce a logarithmic transfer function over a dynamic range which includes an input signal level of zero, since log 0 = -∞. All logarithmic amplifiers must therefore specify a signal range over which they will "log". The classic log amp discussed in most introductory texts exploits the I-V characteristics of a diode junction, and consists of a diode feedback on an inverting operational amplifier. This approach works well (over a dynamic range of >4 decades) at low speeds (less than 1 MHz), if the circuit is properly temperature-compensated. At higher speeds the performance is woeful, and other schemes⁽¹⁾ to approximate a logarithmic transfer are used.

The basic idea of the most common approach can be understood by examining the circuit shown in Fig. A1, below.

A1, A2 ... AN are identical linear amplifiers with gain G, which limit sharply for an input of V_L; and A_SUMis a summing amplifier with a gain of G₀.

Consider the transfer curve resulting from this amplifier combination for an input signal, V_in, whose size, V_in0, is smaller than V_L. The output signal, V_out, is then given by:

If, in addition, V_L > V_in0 > V_L/5, an input of V_in = 5V_in0 will give an output of:

For V_in=25V_in0:

So, for V_in=5^MV_in0:

For M < N-2, the subtracted portion is < V_in0/25, and we can see that the difference between V_Mout and V_(M-1)out is approximately a constant, which is exactly what is needed for a logarithmic output.

For M = N-1 and M = N the approximation starts to fail, and corrective measures such as "linear extension" are needed. In the case of DLVAs, such measures are needed in any case, because of detector roll-off.

It is easy to see that the series is only valid for V_in0 > V_L/5; otherwise the difference between the first two terms would be too small, because the lead amp, A1, would not yet limit. This consideration basically determines the start of logging. The actual shape of the transfer curve is approximated in Fig. A2.

The cusps shown in the transfer curve of Fig. A2 result from the assumption that the amplifiers are hard limiting. In a real circuit, the effect of the cusps can be made to be minimal.

There is one serious problem with a circuit like the one described: the minimum input voltage required to limit a single stage silicon transistor is about 100 mV at room temperature, and that is when the amplifier is not fed back in any manner. Thus the start of logging would be at about 20 mV input for the above circuit, which means that to get a 4 decade dynamic range, input signals would have to go as high as 200 volts!

This problem can be circumvented by using a circuit architecture like the one shown below in Fig. A3.

A1 and A2 are linear amps, and remain linear up to a voltage which is sufficient to limit the log stages L1 ... L4 (about 500 mV).

The log stages are simply undegenerated diff pairs, as shown in Fig. A4, which are not hard-limiting. This smooths the cusps of the transfer curve sketched in Fig. A2. The "summing amp" is simply two resistors.

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⁽¹⁾For an excellent reference, with specific orientation to radar and EW, see: Hughes, Richard Smith. LogarithmicAmplification. Artech House, Dedham, MA, 1986. Mr. Hughes developed the general circuit approach more than twenty five years ago, which is now widely used.