Amplifier removes common-mode noise on RGB differential-video-transmission line

Comprising four twisted pairs within a durable external sheath, Category 5 network cable offers a common and cost-effective choice for transmitting component-video signals. Three of the pairs can carry RGB video signals, and the fourth pair carries audio, synchronization, and other transmissions. Unfortunately, Category 5 cable lacks shielding, and thus it's somewhat vulnerable to common-mode coupling that induces equal voltages in each of the cable's conductors. As a first line of defense against common-mode problems, you can configure RGB signals as differential voltages, but any voltage difference between the ground references of the twisted-pairs' drivers and receivers results in a common-mode signal on each of the received lines.

Common-mode-noise voltages limit transmission quality of video signals. This Design Idea shows how you can use a single operational amplifier to minimize common-mode signals' effects on differential-component-video receivers. In Figure 1, the receiver circuits' ground terminals (in red) show that the ground-reference voltages of each of the RGB differential signals differ from those present at the drivers. To maintain signal quality and minimize reflections, each video-signal twisted-pair transmission line terminates in 100Ω. For example, resistors R₃₅ and R₃₇ terminate the R+ line, and R₃₆ and R₃₈ terminate the R– line. Meanwhile, the G and B termination circuits are identical. Any common-mode voltage on the R-signal pair appears at the junction of R₃₇ and R₃₈ and across R₃₉.

To create a common-mode cancellation voltage, operational amplifier IC₁ sums and inverts the signals on all three or four signal-line pairs. For example, adding the R+ and R– signals cancels their differential-voltage components and doubles the common-mode voltage that each line contributes. Capacitors C₁ and C₂ provide ac coupling for the circuit's input and output, respectively. The output from IC₁ applies a common-mode bias voltage through a matched pair of 30-kΩ resistors, R₄₂ and R₄₃, to the R+ and R- receiver network. Close tolerances for R₄₂ and R₄₃ ensure that the differential voltages delivered at R_{OUT +}and R_OUT–closely balance with respect to the inputs' common-mode voltage. Capacitors C₁₁ and C₁₂ provide equalization to boost the differential-video signal's higher frequency components.

Before applying cancellation, the signals at the circuit's outputs R_OUT+and R_OUT–would appear as: R_OUT+=V_DIFF/2+V_CM, and R_OUT–=–V_DIFF/2+V_CM, where V_DIFF represents the desired differential signal, and V_CMexists with respect to the circuit's local ground. After applying cancellation, the output signals appear as: R_OUT+=+V_DIFF/2+V_CM–V_CMS=+V_DIFF/2, and R_OUT–=–V_DIFF/2+V_CM–V_CMS=–V_DIF/2, where V_CMS represents the summed and inverted common-mode voltage at IC₁'s output.

Figure 2 shows a representative 1V peak received signal that's on the R+ line (yellow trace) and an accompanying 2V peak common-mode signal (pink trace). Figure 3 shows the circuit's common-mode-cancellation abilities. Although the differential signal (yellow) remains unchanged, the common-mode signal (pink) exhibits an 80%, 14-dB reduction. Any mismatch between the time delay and the summed analog signal, which the passive input network and IC₁, respectively, produce, prevents complete cancellation. Also, for best performance, the common-mode signal must not exceed IC₁'s common-mode input-voltage rating. In addition, IC₁, an Intersil ISL55001, must exhibit unity-gain stability over a wide bandwidth and an excellent slew-rate response and, for best results, must operate at relatively high-power-supply voltages for good linearity. Use 10-µF, nonpolarized input- and output-coupling capacitors to accommodate extremely low-frequency common-mode voltages. Ensure adequate bypassing for IC₁'s power-supply terminals for all frequencies of interest.