Bias Card low noise bias lines noise analysis

The low noise detector bias lines in Rev F bias cards are driven by a bipolar DAC (MAX5444AEUB+) whose output is buffered by an opamp (AD797) in a non-inverting configuration (gain G=2), and inverted by a second opamp (AD797). These two signals are then each fed through a series resistance before going to the backplane and MDM connectors. The noise performance of these bias lines is determined by summing the noise contributions of:

-the input resistance to the op amp: ~6.3k, mostly due to the output resistance of the DAC

-the matched feedback resistances of the buffer, which are internal to the DAC (RFB and INV pins): not listed in the datasheet, but measured as ~12k

-the voltage noise of the AD797: 0.9 nV/rtHz at 1kHz

-current noise of the AD797: 2.0 pA/rtHz

-which multiplies both the input resistance to the non-inverting input (~6.3k) and the parallel combination of the feedback resistors at the inverting input (~12k each)

Using these numbers, the total noise at 1 kHz and 300 K can be calculated as:

<math> v_{nt}\ (1kHz,300K) \ = \ G \sqrt { e_n^2 + i_n R_i + i_n (R_{f_1} // R_{f_2}) + 4kTR_i + 4kTR_{f_1}(\frac{R_{f_2}}{R_{f_1} + R_{f_2}})^2 + 4kTR_{f_2} (\frac{R_{f_1}}{R_{f_1} + R_{f_2}})^2 + 4kT} \ \ \ \ \cong \ \ 45 \ \frac{nV}{\sqrt{Hz}} </math>

This characterizes the flat high frequency noise spectrum of the positive polarity bias line before the series resistance. The ~233 ohms of series resistance has a thermal noise of about 2 nV/rtHz, which summed in quadrature does not contribute to the overall noise. The noise of the negative bias line is dominated by the output noise of the first stage buffer in the positive line.

However, the detector band of interest is up to only 10 Hz, where 1/f noise is important.