Texas Instruments VCA810AID

Overview

VCA810AID from Texas Instruments is a high-precision, DC-coupled, voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) with ±40 dB gain adjust range, 35 MHz small-signal bandwidth, and ±2.4 nV/√Hz input voltage noise. It operates from ±5-V supplies, delivers ±60 mA output current, and serves as a gain-control front-end in optical receiver TGC, sonar beamforming, and AGC receivers with RSSI capability.

For engineers reviewing the VCA810AID datasheet, VCA810AID pinout, VCA810AID application, or VCA810AID equivalent, this page provides verified specifications including ±0.9 dB high-grade gain linearity, −40°C to +85°C operation, SOIC-8 package mapping, and confirmed alternatives for time-gain control and tunable filter designs.

Technical Context

The VCA810AID implements a transconductance-based variable-gain architecture with differential high-impedance inputs and single-ended ground-referenced output. Its gain control interface accepts a single-ended voltage (−2 V to 0 V) to set gain linearly in dB/V at −40 dB/V slope, with < ±0.9 dB linearity error over the central −1.8 V to −0.2 V range.

Signal path maintains constant 35 MHz bandwidth and < 3.5 ns group delay variation across full gain range. The device features > 80 dB common-mode rejection at G = 40 dB, ±1.7 V output swing into 100 Ω, and integrated gain-control bandwidth of 25 MHz - enabling stable closed-loop AGC response without external compensation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SOIC-8 (D package), body size 4.90 mm × 3.91 mm, surface-mount, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar voltage-controlled amplifier applications.

Compared with VCA810ID and VCA2612, the VCA810AID uniquely balances 35 MHz bandwidth, ±0.9 dB linearity, and ±40 dB range - making it optimal for time-critical, high-fidelity gain control where RSSI accuracy and pulse fidelity are design-critical.

Availability

VCA810AID is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for optical time-gain control, sonar front-end conditioning, and AGC receiver designs requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for VCA810AID includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies with over 90 years of innovation in precision signal chain solutions.

The VCA810AID belongs to TI's high-performance analog variable-gain amplifier product line, engineered specifically for time-critical, wideband gain control in optical, ultrasonic, and communications infrastructure systems.

FAQ

What is the guaranteed gain linearity specification for VCA810AID across its full operating temperature range?

The VCA810AID guarantees ±2.9 dB gain linearity error over −40°C to +85°C (−1.8 V ≤ VC ≤ −0.2 V), with ±0.9 dB typical linearity at 25°C. This high-grade specification is explicitly defined in the "High Grade DC Characteristics" table of the SBOS275G datasheet and distinguishes VCA810AID from standard-grade variants like VCA810ID. The VCA810AID maintains this performance without external trimming or calibration.

Does VCA810AID support true differential input operation, and how is common-mode rejection achieved?

Yes, VCA810AID features fully differential high-impedance inputs (pins 1 and 8) with > 80 dB common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) at 40 dB gain and 0.5 V common-mode voltage. CMRR is preserved across gain settings due to matched internal transistor pairs and symmetrical layout. External termination resistors must provide DC bias paths - no internal connections exist to the input bases, ensuring flexibility in common-mode voltage setup.

What is the maximum output voltage swing for VCA810AID when driving a 100-Ω load, and under what gain conditions is it specified?

VCA810AID delivers ±1.3 V output swing into a 100-Ω load over −40°C to +85°C at maximum gain (G = +40 dB, VC = −2 V). At 25°C, the swing improves to ±1.4 V under identical conditions. This specification is validated in the "Electrical Characteristics" table (Section 7.5) and enables direct interfacing with 50-Ω or 100-Ω ADC inputs without external level-shifting or buffering stages.

Can VCA810AID be operated from asymmetric supply voltages such as +5 V and −3.3 V?

No - VCA810AID requires symmetric ±VS supplies (e.g., ±5 V, ±4.5 V) to achieve its full ±40 dB gain range and specified DC performance. Asymmetric supplies cause gain compression, increased offset error, and degraded CMRR. The datasheet specifies operation only within ±4 V to ±5.5 V, with all AC/DC parameters characterized under matched positive/negative rail conditions. Using +5 V/−3.3 V violates recommended operating conditions.

How does the gain control bandwidth of 25 MHz impact closed-loop AGC design using VCA810AID?

The 25 MHz gain control bandwidth allows VCA810AID to respond to rapid envelope changes - supporting AGC loop bandwidths up to ~2–3 MHz without phase-margin degradation. This enables real-time compensation of burst-mode signals (e.g., pulsed LIDAR or TDMA RF) and eliminates need for external op-amps in the control path. The VCA810AID's gain settling time is 0.8 μs for 1% error on an 80-dB step, confirming suitability for high-speed automatic gain loops.