SSM2402/SSM2412
When the Ramp Output reaches +3 V, and the drive for the
Main Switch Control output is gated OFF by differential ampli-
fier DA1, current sources Q3 and Q4 go to the OFF state and the
VGS of each main switch goes to zero. The high speed op amp
followers provide essentially zero gate-to-source voltage over the
full audio signal range; this in turn assures a constant low im-
pedance in the ON state over the full audio signal range. Total
time to turn on the SSM2402 switch is approximately 10.0 ms
and 3.5 ms for the SSM2412.
In systems using a large number of separate switches, there are
advantages to having faster switching into OFF state than into
the ON state. Break-before-make can be maintained at the sys-
tem level. To see how the SSM2402/SSM2412 guarantee
break-before-make, consider the ON-to-OFF transition.
A Control Input LOW initiates the ON-to-OFF transition. The
Ramp Generator integrates down from approximately +7 V to-
wards –7 V. As the ramp goes through +3 V, the comparator
controlling the Main Switches (S1 and S2) goes HIGH and turns
on current sources Q3 and Q4 which thereby puts S1 and S2 into
the OFF state. At this time, all switches in the “T” are OFF.
When the ramp integrates down to –3 V, the Shunt Switch Con-
trol changes state and pulls shunt switch S3 into the ON state.
This completes the ON-to-OFF transition; S1 and S2 are OFF,
and S3 is ON to shunt away any undesired feedthrough. Note
though that the ON-to-OFF time for main switches S1 and S2 is
only the time interval required for the ramp to go from +7 V to
+3 V, about 4 ms for the SSM2402, and 1.5 ms for the
SSM2412. The time to turn on is about 2.5 times as long as the
time to turn off.
OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION
The SSM2402/SSM2412 are designed to guarantee correct op-
eration with inputs of up to ± 14.2 V with ± 18 V supplies. The
switch input should never be forced to go beyond the supply
rails. In the OFF condition, if the inputs exceeds +14.2 V,
there is a risk of turning the respective input pass FET “ON.”
When the input voltage rises to within 3.8 V of the positive
supply, the op amp follower saturates and will not be able to
maintain the full 2.5 V of back bias on the gate-to-source
junction. Under this condition, current will flow from the input
through the shunt FET to the negative supply. This current is
substantial, but is limited by the FET IDSS. Although this cur-
rent will not damage the device, there is a danger of also turn-
ing on the output pass FET, especially if the output is close to
the negative rail.
This risk of signal “breakthrough” for inputs above +14.2 V can
be eliminated by using a source resistor of 100 Ω–500 Ω in series
with the analog input to provide additional current limiting.
Near the negative supply, transistors Q3 and Q4 saturate and
can no longer keep the switch OFF. Signal breakthrough can-
not happen, but the danger here is latch-up via a path to V–
through the shunt FET. Additional circuitry (not shown) has
been incorporated to turn OFF the shunt FET under these
conditions, and the potential for latch-up is thereby eliminated.
Typical Configuration
The SSM2402/SSM2412 are much more than simple single
solid state switches. The “T” configuration provides superb
OFF-isolation through shunting of feedthrough via shunt switch
S3. Break-before-make is inherent in the design. The ramp pro-
vides a controlled gating action that softens the ON/OFF transi-
tions. Distortion is minimized by holding zero gate-to-source
voltage for the two main FET switches, S1 and S2, using the two
op amp followers. Figure 3 shows a distortion comparison be-
tween the SSM2402 and a typical CMOS switch. In summary,
the SSM2402/SSM2412 are designed specifically for high per-
formance audio system usage.
–8–
Figure 3. Comparison of the SSM2402 and
Typical CMOS Switch for Distortion
REV. A