A 100 A, 100 kHz transconductance amplifier

A high-current, wide-band transconductance amplifier is described that provides an unprecedented level of output current at high frequencies with exceptional stability. It is capable of converting a signal voltage applied to its input into a ground-referenced output rms current up to 100 A over a frequency range from DC to 100 kHz with a useable frequency extending to 1 MHz. The amplifier has a 1000-W output capability ±10 V of compliance, and can deliver up to 400 A of pulsed peak-to-peak current. The amplifier design is based on the principle of paralleling a number of precision bipolar voltage-to-current converters. The design incorporates a unique ranging system controlled by opto-isolated switches, which permit a full-scale range from 5 A to 100 A. The design considerations for maintaining wide bandwidth, high output impedance, and unconditional stability for all loads are discussed