Pendulum Instruments · Single-Channel High Voltage Linear Amplifiers
A400
±200 V wideband high voltage linear amplifier for precise drive of piezo and MEMS devices
The A400 pushes the output swing to ±200 V while keeping the gain at x20, so it is still driven by a standard ±10 V source (recommended operating range ±7.5 V). Continuous output current is 150 mA, and bandwidth runs from DC to 1 MHz at 100 Vpp and DC to 500 kHz at the full 400 Vpp swing. This is the most common voltage range for stacked piezo actuators: most commercial stacks are rated for 150 to 200 V drive, and the A400 covers that fully without derating. If your element is rated for 200 V and you are making do with a 150 V amplifier, part of its travel is being left unused.
Overview
The usable travel of a piezo actuator scales with drive voltage, so driving a high-voltage element from an amplifier with too little swing means paying for a device and using only part of it. Most commercial piezo stacks are rated between 150 and 200 V; the ±200 V bipolar output of the A400 covers that range completely. The bipolar part deserves attention: with negative voltage available, the element can be pulled back actively instead of relying on elastic recovery, and that changes the settling time of fast reciprocating moves noticeably. Gain stays at x20, so nothing in the signal chain changes; the existing AWG or control card output connects directly. On current, 150 mA continuous at ±200 V suits a medium-sized stack or a lower drive frequency. As always with capacitive loads, current demand rises with frequency, so size the amplifier for the current needed at your highest operating frequency, not the static value. Bandwidth is DC to 1 MHz, and DC coupling supports absolute position control.
Key specifications
| Channels | 1 channel |
|---|---|
| Voltage gain | x20 (fixed, ultra-linear) |
| Max input voltage | ±10 V (recommended range ±7.5 V) |
| Output voltage range | -200 V to +200 V (bipolar) |
| Max output current | 150 mA continuous (with current-limit protection) |
| Max output power | ~30 W |
| Bandwidth | DC to 1 MHz (100 Vpp); DC to 500 kHz (max. output voltage) |
| Slew rate | 400 V/µs |
| Input impedance | 1 MΩ (30 pF) |
| Output impedance | < 0.1 Ω |
| Max capacitive load | 400 pF |
| Power supply | 100/110 V or 220/230 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 257 x 102 x 262 mm |
| Weight | 4 kg |
Features
±200 V, full coverage
The rated ceiling of most commercial piezo stacks, with no derating, so the element's full travel is available.
Bipolar makes a real difference
Negative voltage pulls the element back actively; reciprocating moves settle faster than with unipolar drive that relies on elastic recovery.
x20 gain
Your existing ±10 V source carries over; nothing in the signal chain has to change to reach the higher voltage.
150 mA continuous
Size it for the current demand at your highest operating frequency, not the static figure.
DC to 1 MHz
Absolute position control and dynamic sweeps on the same unit.
Capacitive load limit 400 pF
About 30 W maximum output; piezo actuators, MEMS, OLEDs and liquid crystals are within the design envelope. Check with us first if your load exceeds this capacitance.
Typical applications
Piezo drive
Piezo actuator positioning and vibration control
R&D engineers feed a ±10 V arbitrary waveform generator into the A400, which amplifies it 20 times to ±200 V and drives stacked or bending piezo actuators directly. That covers nanometer positioning, active vibration damping and ultrasonic transducers without buying a dedicated piezo driver.
MEMS testing
Characterization of electrostatic MEMS devices
During MEMS process verification, engineers use the A400 to apply a programmable high-voltage sweep (DC bias plus a small AC signal) to electrostatically driven microstructures. They measure the capacitance-voltage curve, pull-in voltage and resonant frequency to confirm the device meets its design before it moves to volume production.
Optoelectronic devices
Electro-optic evaluation of liquid crystal and OLED devices
Electro-optic labs use the A400 to apply wideband high-voltage sine or arbitrary waveforms to liquid crystal modules or OLED samples and measure transmittance-voltage curves and switching response times. Researchers get a complete electro-optic data set quickly during material development and display prototyping.
Options and configuration
Choose the model and optional services you need; we will assemble the configuration list and carry it into the inquiry form.
Standard equipment (included)
Model and output voltage options
Calibration service option
Downloads
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