
Data Sheet
AD7294
Rev. H | Page 23 of 48
gain. Therefore, for an input voltage of ±200 mV at the pins, an
output span of ±2.5 V is generated.
The current sensors on th
e AD7294 are designed to remove
any flicker noise and offset present in the sensed signal. This is
achieved by implementing a chopping technique that is transpa-
rent to the user. The VSENSE signal is first converted by the AD7294, the analog inputs to the amplifiers are then swapped, and the
differential voltage is once again converted by th
e AD7294. The
two conversion results enable the digital removal of any offset
or noise. Switches on the amplifier inputs enable this chopping
technique to be implemented. This process requires 6 μs in total
to return a final result.
Choosing RSENSE
The resistor values used in conjunction with the current sense
amplifiers on t
he AD7294 are determined by the specific appli-
cation requirements in terms of voltage, current, and power.
Small resistors minimize power dissipation, have low inductance
to prevent any induced voltage spikes, and have good tolerance,
which reduce current variations. The final values chosen are a
compromise between low power dissipation and good accuracy.
Low value resistors have less power dissipated in them, but higher
value resistors may be required to utilize the full input range of
the ADC, thus achieving maximum SNR performance.
When the sense current is known, the voltage range of the
AD7294 current sensor (200 mV) is divided by the maximum
sense current to yield a suitable shunt value. If the power dissi-
pation in the shunt resistor is too large, the shunt resistor can
be reduced, in which case, less of the ADC input range is used.
Using less of the ADC input range results in conversion results,
which are more susceptible to noise and offset errors because
offset errors are fixed and are thus more significant when
smaller input ranges are used.
RSENSE must be able to dissipate the I2R losses. If the power dissi-
pation rating of the resistor is exceeded, its value may drift or
the resistor may be damaged resulting in an open circuit. This
can result in a differential voltage across the terminals of the
AD7294 in excess of the absolute maximum ratings. Additional
protection is afforded to the current sensors on th
e AD7294 bythe recommended current limiting resistors, RF1 and RF2, as
continuous current of 30 mA; thus, an RF2 of 1 k provides
If ISENSE has a large high frequency component, take care to
choose a resistor with low inductance. Low inductance metal
film resistors are best suited for these applications.
Current Sense Filtering
In some applications, it may be desirable to use external
filtering to reduce the input bandwidth of the amplifier (see
Figure 43). The 3 dB differential bandwidth of this filter is
equal to
BWDM = 1/(4πRC)
Note that the maximum series resistance on the RS(+) and
RS() inputs (as shown in
Figure 42) is limited to a maximum
of 1 kΩ due to back-to-back ESD protection diodes from RS(+)
and RS() to VPP. Also, note that if RF1 and RF2 are in series
with R1 and R2 (shown in
Figure 42), it affects the gain of the
amplifier. Any mismatch between RF1 and RF2 can introduce
offset error.
05747-
098
RF1
RF2
CF
AD7294
VPP
RSENSE
ILOAD
RSx(–)
RSx(+)
10nF
VPP
Figure 43. Current Sense Filtering (RSX Can Be Either RS1 or RS2)
For certain RF applications, the optimum value for RF1 and
RF2 is 1 kΩ whereas CF1 can range from 1 μF to 10 μF. CF2 is a
decoupling capacitor for the VPP supply. Its value is application
dependant, but for initial evaluation, values in the range of 1 nF
to 100 nF are recommended.
Kelvin Sense Resistor Connection
When using a low value sense resistor for high current
measurement, the problem of parasitic series resistance can
arise. The lead resistance can be a substantial fraction of the
rated resistance, making the total resistance a function of lead
length. Avoid this problem by using a Kelvin sense connection.
This type of connection separates the current path through the
resistor and the voltage drop across the resistor
. Figure 44 shows
the correct way to connect the sense resistor between the RS(+)
SENSE RESISTOR
CURRENT
FLOW FROM
SUPPLY
CURRENT
FLOW TO
LOAD
KELVIN
SENSE
TRACES
AD7294
RSX(+)
RSX(–)
05747-
031
Figure 44. Kelvin Sense Connections (RSX Can Be Either RS1 or RS2)
ANALOG COMPARATOR LOOP
The
AD7294 contains two setpoint comparators that are used
for independent analog control. This circuitry enables users
to quickly detect if the sensed voltage across the shunt has