
9
ALD1000
THE INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIERS (IA)
The ALD1000 includes two, general purpose, uncommitted,
3-op amp, instrumentation amplifiers (see Figure 1). The
two IAs are connected to the common power supply and
operate at full supply voltage. They share the same analog
common reference. Otherwise they are configured indepen-
dently for maximum flexibility.
The instrumentation amplifier senses the feedback signal,
reduces any common-mode component, and scales it to the
level required.
A more comprehensive discussion of the instrumentation
amplifiers follows in a later section.
ALD1000 LOGIC
The logic inputs used for the SWOP amp select and the
XTR disable functions are simple, differential pair com-
parators as shown in Figure 2.
The logic outputs are open collector NPN transistors with
their emitters at ground (pin 1).
VOLTAGE ERROR INDICATION
The V
ERR
error signal at pin 28 triggers when the voltage at
C (pin 26) exceeds the Positive Overvoltage Sense or the
Negative Overvoltage Sense (see SPECIFICATIONS) in-
ternal thresholds. When external transistors are used with-
out connecting them to C, as shown in Figure 7, the load
voltage cannot be detected. The logic signal will generally
trigger to an error state (low). However, consider it indeter-
minate under these conditions.
INSTRUMENTATION
AMPLIFIERS
SETTING THE GAIN
The IA gain is set by connecting a single, external resistor,
Rg in Figure 3, between the gain set pins.
INPUT PROTECTION
The inputs of the ALD1000 instrumentation amplifiers are
individually protected against over-voltage. Internal cir-
cuitry on each input provides low series impedance under
normal signal conditions. If the input is overloaded, the
protection circuitry limits the input current to a safe value of
approximately 1ma to 5ma. Refer to the typical perfor-
mance curve “Input Bias Current vs Input Voltage.” The
inputs are protected even if the power supplies are discon-
nected or turned off.
IA INPUT OVERLOAD AND
INPUT COMMON-MODE RANGE
The linear voltage range of the input circuitry of the
ALD1000 instrumentation amplifiers is from approximately
0.6V below the positive supply to 1V above the negative
supply. However, the output swing of the input amplifiers
Internal
Logic
+V
S
–V
S
Internal Logic
Threshold
Logic
Input
+
FIGURE 2. Simplified Diagram of the Internal ALD1000
Logic Input Circuitry.
G
=
1
+
50k
R
G
FIGURE 3. Simplified Schematic of the Instrumentation Amplifiers. Resistor RG Controls the Gain.
40k
40k
40k
25k
25k
A
1
A
2
A
3
Over-Voltage
Protection
Over-Voltage
Protection
40k
V
IN
–
V
IN
+
R
G
V
OUT