Skip to main content
Log in

High-precision voltage-to-current converters based on single-chip gain-selectable amplifiers

  • Published:
Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A new application of single-chip gain-selectable amplifiers for Howland current pump circuits is here presented and discussed. LT199x integrated circuits, by Linear Technology, were used for the implementation of extremely accurate voltage-to-current conversion. Circuit performance was evaluated for resistive temperature-sensors biasing and signal conditioning. Experimental results highlight the excellent performance of the fabricated prototypes in terms of linearity and sensitivity. In addition, a ratiometric measurement method can be applied, ensuring virtual nulling of errors caused by the limited absolute accuracy of the voltage supply and/or the voltage reference used for the whole acquisition system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sheingold, D. H. (1964). Impedance and admittance transformations using operational amplifiers. Lightning Empiricist, 12(1), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Harrison, L. T. (2005). Current sources & voltage references (Vol. 11). New York: Newnes, Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Pelcia, M.M., dos Reis Filho, C.A. (2002). Fully integrated programmable Howland current source for sensors excitation. In Proceeding of 4th IEEE international caracas conference on devices, circuits and systems (pp. C028–CI-4) https://doi.org/10.1109/iccdcs.2002.1004016.

  4. Poletto, C. J., & Van Doren, C. L. (1999). A high voltage, constant current stimulator for electrocutaneous stimulation through small electrodes. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 46(8), 929–936. https://doi.org/10.1109/10.775402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Murnane, M. (2008). Current sources: Options and circuits, AN-968, Analog Devices, Inc. Retrieved Jan 21, 2019 from https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/application-notes/an-968.pdf.

  6. Zhao, N., Malik, R., & Liao, W. (2009). Difference amplifier forms heart of precision current sources. Analog Dialogue, 43(3), 22–24.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Salvatori, S. (2015). Gain-selectable IC yields voltage-to-current converter. EDN Europe, 7, 30–32.

    Google Scholar 

  8. LT1991, LT1995, and LT1996. Gain selectable amplifiers. Milpitas: Linear Technology. Retrieved Jan 21, 2019 from https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/1991fh.pdf, https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/1995fb.pdf, https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/1996f.pdf.

  9. Hagart-Alexander, C. (2010). Chapter 21—Temperature measurement. In W. Boyes (Ed.), Instrumentation reference book (4th ed., pp. 287–288). Butterworth-Heinemann. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7506-8308-1.00021-8.

  10. Deval, Y., Ducouret, S. G., & Dom, J. P. (1993). Ratiometric temperature stable current reference. Electronics Letters, 29(14), 1284–1285. https://doi.org/10.1049/el:19930857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marco Girolami.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Salvatori, S., Rossi, M.C. & Girolami, M. High-precision voltage-to-current converters based on single-chip gain-selectable amplifiers. Analog Integr Circ Sig Process 99, 491–495 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10470-019-01400-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10470-019-01400-6

Keywords

Navigation