BB XTR104AP

®
XTR104
4-20mA Current Transmitter with
BRIDGE EXCITATION AND LINEARIZATION
FEATURES
APPLICATIONS
● LESS THAN ±1% TOTAL ADJUSTED
ERROR, –40°C TO +85°C
● INDUSTRIAL PROCESS CONTROL
● FACTORY AUTOMATION
● BRIDGE EXCITATION AND LINEARIZATION
● WIDE SUPPLY RANGE: 9V to 40V
● LOW SPAN DRIFT: 50ppm/°C max
● SCADA
● WEIGHTING SYSTEMS
● ACCELEROMETERS
● HIGH PSR: 110dB min
● HIGH CMR: 80dB min
BRIDGE NONLINEARITY CORRECTION
USING XTR104
2.0
DESCRIPTION
Uncorrected
Bridge Output
1.5
Nonlinearity (%)
The XTR104 is a monolithic 4-20mA, two-wire current transmitter integrated circuit designed for bridge
input signals. It provides complete bridge excitation,
instrumentation amplifier, linearization, and current
output circuitry necessary for high impedance strain
gage sensors.
The instrumentation amplifier can be used over a wide
range of gain, accommodating a variety of input signals
and sensors. Total adjusted error of the complete current
transmitter, including the linearized bridge is less than
±1% over the full –40°C to +85°C temperature range.
This includes zero drift, span drift and non-linearity for
bridge outputs as low as 10mV. The XTR104 operates
on loop power supply voltages down to 9V.
Linearization circuitry consists of a second, fully independent instrumentation amplifier that controls the bridge
excitation voltage. It provides second-order correction
to the transfer function, typically achieving a 20:1
improvement in nonlinearity, even with low cost transducers.
The XTR104 is available in 16-pin plastic DIP and
SOL-16 surface-mount packages specified for the
–40°C to +85°C temperature range.
1.0
0.5
Corrected
0
–0.5
0mV
5mV
10mV
Bridge Output
+
R LIN
9V to 40V
VPS
4-20 mA
XTR104
RG
VO
RL
–
International Airport Industrial Park • Mailing Address: PO Box 11400 • Tucson, AZ 85734 • Street Address: 6730 S. Tucson Blvd. • Tucson, AZ 85706
Tel: (520) 746-1111 • Twx: 910-952-1111 • Cable: BBRCORP • Telex: 066-6491 • FAX: (520) 889-1510 • Immediate Product Info: (800) 548-6132
®
©
1992 Burr-Brown Corporation
PDS-1146B
1
XTR104
Printed in U.S.A. September, 1993
SPECIFICATIONS
TA = +25°C, V+ = 24V, and 2N6121 external transistor, unless otherwise noted.
XTR104BP, BU
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
OUTPUT
Output Current Equation
Total Adjusted Error (1)
Current, Specified Range
Over-Scale Limit
Under Scale-Limit
Full Scale Output Error
Noise: 0.1Hz to 1kHz
ZERO OUTPUT(2)
Initial Error
vs Temperature
vs Supply Voltage, V+
vs Common-Mode Voltage
SPAN
Span Equation (Transconductance)
Untrimmed Error
vs Temperature(4)
Nonlinearity: Ideal Input
Bridge Input (5)
INPUT
Differential Range
Input Voltage Range(3)
Common-Mode Rejection
Impedance: Differential
Common-Mode
Offset Voltage
vs Temperature
vs Supply Voltage, V+
Input Bias Current
vs Temperature
Input Offset Current
vs Temperature
VOLTAGE REFERENCE(6)
Voltage
Accuracy
vs Temperature
vs Supply Voltage, V+
vs Load
MIN
VIN = 1V, RG = ∞
RG = 40Ω
VIN = 0V, RG = ∞
4
±5
±0.2
0.5
0.1
V+ = 9V to 40V(3)
VCM = 2V to 3V(3)
2
80
110
V+ = 9V to 40V(3)
IL = 0 to 2mA
(TMIN to TMAX)
Derated Performance
TYP
*
*
*
*
*
±50
±0.5
2
2
1
3
100
3
0.5
±0.5
1
130
100
0.1
2
0.01
5
±0.25
±10
5
50
POWER SUPPLY
Voltage Range(3), V+
TEMPERATURE RANGE
Specification
Operating
θJA
MIN
*
*
*
S = 0.016 + 40/RG
±0.1
±1
±20
±50
0.01
0.1
RG ≥ 75Ω
V+ = 9V to 40V(3)
XTR104AP, AU
MAX
MAX
IO = VIN • (0.016 + 40/RG) + 4mA
VIN in Volts, RG in Ω
±1
±2
4
20
*
*
34
40
*
*
3.6
3.8
*
*
±15
±50
*
±100
8
*
TMIN to TMAX, VFS ≥ 10mV, RB = 5kΩ
VIN = 2V to 3V (3)
TYP
mA
µA
µA/°C
µA/V
µA/V
*
±100
*
A/V
%
ppm/°C
%
%
±2.5
2.5
*
250
2
20
0.25
*
*
*
*
*
*
2
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
±0.5
±50
A
% of FS
mA
mA
mA
µA
µAp-p
±100
±1
*
*
*
*
*
UNITS
*
5
*
*
*
*
±1
±100
V
V
dB
GΩ
GΩ
mV
µV/°C
dB
nA
nA/°C
nA
nA/°C
V
%
ppm/°C
ppm/V
ppm/mA
9
40
*
*
V
–40
–40
85
125
*
*
*
*
°C
°C
°C/W
80
*
* Specification same as XTR104BP.
NOTES: (1) Includes corrected second-order nonlinearity of bridge, and over-temperature zero and span effects. Does not include initial offset and span errors which
are normally trimmed to zero at 25°C. (2) Describes accuracy of the 4mA low-scale current. Does not include input amplifier effects. Can be trimmed to zero.
(3) Voltage measured with respect to IO pin. (4) Does not include TCR of gain-setting resistor, RG. (5) When configured to correct for ≤2% second-order bridge sensor
nonlinearity. (6) Measured with RLIN = ∞ to disable linearization feature.
®
XTR104
2
PIN CONFIGURATION
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Top View
Power Supply, V+ (referenced to IO pin) .......................................... 40V
Input Voltage, V+IN , V–IN, V+LIN , V– LIN (referenced to IO pin) ... 0V to V+
Storage Temperature Range ........................................ –55°C to +125°C
Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) .............................................. +300°C
Output Current Limit ............................................................... Continuous
Junction Temperature ................................................................... +165°C
DIP
V+IN
1
16 Zero Adjust
V–
2
15 Zero Adjust
V+LIN
3
14 Zero Adjust
V–LIN
4
13 B (Base)
RG
5
12 VREF
RG
6
11 E (Emitter)
IO
7
10 V+
RLIN
8
9
IN
PACKAGE INFORMATION
MODEL
XTR104AP
XTR104BP
XTR104AU
XTR104BU
RLIN
PACKAGE
16-Pin Plastic
16-Pin Plastic
SOL-16 Surface
SOL-16 Surface
PACKAGE DRAWING
NUMBER(1)
DIP
DIP
Mount
Mount
180
180
211
211
NOTE: (1) For detailed drawing and dimension table, please see end of data
sheet, or Appendix D of Burr-Brown IC Data Book.
ORDERING INFORMATION
MODEL
PACKAGE
XTR104AP
XTR104BP
XTR104AU
XTR104BU
16-pin Plastic
16-pin Plastic
SOL-16 Surface
SOL-16 Surface
DIP
DIP
Mount
Mount
TEMPERATURE
RANGE
–40°C
–40°C
–40°C
–40°C
to
to
to
to
+85°C
+85°C
+85°C
+85°C
ELECTROSTATIC
DISCHARGE SENSITIVITY
Electrostatic discharge can cause damage ranging from performance degradation to complete device failure. Burr-Brown
Corporation recommends that all integrated circuits be handled
and stored using appropriate ESD protection methods.
ESD damage can range from subtle performance degradation
to complete device failure. Precision integrated circuits may
be more susceptible to damage because very small parametric
changes could cause the device not to meet published specifications.
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable; however, BURR-BROWN assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. BURR-BROWN assumes
no responsibility for the use of this information, and all use of such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change
without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described herein are implied or granted to any third party. BURR-BROWN does not authorize or warrant
any BURR-BROWN product for use in life support devices and/or systems.
®
3
XTR104
DICE INFORMATION
PAD
FUNCTION
PAD
FUNCTION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
V+IN
V–IN
V+LIN
V–LIN
RG
RG
IO
RLIN
9
10
11
12A, 12B
13
14
15
16
RLIN
V+
E (Emitter)
VREF
B (Base)
Zero Adj.
Zero Adj.
Zero Adj.
Pads 12A and 12B must be connected.
NC: No Connection
Substrate Bias: Internally connected to the IO terminal
(#7).
FPO
MECHANICAL INFORMATION
Die Size
Die Thickness
Min. Pad Size
MILS (0.001")
MILLIMETERS
168 x 104 ±5
20 ±3
4x4
4.27 x 2.64 ±0.13
0.51 ±0.08
0.1 x 0.1
Backing
XTR104 DIE TOPOGRAPHY
None
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CURVES
TA = +25°C, V+ = 24V, unless otherwise noted.
TRANSCONDUCTANCE vs FREQUENCY
STEP RESPONSE
60
RG = ∞
RG = 25Ω
RG = 100Ω
40
20mA
RG = 400Ω
RG = 25Ω
RG = 2kΩ
RG = ∞
20
4mA
0
100
1k
10k
100k
100µs/Div
1M
Frequency (Hz)
®
XTR104
4
5mA/Div
Transconductance (20 Log mA/V)
80
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CURVES (CONT)
TA = +25°C, +V = 24V, unless otherwise noted.
POWER SUPPLY
REJECTION vs FREQUENCY (RTI)
COMMON-MODE REJECTION
vs FREQUENCY (RTI)
120
140
Power Supply Rejection (dB)
G = 0.16A/V
(RG = 400Ω)
100
CMR (dB)
80
60
40
20
G = 0.16A/V
(RG = 400Ω)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0
0.1
1
10
100
1k
10k
0.1
100k
1
10
LOOP RESISTANCE vs LOOP POWER SUPPLY
1750
Output Current Noise (pA/ Hz)
1000
750
Operating
Region
250
9V
0
100k
RG = ∞
1
0.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
0.1
1
10
Loop Power Supply Voltage, VPS (V)
100
1k
10k
100k
Frequency (Hz)
INPUT CURRENT NOISE DENSITY vs FREQUENCY
INPUT VOLTAGE NOISE DENSITY vs FREQUENCY
1k
Noise Voltage (nV/ Hz )
10
Input Current Noise (pA/ Hz )
Loop Resistance, RL (Ω )
(V+) – 9V
20mA
500
10k
OUTPUT CURRENT NOISE DENSITY vs FREQUENCY
1500
R max =
1k
10
1550Ω
1250
100
Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)
1
0.1
100
10
0.1
1
10
100
1k
10k
100k
0.1
Frequency (Hz)
1
10
100
1k
10k
100k
Frequency (Hz)
®
5
XTR104
APPLICATION INFORMATION
EXTERNAL TRANSISTOR
Transistor Q1 conducts the majority of the signal-dependent
4 to 20mA loop current. Using an external transistor isolates
the power dissipation from the precision input and reference
circuitry of the XTR104, maintaining excellent accuracy.
Figure 1 shows the basic connection diagram for the XTR104.
The loop power supply, VPS, provides power for all circuitry. Loop current is measured as a voltage across the
series load resistor, RL.
Since the external transistor is inside a feedback loop its
characteristics are not critical. Many common NPN types
can be used. Requirements for operation at the full loop
supply voltage are: VCEO = 45V min, β = 40 min and PD =
800mW. Power dissipation requirements may be lower if the
maximum loop power supply voltage is less than 40V. Some
possible choices for Q1 are listed in Figure 1.
A high impedance (≥2750Ω) strain gage sensor can be
excited directly by the 5V reference output terminal, VR.
The output terminals of the bridge are connected to the
instrumentation amplifier inputs, V+IN and V–IN. The resistor, RG, sets the gain of the instrumentation amplifier as
required by the full-scale bridge voltage, VFS.
The transfer function is:
(1)
IO = VIN • (0.016 + 40/RG) + 4mA,
LOOP POWER SUPPLY
The voltage applied to the XTR104, V+, is measured with
respect to the IO connection, pin 7. V+ can range from 9V to
40V. The loop supply voltage, VPS, will differ from the
voltage applied to the XTR104 according to the voltage drop
on the current sensing resistor, RL (plus any other voltage
drop in the line).
V+
Where: VIN is the voltage applied to the IN and
V–IN differential inputs (in Volts.) RG in Ω.
With no RG connected (RG = ∞), a 0V to 1V input produces
a 4 to 20mA output current. With RG = 25Ω, a 0V to 10mV
input produces a 4 to 20mA output current. Other values for
RG can be calculated as follows:
2500
1
–1
VFS
RG =
If a low loop supply voltage is used, RL must be made a
relatively low value to assure that V+ remains 9V or greater
for the maximum loop current of 20mA. It may, in fact, be
prudent to design for V+ equal or greater than 9V with loop
currents up to 34mA to allow for out-of-range input conditions. The typical performance curve “Loop Resistance vs
Loop Power Supply” shows the allowable sense resistor
values for full-scale 20mA.
(2)
Where: VFS is the full scale voltage applied to the V+IN and
V–IN differential inputs (in Volts).
RG in Ω.
Under-scale input voltage (negative) will cause the output
current to decrease below 4mA. Increasingly negative input
will cause the output current to limit at approximately
3.6mA.
The low operating voltage (9V) of the XTR104 allows
operation directly from personal computer power supplies
(12V±5%). When used with the RCV420 Current Loop
Receiver (see Figure 9), load resistor voltage drop is only
1.5V at 20mA.
Increasingly positive input voltage (above VFS) will produce
increasing output current according to the transfer function,
up to the output current limit of approximately 34mA.
12
1
V
3
(3)
Bridge Sensor
–
5
(2)
RB
+
VR
+
IN
V+LIN
R LIN(3)
8
9
RLIN
10
V+
RG
4-20mA
(1)
RG
R2
B
XTR104
13
Q1
0.01µF
R1
6
(3)
–
4 V LIN
2
(1) RG =
RG
V–IN
E
IO
IO = 4-20mA
where VFS is Full Scale VIN.
(2) RB ≥ 2750Ω. Otherwise add series resistance (see Figure 8).
(3) See text — “Linearization”.
FIGURE 1. Bridge Sensor Application, Connected for Positive Nonlinearity.
®
6
+
+
RL
–
VPS
–
7
2500 Ω
1
–1
VFS
XTR104
11
Possible choices for Q1 (see text).
Type
2N4922
Package
TO-225
TIP29B
TO-220
TIP31B
TO-220
With V+LIN and V–LIN connected to the bridge output, the
bridge excitation voltage can be made to vary as much as
±0.5V in response to the bridge output voltage. Be sure that
the total load on the VR output is less than 2mA at the
maximum excitation voltage, VR = 5.5V.
BRIDGE BALANCE
Figure 1 shows a bridge trim circuit (R1, R2). This adjustment can be used to compensate for the initial accuracy of
the bridge and/or to trim the offset voltage of the XTR104.
The values of R1 and R2 depend on the impedance of the
bridge, and the trim range required. This trim circuit places
an additional load on the VR output. The effective load of the
trim circuit is nearly equal to R2. Total load on the VR output
terminal must not exceed 2mA. An approximate value for R1
can be calculated:
5V • R
B
(3)
R ≈
1
4 • V
TRIM
Signal-dependent variation of the bridge excitation voltage
provides a second-order term to the complete transfer function (including the bridge). This can be tailored to correct for
bridge sensor nonlinearity. Either polarity of nonlinearity
(bowing up or down) can be compensated by proper connection of the VLIN inputs. Connecting V+LIN to V+IN and V–LIN
to V–IN (Figure 1) causes VR to increase with bridge output
which compensates for a positive bow in the bridge response. Reversing the connections (Figure 3) causes VR to
decrease with increasing bridge output, to compensate for
negative-bowing nonlinearity.
Where: RB is the resistance of the bridge.
VTRIM is the desired ±voltage trim range (in V).
Make R2 equal or lower in value to R1.
To determine the required value for RLIN you must know the
nonlinearity of the bridge sensor with constant excitation
voltage. The linearization circuitry can only compensate for
the parabolic portion of a sensor’s nonlinearity. Parabolic
nonlinearity has a maximum deviation from linear occurring
at mid-scale (see Figure 4). Sensors with nonlinearity curves
similar to that shown in Figure 4, but not peaking exactly at
mid-scale can be substantially improved. A nonlinearity that
is perfectly “S-shaped” (equal positive and negative
nonlinearity) cannot be corrected with the XTR104. It may,
however, be possible to improve the worst-case nonlinearity
of a sensor by equalizing the positive and negative
nonlinearity.
Figure 2 shows another way to adjust zero errors using the
output current adjustment pins of the XTR104. This provides ±500µA (typical) adjustment around the initial lowscale output current. This is an output current adjustment
that is independent of the input stage gain set with RG. If the
input stage is set for high gain the output current adjustment
may not provide sufficient range.
(a)
XTR104
The nonlinearity, B (in % of full scale), is positive or
negative depending on the direction of the bow. A maximum
of ±2.5% nonlinearity can be corrected. An approximate
value for RLIN can be calculated by:
14
15
16
10kΩ
±500µA typical
output current
adjustment range.
R
(b)
14
15
5kΩ
5kΩ
=
K
LIN
• V
FS
(5)
0. 2 • B
Where: KLIN ≈ 24000.
VFS is the full-scale bridge output (in Volts) with
constant 5V excitation.
B is the parabolic nonlinearity in ±% of full scale.
RLIN in Ω.
XTR104
16
LIN
±50µA typical
output current
adjustment range.
Methods for refining this calculation involve determining
the actual value of KLIN for a particular device (explained
later).
FIGURE 2. Low-scale Output Current Adjustment.
B is a signed number (negative for a downward-bowing
nonlinearity). This can produce a negative value for RLIN. In
this case, use the resistor value indicated (ignore the sign),
but connect V+LIN to V–IN and V–LIN to V+IN as shown in
Figure 3.
LINEARIZATION
Differential voltage applied to the linearization inputs, V+LIN
and V–LIN, causes the reference (excitation) voltage, VR, to
vary according to the following equation:
(4)
This approximate calculation of RLIN generally provides
about a 5:1 improvement in bridge nonlinearity.
Where: VLIN is the voltage applied to the V+LIN and V–LIN
differential inputs (in V).
RLIN in Ω.
KLIN ≈ 24000 (approximately ±20% depending on
variations in the fabrication of the XTR104).
Example: The bridge sensor depicted by the negativebowing curve in Figure 4. Its full scale output is 10mV with
constant 5V excitation. Its maximum nonlinearity, B, is
–1.9% referred to full scale (occurring at mid-scale). Using
equation 5:
V = 5V + V
R
K
LIN
R
LIN
LIN
®
7
XTR104
12
1
(1)
3
Bridge Sensor
5
–
+
RB
9
RLIN
V+LIN
10
V+
RG
4-20mA
RG
R2
R LIN
8
VR
V+IN
B
XTR104
13
0.01µF
R1
6
(1)
RG
E
IO
–
4 V LIN
2
11
+
+
RL
–
VPS
–
7
V–IN
IO = 4-20mA
NOTE: (1) VLIN inputs connected for negative nonlinearity (B < 0).
Pins 3 and 4 must be reversed for B > 0 (see Figure 1).
FIGURE 3. Bridge Sensor, VLIN Connected for Negative Nonlinearity.
R
LIN
≈ 24000 • 0. 01 = −632 Ω
0. 2 • (−1. 9)
BRIDGE TRANSDUCER TRANSFER FUNCTION
WITH PARABOLIC NONLINEARITY
Use RLIN = 632Ω. Because the calculation yields a negative
result, connect V+LIN to V–IN and V–LIN to V+IN.
10
9
8
Bridge Output (mV)
Gain is affected by the varying the excitation voltage. For
each 1% of corrected nonlinearity, the gain must be altered
by 4%. As a result, equation 2 will not provide an accurate
RG when nonlinearity correction is used. The following
equation calculates the required value for RG to compensate
for this effect.
2500
RG =
(6)
1
−1
(1 + 0. 04 • B) V
Positive Nonlinearity
B = +2.5%
7
6
5
4
B = –1.9%
Negative Nonlinearity
3
2
Linear Response
1
0
FS
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
B must again be a signed number in this calculation—
positive for positive bowing nonlinearity, and negative for a
negative-bowing nonlinearity.
K
LIN
=
∆V
1
Nonlinearity (% of Full Scale)
Positive Nonlinearity
B = +2.5%
1
0
–1
–2
Negative Nonlinearity
B = –1.9%
–3
(7)
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Normalized Stimulus
LIN
Where: ∆VLIN is the change in voltage at VLIN.
∆VR is the measured change in reference voltage, VR.
RTEST is a temporary fixed value of RLIN (in Ω).
FIGURE 4. Parabolic Nonlinearity.
®
XTR104
2
0
TEST
0.9
3
A more accurate value for RLIN can be determined by first
measuring the actual gain constant of the linearization inputs, KLIN (see equation 4). Measure the change in the
reference voltage, ∆VR, in response to a measured voltage
change at the linearization inputs, ∆VLIN. Make this measurement with a known, temporary test value for RLIN. These
measurements can be made during operation of the circuit
by providing stimulus to the bridge sensor, or by temporarily
unbalancing the bridge with a fixed resistor in parallel with
one of the bridge resistors. Calculate the actual KLIN:
R
0.8
NONLINEARITY vs STIMULUS
RG = 23.32Ω for the example above.
∆V • R
0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Normalized Stimulus
8
0.8
0.9
1
OTHER SENSOR TYPES
The XTR104 can be used with a wide variety of inputs. Its
high input impedance instrumentation amplifier is versatile
and can be configured for differential input voltages from
millivolts to a maximum of 1V full scale. The linear common-mode range of the inputs is from 2V to 4V, referenced
to the IO terminal, pin 7.
Then, RLIN can be calculated using equation 5 using the
accurate value of KLIN from equation 7. KLIN can be a
different value for each XTR104.
It is also possible to make a real-time adjustment of RLIN
with a variable resistor (active circuit trimming). This is
done by measuring the change in VR in response to a zeroto-VFS change in voltage applied to the VLIN inputs. To
correct for each 1% of nonlinearity, the excitation voltage,
VR, must make a 4% change at full-scale input. So the
change in reference voltage, ∆VR, for a full-scale change in
VLIN can be calculated by:
∆VR = 0.2 • B
You can use the linearization feature of the XTR104 with
any sensor whose output is ratiometric with an excitation
voltage. For example, Figure 5 shows the XTR104 used with
a potentiometer position sensor.
(8)
REVERSE-VOLTAGE PROTECTION
Example: A bridge sensor has a –1.9% nonlinearity. Apply
the full-scale bride output, VFS (10mV), to the VLIN inputs
and adjust RLIN for:
Figure 6 shows two ways to protect against reversed output
connection lines. Trade-offs in an application will determine
which technique is better. D1 offers series protection, but
causes a 0.7V loss in loop supply voltage. This may be
undesirable if V+ can approach the 9V limit. Using D2
(without D1) has no voltage loss, but high current will flow
in the loop supply if the leads are reversed. This could
damage the power supply or the sense resistor, RL. A diode
with a higher current rating is needed for D2 to withstand the
highest current that could occur with reversed lines.
VR'’ = 5V + 0.2 • B = 4.62V
Note that with all the calculation and adjustment methods
described above, the full-scale bridge output is no longer
equal to VFS because the excitation voltage at full scale is no
longer 5V. All the calculations and adjustment procedures
described above assume VFS to be the full-scale bridge
output with constant 5V excitation. It is not necessary to
iterate the calculations or adjustment procedures using the
new full-scale bridge output as a starting point. However, a
new value for RG must be calculated using equation 6.
SURGE PROTECTION
Long lines may be subject to voltage surges which can
damage semiconductor components. To avoid damage, the
maximum applied voltage rating for the XTR104 is 40V. A
zener diode can be used for D2 (Figure 7) to clamp the
voltage applied to the XTR104 to a safe level. The loop
power supply voltage must be lower than the voltage rating
of the zener diode.
A refined value for RLIN, arrived at either by active circuit
trimming, or by measuring linearization gain (equation 7)
will improve linearity. Reduction of the original parabolic
nonlinearity of the sensor can approach 40:1. Actual results
will depend on higher-order nonlinearity of the sensor.
There are special zener diode types (Figure 7) specifically
designed to provide a very low impedance clamp and withstand large energy surges. These devices normally have a
diode characteristic in the forward direction which also
If no linearity correction is desired, make no connections to
the RLIN pins (RLIN = ∞). This will cause the VR output to
remain a constant +5V. The V+LIN and V–LIN inputs should
remain connected to the bridge output to keep these inputs
biased in their active region.
5V
12
1
8kΩ
3
2.5V
to
3V
5
VR
V+IN
8
RLIN 9
V+LIN
RLIN
10
V+
RG
2.5kΩ
RG
4-20 mA
B
XTR104
13
2kΩ
6
10kΩ
4
10kΩ
2.5V
2
E
RG
V–LIN
V–IN
IO
11
0.01µF
+
+
RL
–
VPS
–
7
10kΩ
FIGURE 5. Potentiometer Sensor Application.
®
9
XTR104
protects against reversed loop connections. As noted earlier,
reversed loop connections would produce a large loop current, possibly damaging RL.
Bypass capacitors on the input often reduce or eliminate this
interference. Connect these bypass capacitors to the IO
terminal (see Figure 7). Although the DC voltage at the IO
terminal is not equal to 0V (at the loop supply, VPS) this
circuit point can be considered the transmitter’s “ground”.
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE
The long wire lengths of current loops invite radio frequency
interference. RF can be rectified by the sensitive input
circuitry of the XTR104 causing errors. This generally
appears as an unstable output current that varies with the
position of loop supply or input wiring.
LOW-IMPEDANCE BRIDGES
Low impedance bridges can be used with the XTR104 by
adding series resistance to limit excitation current to ≤2mA.
Equal resistance should be added to the upper and lower
sides of the of the bridge (Figure 8) to keep the bridge output
voltage centered at approximately 2.5V. Bridge output is
reduced, so a preamplifier, as shown, may be needed to
reduce offset and drift.
If the bridge sensor is remotely located from the XTR104,
the interference may enter at the input terminals. For integrated transmitter assemblies with short connections to the
sensor, the interference more likely comes from the current
loop connections.
1N4148
D1
Use either D1 or D2.
See “Reverse Voltage Protection.”
10
V+
XTR104
B
E
0.01µF
13
D2
1N4001
VPS
RL
11
IO
7
FIGURE 6. Reverse Voltage Protection.
Zener diode 36V: 1N4753A
or
General Semiconductor Transorb™ 1N6286A, special
low impedence clamp type. Use lower voltage zener
diodes with loop power supply voltages less than 30V
for increased protection.
12
1
3
Bridge
Sensor
–
5
RB
VR
V+IN
V+LIN
B
RG
–
4 V LIN
2
V–IN
E
13
11
Q1
0.01µF
IO
D2
+
+
RL
–
VPS
–
7
IO = 4-20mA
0.01µF
FIGURE 7. Over-Voltage Surge Protection.
®
XTR104
10
V+
4-20mA
XTR104
6
0.01µF
9
RLIN
RG
RG
+
R LIN
8
10
Maximum VPS must be less than
minimum voltage rating of zener diode.
1.37mA at 5V
≈ 400µA
1.65kΩ
RLIN
+
1kΩ
1 V+
IN
LT1049
8
VR
9 10
+
3 V LIN
V+
R
5 G
RG
13
B
XTR104
25Ω
6
E
R
IO 11
4 –G
V LIN
7
V–IN
2
–
90kΩ
1µF
350Ω
1N4148
12
9.4kΩ
0.01µF
IO = 4-20mA
1.65kΩ
Bridge Excitation
Voltage = 0.42V
approx. x10
Amplifier
FIGURE 8. 350Ω Bridge With X10 Preamplifier.
+12V
1
Bridge Sensor
3
5
–
RB
RG
+
12
V+IN
V+LIN
RLIN
8
9 10
VR
B
13
0.01µF
16
E
10
3
IO 11
11
12
7
–
V
1µF
V+
RG
XTR104
6
R
4 –G
V LIN
2
1N4148
VO = 0 to 5V
15
IN
RCV420
2
IO = 4-20mA
14
13
5
4
1µF
–12V
FIGURE 9. ±12V-Powered Transmitter/Receiver Loop.
1
Bridge
Sensor
3
5
–
RB
+
12
V+IN
V+LIN
8
VR
RG
XTR104
RG
6
R
4 –G
V LIN
2
V
–
RLIN
1N4148
+15V
1µF
9 10
0
V+
B
1µF
13
–15V
0.01µF
E
IO 11
16
10
3
11
12
7
RCV420
2
14
13
4
V+
1
15
IN
IO = 4-20mA
Isolated Power
from PWS740
9
15
ISO122
5
10
7
8
VO
0 – 5V
2
16
V–
FIGURE 10. Isolated Transmitter/Receiver Loop.
®
11
XTR104