Programmable gain instrumentation amplifier with improved gain multiplexers

• US 7,215,197 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Regier, Christopher G.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PATRICIA T
• Application Number:
  US11/205,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 330/254, 330/258, 330/260, 330/278
• US Class Current: 330/254
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/261 Amplifier which being suitable for instrumentation applications
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/45356 the AAC comprising one or more op-amps, e.g. IC-blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/45496 the CSC comprising one or more extra resistors
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/3069 the emitters of complementary power transistors being connected to the output
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/45197 Pl types H03F3/45224, H03F3/45251 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/45735 Controlling the active amplifying circuit of the differential amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 1/0088 using discontinuously variable devices, e.g. switch-operated

Abstract

In one embodiment, a programmable gain instrumentation amplifier comprises an input stage configured with a differential precision current conveyor circuit. The current conveyor circuit may be implemented with operational amplifiers coupled to gain-setting resistors, with double-multiplexers configured on each end of the gain-setting resistors. In a first set of embodiments, the double-multiplexers may be bootstrapped, whereby the power supplies of each double-multiplexer may track the signals on the output pin of a respective sense-multiplexer component of the double-multiplexer. In a second set of embodiments, the power supplies may alternatively track the op-amp differential output during non-overload conditions, or the op-amp common-mode output at a gain resistor center tap during overload conditions. Corresponding bootstrap circuits may be designed for both sets of embodiments, the bootstrap circuits coupling to the respective tracking node or nodes in either case.

Claims

1. A programmable gain amplifier (PGA) comprising:

a first operational amplifier (op-amp);

a plurality of gain-setting resistors, each gain-setting resistor having two ends;

a first double-multiplexer having a first common terminal and a second common terminal, wherein the first double-multiplexer is operable to couple, through its first common terminal, one end of any selected one of the plurality of gain-setting resistors to a first input of the first op-amp, and wherein the first double-multiplexer is configured to receive a first one or more power supply signals; and

a first bootstrap circuit operable to provide the first one or more power supply signals to the first double-multiplexer, wherein the first one or more power supply signals track a respective signal appearing on the first input of the first op-amp.

2. The PGA of claim 1, wherein the first one or more power supply signals comprise a positive power rail voltage and a negative power rail voltage;

wherein the first bootstrap circuit comprises;

a first offset resistor and a second offset resistor each having two ends;

a first stabilizing resistor and a second stabilizing resistor each having two ends;

a field effect transistor (FET), wherein a gate terminal of the FET is configured to couple to the first common terminal of the first double-multiplexer;

a first bipolar junction transistor (BJT), wherein a base terminal of the first BJT is configured to couple to a source terminal of the FET, and wherein an emitter terminal of the first BJT is configured to couple to one end of the first offset resistor;

a second BJT, wherein a base terminal of the second BJT is configured to couple to the source terminal of the FET, and wherein an emitter terminal of the second BJT is configured to couple to one end of the second offset resistor;

a third BJT, wherein a base terminal of the third BJT is configured to couple to the other end of the first offset resistor, and wherein an emitter terminal of the third BJT is configured to couple to one end of the first stabilizing resistor;

a fourth BJT, wherein a base terminal of the fourth BJT is configured to couple to the other end of the second offset resistor, and wherein an emitter terminal of the fourth BJT is configured to couple to one end of the second stabilizing resistor;

a first current source configured to generate a DC voltage across the first offset resistor, thereby producing the positive power rail voltage at the other end of the first stabilizing resistor; and

a second source configured to generate a DC voltage across the second offset resistor, thereby producing the negative power rail voltage at the other end of the second stabilizing resistor.

3. The PGA of claim 2, wherein the FET, the first BJT and the second BJT are configured to be powered from the positive power rail voltage and from the negative power rail voltage, thereby reducing capacitive loading.

4. The PGA of claim 2, wherein the first bootstrap circuit further comprises a bypass capacitor configured to couple between the other end of the first stabilizing resistor and the other end of the second stabilizing resistor.

5. The PGA of claim 2, wherein the first bootstrap circuit further comprises a first bypass capacitor configured to couple between the one end and the other end of the first offset resistor and a second bypass capacitor configured to couple between the one end and the other end of the second offset resistor.

6. The PGA of claim 1 further comprising:

a second op-amp;

a second double-multiplexer having a first common terminal and a second common terminal, wherein the second double-multiplexer is operable to couple, through its first common terminal, the other end of the selected one of the plurality of gain-setting resistors to a first input of the second op-amp, wherein the second double-multiplexer is further configured to receive a second one or more power supply signals; and

a second bootstrap circuit operable to provide the second one or more power supply signals to the second double-multiplexer, wherein the second one or more power supply signals track a respective signal appearing on the first input of the second op-amp.

7. The PGA of claim 6, further comprising:

a first current conveying element configured to couple between an output of the first op-amp and the second common terminal of the first double-multiplexer, and operable to conduct a first current; and

a second current conveying element configured to couple between an output of the second op-amp and the second common terminal of the second double-multiplexer, and operable to conduct a second current;

wherein the first double-multiplexer is operable to couple, through its second common terminal, the one end of the selected one of the plurality of gain-setting resistors to the first current conveying element, thereby receiving at least a portion of the first current from the selected one of the plurality of gain-setting resistors;

wherein the second double-multiplexer is operable to couple, through its second common terminal, the other end of the selected one of the plurality of gain-setting resistors to the second current conveying element, thereby receiving at least a portion of the second current from the selected one of the plurality of gain-setting resistors.

8. The PGA of claim 7, wherein the first op-amp comprises a second input configured to receive a first input voltage, and the second op-amp comprises a second input configured to receive a second input voltage;

wherein the first input voltage and the second input voltage form a differential input voltage to the PGA; and

wherein the first current and the second current form a differential output current of the PGA.

9. A programmable gain amplifier (PGA) comprising:

a first current conveyor;

a plurality of gain-setting resistors, each gain-setting resistor having two ends;

a first multiplexer having a common terminal, wherein the first multiplexer is operable to couple, through its common terminal, one end of any selected one of the plurality of gain-setting resistors to a sense node of the first current conveyor, and wherein the first multiplexer is configured to receive a first one or more power supply signals; and

a first bootstrap circuit operable to provide the first one or more power supply signals to the first multiplexer, wherein the first one or more power supply signals track a respective signal appearing on an input of the first current conveyor.

10. The PGA of claim 9, wherein the first one or more power supply signals track a respective signal appearing on the sense node of the first current conveyor.

11. The PGA of claim 9 further comprising:

a second current conveyor;

a second multiplexer having a common terminal, wherein the second multiplexer is operable to couple, through its common terminal, the other end of the selected one of the plurality of gain-setting resistors to a sense node of the second current conveyor, wherein the second multiplexer is further configured to receive a second one or more power supply signals; and

a second bootstrap circuit operable to provide the second one or more power supply signals to the second multiplexer, wherein the second one or more power supply signals track a respective signal appearing on an input of the second current conveyor.

12. The PGA of claim 11, wherein the second one or more power supply signals track a respective signal appearing on the sense node of the second current conveyor.

13. A programmable gain amplifier (PGA) comprising:

a first op-amp and a second op-amp;

a first plurality of gain-setting resistors and a second plurality of gain-setting resistors, each gain-setting resistor having two ends, wherein a first end of each one of the first plurality of gain-setting resistors and a first end of each one of the second plurality of gain-setting resistors is configured to couple to a common-mode voltage node;

a first double-multiplexer having a first common terminal and a second common terminal, wherein the first double-multiplexer is operable to couple, through its first common terminal, the second end of any selected one of the first plurality of gain-setting resistors to a first input of the first op-amp, and wherein the first double-multiplexer is configured to receive a first one or more power supply signals; and

a first bootstrap circuit operable to provide the first one or more power supply signals to the first double-multiplexer, wherein the first one or more power supply signals are operable to;

during non-overload conditions, track a respective signal appearing at an output of the first op-amp; and

during overload conditions, track a respective signal appearing at the common-mode voltage node.

14. The PGA of claim 13, wherein the first one or more power supply signals comprise a positive power rail voltage and a negative power rail voltage;

wherein the first bootstrap circuit comprises;

a first offset resistor and a second offset resistor each having two ends;

a first stabilizing resistor and a second stabilizing resistor each having two ends;

a first diode and a second diode, each having a respective input terminal and a respective output terminal, wherein the input terminal of the first diode is configured to couple to the output of the first op-amp, and wherein the input terminal of the second diode is configured to couple to the common-mode voltage node;

a first BJT, wherein a base terminal of the first BJT is configured to couple to the output terminal of the first diode and to the output terminal of the second diode, and wherein an emitter terminal of the first BJT is configured to couple to one end of the first offset resistor;

a second BJT, wherein a base terminal of the second BJT is configured to couple to the output terminal of the first diode and to the output terminal of the second diode, and wherein an emitter terminal of the second BJT is configured to couple to one end of the second offset resistor;

a third BJT, wherein a base terminal of the third BJT is configured to couple to the other end of the first offset resistor, and wherein an emitter terminal of the third BJT is configured to couple to one end of the first stabilizing resistor;

a fourth BJT, wherein a base terminal of the fourth BJT is configured to couple to the other end of the second offset resistor, and wherein an emitter terminal of the fourth BJT is configured to couple to one end of the second stabilizing resistor;

a first current source configured to generate a DC voltage across the first offset resistor, thereby producing the positive power rail voltage at the other end of the first stabilizing resistor; and

a second source configured to generate a DC voltage across the second offset resistor, thereby producing the negative power rail voltage at the other end of the second stabilizing resistor.

15. The PGA of claim 14, wherein the first diode, the second diode, the first BJT and the second BJT are configured to be powered from the positive power rail voltage and from the negative power rail voltage, thereby reducing capacitive loading.

16. The PGA of claim 14, wherein the first bootstrap circuit further comprises a bypass capacitor configured to couple between the other end of the first stabilizing resistor and the other end of the second stabilizing resistor.

17. The PGA of claim 14, wherein the first bootstrap circuit further comprises a first bypass capacitor configured to couple between the one end and the other end of the first offset resistor and a second bypass capacitor configured to couple between the one end and the other end of the second offset resistor.

18. The PGA of claim 13, further comprising:

a second double-multiplexer having a first common terminal and a second common terminal, wherein the second double-multiplexer is operable to couple, through its first common terminal, the second end of any selected one of the second plurality of gain-setting resistors to a first input of the second op-amp, and wherein the second double-multiplexer is configured to receive a second one or more power supply signals; and

a second bootstrap circuit operable to provide the second one or more power supply signals to the second double-multiplexer, wherein the second one or more power supply signals are operable to;

during non-overload conditions, track a respective signal appearing at an output of second op-amp; and

during overload conditions, track a respective signal appearing at the common-mode voltage node.

19. The PGA of claim 18, further comprising:

a first current conveying element configured to couple between an output of the first op-amp and the second common terminal of the first double-multiplexer, and operable to conduct a first current; and

a second current conveying element configured to couple between an output of the second op-amp and the second common terminal of the second double-multiplexer, and operable to conduct a second current;

wherein the first double-multiplexer is operable to couple, through its second common terminal, the second end of the selected one of the first plurality of gain-setting resistors to the first current conveying element, thereby receiving at least a portion of the first current from the selected one of the first plurality of gain-setting resistors;

wherein the second double-multiplexer is operable to couple, through its second common terminal, the second end of the selected one of the second plurality of gain-setting resistors to the second current conveying element, thereby receiving at least a portion of the second current from the selected one of the second plurality of gain-setting resistors.

20. The PGA of claim 19, wherein the first op-amp comprises a second input configured to receive a first input voltage, and the second op-amp comprises a second input configured to receive a second input voltage;

wherein the first input voltage and the second input voltage form a differential input voltage to the PGA; and

wherein the first current and the second current form a differential output current of the PGA.