Reconfigurable Current-Sensing Amplifier for Wide Impedance Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amplifier systems lack flexibility in measuring a wide range of currents from devices with varying impedances, often requiring dedicated components and experiencing instability under certain load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A controllable sensing circuit with selectable resistors and capacitors, coupled with a control circuit, allows the amplifier system to configure impedance and operate as a reconfigurable analog front-end, enabling measurement of currents spanning multiple decades across various impedance values, and includes a processing system for digital feedback and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated components are used for measuring specific current ranges, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing circuit is made dynamically reconfigurable through switches that can selectively connect different resistor and capacitor components. This allows the circuit impedance to be dynamically adjusted to match different DUT impedance values, enabling a single amplifier system to accurately measure currents across multiple decades while adapting to various device characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifier system is designed with universal sensing circuitry that can function across multiple measurement ranges and impedance conditions. By incorporating selectable resistor values (R1, R2, R3) and capacitor values (C1, C2, C3), the same circuit architecture serves multiple measurement purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each current range
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed impedance sensing circuit is used, then circuit stability is improved, but adaptability to different DUTs worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing circuit transitions from a fixed impedance design to a dynamically reconfigurable one. Switches controlled by the processing system enable selective connection of different R and C components, allowing the circuit to adapt its impedance characteristics to match different DUTs while maintaining stability through controlled reconfiguration rather than random variation
3Adaptability or versatility
If reconfigurable sensing circuit with selectable components is implemented, then adaptability to various impedances is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing circuit is segmented into modular components (resistors R1-R3, capacitors C1-C3, and switches) that can be independently selected and configured. This segmentation allows the complex reconfiguration task to be broken down into manageable discrete element selections, simplifying the overall control logic while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system acts as an intermediary that automatically controls the switches based on detected DUT characteristics. This intermediary layer shields the user from the complexity of manual component selection and configuration, allowing the system to achieve high adaptability through automated control rather than requiring complex user interaction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2
AI summary
Amplifier systems for measuring a wide range of current are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an amplifier system includes a controllable sensing circuit, a first amplifier including an output configured to drive a device under test (DUT) through the controllable sensing circuit, and a second amplifier including an input coupled to the controllable sensing circuit and operable to generate a measurement signal indicating an amount of measured current of the DUT. The amplifier system further includes a control circuit operable to control a configuration or mode of the controllable sensing circuit suitable for a particular type of DUT.