SNOAA73 May 2021 LMP2012QML-SP , LMP7704-SP , TPS7A4501-SP
Input | Output | Supply | Load | Total Ionizing Dose | SEL Immunity | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vin_min | Vin_max | Iout_min | Iout_max | Vloop | Rload | ≥ 50 krad(Si) | ≥ 77.5 MeV·cm2/mg | |
0 V | 5 V | 4 mA | 20 mA | 12 V | 250 Ω |
This design uses discrete components to implement a 4- to 20-mA V-to-I current transmitter designed using space-grade (SP) components for use in space applications. The circuit converts a differential voltage to a current which can be transmitted over a long cable. Linear operation of this current transmitter depends on the op amp input common-mode range, the headroom available for the transistor and LDO, and linear matching of currents through R3 and R4 across the input voltage range. Since the inverting input to the op amp is tied to its negative supply, the op amp must support common-mode voltages to its negative rail. It is important that 2-wire loop-powered current transmitters plus any peripherals that are on the same supply loop consume less quiescent current than the minimum output current because the loop return current flows through the output path.
A 4–20-mA V-to-I current transmitter takes a differential voltage as the input and outputs a current with a linear relationship from input to output. This linear relationship depends on the common-mode range of the op amp and the headroom available for the transistor and LDO. Furthermore, a current transmitter designed with a 2-wire loop requires that the quiescent current drawn from all components on the loop path consume less than the minimum output current Iout_min – 4 mA in this design. This includes the op amp, LDO, the current through the R3 and R5 branch, and any other peripherals that are on the same supply loop. As long as this requirement is met, the op amp and transistor compensate to supply the remaining current to the loop to output the correct current to the load resistor.
The output current Iout is the sum of the currents through R3 and R4, I3, and I4, respectively:
I3 is set by R1 and R2, along with the input voltage Vin and regulated supply Vreg. Under ideal operation, the non-inverting terminal of the op amp has a virtual short to the local ground, Iret. Notice also that Vreg and Vin are referenced to Iret. I3 is then the following:
I4 is the sum of the local ground return current Iret and the compensating current through the transistor T1.
For correct operation of the op amp, the voltages across R3 and R4 must be equal, so we have V3 = V4 and it follows that:
The previous equation is rewritten as:
Combining the first equation, second equation, and previous equation, the transfer function for the circuit is derived as:
It is apparent, then, that the current
through R3 that is set by R1, R2, Vin,
and Vreg is amplified by the factor
1 +
R3 / R4.