Remake LCR Meter

18/08/2020 Remake LCR meter | Elektor Magazine
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Elektor Labs
Elektor Project Plegde 13% Funded Back this project i
Remake LCR meter
More than 7 years ago, Elektor published my 500 ppm LCR-meter. Since then
I have developed a new LCR meter, sacri cing a little on extreme accuracy for
the sake of extended functionality:
- Test frequency from 50Hz to 2MHz.
- 4 possible test voltages (100mV, 200mV, 500mV and 1V rms).
- Additional DC polarization up to 5V for capacitors and 50mA for inductors.
Particular attention has been paid to its ease of implementation (calibration) and
use (a rotary encoder is used to navigate through the menu and to change the
frequency).
https://www.elektormagazine.com/labs/remake-lcr-meter 1/12
LCR-meter AU2019
Overview
The impedance (Z) is an important parameter to characterize passive electronic
components (resistance, capacitor, inductance).
It is a complex number which can be represented by a real part (R) and an
imaginary part (X) such that Z = R + jX , or in polar form by the modulus of its
impedance and the phase shift between voltage and current: Z .
To determine an impedance it is therefore necessary to measure at least two
values (in magnitude and in phase), generally the voltage at the terminals of the
component and the current owing through it.
The LCR-meter AU2019 uses, like its predecessor, the self-balanced bridge
method with the use of a simple operational ampli er for the current/voltage
converter (I-V converter, see Figure 1).
This simple method provides good measurement accuracy at a reasonable cost.

Its main disadvantage is a frequency range limited in the high frequencies by the
performance of the operational ampli er used.
To obtain a wide impedance measurement range (a few tens from mΩ to more
than 100MΩ) it is necessary to switch the precision resistor (R) used in the I-V
converter. Unfortunately, common analog integrated switches (such as
74HC4052) introduce parasitic elements (mainly capacitors) which also limit the
performance at high frequencies.
This is why most similar instruments have a high frequency limited to 100 (see
200) kHz.
It is however possible, by an original design and the choice of high-performance

components, to push the high frequency to 2 MHz without an exaggerated
increase in cost, and while keeping the simplicity of realization.
The chosen solution is not to switch the 4 measuring resistors (thus reducing
parasitic capacitance to a minimum) but to have 4 Ampli er + Resistor pairs,
each selected according to the impedance to be measured.
The operational ampli ers used (AD8099 from Analog Devices) have a cut-off
frequency of approx. 200 MHz at an output voltage of 2 V p-p and have the
necessary muting control. The switches are PhotoMOS manufactured by
Panasonic with a very low product (ON resistance x output capacitance).
Another important point is the choice of the method of generating the test
frequency. It is easy and inexpensive today to use Direct Frequency Synthesis
(DDS) components, with the advantage that any frequency in the 50 Hz / 2 MHz
range can be generated. It is, moreover, easy to generate for the synchronous
detector a signal of the same frequency, but with variable relative phase, thanks
to a second DDS circuit synchronized to the rst.
The user interface is reduced to a strict minimum:

240 x 128 pixel LCD graphic display.
5 push buttons.
A rotary encoder with auxiliary contact.
The power supply is done through a Mini-USB connector: use of a smartphone

charger, an external battery (for smartphone) or connection to a computer (this
last connection will also allow Firmware update).
It is also possible, but not recommended, not to use the integrated user interface,
but to use only a suitable PC program.
Main Board
Input Circuit (Figure 2)
The measurement is carried out with a 5-connection con guration [1] to
minimize the in uence of the measuring cables. Connectors J4 (High Drive) and
J7 (Low Drive) supply power to the DUT (Device Under Test), while connectors J5
(High Sense) and J6 (Low Sense) allow the voltage to be measured as close as
possible to the DUT. If a bias voltage is applied, the positive appears at J4/J5.
The PhotoMOS relays U54 to U57, which allow the operational ampli ers U9 to
U12 to be connected, have an ON resistance of about 1 Ohm, so the voltage
measurement must be made at the terminals of the DUT and not with respect to
ground. This is the role of the differential ampli er built around U7A, U7B, U7C. It
must have a high common mode rejection rate (CMRR) whatever the frequency.
An adjustment is therefore necessary, rst by R31 for the low frequencies (10 kHz),
then by C44 for the high frequencies (1 MHz). The integrator built around U27B
allows an automatic offset adjustment.
According to the measurement range, one of the operational ampli ers U9 to U12
is selected: pin DIS/ at high level and ON switching of the associated PhotoMOS
(at input from U54 to U57 and at output from U50 to U53) by one of the signals
SW1 to SW4 at low level.
The signals SW5 (control of U59) and SW6 (control of U58) allow to send to the
measuring circuit either the output voltage of U7C (DUT voltage) or the output
voltage of the I-V converter (image of the DUT current).
The application of a DC bias on the DUT is made at the level of the sinusoidal
generator by an offset of its offset from 0 to 5V. As a 100 Ohms resistor is
connected in series with the output of this generator, this will also correspond to
a current of 0 to 50 mA if the DUT is a DC low resistance inductor. For a voltage
across a capacitor, the U7D tracker allows pre-compensation at the differential
ampli er for voltage measurement. For a current through an inductance, it is
absorbed by the direct current source formed around Q8 and Q9. The integrator
built with U27A ensures a DC voltage at the output of the I-V converter close to
0V.
To make the calibrations, precision resistors identical to those used for the I-V
converters can be connected by means of a jumper (J10 to J13).

Sine Generator (Figure 3)
The generator is built around the U24 circuit (DDS AD9834 circuit from Analog
Devices). Its 27 MHz clock is provided by the Y1 oscillator.
Its output (two signals in phase opposition) is ltered then ampli ed by U26A,
U26B and U26D. The ampli er U26C allows an offset voltage to be applied.
Without it, potentiometer R146 is used to adjust the offset of the sinusoidal signal
(measured in TP7).
The phase detector used requires a perfectly square signal, at the same
frequency as the generator, but whose relative phase can be varied. This is
obtained by the U25 circuit (also a DDS AD9834) operating at a double frequency
and followed by a fast comparator (U28) which drives a divider by 2 (U30 ip- op).

PGA (Programmable Gain Ampli er) (Figure 4)
A rst ampli er, consisting of U19 and U23, with a gain of 1, 2, 5 or 10,
compensates for the reduction of the useful signal when the amplitude of the
test signal decreases. Since its gain is not changed during a measurement cycle,
its frequency response is not very signi cant.
The next stage consists of switching on either U20 for a gain of 1, or U21 for a gain
of 3 (3.17 to be exact), or U22 for a gain of 10 (10.1).
U21 is frequency compensated by the setting of C108 and U22 by that of C51. The
calibration procedure will take into account the real response of this PGA, for
each of the frequencies used.
PSD (Phase-Sensitive Detector) (Figure 5)

This circuit is built around the two analog switches U41 and U42 which allow to
connect a capacitor to the input signal during half a period, and to an integration
capacitor during the other half period. The two switches operate in phase
opposition in order to obtain a doubled differential voltage which can be used by
the analog-to-digital converter U43.
The relative phase of the switch signal to the sine generator allows
measurements of the in-phase or quadrature components of the input signal to
this PSD.
The time constant for the storage capacitor is adjusted according to the
measurement frequency: eight values are possible by selecting one of the
resistors R121, R122, etc. via U70. An offset of 2V is applied to the input of U37 so
that the signal remains at most within the constant resistance range of the
analog switches (linearity problem of this PSD). When searching for the optimal
measurement conditions (choice of I-V converter and PGA gain) the fast
comparator U31 detects any signal overshoot above 2V peak, and sends this
information to the MCU (start of an interrupt routine).
MCU (Micro-Controller Unit) (Figure 6)

The brain of the device is entrusted to a Silicon Labs MCU type C8051F120.
Why this type of relatively old circuit compared to modern MCUs with ARM
architecture?
- It is suf cient in terms of integrated peripheral circuits and its programmable
Flash memory (64k + 64k).
- The best microcontroller is the one we know well !...
- I already have the development tools !
Its internal oscillator (24.5 MHz) + PLL (coef cient 3) is used to have a clock
frequency of 73.5 MHz.
Connector J15 (JTAG) allows to connect a USB Debug Adapter from Silicon Labs
(e.g. RS part no. 757-0297) to ash the Bootloader in the EEPROM.
Connector J14 is used to connect the Display expansion board.
The LED D12 is used during program setup (e.g. when a button is pressed or
when the encoder is operated) and also to signal certain error conditions :
No interface connected on J14 and no communication via USB: permanent
ashing 0.5s on and 0.5s off.
Error during power supply test: in addition to the error number message,
permanent ashing 0.5s on and 1s off.
Circuits U66 and U67 allow synchronization with the sinusoidal signal of the
voltage and current measurements of the DUT.
A jumper on connector J16 informs the Bootloader of an unconditional rmware
update request.
The push button K1 (RESET) is optional (it is only used during the development
phase).
USB Controller and Power Supplies (Figure 7 and 8)

An FT232RL (U2) circuit from FTDI serves as a USB/UART interface to the MCU.
Normal power is supplied through the USB connector (J1), although it is possible
to supply power through the J2 connector by putting a jumper between 1 and 2
of J3 instead of 2 and 3.
Four voltages are required to supply all circuits:
A V_BOOST voltage of +6.5 V or +7.5 V (depending on the level of the
MAX_BOOST command) supplied by the step-up regulator U3 associated
with L7 and D3.
A voltage of +5V supplied by the linear regulator U4.
A voltage of +3V supplied by the linear regulator U5.
A voltage of -5V supplied by the inverter regulator U6 associated with L8 and
D4.
All these voltages are checked by program at start-up (use of the 12-bit ADC and
the multiplexer integrated in the MCU).
Display board (Figure 9)

A cable connected in J1 allows to link this board to the main board.
The 5 pushbuttons K1 to K5 and the SW1 rotary encoder pushbutton are matrixed
to use only 3 Port lines at the MCU. The rotary encoder also uses 2 port lines.
RC circuits are used to perform a rst debounce ltering to simplify software
ltering.
Diodes D12 and D13, by triggering an interrupt routine at the MCU, inform the
internal program that a button has been pressed.
The graphic display U1 is supplied with +3V (linear regulator U2) from the ltered
USB voltage. Its backlighting is controlled by transistor Q1 and transistor Q2
allows, when the unit is switched off, a fast discharge of the internally generated
VLCD voltage, avoiding an unpleasant visual effect.
This display card is identi ed, at start-up, by the presence of a resistor to ground
(R7 in series with R9) on pin 19 (BKL) of J1.
Note
An expansion card with a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module is being tested,
identi ed by a 1 kOhm resistor connected between pin 6 (CONFIG2) of J1 and
ground.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------

New: 50 Hz – 2 MHz Elektor LCR meter

Accuracy and ease of use

Only with your support

The speci cations of the LCR meter are summarised in the below table. Before
we start production of a kit, Elektor has launched a support campaign to gauge
interest. If you would like to get your hands on a kit you can register, without
making any formal commitment, online. The production of the kit will be started
as soon as we have registered 150 con rmations of interest. In exchange for your
early commitment you will be offered the kit at a reduced price.

The LCR meter kit will include

Main board preassembled with all SMD components soldered
Display board preassembled with all SMD components soldered
Through-hole components for both printed circuit boards (backlit graphic

LCD display, connectors, push buttons, rotary encoder, button)
Ribbon cable to connect the main board and display board
Mini-USB cable for connection to PC and software updating
Aluminium Hammond case, drilled and milled panels
Screws
Kelvin clip with test cable with four BNC plugs
Manual
Read less
Project Elements
Images (7) Schematics (7)
f igure-1.JPG (JPG, 12.75 KB)

Figure 1. I-V converter
dscn7577.JPG (JPG, 1.39 MB)

Both PCBs

open case

main PCB

display PCB
f igure-5 (JPG, 883.87 KB)

Phase-Sensitive Detector (https://www.elektormagazine.com) 
Discussion
(3 comments)
JLM7174 5 days ago

Interest
It's great to restart the project, as the PCBs and parts were not available
anymore.
How to register our interest ?

Show more
Rolf Gerstendorf 3 weeks ago

yep
it's planed for the september issue
Show more
FAROOQ AHMAD 1 month ago

Remake LCR Meter
Dear Sir,
Any plans to publish this project in Magazines?
Show more
 Add a comment
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18/08/2020 Remake LCR meter | Elektor Magazine

This simple method provides good measurement accuracy at a reasonable cost.

It is however possible, by an original design and the choice of high-performance

The user interface is reduced to a strict minimum:

The power supply is done through a Mini-USB connector: use of a smartphone

PSD (Phase-Sensitive Detector) (Figure 5)

MCU (Micro-Controller Unit) (Figure 6)

USB Controller and Power Supplies (Figure 7 and 8)

Display board (Figure 9)

New: 50 Hz – 2 MHz Elektor LCR meter

Only with your support

Through-hole components for both printed circuit boards (backlit graphic

f igure-1.JPG (JPG, 12.75 KB)

dscn7577.JPG (JPG, 1.39 MB)

dscn7571.JPG (JPG, 1.79 MB)

dscn7574.JPG (JPG, 1.65 MB)

dscn7561.JPG (JPG, 2.24 MB)

dscn7566.JPG (JPG, 1.07 MB)

f igure-5 (JPG, 883.87 KB)

JLM7174 5 days ago

How to register our interest ?

Rolf Gerstendorf 3 weeks ago

FAROOQ AHMAD 1 month ago

Any plans to publish this project in Magazines?

Subscribe (https://www.elektormagazine.com/pages/newsletter) to the e-

(https://www.elektormagazine.com/pages/newsletter) Become a member

THE ELEKTOR UNIVERSE

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