22122, 320 Pa Instrumentation Amplifer Grcut Design and Applications (https://www.electronicshub.org) Home (https://wwwelectronicshub.org) + Op-Amp (https://www.electronicshub.org/op-amp/) Instrumentation Amplifier Basics and Applications January 31, 2019 By Administrator{httas://www.electronicshub.org/author/elktros/) Aspecial implementation of Operational Amplifiers is the Instrumentation Amplifier, a type of Differential Amplifier with Input Buffer Amplifier. In this tutorial, we will learn about few important Instrumentation Amplifier Basics and Applications and also the circuit and working of a three Op-amp Instrumentation Amplifier. Ifyou want more information on the basics of Op-amp, read “Operational Amplifier Basics (https://www.electronicshub.org/operational-amplifier-basics/)" and for information on the basics of Differential Amplifier, read “Differential Amplifier (https://www.electronicshub.org/differential-amplifier/)’. Outline Introduction Requirements of a Good Instrumentation Amplifier Three Op-Amp Instrumentation Amplifier Working of Instrumentation Amplifier Advantages of Three Op-amp Instrumentation Amplifier Transducer Bridge Instrumentation Amplifier Applications of Instrumentation Amplifier Temperature Controller Temperature Indicator Light Intensity Meter htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplir-basics-applicatons! 122122, 320 Pa Instrumentation Amplifer Grcut Design and Applications Introduction Many industrial and congysenaReligRblersimesMHiiedky Measurement and control of physical conditivns. For exarnple, measuremenis of enperaiure and humidity inside a diary plant to accurately maintain product quality, or precise control of the temperature of a plastic furnace to produce a particular grade of plastic, etc. These changes in physical conditions must be converted to electrical quantities using transducers, and then amplified. Such amplifiers, which are used to amplify signals to measure physical quantities are commonly known as Instrumentation Amplifiers. The input to an instrumentation amplifier is the output signal from the transducer. A transducer is a device which converts one form of energy into another. Most of the transducer outputs are of very low-level signals. Hence, before the next stage, it is necessary to amplify the level of the signal, rejecting noise and the interference. The general single ended amplifiers are not suitable for such operations. For the rejection of noise, amplifiers must have high common-mode rejection ratio. The special amplifier which is used for such low-level amplification with high CMRR, high input impedance to avoid loading is an Instrumentation Amplifier. The instrumentation amplifier is intended for precise, low-level signal amplification where high input resistance, low noise and accurate closed-loop gain is required. Also, low power consumption, high slew rate and high common-mode rejection ratio are desirable for good performance. BACK TO TOP htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplifr-basics-applicatons! 2n622122, 320 Pa Instrumentation Amplifer Grcut Design and Applications Requirements of a Good Instrumentation Amplifier Q An instrumentation amplifier aWANaKAPaPIEYRAS AM Plify low-level signals, rejecting has to meet noise and inierference signals. Therefore, a gud insirumeniation ampi the following specifications: Finite, Accurate and Stable Gain: Since the instrumentation amplifiers are required to amplify very low-level signals from the transducer device, high and finite gain is the basic requirement. The gain also needs to be accurate and the closed-loop gain must be stable. Easier Gain Adjustment: Apart from a finite and stable gain, variation in the gain factor over a prescribed range of values is also necessary. The gain adjustment must be easier and precise. High Input Impedance: To avoid the loading of input sources, the input impedance of the instrumentation amplifier must be very high (ideally infinite) Low Output Impedance: The output impedance of a good instrumentation amplifier must be very low (ideally zero), to avoid loading effect on the immediate next stage. High CMRR: The output from the transducer usually contains common mode signals, when transmitted over long wires. A good instrumentation amplifier must amplify only the differential input, completely rejecting common mode inputs. Thus, the CMRR of the instrumentation amplifier must be ideally infinite High Slew Rate: The slew rate of the instrumentation amplifier must be as high as possible to provide maximum undistorted output voltage swing. BACK TO TOP htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplir-basics-applicatons! ane22122, 320 Pa Instrumentation Amplifer Grcut Design and Applications Three Op-Amp Instrumentation Amplifier Q The most commonly ugeqJagKMMe BlaEeB ARBALGESRONSIst Of three op-amps. In this, Gircuii, a non-inverting anny is onnecied iv eatir input of the differeniial amplifier. This instrumentation amplifier provides high input impedance for exact measurement of input data from transducers . The circuit diagram of an instrumentation amplifier is as shown in the figure below. vi ~_ R RB 1 NV AN! ae L RI ‘ I Vout Resin ; RL =e R2 R3 2 > vt A Typical Three Op-amp Instrumentation Amplifier lectronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/1.-Instrumentati The op-amps 1 & 2 are non-inverting amplifiers and together form an input stage of the instrumentation amplifier. The op-amp 3 is a difference amplifier that forms the output stage of the instrumentation amplifier. BACK TO TOP htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplir-basics-applicatons! ane22122, 320 Pa Instrumentation Amplifer Grcut Design and Applications Working of Instrumentation Amplifier The output stage of therapy MARIA eA ATAREAEDIS Aysliference amplifier, whose output Vout is the arnpiified difference of the inpui signals appiied iv iis input ierminais. If the outputs of op-amp 1 and op-amp 2 are Vor and Voa respectively, then the output of the difference amplifier is given by, Vout = (R3/R2)(Vo1-Vo2) The expressions for Vo1 and Vo2 can be found in terms of the input voltages and resistances. Consider the input stage of the instrumentation amplifier as shown in the figure below. D Input Stage of Instrumentation Amplier (https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2.-Input-Stage.jpg) The potential at node A is the input voltage V;. Hence the potential at node B is also Vi, from the virtual short concept. Thus, the potential at node G is also V3. htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplifr-basics-applicatons! enespam, 320 PM Instrumentation Ampliier Circuit Design and Appleations The potential at node D is the input voltage V2. Hence the potential at node Cis also V2, fromthe virtual short. Thus, the potential at node H is also V2. Q (https:/Awww.electronicshub.org) Ideally the current to the input stage op-amps is zero. Therefore the current / through the resistors Ri, Rgain and Ry remains the same. Applying Ohms law between the nodes E and F, 1 = (Vor-Vo2)/(Ri+Rgain# Ri) ——————— 1 1 = (Vor-Vo2)/(2Ri* Regain) Since no current is flowing to the input of the op-amps 1 & 2, the current | between the nodes G and H can be given as, 1 = (Vo-Vi)/Rgain = (V1-V2)/Rgain —-——————- 2 Equating equations 1 and 2, (Vor-Vo2)(2R1+Rgain) = (Vi-V2)/Rgain (Vo1-Voa) = (2Ri+RgainV1-V2)/Rgain —————— 3 The output of the difference amplifier is given as, Vout = (R3/R2) (Vor-Vo2) Therefore, (Vor - Voz) = (Ro/RaVout Substituting (Vo1 - Vo2) value in the equation 3, we get. htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplifr-basics-applicatons! ene22122, 320 Pa Instrumentation Amplifer Grcut Design and Applications (Ro/Ra)Vout = (2R1+Rgain)(V1-V2)/Rgain (ERS: A/S RL PRES ORR PRE. OTR, in}(V1 Vo) The above equation gives the output voltage of an instrumentation amplifier. The overall gain of the amplifier is given by the term (Rs/Ra){(2R1+Rgain)/Rgain)- Note: * The overall voltage gain of an instrumentation amplifier can be controlled by adjusting the value of resistor Regain. * The common mode signal attenuation for the instrumentation amplifier is provided by the difference amplifier. BACK TO TOP Advantages of Three Op-amp Instrumentation Amplifier + The gain of a three op-amp instrumentation amplifier circuit (https://www.electronicshub.org/150-watt-power-amplifier-circuit/) can be easily varied and controlled by adjusting the value of Rgain without changing the circuit structure, * The gain of the amplifier depends only on the external resistors used, Hence, it is easy to set the gain accurately by choosing the resistor values carefully. * The input impedance of the instrumentation amplifier is dependent on the non- inverting amplifier circuits in the input stage. The input impedance of a non-inverting amplifier is very high. * The output impedance of the instrumentation amplifier is the output impedance of the difference amplifier, which is very low. * The CMRR of the op-amp 3 is very high and almost all of the common mode signal will be rejected. htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplifr-basics-applicatons! me3722122, 3:20PM. Instrumentation Amplife Circuit Design and Applications BACK TO TOP Q Transducer Bridg@ WhS¢Huine nea GUr AinpAtier The resistive transducer bridge is a network of resistors whose resistance varies due to changes in some physical condition. For example, Thermistors change their resistance with temperature and Light Dependent Resistors change their resistance to change in light intensity. By making such a bridge as a part of the circuit, it is possible to produce an electrical signal proportional to the change in the physical quantity being measured Such an electrical signal can be amplified and used to monitor and control the physical process. An instrumentation amplifier can be constructed with a transducer bridge connected to one of its input terminals, as shown in the figure below. Display device (https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3.-transducer-bridge- instrumentation-amplifier jpg) htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplir-basics-applicatons! ane12272, 920 Pmt Insirumentation Ampiir Cut Design and Appleton Let the resistance of the transducer device in the resistive bridge be Rr and the change in its sistance be AR. The effective resistance of the transducer device is Rt (AR. The resistive bridge is supphebstiny We lnsteuceyue-org) When the bridge is balanced, i.e. at some reference condition of the physical quantity being measured, we get, Va=Vb Ra(Vdc)/(RatRr) = Re(Vdey/(RetRo) Under this condition, the differential input to the instrumentation amplifier is Voitt = Vb - Va =O Thus, the output of the amplifier is zero. Consequently, the display device connected at the output displays the reference value of the physical quantity being measured. The reference condition is generally chosen by the designer and it depends on the device characteristics of the transducer, the type of physical quantity being measured and the type of the application. When there is a change in the physical quantity being measured, the voltage Vz will no longer be equal to Vp. This is because the resistance of the transducer device changes from Rr to (Rr + AR). This produces a differential input for the instrumentation amplifier and the output of the amplifier will no longer be zero. htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplir-basics-applicatons! onesiza%2, 320 Pat Instumentaion AnpierCrcuit Oesign and Appleatons The resistances Rp and Rc are constant and hence the voltage Vp remains same as before, ie= Q (https://www.electronicshub.org) Vb = Ra(Vde)/(Re+Re) But the voltage Vz changes due to the change in resistance of the transducer device and is now given as, Va = Ra(Vdc)/(Ra+Rr+ AR) The differential voltage Vpir is, Vite = Vb - Va Voit = {Ra(Vdc)/(Ra+Rc)} ~ {Ra(Vdc)/(Ra+Rr+ AR)} If all the resistances in the circuit are chosen to be of same value, i.e. Ra = Rp = Rc = Rr =R Voit = {R(Vdc)/(2R)} - {R(Vdc)/(2R+ AR)} Voit = {RVdc[2R+AR] - R.Vdc.2R}/ 2R(2R+AR) Voit = RVdc[2R+AR-2RI/{2R(2R+AR)} Vpitr = AR(Vde)/{2(2R+AR)} If the value of Vpirr is positive, it indicates that Vp is greater than Va The output of the instrumentation amplifier is given as, htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplir-basics-applicatons! r0n622122, 320 Pa Instrumentation Amplifer Grcut Design and Applications Vo = (Rs/RaVa (Http s:/ QW RGY PAREFREPOESR+AR)] As the change in resistance AR << 2R, Vo can be written as, Vo = (R3/Rz)[AR/4R](Vde) From the above equation, it can be noted that the output depends on the change in the resistance AR. The display can be calibrated in terms of the units of the physical quantity being measured BACK TO TOP Applications of Instrumentation Amplifier The instrumentation amplifier, along with a transducer bridge can be used in a wide variety of applications, These applications are generally known as data acquisition systems. At the input stage, there is a transducer device that converts the change in the physical quantity to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is fed to an instrumentation amplifier. The amplified signal is then fed toa display device, which is calibrated to detect the change in the quantity being measured. Temperature Controller htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplifr-basics-applicatons! ane22122, 320 Pa Instrumentation Amplifer Grcut Design and Applications = Q (https://www.electronicshub.org) (https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/4.-temperature-controlled- ystem-using-instrumentational-amplifier jpg) A simple temperature controller system can be constructed using a thermistor as the transducer device, in the resistive bridge, as shown in the figure above. The resistive bridge is kept balanced for some reference temperature. For any change in this reference temperature, the instrumentation amplifier will produce an output voltage, which drives the Relay which in turn turns ON/OFF the heating unit, thereby controlling the temperature. Temperature Indicator The circuit shown for temperature controller can also be used as a temperature indicator. The resistive bridge is kept balanced for a particular reference temperature when Vo = OV. htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplir-basics-applicatons! vanesiza%2, 320 Pat Instumentaion AnpierCrcuit Oesign and Appleatons The temperature indicating meter is calibrated to reference temperature, corresponding to thist#ference condition. Q (https:/Awww.electronicshub.org) As temperature changes, the amplifier output also changes. The gain of the amplifier can be appropriately set to indicate the desired range of temperature. Light Intensity Meter The same circuit can be used to detect variations in the intensity of light, by replacing the thermistor by a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR). The bridge is set to a balanced condition in darkness. When light falls on the LDR, its resistance changes and unbalances the bridge. This causes the amplifier to produce a finite output, which in turn drives the meter. BACK TO TOP Previous - Differential Amplifier (https://www.electronicshub.org/differential-amplifier/) Next - Op Amp as Integrator (https://www.electronicshub.org/operational-amplifier-as- integrator/) Related Posts: Differential Amplifier (https://www.electronicshub.org/differential-amplifier/) + Non Inverting Operational Amplifiers | Circuit, Gain,... (https://www.electronicshub.org/non-inverting-operational-amplifiers/) * Summing Amplifier (https://www.electronicshub.org/summing-amplifier/) * Common Base Amplifier (https://www.electronicshub.org/common-base-amplifier/) Operational Amplifier as Differentiator (https://www.electronicshub.org/operational- amplifier-as-differentiator/) htpsswww olectronieshub.orginstrumentaon-amplifr-basics-applicatons! sanesiza%2, 320 Pat Instumentaion AnpierCrcuit Oesign and Appleatons * IC. 741 Op Amp Basics, Characteristics, Pin Configuration... Shetps://www.electronicshub.org/ic-741-op-amp-basics/) Q (https:/Awww.electronicshub.org) 2 Responses , ‘August 3,201 at 155 am (htor/ fam electronicshub rg/ntrumentation-amplifie-bascs- Tim John Stcsona/seamment 3616) 7 says: An excellent tutorial, especially the analysis of the input stage. Was very helpful. Thankyou. Reply harshit rathod M22 22132 140 a ftps slecroishuborg/ntramentaton-ampifer bss: says: I think slew rate should be low , so that output of an opamp can reach to its max value in least time.but here slew rate should be high is mentioned.. if i have made mistake over here please give me some reference. Reply Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. 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