AD8436 Data Sheet
Rev. E | Page 14 of 21
Crest factor performance is mostly applicable for unexpected
waveforms such as switching transients in switchmode power
supplies. In such applications, most of the energy is in these peaks
and can be destructive to the circuitry involved, although the
average ac value can be quite low.
Figure 14 shows the effects of an additional crest factor capacitor of
0.1 F and an averaging capacitor of 10 F. The larger capacitor
serves to average the energy over long spaces between pulses,
while the CCF capacitor charges and holds the energy within
the relatively narrow pulse.
Using the FET Input Buffer
The on-chip FET input buffer is an uncommitted FET input
op amp used for driving the 8 kΩ I-to-V input resistor of the
rms core. Pin IBUFOUT, Pin IBUFIN−, and Pin IBUFIN+ are
the input/output; Pin IBUFINGN is an optional connection for
gain in the input buffer; and Pin IBUFV+ connects power to the
buffer. Connecting Pin IBUFV+ to the positive rail is the only
power connection required because the negative rail is internally
connected. Because the input stage is a FET and the input
impedance must be very high to prevent loading of the source, a
large value (10 MΩ) resistor connects from midsupply at Pin IGND
to Pin IBUFIN+ to prevent the input gate from floating high.
For unity gain, connect the IBUFOUT pin to the IBUFIN− pin.
For a gain of 2×, connect the IBUFGN pin to ground. See Figure 9
and Figure 10 for large and small signal responses at the two
built-in gain options.
The offset voltage of the input buffer is ≤500 µV, depending on
grade. A capacitor connected between the buffer output pin
(IBUFOUT) and the RMS pin is recommended so that the
input buffer offset voltage does not contribute to the overall
error. Select the capacitor value for least minimum error at the
lowest operating frequency. Figure 33 is a schematic showing
internal components and pin connections.
IBUFOUT
IBUFIN+
IBUFIN–
–
+
IBUFGN
10k
10k
10pF
6
5
4
3
2
RMS
10µF
0.47µF
10M
11
IGND
16
IBUFV+
10033-033
Figure 33. Connecting the FET Input Buffer
Capacitor coupling at the input and output of the FET buffer is
recommended to avoid transferring the buffer offset voltage to
the output. Although the FET input impedance is extremely high,
the 10 M centering resistor connected to IGND must be taken
into account when selecting an input capacitor value. This is simply
an impedance calculation using the lowest desired frequency, and
finding a capacitor value based on the least attenuation desired.
Because the 10 k resistors are closely matched and trimmed to
a high tolerance, the input buffer gain can increase to several
hundred with an external resistor connected to Pin IBUFIN−.
The bandwidth diminishes at the typical rate of a decade per 20 dB
of gain, and the output voltage range is constrained. The small-
signal response, shown in Figure 9, serves as a guide. For example,
if detecting small input signals at power line frequencies, an
external 100 Ω resistor connected from IBUFIN− to ground sets
the gain to 101 and the 3 dB bandwidth to ~15 kHz, which is
adequate for amplifying power line frequencies.
Using the Output Buffer
The AD8436 output buffer is a precision op amp optimized for
high dc accuracy. Figure 34 shows a block diagram of the basic
amplifier and input/output pins. The amplifier often configures
as a unity gain follower but easily configures for gain, as a
Sallen-Key, low-pass filter (in conjunction with the built-in 16 k
I-to-V resistor). Note that an additional 16 kΩ on-chip precision
resistor in series with the inverting input of the amplifier balances
output offset voltages resulting from the bias current from the
noninverting amplifier. The output buffer disconnects from
Pin OUT for precision core measurements.
As with the input FET buffer, the amplifier positive supply
disconnects when not needed. In normal circumstances, the
buffers connect to the same supply as the core. Figure 35 shows
the signal connections to the output buffer. Note that the input
offset voltage contribution by the bias currents are balanced by
equal value series resistors, resulting in near zero offset voltage.
OBUFOUT
OBUFIN+
OBUFIN– 16k
OUTPUT BUFFER
–
+
10033-034
Figure 34. Output Buffer Block Diagram
OUT
16k16k
OGND
OBUFOUT
OBUFIN+
OBUFIN–
–
+
CORE
IBIAS
9
8
IBIAS
14
13
12
10033-035
Figure 35. Basic Output Buffer Connections
For applications requiring ripple suppression in addition to the
single-pole output filter described previously, the output buffer
is configurable as a two-pole Sallen-Key filter using two external
resistors and two capacitors. At just over 100 kHz, the amplifier
has enough bandwidth to function as an active filter for low
frequencies such as power line ripple. For a modest savings in
cost and complexity, the external 16 k feedback resistor can be
omitted, resulting in slightly higher VOS (80 V).