MAX4080/MAX4081
The full-scale output voltage is VOUT = RSENSE ✕ILOAD
(MAX) ✕AV, for the MAX4080 and VOUT = VREF ±
RSENSE ✕ ILOAD(MAX) ✕ AVfor the MAX4081.
VSENSE(MAX) is 1000mV for the 5V/V gain version,
250mV for the 20V/V gain version, and 100mV for the
60V/V gain version.
Choosing the Sense Resistor
Choose RSENSE based on the following criteria:
•Voltage Loss: A high RSENSE value causes the
power-source voltage to degrade through IR loss. For
minimal voltage loss, use the lowest RSENSE value.
•Accuracy: A high RSENSE value allows lower cur-
rents to be measured more accurately. This is due to
offsets becoming less significant when the sense
voltage is larger. For best performance, select
RSENSE to provide approximately 1000mV (gain of
5V/V), 250mV (gain of 20V/V), or 100mV (gain of
60V/V) of sense voltage for the full-scale current in
each application.
•Efficiency and Power Dissipation: At high current
levels, the I2R losses in RSENSE can be significant.
Take this into consideration when choosing the
resistor value and its power dissipation (wattage)
rating. Also, the sense resistor’s value might drift if it
is allowed to heat up excessively.
•Inductance: Keep inductance low if ISENSE has a
large high-frequency component. Wire-wound resis-
tors have the highest inductance, while metal film is
somewhat better. Low-inductance, metal-film resis-
tors are also available. Instead of being spiral-
wrapped around a core, as in metal-film or wire-
wound resistors, they are a straight band of metal
and are available in values under 1Ω.
Because of the high currents that flow through RSENSE,
take care to eliminate parasitic trace resistance from
causing errors in the sense voltage. Either use a four-
terminal current-sense resistor or use Kelvin (force and
sense) PC board layout techniques.
Dynamic Range Consideration
Although the MAX4081 have fully symmetrical bidirec-
tional VSENSE input capability, the output voltage range
is usually higher from REF to VCC and lower from REF
to GND (unless the supply voltage is at the lowest end
of the operating range). Therefore, the user must con-
sider the dynamic range of current monitored in both
directions and choose the supply voltage and the refer-
ence voltage (REF) to make sure the output swing
above and below REF is adequate to handle the swings
without clipping or running out of headroom.
Power-Supply Bypassing and Grounding
For most applications, bypass VCC to GND with a 0.1µF
ceramic capacitor. In many applications, VCC can be
connected to one of the current monitor terminals (RS+
or RS-). Because VCC is independent of the monitored
voltage, VCC can be connected to a separate regulated
supply.
If VCC will be subject to fast-line transients, a series
resistor can be added to the power-supply line of the
MAX4080/MAX4081 to minimize output disturbance.
This resistance and the decoupling capacitor reduce
the rise time of the transient. For most applications, 1kΩ
in conjunction with a 0.1µF bypass capacitor work well.
The MAX4080/MAX4081 require no special considera-
tions with respect to layout or grounding. Consideration
should be given to minimizing errors due to the large
charge and discharge currents in the system.
76V, High-Side, Current-Sense Amplifiers with
Voltage Output
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