APPLICATION NOTE 105: Current Sense Circuit Collection

Current Sense Basics

This chapter introduces the basic techniques used for HIGH SIDE CURRENT SENSING
sensing current. It serves also as a definition of common
Current sensed in the supply path of the power connec-
terms. Each technique has advantages and disadvan-
tion to the monitored load. Current generally flows in just
tages and these are described. The types of amplifiers
one direction (uni-directional). Any switching is per-
used to implement the circuits are provided.
formed on the load-side of monitor.
To see other chapters in this Application Note, return to
DC VSUPPLY
the Introduction.
+
LOW SIDE CURRENT SENSING RSENSE ISENSE OUTPUT ∝ ILOAD

–
Current sensed in the ground return path of the power
connection to the monitored load. Current generally ILOAD LOAD

flows in just one direction (uni-directional). Any switch-

ing is performed on the load-side of monitor.

DC VSUPPLY
High Side Advantages
Load is grounded
ILOAD LOAD VCC Load not activated by accidental short at power con-
+
nection
RSENSE ISENSE OUTPUT ∝ ILOAD
High load current caused by short is detected
–
High Side Disadvantages
. High input common mode voltages (often very high)
Output needs to be level shifted down to system oper-
ating voltage levels
Low Side Advantages
Low input common mode voltage Amplifier Types for High Side Implementation
Ground referenced output voltage Dedicated current sensing amplifiers: LT6100,
Easy single supply design LTC6101, LT1787
Over-the-Top™ op amps: LT1637
Low Side Disadvantages Flying capacitor amplifier: LTC6943
Load lifted from direct ground connection
Load activated by accidental short at ground end load
switch
High load current caused by short is not detected

Amplifier Types for Low Side Implementation

Precision zero-drift op amps: LTC2050, LTC2054
Instrumentation amplifiers: LTC2053, LT1990,
LTC6943
Rail-to-Rail Input op amps: LT1677

Current Sense Basics-1

APPLICATION NOTE 105: Current Sense Circuit Collection
FULL-RANGE (HIGH AND LOW SIDE)
CURRENT SENSING
Bi-directional current sensed in a bridge driven load, or
unidirectional high side connection with a supply side
switch.
DC VSUPPLY
SUMMARY OF CURRENT SENSE SOLUTIONS
The next few pages contain a table that summarizes cur-
rent sense solutions and applicable devices. Look first in
the “Type/Circuit” column and the “Gain” column for a
general description of the application. Then scan across
the other columns for applicable devices and their speci-
fications.

VCC

RSENSE
+
LOAD ISENSE OUTPUT ∝ ILOAD

ILOAD –

Full-Range Advantages
Only one current sense resistor needed for bidirec-
tional sensing
Convenient sensing of load current on/off profiles for
inductive loads

Full-Range Disadvantages
Wide input common mode voltage swings
Common mode rejection may limit high frequency
accuracy in PWM applications

Amplifier Types for Bi-directional Implementation

Difference amplifiers-LT1990, LT1991, LT1995,
LT1996
Instrumentation amplifiers: LTC2053
Flying capacitor amplifier: LTC6943

Current Sense Basics-2

 APPLICATION NOTE 105: Current Sense Circuit Collection

ACCURACY SPEED

OFFSET INPUT DIFFERENTIAL

GAIN DEVICES AND VSUPPLY
TYPE/CIRCUIT VOLTAGE CURRENT BANDWIDTH SLEW RATE VIN RANGE (VCM) VIN RANGE
(V/V) PACKAGES RANGE (VS)
(VOS) (IBIAS) (SURVIVAL)
High Side 10 to 50 LT6100 300µV 5µA 100kHz 0.05V/µs 2.7V to 36V (VS + 1.4V) to 48V ±48V
One Direction
Voltage Out MSOP-8
RSENSE
VIN
DFN
LOAD
(VCC + 1.4V) TO 48V
1 8
VS– VS+
RG1 RG2
5k 5k

– + R
25k
A1

VCC
2.7V TO 36V
2 –
VOUT
Q1 RE A2 5
VO1
10k +

RO
R R/3
50k
VEE FIL A2 A4
4 3 6 7
6100 F01

High Side Resistor LTC6101 350µV 250nA 200kHz 2.5V/µs 4V to 70V (VS – 1.5V) to 70V ±70V
One Direction Ratio LTC6101HV 350µV 250nA 200kHz 2.5V/µs 4V to 105V (VS – 1.5V) to 105V ±105V
Current Out
ILOAD VSENSE
SOT23-5
– +
VBATTERY
RSENSE
RIN 5
MSOP-8
10V V+
L
O
A
D
IN – 5k –
3

IN + 5k +
4 IOUT
10V
OUT ROUT
1 VOUT = VSENSE x
RIN
LTC6101/LTC6101HV V–
2 ROUT
6101 BD

Current Sense Basics-3

APPLICATION NOTE 105: Current Sense Circuit Collection
ACCURACY SPEED

OFFSET INPUT DIFFERENTIAL

GAIN DEVICES AND VSUPPLY
TYPE/CIRCUIT VOLTAGE CURRENT BANDWIDTH SLEW RATE VIN RANGE (VCM) VIN RANGE
(V/V) PACKAGES RANGE (VS)
(VOS) (IBIAS) (SURVIVAL)
High Side Fixed 8 LT1787 75µV 20µA 300kHz 0.1V/µs 2.5V to 36V 2.5V to 36V ±10V
Bi-directional or LT1787HV 75µV 20µA 300kHz 0.1V/µs 2.5V to 60V 2.5V to 60V ±10V
Current or Voltage (ROUT = 20k) Scaleable
RSENSE ISENSE SO-8
VS– VS+
MSOP-8
RG1A RG2A
1.25k 1.25k
FIL– FIL+
RG1B RG2B
1.25k 1.25k

– +
A1
IOUT

VBIAS
ROUT
Q1 Q2 20k
VOUT

VEE CURRENT MIRROR

1787 F 01

High Side Resistor LT1494 150µV 250pA 3kHz 0.001V/µs 2.1V to 36V 0 to VS + (36V – VS) 36V
One Direction Ratio LT1636 50µV 5nA 200kHz 0.07V/µs 2.6V to 44V 0 to VS + (44V – VS) 44V
Voltage Out LT1637 100µV 20nA 1MHz 0.35V/µs 1.8V to 44V 0 to VS + (44V – VS) 44V
Over the Top Amplifiers LT1672 150µV 250pA 12kHz 0.005V/µs 2.1V to 36V 0 to VS + (36V – VS) 36V
3V TO 44V LT1782 400µV 8nA 200kHz 0.07V/µs 2.2V to 18V 0 to VS + (18V – VS) 36V
R1
200Ω
LT1783 400µV 45nA 1.25MHz 0.42V/µs 2.2V to 18V 0 to VS + (18V – VS) 36V
3V
RS
+
LT1784 1500µV 250nA 2.5MHz 2.4V/µs 2V to 18V 0 to VS + (18V – VS) 36V
0.2Ω
Q1
LT1637
2N3904
– VOUT
ILOAD
R2
(0V TO 2.7V)
DIP-8
VOUT 2k
LOAD ILOAD =
(RS)(R2/R1) 1637 TA06 MS-8
SO-8
DFN
SOT23-5
SOT23–6

Current Sense Basics-4

 APPLICATION NOTE 105: Current Sense Circuit Collection
ACCURACY SPEED

OFFSET INPUT DIFFERENTIAL

GAIN DEVICES AND VSUPPLY
TYPE/CIRCUIT VOLTAGE CURRENT BANDWIDTH SLEW RATE VIN RANGE (VCM) VIN RANGE
(V/V) PACKAGES RANGE (VS)
(VOS) (IBIAS) (SURVIVAL)
High Side Resistor LTC2053 5µV 4nA 200kHz 0.2V/µs 2.7V to 11V 2.7V to 11V 5.5V
One Direction Ratio LTC6800 5µV 4nA 200kHz 0.2V/µs 2.7V to 5.5V 2.7V to 5.5V 5.5V
Voltage Out
Instrumentation Amplifier DFN
5V
0.1µF
MS-8
3
+ 8
7
LTC2053 VOUT
2 6
VIN – 5
4
1

0.1µF VOUT = –VIN

2053 TA07
–5V

High Side or Low Side Unity LTC6943 6pA 90kHz 5V to 18V 5V to 18V 18V
One Direction
Voltage on a TSSOP – 16
capacitor output
Flying Capacitor
E
I
POSITIVE OR
NEGATIVE RAIL RSHUNT

1/2 LTC6943
11 12

10

1µF 1µF E I= E
RSHUNT
9

6 7

14 15
0.01µF

6943 • TA01b

Current Sense Basics-5

APPLICATION NOTE 105: Current Sense Circuit Collection
ACCURACY SPEED

OFFSET INPUT DIFFERENTIAL

GAIN DEVICES AND VSUPPLY
TYPE/CIRCUIT VOLTAGE CURRENT BANDWIDTH SLEW RATE VIN RANGE (VCM) VIN RANGE
(V/V) PACKAGES RANGE (VS)
(VOS) (IBIAS) (SURVIVAL)
High Side or Low Side 1 and 10 LT1990 900µV 2.5nA 105kHz 0.55V/µs 2.4V to 36V –250V to 250V ±250V
Bi-Directional 1 to 13 LT1991 15µV 110kHz 0.12V/µs 2.7V to 36V –60V to 60V ±60V
Voltage Out 1 to 7 LT1995 1000µV 2.5nA 32MHz 1000V/µs 5V to 36V 0V to 36V VS + 0.3V
Difference Amplifiers 9 to 117 LT1996 15µV 38kHz 0.12V/µs 2.7V to 36V –60V to 60V ±60V
V S+
8
9
10
M9
M3
7 Pin Strap SO-8
VIN – M1

VIN + 1
LT1991
6
Configurable DFN
P1 R1
R2* 2 5 10k
10k 3
P3
P9 4
MS–10
V + – VIN –
ILOAD = IN
V S– 10kΩ
*SHORT R2 FOR LOWEST OUTPUT
OFFSET CURRENT. INCLUDE R2 FOR
HIGHEST OUTPUT IMPEDANCE.

Low Side Resistor LTC2050 0.5µV 75pA 3MHz 2V/µs 2.7V to 7V 0V to (VS – 1.3V) VS + 0.3V
One Direction Ratio LTC2054 0.5µV 0.6pA 500kHz 0.5V/µs 2.7V to 7V 0V to (VS – 0.7V) VS + 0.3V
Voltage Out LTC2054HV 0.5µV 0.6pA 500kHz 0.5V/µs 2.7V to 12V 0V to (VS – 0.7V) VS + 0.3V
Zero-Drift Amplifiers
5V SO-8
3
+
5 OUT
3V/AMP
SOT23-5
1
4
LTC2050HV
LOAD CURRENT
IN MEASURED SOT23 – 6
– 2
CIRCUIT, REFERRED
TO –5V
10Ω 10k

TO 3mΩ
MEASURED
CIRCUIT
LOAD CURRENT 0.1µF
– 5V 2050 TA08

Current Sense Basics-6

 APPLICATION NOTE 105: Current Sense Circuit Collection
ACCURACY SPEED

OFFSET INPUT DIFFERENTIAL

GAIN DEVICES AND VSUPPLY
TYPE/CIRCUIT VOLTAGE CURRENT BANDWIDTH SLEW RATE VIN RANGE (VCM) VIN RANGE
(V/V) PACKAGES RANGE (VS)
(VOS) (IBIAS) (SURVIVAL)
Low Side Resistor LT1218 25µV 30nA 300kHz 0.1V/µs 2V to 36V 0V to VS VS + 0.3V
One Direction Ratio LT1677 20µV 2nA 7.2MHz 2.5V/µs 2.5V to 44V 0V to VS VS + 0.3V
Voltage Out LT1800 75µV 25nA 80MHz 25V/µs 2V to 12.6V 0V to VS VS + 0.3V
Rail to Rail I/O Amplifiers LT1806 100µV 1µA 325MHz 125V/µs 1.8V to 12.6V 0V to VS VS + 0.3V
IL
LT6200 1400µV 10µA 110MHz 50V/µs 2.2V to 12.6V 0V to VS VS + 0.3V
3V
0A TO 1A
52.3Ω + LT6220 70µV 15nA 60MHz 20V/µs 2.2V to 12.6V 0V to VS VS + 0.3V
VOUT
LT1800
0V TO 2V
0.1Ω –

52.3Ω 1k
SO-8
1800 F02 DIP-8
VOUT = 2 • IL
f–3dB = 4MHz
UNCERTAINTY DUE TO VOS, IB < 4mA
SOT23-5
SOT23 – 6

Current Sense Basics-7