AD8231
THEORY OF OPERATION
CS A0 A1 A2
SDN
A4
OUTB
–INA
14kΩ
14kΩ
14kΩ
–INB
+INB
OUTA
A1
A2
A3
14kΩ
+INA
AD8231
+V
–V
REF
S
S
Figure 49. Simplified Schematic
Table 7. Truth Table for AD8231 Gain Settings
AMPLIFIER ARCHITECTURE
CS
A2
A1
A0
Gain
The AD8231 is based on the classic 3-op amp topology. This
topology has two stages: a preamplifier to provide amplification,
followed by a difference amplifier to remove the common-mode
voltage. Figure 49 shows a simplified schematic of the AD8231.
The preamp stage is composed of Amplifier A1, Amplifier A2,
and a digitally controlled resistor network. The second stage is a
gain of 1 difference amplifier composed of Amplifier A3 and
four 14 kꢀ resistors. A1, A2, and A3 are all zero drift, rail-to-
rail input, rail-to rail-output amplifiers.
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
High
High
X
Low
Low
High
High
Low
Low
High
High
X
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
X
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
No change
The AD8231 design makes it extremely robust over temperature.
The AD8231 uses an internal thin film resistor to set the gain.
Because all of the resistors are on the same die, gain temperature
drift performance and CMRR drift performance are better than
can be achieved with topologies using external resistors. The
AD8231 also uses an auto-zero topology to null the offsets of all its
internal amplifiers. Because this topology continually corrects for
any offset errors, offset temperature drift is nearly nonexistent.
REFERENCE TERMINAL
The output voltage of the AD8231 is developed with respect to
the potential on the reference terminal, which is useful when
the output signal needs to be offset to a midsupply level. For
example, a voltage source can be tied to the REF pin to level-
shift the output so that the AD8231 can drive a single-supply
ADC. The REF pin is protected with ESD diodes and should
not exceed either +VS or −VS by more than 0.3 V.
The AD8231 also includes a free operational amplifier. Like
the other amplifiers in the AD8231, it is a zero drift, rail-to-rail
input, rail-to-rail output architecture.
For best performance, source impedance to the REF terminal
should be kept below 1 Ω. As shown in Figure 49, the reference
terminal, REF, is at one end of a 14 kꢀ resistor. Additional
impedance at the REF terminal adds to this 14 kꢀ resistor
and results in amplification of the signal connected to the
positive input, causing a CMRR error.
GAIN SELECTION
The gain of the AD8231 is set by voltages applied to the A0, A1,
CS
and A2 pins. To change the gain, the
pin must be driven
pin is driven high, the gain is latched, and
CS
CS
low. When the
voltages at the A0 to A2 pins have no effect. Because the
pin
INCORRECT
CORRECT
is level sensitive rather than edge sensitive, it can also be tied
permanently low. Table 7 shows the different gain settings.
+
+
AD8231
AD8231
The time required for a gain change is dominated by the settling
time of the amplifier. The AD8231 takes about 200 ns to switch
gains, after which the amplifier begins to settle. Refer to Figure 28
through Figure 32 to determine the settling time for different gains.
IN-AMP
IN-AMP
V
REF
–
–
REF
REF
V
REF
+
AD8231
OP AMP
–
Figure 50. Driving the Reference (REF)
Rev. A | Page 18 of 24