
AD8212
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
GENERAL HIGH-SIDE CURRENT SENSING
The AD8212 output is intended to drive high impedance nodes.
Therefore, if interfacing with a converter, it is recommended
that the output voltage across R
OUT
be buffered, so that the gain
of the AD8212 is not affected.
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AD8661
0
V+
1
COM
2
BIAS
3
NC
4
V
SENSE
8
NC
7
ALPHA
I
OUT
6
5
AD8212
I
LOAD
I
OUT
BATTERY
R
SHUNT
L
ADC
R
OUT
NOTES
1. NC = NO CONNECT.
Figure 24. Normal Voltage Range Operation
Careful calculations must be made when choosing a gain
resistor so as not to exceed the input voltage range of the
converter. The output of the AD8212 can be as high as
(V+) 5 V. However, the true output maximum voltage is
dependent upon the differential input voltage, and the resulting
output current across R
OUT
, which can be as high as 500 μA
(based on a 500 mV maximum input differential limit).
MOTOR CONTROL
The AD8212 is a practical solution for high-side current sensing
in motor control applications. In cases where the shunt resistor
is referenced to battery and the current flowing is unidirectional,
as shown in Figure 25, the AD8212 monitors the current with
no additional supply pin necessary.
0
R
OUT
MOTOR
V+
1
COM
2
BIAS
3
NC
4
V
SENSE
8
NC
7
ALPHA
I
OUT
6
5
AD8212
I
MOTOR
V
OUT
BATTERY
NOTES
1. NC = NO CONNECT.
Figure 25. High-Side Current Sensing for Motor Control
500 V CURRENT MONITOR
As noted in the High Voltage Operation Using an External PNP
Transistor section, the AD8212 common-mode voltage range is
extended by using an external PNP transistor. This mode of
operation is achievable with many amplifiers featuring a current
output. However, typically an external Zener regulator must be
added, along with a FET device, to withstand the common-mode
voltage and maintain output current accuracy.
The AD8212 features an integrated regulator (which acts as a
Zener regulator). It offers output current compensation that
allows the user to maintain excellent output current accuracy
by using any PNP transistor. Reliability is increased due to
lower component count. Most importantly, the output current
accuracy is high, allowing the user to choose an inexpensive
PNP transistor to withstand the increased common-mode
voltage.
0
V+
1
COM
2
BIAS
3
NC
4
V
SENSE
8
NC
7
ALPHA
I
OUT
6
5
AD8212
I
LOAD
500V
R
SHUNT
L
R
OUT
500k
VOUT
NOTES
1. TRANSISTOR V
BREAKDOWN
VOLTAGE MUST BE 500V.
2. NC = NO CONNECT.
Figure 26. High Voltage Operation Using External PNP