Extend Range of Current-Sense Amplifiers

Abstract:Usingatransistorasshown,youcandoubletheallowedvoltagelimitonacurrent-senseamplifierbystackingtwosuchamplifiersoneupontheother.Thevoltagesignalfromthebottomamplifierthenrepresentscurrentasthevoltageacrossthesenseresistor,timestheproductofthegainsofthetwoamplifiers.Maxim>AppNotes>AmplifierandComparatorCircuitsKeywords:high-sidecurrent-senseamplifiers,npntransistors,maximumoperatingvoltageNov29,2010APPLICATIONNOTE4517ExtendRangeofCurrent-SenseAmplifiersAbstract:Usingatransistorasshown,youcandoubletheallowedvoltagelimitonacurrent-senseamplifierbystackingtwosuchamplifiersoneupontheother.Thevoltagesignalfromthebottomamplifierthenrepresentscurrentasthevoltageacrossthesenseresistor,timestheproductofthegainsofthetwoamplifiers.AsimilarversionofthisarticleappearedintheMay1,2008issueofPowerElectronicsTechnologymagazine.High-sidecurrent-senseamplifiersarerelativelyinexpensivedevicesthatsense