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4-20mA Topologies
Burr-Brown offers two basic types of two-wire 4-20mA
transmitters—current excitation or voltage excitation. The
XTR105
,
XTR112
, and
XTR114
provide current sources for exciting RTDs and
bridges. The
XTR106
provides voltage excitation for strain gages
and pressure sensor bridges.
Both types include linearization circuitry that can reduce sensor
error by as much as 20:1. Linearization is accomplished by varying
the sensor excitation current or voltage.
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Burr-Brown Corporation
The 4-20mA transmtter provides a versatile instrumentation amplifier input with a current loop output. These devices also
include scaling, offsetting, sensor excitation and linearization circuitry. A current receiver RCV420, is also available. This device
of analog signals over long distances.
4-20mA System
A complete 4-20mA system is shown using an
XTR106
and the
RCV420.
Such a system is capable of measuring temperature or pressure at
a distant location without a local power source. The sensor signal is
amplified, linearized and transmitted as a current to a monitoring
location. The signal is received by the RCV420 and scaled from the
4-20mA line into a voltage between 0 and 5V.
Power for this entire system is supplied from the receiving side of
the current loop. Two wires supply power to the transmitter circuitry
and send the current-mode signal to the distant receiver.
An on-chip voltage regulator is provided for conveniently powering
external circuitry. All circuitry is powered from the two-wire current
loop used to transmit the signal. No power supply is required at the
transmitter site.
XTR106
XTR105
XTR106
4-20 Transmtter Devices