• Efficiency and Power Dissipation: At high current levels,
the I
2
R losses in R
SENSE
can be significant. Consider
this when choosing the resistor value and its power
dissipation (wattage) rating. In addition, the sense resistor’s
value might drift if it heats up excessively.
• Inductance: Keep inductance low if I
SENSE
has a large
high-frequency component. Wire-wound resistors have
the highest inductance, while metal film is somewhat
better. Low-inductance, metal-film resistors are also available.
Instead of being spiral wrapped around a core, as in metal-
film or wire wound resistors, they are a straight band of
metal and are available in values under 1Ω.
Take care to eliminate parasitic trace resistance from
causing errors in the sense voltage because of the high
currents that flow through R
SENSE
. Either use a four
terminal current-sense resistor or use Kelvin (force and
sense) PC board layout techniques.
EMIRR Input Filter
These devices have input EMI filters to prevent effects of
radio frequency interference on the output. The EMI filters
comprise passive devices that present significant higher
impedance to RF signals. See the EMIRR vs. Frequency
plot in the Typical Operating Characteristics section for
details.
Typical Application Circuit
An example of typical application (Figure 2) of this high-
voltage, high-precision current-sense amplifier is in base
station systems where there is a need to monitor the
current flowing in the power amplifier. Such amplifier,
depending on the technology, can be biased up to 50V
or 60V thus requiring a current-sense amplifier like the
MAX40010 with high voltage common mode. The very
low input offset voltage of the MAX40010 minimizes the
value of the external sense resistor, resulting in system
power saving.
Figure 2: MAX40010 Used in Base Station Application
RFIN
V
DD
= 3.3V
RFOUT
V
DRAIN
= 36V – 76V
RS+
RS-
250? 20?
220nF20nF
MAX11125
OUTPUT
VIN
REF-REF+
OUTF OUTS
V
DD
= 3.3V
MAX40010
MAX6126
μC
MAX40010 76V Precision, High-Voltage,
Current-Sense Amplier
www.maximintegrated.com
Maxim Integrated
│
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