Voltage to Current Converter with floating loads (V/I)

Voltage to Current Converter with floating loads (V/I):

Voltage to current converter in which load resistor R_L is floating (not connected to ground). V_in is applied to the non- inverting input terminal, and the feedback voltage across R₁ devices the inverting input terminal. This circuit is also called as a current – series negative feedback amplifier. Because the feedback voltage across R₁ (applied Non-inverting terminal) depends on the output current i₀ and is in series with the input difference voltage V_id.

Writing KVL for the input loop,

Voltage V_id=V_f and I_B = 0 , vi=R_Li₀ = where = i₀=v_i/R_L

From the fig input voltage Vin is converted into output current of V_in/R_L [V_in -> i₀]. In other words, input volt appears across R₁. If R_L is a precision resistor, the output current

(i₀ = V_in/R₁) will be precisely fixed

Applications:

1.        Low voltage ac and dc voltmeters

2.        Diode match finders

3.        LED and Zener diode testers.

Voltage – to current converter with Grounded load:

This is the other type V – I converter, in which one terminal of the load is connected  to ground.

Analysis of the circuit:

The analysis of the circuit can be done by following 2 steps.

1. To determine the voltage V₁ at the non-inverting (+) terminals and

2. To establish relationship between V₁ and the load current I_L. Applying KCL at node a,

R= R_f

I₁ +I₂=I_L

 (V_i +V_a)/R + (V₀ –V_a )/R= I_L

V_o = (V_i +V_o - I_L R)/2 and gain =1+ R/R= 2.

∴V_i =I_LR ; I_L=V_i/R

Current to Voltage Converter (I –V):

Open – loop gain A of the op-amp is very large. Input impedance of the op amp is very high.

Sensitivity of the I – V converter:

1.        The output voltage V₀ = -R_F Iin.

2.        Hence the gain of this converter is equal to -RF. The magnitude of the gain (i.e.) is called as sensitivity of I to V converter.

3.        The amount of change in output volt ∆V0 for a given change in the input current ∆Iin is decide by the sensitivity of I-V converter.

4.        By keeping RF variable, it is possible to vary the sensitivity as per the requirements.

Applications of V-I converter with Floating Load:

1. Diode Match finder:

In some applications, it is necessary to have matched diodes with equal voltage drops at a particular value of diode current. The circuit can be used in finding matched diodes and is obtained from fig (V-I converter with floating load) by replacing RL with a diode.

When the switch is in position 1: (Diode Match Finder) Rectifier diode (IN 4001) is placed in the f/b loop, the current through this loop is set by input voltage V_in and Resistor R₁. For V_in = 1V and R₁ = 100Ω, the current through this I0 = V_in/R₁ = 1/100 = 10mA. As long as V₀ and R₁ constant, I₀ will be constant. The Voltage drop across the diode can be found either by measuring the volt across it or o/p voltage.

The output voltage is equal to (V_in +V_D) V₀= V_in + V_D.

To avoid an error in output voltage the op-amp should be initially nulled. Thus the matched diodes can be found by connecting diodes one after another in the feedback path and measuring voltage across them.

2. Zener diode Tester:

(When the switch position 2) when the switch is in position 2, the circuit becomes a Zener diode tester. The circuit can be used to find the breakdown voltage of Zener diodes. The Zener current is set at a constant value by Vin and R1. If this current is larger than the knee current (I_ZK ) of the Zener, the Zener blocks (Vz ) volts. For Ex: I_ZK = 1mA , V_Z = 6.2V, Vin = 1V, R₁ = 100Ω Since the current through the Zener is , I0 = Vin/R₁ = 1/100 =10mA > I_ZK the voltage across the Zener will be approximately equal to 6.2V.

3. When the switch is in position 3: (LED)

The circuit becomes a LED when the switch is in position 3. LED current is set at a constant value by V_in and R₁. LEDs can be tested for brightness one after another at this current.

Matched LEDs with equal brightness at a specific value of current are useful as indicates and display devices in digital applications.

Applications of I – V Converter:

One of the most common uses of the current to voltage converter is

1.        Digital to analog Converter (DAC)

2.        Sensing current through Photo detector. Such as photo cell, photo diodes and photovoltaic cells.

Photoconductive devices produce a current that is proportional to an incident energy or light (i.e).

It can be used to detect the light.

Photocells, photodiodes, photovoltaic cells give an output current that depends on the intensity of light and independent of the load. The current through these devices can be converted to voltage by I – V converter and it can be used as a measure of the amount of light. In this fig photocell is connected to the I – V Converter. Photocell is a passive transducer it requires an external dc voltage (V_dc). The dc voltage can be eliminated if a photovoltaic cell is used instead of a photocell. The Photovoltaic Cell is a semiconductor device that converts the radiant energy to electrical power. It is a self- generating circuit because it does not require dc voltage externally. Ex of Photovoltaic Cell: used in space applications and watches.