HF2CA Current Amplifier Data Sheet¶
This chapter contains the data sheet of the HF2CA Current Amplifier which is a preamplifier dedicated to the HF2 Series instruments. This data sheet is distributed only as part of the HF2 User Manual, and therefore not available separately.
The content of the chapter starts with the list of key features of the preamplifier, and continues with sections including the specifications, the detailed functional description, several possible applications, and finally an extended recommendation for 3rd party cables and connectors.
Key Features¶
- Current amplifier for high capacitive loads - shunt resistor based
- Voltage amplifier with selectable gain 1 or 10
- Input impedance switchable between 10 V/A and 1 MV/A
- Bandwidth from DC up to 100 MHz
- 2 differential amplification channels with switchable AC/DC coupling
- Adjustable output gain of 1 or 10
- Very low noise and small input leakage
- Single connector for power supply and control
The HF2CA current amplifier converts a differential input current to a differential output voltage in a wide frequency range. This device functions as an active probe and is conveniently placed close to the measurement setup. It supports applications with high capacitive loads such as dielectric impedance spectroscopy. When no shunt resistor is selected, the current amplifier works as a voltage amplifier. The careful design of the HF2CA insures stable operation over the entire frequency range.
Specifications¶
Unless otherwise stated, all specifications apply after 30 minutes of device warming up.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| dimensions | 100 x 60 x 25 mm |
| weight | 0.4 kg |
| storage temperature | -20 °C to 65 °C |
| operating temperature | 5 °C to 40 °C |
| specification temperature | 25 °C |
| specification supply voltage | 12 V |
| connectors | 4 SMB inputs, 2 SMB outputs, 1 RJ45 (no Ethernet) |
| Parameter | min | typ | max |
|---|---|---|---|
| positive supply voltage VDD+ | 12 V | 15 V | 20 V |
| negative supply voltage VDD- | -20 V | -15 V | -12 V |
| supply current | 60 mA | 80 mA | 120 mA |
| frequency response | |||
| frequency range | DC | - | 100 MHz |
| frequency range (AC coupled) | 100 Hz | - | 100 MHz |
| small signal bandwidth / 3dB cut-off (0.1 VPP input, 50 pF output load, gain 1) | 100 MHz | - | - |
| small signal bandwidth / 3dB cut-off (0.1 VPP input, 50 pF output load, gain 10) | 25 MHz | - | - |
| large signal bandwidth / 3dB cut-off (1 VPP, 50 pF) | 40 MHz | - | - |
| input | |||
| input voltage noise (10 kHz) | - | 7 nV/√Hz | - |
| input voltage noise (10 MHz) | - | 6 nV/√Hz | - |
| input bias current | - | 2 pA | 10 pA |
| transimpedance gain (equivalent to input impedance) | 10 V/A | - | 1 MV/A |
| transimpedance gain accuracy (G=1) | - | ±0.1 % | - |
| transimpedance gain accuracy (G=10) | - | ±1 % | - |
| input offset voltage | - | - | 1 mV |
| common-mode offset range | -10 V | - | 7.5 V |
| output | |||
| output voltage gain | 1 | - | 10 |
| control interface | |||
| input high level | 2.0 V | - | 5 V |
| input low level | 0 V | - | 0.8 V |
| all transitions on SDI, SDO, SCK, SLC | - | - | 1 μs |
| SCK clock period | 10 μs | - | - |
| SDI data to clock setup tDS | 2 μs | - | - |
| SDI data hold from clock tDH | 1 μs | - | - |
| SLC clock to latch setup tLS | 1 μs | - | - |
| SLC latch hold tLH | 10 μs | - | 20 μs |
| SCK clock free time tCF | 20 μs | - | - |
Some parameters depend on the transimpedance gain settings. The following table provides an overview. The values in this table are typical values, they depend on the source capacitance, on the input signal swing, and as well as on the capacitive load on the output of the amplifier.
| Input impedance setting | Bandwidth / 3dB cut-off frequency | Maximum input current range | Maximum input current noise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 V/A | 100 MHz | ±160 mA | 400 pA/√Hz |
| 100 V/A | 50 MHz | ±16 mA | 42 pA/√Hz |
| 1 kV/A | 5 MHz | ±1.6 mA | 5.6 pA/√Hz |
| 10 kV/A | 500 kHz | ±160 μA | 1.3 pA/√Hz |
| 100 kV/A | 50 kHz | ±16 μA | 400 fA/√Hz |
| 1 MV/A | 5 kHz | ±1.6 μA | 128 fA/√Hz |
Functional Description¶
The HF2CA external amplifier can be placed close to the signal source whereas the HF2 Instrument can be several meters away. Such a setup significantly improves the measurement quality due to less parasitics effects and to smaller interferences.
The two signal channels of the HF2CA can be used as separate amplification channels, or alternatively, in differential mode connected to the differential input of the HF2 Instrument.
Input and Output¶
Shunt resistors: HF2CA measures the current between the positive and the negative input terminal by measuring the voltage drop across a resistor, that is shunted between the inputs (see Figure 4) . The supported resistor values are given in Table 3 . It is also possible to remove all internal resistors and to support any custom resistor that is externally connected (see Custom Input Impedance). When all resistors are removed (infinite impedance), then the HF2CA becomes a voltage amplifier with selectable gains 1 and 10.
JFET input amplifiers: the HF2CA is based on JFET input amplifiers that provide very low-noise over a wide frequency range. Additionally, the ultra-low input bias current of typically 2 pA allows for precise current measurements at small signal amplitudes. The input voltage range of the JFET input amplifiers is -10 V to 7.5 V for each input which is also the common mode offset range.
Single vs. differential mode: a selectable switch to amplifier ground allows the user to earth the negative terminal of each input and to operate in single-ended mode without needing external circuits. Alternatively, when leaving the ground switches open, it is possible to use a differential input signal or to connect the negative terminals to local ground externally.
AC vs. DC mode: a selectable switch after the input amplifiers allows the user to measure DC or close to DC signals, or when this is not required, to select AC coupling with a cut-off frequency at 100 Hz and eliminate potential 50/60 Hz noise from the measured signal.
Power Supply and Remote Control¶
The HF2CA is designed for use with the HF2 Series with its differential signal for improved signal-to-noise, and a single cable that provides power and control signals. A straight-through (as opposed to cross-over) Ethernet cable must be used. The cable carries the following signals: - Power: positive and negative supply, ground - Digital control: SDI digital input signal to control the preamplifier settings, SDO output signal for device detection (details of function not disclosed to users), SCK clock signal, and SLC latch signal. SDI, SCK and SLC are used to program the shift registers on the amplifier and thereby adjust the correct settings. The setting bits are given in Table 4. The timing diagram of the digital interface is given in Figure 2. The MSB of the register settings is shifted in first.
| Register bit | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 15 to 10 | - | unused |
| 9 | gain | 0: set output gain to 1 |
| 1: set output gain to 10 | ||
| 8 | dcswitch2 | 0: set AC coupling for input 2 |
| 1: set DC coupling for input 2 | ||
| 7 | dcswitch1 | 0: set AC coupling for input 1 |
| 1: set DC coupling for input 1 | ||
| 6 | singleswitch | 0: set differential operation |
| 1: set single-ended operation | ||
| 5 | res1m | 1: set resistor 1 MV/A |
| 4 | res100k | 1: set resistor 100 kV/A |
| 3 | res10k | 1: set resistor 10 kV/A |
| 2 | res1k | 1: set resistor 1 kV/A |
| 1 | res100 | 1: set resistor 100 V/A |
| 0 | res10 | 1: set resistor 10 V/A |
Applications¶
- Impedance spectroscopy
- Large capacitive loads
- Wheatstone-bridge configuration
- Preamplifier for HF2IS impedance spectroscope and HF2LI lock-in amplifier
Differential Current Measurement with Common-mode Offset¶
The resistors at the input of the amplifier can be inserted in a current path as shown in the figures. With this, fast current transients can measured at large common-mode voltages, which are in the range from -10 V to 7.5 V are possible. This is used in, e.g., high-energy physics to record the radiation-induced current in a photo diode.
Multi-frequency Impedance Spectroscopy¶
The HF2CA in combination with the HF2IS impedance spectrometer is the solution to measure impedance in, for example, flow-through microsystems. The challenge here is to measure the channel impedance at high frequencies (>10 MHz). The large capacitance occurring at electrode electrolyte interfaces can lead to stability issues in a transimpedance amplifier. A solution is to use the electrodes in a Wheatstone bridge configuration with shunt resistors. The HF2CA offers this solution.
As shown in the figure, electrodes are place on the channel walls of a microfluidic channel (width in the order of 20 to 50 μm). Electrodes E1 and E2 are stimulated with a sinusoidal voltage, the electrodes E3 and E4 are connected to the positive amplifier inputs and thus shunted to GND via resistors R1 and R2. The resulting voltage drops across R1 and R2 are given by the channel impedance. This impedance varies when a particle or a living cell passes the electrode area. An analysis at multiple frequencies at the same time (which is supported by the HF2IS and the HF2CA) allows for concurrently analyzing cell size and dielectric properties. With this information biologists, e.g. sort their cells and detect cell viability or health.
Impedance Measurement¶
The HF2 in conjunction with the HF2CA can be used to measure impedances at various frequencies. The connection diagram is shown in the figure above. The impedance of interest, Z, is connected to the input resistor in the HF2CA preamplifier. For optimal signal-to-noise, the input resistor, R1, is set to a value close to the impedance Z. The HF2 generates an output signal of amplitude VOut and the output signal from the preamplifier is connected to the positive input (Input +) of the HF2, which is here called VIn. With this setup, the impedance Z can be calculated using the following equation:
\(Z=R(V_{Out} V_{In})/V_{In}\)
Here we neglected the output resistance, R2, of the HF2 device. The is valid as long as Z>>R1=50 OMEGA. Furthermore, at high frequencies the parasitic capacitances Cp1 and Cp2 will have to be included in the calculation. At even higher frequencies, Cp1 and Cp2 will be dominant.
Custom Input Impedance¶
Sometimes it is useful to choose a special resistance value in order to optimize the signal to noise by, e.g. impedance matching. In this case, an external resistor can be used instead of using the standard values inside the preamplifier. All internal resistors need to be disconnected in this case, which can be done using the standard preamplifier user interface.
Cable Recommendation¶
| Function | Connector / cable type | Vendor / part number |
|---|---|---|
| SMB to BNC connection | ||
| SMB to BNC cable | BNC jack to SMB plug | Farnell / Newark 1351896 |
| SMB to BNC adapter | BNC jack to SMB plug | Digikey ACX1386-ND |
| BNC jack to SMB jack | Farnell / Newark 4195930 | |
| Custom access or cable assembly | ||
| Cable | Cable type RG-174 | Digikey A307-100-ND |
| Farnell / Newark 1387745 | ||
| SMB to cable | SMB plug to RG-174 cable | Tyco Electronics 413985-1 |
| Digikey A4026-ND | ||
| Farnell / Newark 2141206 | ||
| BNC to cable | BNC plug to RG-174 cable | Tyco Electronics 1-5227079-6 |
| Digikey A32212-ND |