Texas Instruments INA290EVM, User Manual, Page: 7 / 22

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Operation
7 SBOU230 – October 2019
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INA290EVM
4 Operation
4.1 Quick Start Setup
Follow these procedures to set up and use one of the INA290EVM panels. For these instructions, n is gain
option 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
Step 1. Choose the desired gain option panel variation.
Step 2. Connect an external DC supply voltage (between 2.7 V and 20 V) to a VS test point. Connect
the ground reference of that supply to a GND test point on the same panel.
Step 3. Provide a differential input voltage signal to the Vin+ and Vin– nodes by connecting the signal
leads to the J1_n pin 1 and J1_n pin 2 on the EVM, as explained in
Section 4.2 . The INA290
is a unidirectional current-sensing device because there is no reference pin. The device can
only measure current in one direction.
4.2 Measurements
The user can either emulate the voltage developed across a sense resistor based on a given set of
system conditions with the INA290EVM, or connect the device inputs to an external shunt. The user can
also solder a surface-mount technology (SMT) shunt resistor across the Vin+ and Vin– pads, and these
inputs can be connected in series with the external system and load.
To configure a measurement evaluation without a shunt resistor, follow this procedure:
1. Connect a positive differential voltage across the Vin+ (J1_n) and Vin– (J1_n) tabs. Given the
internal GND reference of the device, make sure that the Vin+ pin is the more positive of the two
inputs.
2. Connect a 2.7-V to 110-V common-mode voltage to the inputs if the differential voltage supply is a
floating supply. Connect the positive lead of the external voltage source to the Vin– (J1_n) tab and
source ground to a GND test point. The minimum common-mode voltage should be >VS. This
action effectively raises the absolute common-mode voltage of the input pins, while still retaining a
positive input differential signal.
3. Measure the output voltage at the Vout test point with respect to GND.
To configure a measurement evaluation with a shunt resistor, follow this procedure:
1. Solder a 2512 resistor at the R1_n pads that connects the Vin+ (J1_n) and Vin– (J1_n) inputs.
2. Connect the Vin+ (J1_n) and Vin– (J1_n) tabs in series with the load and bus voltage sources while
powered off.
WARNING
Make sure that the equipment (shunt resistor, wires, connectors,
and so on) can support the amperage and power dissipation
first before you measure the current. Also make sure that the
current flowing through J1 does not exceed 5 A. Failure to do so
can result in hot surfaces (> 55°C), damage to the EVM, or
personal injury.
3. Power on the system and measure the output voltage at the Vout test point. Vout is equal to the
gain of the device multiplied by the differential voltage measured directly at the device input pins.