4 Operation
4.1 Quick Start Setup
Follow these procedures to set up and use one of the INA296EVM panels. For these instructions, n is gain
option 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
1. Choose the desired gain option panel variation.
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.
3. Provide a differential input voltage signal to the Vin+ and Vin– nodes by connecting the signal leads to the
J1_n and J2_n on the EVM, as explained in
. The IN296x is a bidirectional current-sensing device
that has a reference pin. With this reference pin, the device can measure current in both directions. To use
1/2 of the supply voltage (VS) as the reference, place shorting bars on jumper J4, connect REF1 to VS and
J5, and connect REF2 to GND. If you only want to measure unidirectional current, be careful not to short VS
to GND. Remove the jumpers from J4 and J5 before placing a jumper on J6. After J6 shorts Ref1 to Ref2,
place one jumper on J4 or J5 or drive the Ref1 and Ref2 pins to create your own reference voltage.
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 INA296EVM, or connect the device inputs to an external shunt. The user can also solder a
surface-mount technology (SMT) shunt resistor across the In+ and In– 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 differential voltage across the In+ (J1_n) and In– (J2_n) tabs.
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 In– (J1_n) tab and source ground to
a GND test point. The minimum common-mode voltage should be > –4 V. This action effectively raises the
absolute common-mode voltage of the input pins.
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 In+ (J1_n) and In– (J1_n) inputs.
2. Connect the In+ (J1_n) and In– (J2_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 10 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. If bidirectional, use
voltage is referenced to VS/2. If unidirectional, the ouput is refrenced to voltage applied at Ref1 and Ref2.
Operation
6
INA296EVM
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