4 Operation
4.1 Quick Start Setup
Follow these procedures to set up and use one of the INA4290EVM panels. For these instructions, n is gain
option 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 and x is the channel option 1, 2, 3, or 4.
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 In+ and In– nodes by connecting the signal leads to the
Jx_n pin 1 and Jx_n pin 2 for channel x on the EVM, as explained in
. The INA4290 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 INA4290EVM, 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. In+ and In- will refer the input of either channel being measured.
Jx_n for channel x and Jx_n for channel x. Also shunt resistor is R1_n for channel 1, R5_n for channel 2, R9_n
for channel 3, and R13_n for channel 4 will be refered to as Rshunt.
To configure a measurement evaluation without a shunt resistor, follow this procedure:
1. Connect a positive differential voltage across the In+ and In– tab. Given the internal GND reference of the
device, make sure that the In+ pin is the more positive of the two inputs. Note the In+ and In- are not in the
same location on each connector. Use marking on the board to see which pin is In+ and In-.
2. Connect a 2.7-V to 120-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– 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 Rshunt pads that connects the In+ and In– inputs.
2. Connect the In+ and In– 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 Jx 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 for the correct channel. Vout
is equal to the gain of the device multiplied by the differential voltage measured directly at the device input
pins.
Operation
6
INA4290 Evaluation Module
SBOU258 – MARCH 2021
Copyright © 2021 Texas Instruments Incorporated
