Wednesday, January 02, 2008

High-Side Current Sensing: Difference Amplifier vs. Current-Sense Amplifier

Accurate high-side current sensing is necessary in applications such as motor control, solenoid control, and power management. In these applications, monitoring the current on the high side permits improved diagnostic capabilities and maintains the integrity of the ground path by avoiding the introduction of shunt resistance. The sensing circuitry must reject high common-mode voltages, while providing high gain and high accuracy.