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amplify small dc signal sitting on large dc offset

davebullockmbe
davebullockmbe over 2 years ago

Weekend brain teaser?

Hi experts,

I have a sensor that gives a varying dc output with sensed input.

My problem is that the sensor's output has a 'static' dc offset of around 1V d.c. but I need to use the sensor at the low end of it's range meaning that it's output will only swing a couple of millivolts d.c.

The couple of millivolts will then need to be amplified by something like x1000 to fully exercise an arduino ADC.

I am not sure how stable the 'static' dc offset is with time/temperature or how noisy the output is yet as I am just starting to tackle this problem.

Initially I am thinking differential amplifier and cancel the unwanted offset with a separate 1V input, but I imagine device dc drift will come into play?

Clearly it would be ideal if the dc offset could be tracked by the cancelling voltage but the 'wanted' dc signal will be cancelled too as they are both pretty static.

Before I spend time inventing the wheel or disappearing down rabbit holes.......

Has anyone solved any similar problems?

Discovered any suitable low drift devices etc.

Thanks in anticipation......

Dave

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Top Replies

  • dougw
    dougw over 2 years ago +4
    You could try either 1 or 2 sensors in a Wheatstone bridge configuration to minimize power supply and thermal fluctuations. Then a differential amp to amplify the low signal. Building on Shabaz' idea…
  • michaelkellett
    michaelkellett over 2 years ago +3
    By far the best way to characterise the device is with an optical chopper as suggested by Shabaz . The data sheet is very light on useful detail (which usually means that the useful details of the performance…
  • davebullockmbe
    davebullockmbe over 2 years ago in reply to anniel747 +3
    Hi anniel747 good question :-) The original ML8511 module came with the 'sort it out' challenge that I foolishly accepted. (It's a case of "If I were doing this again I wouldn't start from here!") However…
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  • davebullockmbe
    davebullockmbe over 2 years ago

    The sensor is an ML8511 UVA sensitive device, although this problem could relate to any number of situations?

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  • davebullockmbe
    davebullockmbe over 2 years ago

    The sensor is an ML8511 UVA sensitive device, although this problem could relate to any number of situations?

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