AN1303 A Simple 4-20 Ma Pressure Transducer Evaluation Board

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by AN1303/D
SEMICONDUCTOR APPLICATION NOTE
A Simple 4-20 mA Pressure Transducer

Evaluation Board
AN1303
Prepared by: Denise Williams

Discrete Applications Engineering
INTRODUCTION
The two wire 4 20 mA current loop is one of the most widely
utilized transmission signals for use with transducers in
industrial applications. A two wire transmitter allows signal
and power to be supplied on a single wirepair. Because the
information is transmitted as current, the signal is relatively
immune to voltage drops from long runs and noise from
motors, relays, switches and industrial equipment. The use of
additional power sources is not desirable because the
usefulness of this system is greatest when a signal has to be
transmitted over a long distance with the sensor at a remote
location. Therefore, the 4 mA minimum current in the loop is
the maximum usable current to power the entire control
circuitry. An evaluation board designed to meet these
requirements is shown in Figure 1. A description of this
4 20 mA Pressure Transducer Evaluation Board, as well as
a summary of the information required to use it, are presented

here.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a typical 4 20 mA current
loop system which illustrates a simple two chip solution to
converting pressure to a 4 20 mA signal. This system is
designed to be powered with a 24 Vdc supply. Pressure is
converted to a differential voltage by the Motorola MPX2100
pressure sensor. The voltage signal proportional to the
monitored pressure is then converted to the 4 20 mA current
signal with the BurrBrown XTR101 Precision TwoWire
Transmitter. The current signal can be monitored by a meter
in series with the supply or by measuring the voltage drop
across RL. A key advantage to this system is that circuit
performance is not affected by a long transmission line.
Figure 1. 4 20 mA Pressure Transducer Evaluation Board
REV 3
Motorola Sensor Device Data

Motorola, Inc. 2000
AN1303
SENSOR
PRESSURE
PORT
PRESSURE
SOURCE
PRESSURE
SENSOR
TRANSMITTER
CIRCUITRY
TRANSMISSION
LINE
24 VDC
RL
CURRENT
METER
4 20 mA PRESSURE TRANSDUCER
Figure 2. System Block Diagram
INPUT TERMINALS
A schematic of the 4 20 mA Pressure Transducer
Evaluation Board is shown in Figure 3. Connections to this
evaluation board are made at the terminals labeled (+) and ().
Because this system utilizes a current signal, the power
supply, the load and any current meter must be put in series
with the (+) to () terminals as indicated in the block diagram.
The load for this type of system is typically a few hundred

ohms. As described above, a typical use of a 4 20 mA current
transmission signal is the transfer of information over long
distances. Therefore, a long transmission line can be
connected between the (+) and () terminals on the evaluation
board and the power supply/load.
2 mA
3
2
10 11
XDCR1
MPX7100
D2
1N4565A
6.4V @ 0.5mA
R3
39
4
1
R5
50
R2
1K
4
5
R1
750
1/2 W
U1
XTR101
6
3
1 2 14 7 13
R6
100K
12
Q1
MPSA06
+ 4 20 mA OUTPUT
D1
1N4002
C1
0.01F
R4
1M
RETURN
Figure 3. Schematic Diagram
PRESSURE INPUT
The device supplied on this evaluation board is an
MPX2100DP, a high impedance (10 k typ) 15 PSI sensor
which provides two ports. P1, the positive pressure port, is on
top of the sensor and P2, the vacuum port, is on the bottom of
the sensor. The system can be supplied up to 15 PSI of
positive pressure to P1 or up to 15 PSI of vacuum to P2 or a

differential pressure up to 15 PSI between P1 and P2. Any of
these pressure applications will create the same results at the
sensor output.
AN1303
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The XTR101 current transmitter provides two onemilliamp
current sources for sensor excitation when its bias voltage is
between 12 V and 40 V. The MPX2100 series sensors are
constant voltage devices, so a zener, D2, is placed in parallel
with the sensor input terminals. The zener and sensor
combination can be biased with just the two milliamps
available from the XTR101.
The offset adjustment is composed of R4 and R6. They are
used to remove the offset voltage at the differential inputs to
the XTR101. R6 is set so a zero input pressure will result in
the desired output of 4 mA.
R3 and R5 are used to provide the full scale current span of
16 mA. R5 is set such that a 15 PSI input pressure results in
the desired output of 20 mA. Thus the current signal will span
16 mA from the zero pressure output of 4 mA to the full scale
output of 20 mA. To calculate the resistor required to set the
full scale output span, the input voltage span must be defined.
The full scale output span of the sensor is 24.8 mV and is VIN
to the XTR101. BurrBrown specifies the following equation
for Rspan. The 40 and 16 m values are parameters of the
XTR101.
R span
+ 40 16 mA DVin) * 0.016 mhos]

+ 64 W
The XTR101 requires that the differential input voltage at

pins 3 and 4, V2 V1 be less than 1V and that V2 (pin 4)
always be greater than V1 (pin 3). Furthermore, this
differential voltage is required to have a common mode of 46
volts above the reference (pin 7). The sensor produces the
differential output with a common mode of approximately 3.1
volts above its reference pin 1. Because the current of both 1
mA sources will go through R2, a total common mode voltage
of about 5.1 volts (1 k x 2 mA + 3.1 volts = 5.1 volts) is
provided.
The printed circuit layout and the component layout for the
evaluation board are shown in Figures 4a 4c. Table 1 is the
parts list for the evaluation board. Some extra pads and the
labels R7 and R8 were provided on the board to allow
replacement of the variable resistors with fixed resistors R5
and R6 and selectintest resistors R7 and R8 for particular

applications.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The 4 20 mA Pressure Transducer Evaluation Board has
been designed to demonstrate the performance of the
Motorola MPX2100 pressure sensor in conjunction with a
4 20 mA current transmitter. Several design considerations
should be considered when actually optimizing for an
application.
1. The optional external transistor, Q1, is recommended by
BurrBrown to increase accuracy by reducing temperature change inside the XTR101 package as the output
current spans from 4 mA to 20 mA. Also for power
supply voltages above 24 V, the 750 1/2W resistor, R1,
is recommended to limit the power dissipation in the
MPSA06 to below its 625 mW rating.
2. Keeping lead lengths short in the portion of the circuit
where the span adjust and zero adjust resistors connect
to the XTR101 is recommended to reduce noise pickup
and parasitic resistance.
3. C1 is a bypass capacitor and, therefore, should be
connected across pins 7 and 8 of the XTR101 as close to
the device as possible.
CALIBRATION
1. Connect the evaluation board as shown in the block
diagram of Figure 2.
2. With no pressure connections to the sensor, adjust R6 so
that Iout is 4 mA.
3. Supply 15 PSI to the sensor, (either positive pressure to
the pressure port or vacuum to the vacuum port) and
adjust R5 so that Iout is 20 mA.
4. You may need to repeat steps 2 and 3 to ensure proper
calibration.
CONCLUSION
This circuit is an example of how the MPX2000 series
sensors can be utilized in an industrial application. It provides
a simple design alternative where remote pressure sensing is
required.
AN1303
Table 1. Parts List for 4 20 mA Pressure Transducer Evaluation Board
Designator
Quantity
Description
Rating
1
1
4
4
2
2
PC Board (see Figure 3)

Input/Output Terminals
1/2 standoffs, Nylon threaded
1/2 screws, Nylon
5/8 screws, Nylon
440 nuts, Nylon
C1
Capacitor
0.01 F
D1
D2
1
1
Diodes
100 V Diode
6.4 V Zener
Q1
Transistor
NPN Bipolar
R1
R2
R3
R4
1
1
1
1
Resistors, Fixed
750
1 k
39
1 M
R5
R6
1
1
U1
XDCR1
Manufacturer
Motorola
PHX CONT
Part Number
DEVB126
#1727010
50 V
1A
1N4002
1N4565A
Motorola
MPSA06
Resistors, Variable
50 , one turn
100 K, one turn
Bourns
Bourns
#3386P1500
#3386P1104
Integrated Circuit
Two wire current transmitter
BurrBrown
XTR101
Sensor
High Impedance
Motorola
MPX2100
1/2 W
15 PSI
NOTE: All resistors are 1/4 W with a tolerance of 5% unless otherwise noted. All capacitors are 100 volt, ceramic capacitors with a tolerance
of 10% unless otherwise noted.
R4
DEVB126
REV
R6
R8
U1
XDCR1
R3
Q1
R1
C1
R7
R5
D1
R2
D2
MOTOROLA DISCRETE APPLICATIONS
Figure 4a. Component Layout
AN1303
COMPONENT
SIDE
Figure 4b. Board Layout Component Side
Figure 4c. Board Layout Solder Side
(With traces reversed for easy comparison to front side)
AN1303
NOTES
AN1303
NOTES
AN1303
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Motorola reserves the right to make changes without further notice to any products herein. Motorola makes no warranty, representation or
guarantee regarding the suitability of its products for any particular purpose, nor does Motorola assume any liability arising out of the application
or use of any product or circuit, and specifically disclaims any and all liability, including without limitation consequential or incidental damages.
Typical parameters which may be provided in Motorola data sheets and/or specifications can and do vary in different applications and actual
performance may vary over time. All operating parameters, including Typicals must be validated for each customer application by customers
technical experts. Motorola does not convey any license under its patent rights nor the rights of others. Motorola products are not designed,
intended, or authorized for use as components in systems intended for surgical implant into the body, or other applications intended to support
or sustain life, or for any other application in which the failure of the Motorola product could create a situation where personal injury or death
may occur. Should Buyer purchase or use Motorola products for any such unintended or unauthorized application, Buyer shall indemnify and
hold Motorola and its officers, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, and distributors harmless against all claims, costs, damages, and expenses,
and reasonable attorney fees arising out of, directly or indirectly, any claim of personal injury or death associated with such unintended or
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are registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc. Motorola, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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AN1303/D

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MOTOROLA

Order this document

SEMICONDUCTOR APPLICATION NOTE

A Simple 4-20 mA Pressure Transducer

Prepared by: Denise Williams

a summary of the information required to use it, are presented

Figure 1. 4 20 mA Pressure Transducer Evaluation Board

Motorola Sensor Device Data

Figure 2. System Block Diagram

The load for this type of system is typically a few hundred

Figure 3. Schematic Diagram

positive pressure to P1 or up to 15 PSI of vacuum to P2 or a

Motorola Sensor Device Data

+ 40 16 mA DVin) * 0.016 mhos]

The XTR101 requires that the differential input voltage at

Motorola Sensor Device Data

and R6 and selectintest resistors R7 and R8 for particular

PC Board (see Figure 3)

MOTOROLA DISCRETE APPLICATIONS

Figure 4a. Component Layout

Motorola Sensor Device Data

Figure 4b. Board Layout Component Side

Figure 4c. Board Layout Solder Side

(With traces reversed for easy comparison to front side)

Motorola Sensor Device Data

Motorola Sensor Device Data

Motorola Sensor Device Data

Mfax is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.

How to reach us:

Motorola Sensor Device Data

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