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Zero and Span Circuits

Zero and span circuits use two inverting amplifiers to convert DC signal levels to match desired output levels. The circuit gains and offsets can be adjusted using potentiometers to map an input range to the full scale of an output device. For example, a temperature sensor output ranging from 2.48-3.90V could be adjusted using this circuit to output 0-5V matched to an A/D converter input range, improving resolution. Resistor values are calculated to set the desired gain and offset based on the system requirements.

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Mourougapragash Subramanian
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464 views2 pages

Zero and Span Circuits

Zero and span circuits use two inverting amplifiers to convert DC signal levels to match desired output levels. The circuit gains and offsets can be adjusted using potentiometers to map an input range to the full scale of an output device. For example, a temperature sensor output ranging from 2.48-3.90V could be adjusted using this circuit to output 0-5V matched to an A/D converter input range, improving resolution. Resistor values are calculated to set the desired gain and offset based on the system requirements.

Uploaded by

Mourougapragash Subramanian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 Zero and Span Circuits  

Zero and Span circuits consist of two inverting amplifiers which can be used to
convert DC signal levels in order to match levels you want to provide to the
controller, display, or computer. The circuits is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Zero and Span Circuits

Figure 2 mx + b definition
The signal to be conditioned is a single input, E i n . It receives a gain of –R f /R i . A
reference voltage, ±V, is the other output.It receives a gain of –R f /R o s . So the output
from IC 1  is
                             E o u t 1  = (–R f /R i ) E i n –   (–R f /R o s ) V . . . . . . . . . . (1)

This signal is then fed through an inverting amplifier with a gain -1.
E o u t 2  = (R f /R i ) E i n +   (R f /R o s ) V . . . . . . . . . . . . (2)

Compare this to the equation of a straight line,


                             y = mx + b   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)

Where y is the dependent variable and x is the independent variable. For a plot of
output versus input voltage, as in Figure 2,
                             m = R f /R i            -- slope or gain or span
                             b = (R f /R o s ) V   y intercept or offset or zero

         Application Zero and Span Circuits


The circuits can be applied such as when a temperature sensor has outputs range
between  2.48 V – 3.90 V (for minimum to maximum temperature). The output is fed
to an A/D converter which has input range 0 – 5 V. To provide maximum resolution,
zero and span circuit can be used so that it fills the entire range of the converter.

Solution:
The circuit in Figure 1 should be used. The required gain is
                             m       =  E o u t /   E i n
                                                                                                                                = (E o u t ( m a x ) - E o u t ( m i n )   )/( E i n ( m a x ) -   E i n ( m i n ) )

                                      = (5 V – 0V) / (3.90V – 2.48V)


                                      = 3.52
But the gain is set by
                             m       = R f /R i            
Pick R f  relatively large, so that a smaller  R i       will not load down the sensor.
                             R f        = 330 kΏ
                             R i            = R f /m   = 330 kΏ/ 3.52       = 93.7 kΏ
Pick R i         as a 47 kΏ fixed resistor with series 100  kΏ multiturn potensiometer. This
set the gain (span). To get the offset (zero), substituse the values you have into the
circuit equation at one point.
y = mx + b  
or
                             E o u t  = mE i n   + b
At E i n   = 2.48 V, E o t    = 0 V,
                             0 V     = (3.52)(2.48V) + b
                             b        = -(3.52)(2.48V)        = - 8.73V
but
                             b        = (R f /R o s ) V 
Since you need negative offset, select V = -12 V (The negative power supply
voltage).
                             R o s      = (R f V)/ b
                                      = ((330 kΏ)(-12V))/-8.73V     = 454 kΏ

Pick R o s   as a fixed 220 kΏ resistor with a 500  kΏ multiturn potentiometer. To find
Rcomp,
                             R c o m p  = R f ||Ri ||R o s  = 62.9 kΏ        (pick R c o m p   = 56 kΏ)

For the resistor in the second stage should be in the  kΏ range. This lower offset
without loading the first stage. Pick R = 2.2  kΏ. So R/2 = 1.1  kΏ. To check your
design it’s work at the other specified point, use the equation 2.
                             E o u t 2    = (R f /R i ) E i n +   (R f /R o s ) V
                                       = (330 kΏ/93.7  kΏ)(3.90V) + (330kΏ/454  kΏ)(-12V)
                                      = 13.72 V – 8.72 V   = 5 V.

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