National Instruments NI 784xR, NI 785xR Single-Ended Connection Considerations

Chapter 2 Hardware Overview ofthe NI 78x xR

line to AIGND, connect it to AIGND through a resistor that is about

100 times the equivalent source impedance. The resistor puts the signal

path nearly in balance. About the same amount of noise couples onto both

connections, which yields better rejection of electrostatically coupled

noise. Also, this input mode does not load down the source, other than the

very high-input impedance of the instrumentation amplifier.

You can fully balance the signal path by connecting another resistor of the

same value between the positive input and AIGND, as shown in Figure2-7.

This fully balanced input mode offers slightly better noise rejection but has

the disadvantage of loading down the source with the series combination

(sum) of the two resistors. If, for example, the source impedance is 2 kΩ

and each of the two resistors is 100 kΩ, the resistors load down the source

with 200 kΩ and produce a –1% gain error.

Both inputs of the instrumentation amplifier require a DC path to ground

for the instrumentation amplifier to work. If the source is AC coupled

(capacitively coupled), the instrumentation amplifier needs a resistor

between the positive input and AIGND. If the source has low-impedance,

choose a resistor that is large enough not to significantly load the source but

small enough not to produce significant input offset voltage as a result of

input bias current, typically 100 kΩ to 1 MΩ. In this case, connect the

negative input directly to AIGND. If the source has high output impedance,

balance the signal path as previously described using the same value

resistor on both the positive and negative inputs. Loading down the source

causes some gain error.

Single-Ended Connection Considerations

When an NI 783xR/784xR/785xR AI signal is referenced to a ground that

can be shared with other input signals, it forms a single-ended connection.

The input signal connects to the positive input of the instrumentation

amplifier and the ground connects to the negative input of the

instrumentation amplifier.

You can use single-ended input connections for any input signal that meets

the following conditions:

• The input signal is high-level (>1 V).

• The leads connecting the signal to the NI 783xR/784xR/785xR are less

than 3m(10ft).

• The input signal can share a common reference point with other

signals.