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I am using the AD620 as instrumentation amplifier to amplify the body's ECG signal. An ECG is a differential signal (measured with two electrodes) and I want a differential gain of \$G_d = 1000\$.

The datasheet has this formula: \$ G_d = 1 + \frac{49.4 \: \text{k}\Omega}{R_G}\$, so using two resistors of \$27 \: \Omega\$ gives me a gain of \$916 \$ which is good enough.

I want to test the amplifier, by generating a 5 mV peak-peak sinusoid, send it into the in-amp and expect around 5 V peak-peak on the output. So I thought of using this setup: -

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

My instructor suggests generating a 15 mV peak-peak sinusoid and using this setup instead: -

schematic

simulate this circuit

Question: Why is the second setup needed to generate a differential signal? What does the second setup do that the first one doesn't?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Probably nearly all of the signal generators I've ever seen don't have a differential output. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Mar 8 at 15:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Andyaka Okay, but does that matter? Won’t the first setup do the trick if all I want to check is the differential gain? \$\endgroup\$
    – Carl
    Mar 8 at 15:44
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    \$\begingroup\$ It will but, it won't prove that a common mode level of non-zero has an unwanted effect maybe. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Mar 8 at 15:46
  • \$\begingroup\$ Check your signal generator. The usual BNC connector is grounded on some but not on others. If it is grounded then the network suggested by your instructor could be used. Not grounded does not imply fully differential though you can still investigate common mode effects. \$\endgroup\$
    – RussellH
    Mar 8 at 16:41

1 Answer 1

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The first circuit should work ... if you have the "good" power supply.

A generator can't produce "differential" output if not able to do so.

Here is a schematic which can be used to simulate it.

enter image description here

Or this of your instructor.

enter image description here

Note the Vref used ...

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