Calibration Of Copper Sensors Enhances Accuracy Of Nonintrusive Current Monitoring
by Viktor Vogman, Power Conversion Consulting, Olympia, Wash, How2Power Today, Jun 15 2018
Focus:
Sensor calibration can be implemented with copper traces used for current sensing of system
loads (such as CPU, memory, hard drives, etc.) in a power distribution network. However,
applying conventional calibration methods to such low-resistance copper sensors typically
requires using precision high-current electronic loads that are not realizable on the PCB. This
article introduces a calibration method that corrects for changes in trace impedance caused by
geometric variations and temperature without requiring use of high-power equipment. This
technique can be implemented with a miniature circuit that draws only a few tens of milliwatts
when active, and can be disabled once calibration is complete. This circuit can be integrated
into existing system components. Article begins by discussing applications for this technique
and includes experimental results.
What you’ll learn:
- How to achieve accurate (1%) current sensing of system loads using copper PCB traces as sensors
- How to continuously calibrate PCB trace current sensors during system operation using a simple circuit
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