Biased For Arduino

July 28, 2021 Hosted by Parker Dillmann, Stephen Kraig

On this episode, Stephen talks about his new bias test system hardware and software. The bias test system is a purpose built test hardware system!

Bias Test System

  • Got the first board built and installed on an arduino
  • First tests were a success
  • Arduino library – works “first” time
  • 2.5V reference voltage
    • MCP1501T-25E/CHY
    • 0.1% initial accuracy
    • 50ppm drift
    • I have measured a handful of these at work and have found the output to be within this range – 2.498
  • Arduinos and USB are noisy
  • Resistive measurements via constant current
    • Opamp driven constant current source
    • 1mA output current measured @ 1.001mA with a 1k resistor
    • Output current is somewhat load dependent – higher at higher resistance values
    • Possibly should have gone with a parallel opamp config
  • Validation
    • Voltages seem to be reading well.
    • 0 to 300V was within 1% of meter
    • Small “offset” reading
      • This is due to input buffer amp offset.
        • Datasheet calls out 125 as typical and 750 as max
      • I have seen the 100 to 400uV range
      • Will calibrate out
    • When doing a simple offset correction I can get 0.00000X readings
    • For resistive measurements there is a strange gain offset error
    • Verified the current and voltage but the readings to not match up
    • About 1.7% low for all readings
  • What is next
    • Finish validating the hardware with better standards and meters
    • Merge the scipi and ads1256 library
    • Make the gui
    • Profit

Gripes about arduino

  • When do you bite the bullet and fix a problem?
    • Pin header
    • Mounting holes
  • Solution….
    • Custom pin header
    • Custom plastic “sled”

Supply chain oddities

  • Surprisingly Linear Tech devices are in stock but not Analog Devices?
  • Working on that Linear Tech Automotive power supply design
  • LT8672

Hosts: Parker Dillmann, Stephen Kraig

Special thanks to whixr over at Tymkrs for the intro and outro!