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Continuation of this question, apologies for the schematic. Rwire and Roh are depicted in balanced state.

Circuit

This is a common Constant Temperature Anemometer circuit, however the diff amp output (Vbridge) keeps on saturating. I think the problem is on the INA118 output (Vina). A voltage divider analysis at the bridge would show that if Rwire < Roh / 10 then Vwire < Voh and hence Vina = G(Vwire - Voh) would have different polarity with Vbridge. Similarly, when Vwire > Voh then Vina would have the same polarity with Vbridge.

Measurement table

The table above shows a couple of measurement I did and it can be seen Vwire > Voh for all cases, but Vina have different polarity with Vbridge everytime. This differs with the analysis, I thought the diff amp may be messing with the inamp output but not sure why. Assuming that the components are not broken (I checked but maybe I'm wrong) what else could cause this?

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LRZ Students
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  • Break the loop and get each part to operate with a linear gain offset as expected. Do not continue until fixed. U1 output is wrong. I’m not familiar if this the optimum cct for a HWA in Const Temp mode as there is no fixed Vref for calibration on INA -IN – Tony Stewart EE75 Feb 13 '20 at 03:22
  • Why such a complex circuit when a single op-amp and BJT would do the job? – Andy aka Feb 13 '20 at 10:52
  • Something is very wrong between Voff and Vninv. That schematic cannot generate those voltages. Also, as Vninv > Vinv you can never turn Q1 on (Vout = +V) –  Feb 13 '20 at 10:53
  • @Andyaka Yes it can and that would be my other option. The reason I used this schematic for the time being is because I need the Voff to optimize the systems response. The other option I mentioned is using a single inamp and feeding Voff directly to the reference pin. The 2 sounds similar, but there's a slight difference in the gain and offset formula. – LRZ Students Feb 14 '20 at 09:04
  • @BrianDrummond now that you mentioned it, I think you're right. No way a voltage divider between -3.11V to GND can yield -4.55V.... – LRZ Students Feb 14 '20 at 09:08
  • @TonyStewartSunnyskyguyEE75 I tested the INA118 and its output is all over the place. Also I think I might need to change the OP37 too. I'll update this post once I get replacement parts. – LRZ Students Feb 14 '20 at 09:09
  • Time to replace the sensor with a resistor and start shielding, grounding, filtering, any residual noise. Use STP cable to balance and shield. Get rid of all common-mode noise, which I assume is your "all over the place". ( You should learn to be more analytical on the spectrum) – Tony Stewart EE75 Feb 14 '20 at 19:01

1 Answers1

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You have to constrain the output of TIP31 to be higher than 0V by (at least) a few mV, otherwise this analog computer can find the wrong solution. BTDTGTTS.

Spehro Pefhany
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