Signal to noise calculation of a constant current source

May 12, 2006 4 Replies

Hello,



I need some advice on how to calculate the signal to noise ratio of the circuit as shown below in the link



formatting link



please goto page# 13, figure 16. I added a AC coupling of 47uF capacitor beteen the non inverting input of the OPA131 and the load.



Thanks John



Before you can calculate a signal to noise ratio you have to decide what your signal is, what your noise is, and what metric you want to use (I'll use 'power' without defining it). Then it's an easy thing to divide their respective powers and get a SNR.

The circuit shown has nothing that indicates what you're calling 'signal'. One could calculate the degree to which the circuit contributed to the noise power spectral density of the current in the load. Without knowing what your signal is and whether you want to filter your signal+noise somehow before calling it good you cannot calculate SNR.

So what are you _really_ doing, and does SNR really mean anything in that context?

Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com Posting from Google? See http://cfaj.freeshell.org/google/ "Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" came out in April. See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Signal reference voltage, source impedance, bandwidth.

Bandwidth of interest, source impedance.

That differential amp isn't particularly quiet either.

Graham

Hi,

I need some document and tips which helps me to find the way to calculate it. like some body already did it and then I will replicate it with some modifications.

Regards John

Google ?

Why not post the requested data here and someone will probably post back the calaculation for you to see.

If you don't even know what bandwidth you need to calculate for though, you're frankly rather stuck !

Graham

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required