[time-nuts] NIST isolation amplifiers

[Charles Steinmetz]

Bruce wrote:

>Almost. 1:1:2 (turns ratio) transformers used in each stage and 1:1
>transformer on input.  This allows a lower power supply voltage to be used.

I spent a little time (emphasis on "little") fiddling with the 
simulation, and I did not immediately find any solution with 1:1:2 
and 1:1 transformers that I liked as well as the design with 1:1:1 
and 1:2 transformers.  For those who are winding their own 
transformers (which I recommend, partly for the reason given below), 
the simplicity of three equal windings may, by itself, outweigh any 
potential advantage of using a lower power supply voltage.  Each 
constructor should evaluate this for him- or herself.

>One thing to watch with minicircuits transformers is core saturation due to
>dc flowing in the windings.

Good point, I too have found that some MCL transformers have skimpy 
cores.  I have no idea whether the MCL T622 (1:1:1) or T613 (1:1:2) 
would work in this circuit.  They are both specified for 30mA, and I 
had the 3904s biased at 20mA -- but I'm not sure what MCL means by 
30mA.  In this circuit, 20mA flows in the same direction in two of 
the windings.  If the 30mA applies only if one winding has DC flowing 
(or more generally, if the allowable net DC is equal to 30mA through 
just one winding), then the core would not be adequate.

Best regards,

Charles