CMRR, or Common-Mode Rejection Ratio, is an essential parameter in instrumentation amplifiers (in-amps) used in electronic circuits and measurement systems. It quantifies the ability of an instrumentation amplifier to reject common-mode signals while amplifying the differential-mode signals.
To understand CMRR, let's break down the concept:
Differential-mode signal: In an instrumentation amplifier, the desired input signal is the difference between two input voltages: Vā and Vā. This difference is called the differential-mode signal, represented as Vįµ. Differential-mode signals are typically the actual measurement signals that you want to amplify and process.
Common-mode signal: In contrast to the differential-mode signal, the common-mode signal refers to any voltage that appears simultaneously and with the same magnitude on both inputs (Vā and Vā) of the instrumentation amplifier. Common-mode signals are usually unwanted noise, interference, or disturbances present in the input lines, which are not part of the actual measurement signal. They could be due to electromagnetic interference (EMI), power supply noise, or other external factors.
CMRR calculation: CMRR is defined as the ratio of differential-mode gain to common-mode gain. It indicates how effectively an instrumentation amplifier suppresses the common-mode signals compared to amplifying the differential-mode signals. The CMRR is typically expressed in decibels (dB).
The formula for CMRR is:
CMRR (dB) = 20 * logāā (|Aįµ| / |Aį¶|)
where:
Aįµ = Differential-mode gain (amplification of the desired differential-mode signal).
Aį¶ = Common-mode gain (amplification of the undesired common-mode signal).
High CMRR is desirable: A higher CMRR value means that the instrumentation amplifier provides better rejection of common-mode signals, making it more effective at amplifying only the differential-mode signals. In real-world scenarios, it is challenging to completely eliminate common-mode signals, but a high CMRR allows for better signal integrity and accuracy in the measurements.
CMRR limitations: Practical design considerations, component tolerances, and other imperfections can affect the CMRR performance. Therefore, it's important to select an instrumentation amplifier with a CMRR appropriate for the application to ensure accurate measurements and minimize unwanted noise and interference.
In summary, CMRR is a critical parameter for instrumentation amplifiers as it quantifies their ability to reject unwanted common-mode signals and amplify the desired differential-mode signals, allowing for accurate and reliable measurements in electronic circuits and measurement systems.