Classic constant current cascode

An important figure of merit for all precision constant current sources is their active impedance. Which is to say, just how “constant” is their output held against changes in applied voltage? Frequent and expert Design Idea (DI) commentator Ashutosh Sapre (Ashu) was kind enough to measure this parameter for a design of mine and share his results. The circuit, applied as a 4 to 20mA current mirror, is shown in Figure 1 and discussed in “Combine two TL431 regulators to make versatile current mirror.”

Figure 1 A 4 to 20mA current mirror with poor active impedance.

Said Ashutosh: “I tried the fig.2 circuit for 4-20mA mirroring, with R1 and R2 of 100E, and using a Tl431 (2.5V). It worked quite well. One issue I found was that the output impedance (di/dv) was quite low; there was a change of 40uA over a supply swing of 20V (if I remember correctly), not linear with supply voltage change. It is possibly due to the 2.5V reference voltage modulation with cathode voltage swing.

It could be compensated for, but some error will remain due to the non-linearity.”

Wow the engineering world with your unique design: Design Ideas Submission Guide

His observation and analysis were both absolutely correct. Table 6.6 in the TL431 datasheet reveals a maximum reference-voltage error of up to 2 mV per volt of cathode-to-anode voltage swing, consistent with the mediocre 20V/40µA = 500k active impedance he observed.

Fortunately, a simple and effective remedy is available and waiting in the pages of the common cookbook of current mirror circuits: the cascode. Figure 2 shows how it can be added (as D1 + Q2) to Figure 1.

Figure 2 D1/Q2 cascode reduces reference modulation error, improving active impedance by orders of magnitude.

The effect of the added parts is to isolate Z1’s cathode/anode voltage from voltage variation at the I2 node, thus holding the cathode/reference differential near zero and constant to within millivolts.

The resultant orders of magnitude reduction of reference modulation should produce a proportional increase in active impedance.

Thanks, Ashu! Another example of the magic of editor Aalyia Shaukat’s DI kitchen collaboration in action!

Stephen Woodward’s relationship with EDN’s DI column goes back quite a long way. Over 100 submissions have been accepted since his first contribution back in 1974.

Related Content