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Reference DesignAnalog

CN-0270: Complete HART-Compatible 4 mA to 20 mA Solution

A complete HART-compatible 4 mA to 20 mA solution using the AD5700 low-power modem and AD5420 16-bit DAC for industrial transmitter applications.

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Overview

This reference design outlines a HART-compliant 4 mA to 20 mA current loop solution utilizing the AD5700 HART modem and the AD5420 16-bit current-output DAC. The circuit is optimized for line-powered field transmitters, providing a method to modulate a 1 mA peak-to-peak frequency-shift-keyed (FSK) signal onto the analog current signal. It includes detailed analysis of HART physical layer requirements, such as output noise during silence and analog rate of change. The design features digital slew rate control and filter circuitry to ensure undistorted FSK communication at 1200 Hz and 2200 Hz while maintaining industrial-grade interference immunity.

Use Cases

  • Line-powered field transmitters
  • Industrial process control instrumentation
  • Remote calibration and fault interrogation
  • Two-way digital communication over analog current loops
  • RTD, thermocouple, and ohm sensor signal conversion

Topics

AD5700
AD5420
HART modem
4 mA to 20 mA
16-bit DAC
current loop
FSK modulation
industrial transmitter
process control
Analog Devices
CN-0270

Referenced Parts

AD5700

Analog Devices

Low Power HART® Modem

AD5420

Analog Devices

16-Bit 4 mA to 20 mA DAC

AD5700-1

Analog Devices

AD5700-1 offers a 0.5% precision internal oscillator.

AD5410

Analog Devices

AD5420/AD5410 and AD5700 HART Modem Connection

AD5421

Analog Devices

The AD5421 and the AD5700 HART modem can be combined

AD5422

Analog Devices

common variation on the circuit shown in Figure 1 is to use the AD5422

AD5755-1

Analog Devices

AD5755-1 quad voltage and current output DAC may be used.

ADuM1401

Analog Devices

fully isolated output module using the AD5422 and the ADuM1401 digital isolator

ADuM3471

Analog Devices

providing power and data isolation using the ADuM3471 PWM controller and transformer driver