Instrumentation amplifier is a kind of differential amplifier. It is used primarily for testing instruments and to measure the calibration as well as output of various equipments. Installed or connected with input buffer amplifiers, instrumentation amplifier is widely used in the music industry, by broadcasters and producers around the world.
List of Advantages of Instrumentation Amplifier
1. Accurate Testing and Measurement
Instrumentation amplifier doesn’t require input impedance matching. This makes the amplifier ideal for testing and measuring various equipments. Instrumentation amplifier has a low DC offset. It doesn’t generate any noticeable noise and the drift is considerably low. The open loop gain is very high, the common mode rejection ratio is also very high and the two attributes along with considerable input impedances make them very accurate.
2. Stable and Easy to Use
Instrumentation amplifier is very stable and hence ideal for long term use. It is also perfect for short term use. Instrumentation amplifier has a controlled circuit but it can be easily varied or adjusted by working on the R (gain) value. There is no need to change the circuit or its structure. Since the R (gain) is almost entirely dependent on the resistors used externally, the gain value can be gauged very accurately and can be tweaked by working on the resistors. Choosing or changing the resistor values is more critical here. There is very little erring variance in the output because the common code signal is rejected and any output impedance is essentially the output impedance you would get with a differential amplifier.
3. Reliability of the Setup and Results
Instrumentation amplifier works with the input and hence doesn’t really depend much on the various factors that influence the output at the latter stages. You can understand more about an instrument’s output ability only when you know the input very well. The outputs will anyway depend on many associated and disassociated factors.
4. Highly Scalable
Using instrumentation amplifier allows you to amplify the sound at the input level so even a relatively tiny input can be amplified to a great extent. With amplifications of outputs, there is still a need for substantial input, only then can you amplify to a desired extent.
List of Disadvantages of Instrumentation Amplifier
1. Long Range Transmission Issues
The biggest and perhaps the only concern with instrumentation amplifier is the superimposing of the original wave when the sound or noise gets transmitted over a long range. The system will depend on special cables that can cancel this noise or superimposition.
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.