Texas Instruments PGA202KPG4

Overview

PGA202KPG4 from Texas Instruments (formerly Burr-Brown) is a monolithic, digitally programmable instrumentation amplifier with fixed decade gains of 1, 10, 100, and 1000. It features FET inputs (50 pA max bias current), 2 µs settling time to 0.01%, 0.012% max nonlinearity, and 80 dB min CMRR. It is used in precision data acquisition front-ends where auto-ranging and dynamic range expansion are required.

For engineers reviewing the PGA202KPG4 datasheet, PGA202KPG4 pinout, PGA202KPG4 application, or PGA202KPG4 equivalent, key selection criteria include gain accuracy vs temperature (≤300 ppm/°C at G=1000), input offset drift (±(12 + 120/G) µV/°C), output swing (±10 V @ ±15 V supplies), digital interface compatibility (TTL/CMOS), and plastic DIP package suitability for commercial-temperature systems.

Technical Context

The PGA202KPG4 uses a differential transconductance front end with four laser-trimmed FET input stages, each selected via 2-bit digital control (A0/A1) to set gain without external components. Gain switching employs current-steering architecture to maintain near-constant bandwidth across gains - 1 MHz at G<1000 and 250 kHz at G=1000.

Its output stage is a differential transimpedance amplifier with output sense (pin 11) and reference (pin 4) terminals enabling remote load sensing and IR-drop compensation. The design eliminates resistor-matching dependence for CMRR, achieving ≥94 dB at G=1000, while internal laser trimming ensures initial gain error ≤0.1% and offset voltage ≤±(2 + 24/G) mV over 0°C to +70°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PGA202KPG4 is housed in a 14-pin plastic dual in-line package (PDIP-N), RoHS-compliant, with 2.54 mm lead pitch and through-hole mounting. Pin 1 is marked with a notch or dot; pin numbering follows standard DIP convention (counterclockwise from notch).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar programmable-gain instrumentation amplifier applications.

Compared with PGA202KPG4, INA118P trades digital programmability for superior DC precision and lower cost in fixed-gain roles, while PGA205AU offers faster settling and SMT packaging but lacks the decade gain structure essential for logarithmic-range scaling in test equipment.

Availability

PGA202KPG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for data acquisition systems, auto-ranging circuits, and remote instrumentation requiring stable component supply across commercial temperature ranges and long-lifecycle production programs.

Supply support for PGA202KPG4 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments (TI) is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with deep heritage in precision amplifiers dating to Burr-Brown's acquisition in 2000.

The PGA202KPG4 belongs to TI's legacy programmable-gain instrumentation amplifier product line, engineered specifically for high-accuracy, digitally controlled signal conditioning in test and measurement equipment where gain agility and low drift are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature for the PGA202KPG4?

The PGA202KPG4 is specified for operation from 0°C to +70°C, consistent with its plastic DIP (KP) package rating. While the device can survive junction temperatures up to 175°C, sustained operation above +70°C is not guaranteed for parametric performance - including gain error (≤300 ppm/°C at G=1000), offset drift (±(12 + 120/G) µV/°C), and CMRR (≥94 dB). For extended temperature use, consider ceramic-package variants like PGA202AG.

Does the PGA202KPG4 require external components for basic operation?

No, the PGA202KPG4 requires no external resistors or capacitors for core functionality. Laser trimming ensures accurate gain (≤0.1% error) and offset (≤±(2 + 24/G) mV) across all four decade settings. Only decoupling capacitors (1 µF tantalum per supply rail) are recommended for stability. Optional components - such as an external potentiometer on VADJ (pin 9) or filter capacitors on Filter A/B (pins 5/10) - serve calibration or bandwidth tailoring, not fundamental operation.

How does the output sense (VSENSE) pin improve measurement accuracy in the PGA202KPG4?

The VSENSE pin (pin 11) provides a dedicated feedback path from the load back to the output amplifier, enabling true 4-wire (Kelvin) sensing. When connected directly to the load terminal, it eliminates voltage drop errors caused by trace or connector resistance between the PGA202KPG4 output and the load. This ensures the amplifier regulates VOUT precisely at the load point - critical for maintaining gain accuracy in systems with >1 Ω series resistance, such as long-cable remote sensor interfaces.

Can the PGA202KPG4 interface directly with a 3.3V microcontroller?

Yes - the PGA202KPG4's digital inputs (A0, A1, and Digital Common) accept TTL/CMOS logic levels and tolerate Digital Common voltages from –VCC to (VCC – 8 V). With ±15 V supplies, Digital Common can be tied to 0 V (shared with MCU ground), allowing direct connection of 3.3 V GPIO outputs to A0/A1. No level shifters are needed, as the inputs draw only 10 µA and recognize >2.4 V as logic high and <0.8 V as logic low.

What is the purpose of the Filter A and Filter B pins on the PGA202KPG4?

Filter A (pin 5) and Filter B (pin 10) provide access to internal summing nodes of the output amplifier, allowing external capacitors (e.g., 47–525 pF) to be added in parallel with internal 5.3 pF elements. This reduces bandwidth - from 1 MHz (no cap) to 10 kHz (525 pF) - lowering integrated output noise at the cost of slower settling. It is a design trade-off used in low-frequency, high-dynamic-range applications like vibration analysis or precision weigh scales where noise dominates over speed.