Texas Instruments PGA204BP

Overview

PGA204BP from Burr-Brown (now Texas Instruments) is a digitally programmable gain instrumentation amplifier with fixed gain options of 1, 10, 100, and 1000 V/V, ±50 µV max input offset voltage, 115 dB CMRR at G=1000, and 16-pin plastic DIP package rated for –40°C to +85°C operation. It serves as the front-end signal conditioning stage in precision data acquisition systems requiring high common-mode rejection and low drift.

For engineers reviewing the PGA204BP datasheet, PGA204BP pinout, PGA204BP application, or PGA204BP equivalent, key selection considerations include its TTL/CMOS-compatible digital address inputs (A0/A1), ±40 V input overvoltage protection, laser-trimmed offset performance, and compatibility with single-supply or dual-supply configurations down to ±4.5 V.

Technical Context

The PGA204BP integrates three internal amplifiers (A1, A2, A3) in a classic three-op-amp instrumentation topology with digitally switched feedback resistor networks. Gain selection is performed via two unbuffered, CMOS/TTL-compatible logic inputs (A0, A1) that directly control internal 25 kΩ resistor switches without requiring an external logic supply.

Its input stage features overvoltage protection on both differential inputs, enabling safe operation with ±40 V applied even when unpowered. The output stage includes a dedicated feedback terminal (Pin 12) for remote sensing and a reference terminal (Pin 10) for output level shifting - both critical for maintaining accuracy in noisy or high-impedance sensor interfaces.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PGA204BP is housed in a 16-pin plastic DIP (dual in-line package), 0.3-inch body width, through-hole mountable with standard 0.1-inch pin spacing. Pin 1 is located at the left end of the top row when viewed from the top with the notch or dot oriented left.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with INA128P and AD8253ARZ, PGA204BP offers direct TTL/CMOS-compatible digital address inputs without needing external switches or serial interface logic, making it optimal for simple microcontroller GPIO-based gain control in cost-sensitive, moderate-bandwidth instrumentation.

Availability

PGA204BP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for data acquisition systems, medical instrumentation, general-purpose analog boards, and industrial sensor interfaces requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for PGA204BP 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

Burr-Brown Corporation, acquired by Texas Instruments in 2000, specialized in high-precision analog signal conditioning ICs for test & measurement, industrial control, and medical electronics.

The PGA204BP belongs to Burr-Brown's programmable gain instrumentation amplifier product line, designed specifically for applications demanding accurate, software-selectable amplification of low-level sensor signals in electrically noisy environments.

FAQ

What gain options does the PGA204BP support, and how are they selected?

The PGA204BP supports four discrete gain settings: 1, 10, 100, and 1000 V/V. These are selected using two TTL/CMOS-compatible digital inputs - A0 (Pin 15) and A1 (Pin 16). Logic states 00, 01, 10, and 11 correspond to gains of 1, 10, 100, and 1000 respectively. No external logic supply is needed, and gain changes take effect immediately without latching.

Does the PGA204BP require external components for basic operation?

Yes - the PGA204BP requires external decoupling capacitors (e.g., 1 µF tantalum) on V+ (Pin 13) and V– (Pin 8), a low-impedance connection (<5 Ω) from Ref (Pin 10) to system ground, and a short between Feedback (Pin 12) and VO (Pin 11). Optional components include a trim potentiometer across VOS Adj pins (6 & 7) for input offset nulling and pull-up resistors on A0/A1 if driven by open-collector logic.

What is the maximum safe input voltage for the PGA204BP, and how does its protection work?

The PGA204BP safely withstands ±40 V on either input (V+IN or V–IN) independently, even when unpowered. Internal protection circuitry limits input current to ~1.5 mA during overvoltage events, preventing damage without requiring external clamping diodes or series resistors - a key advantage in field-deployed sensor interfaces where wiring faults or ESD are common.

Can the PGA204BP operate from a single supply, and what are the limitations?

The PGA204BP is specified for dual-supply operation (±4.5 V to ±18 V), but can be used with a single supply if the input common-mode range and output swing are carefully managed. For example, with +15 V and ground, the input common-mode range is limited to ~+2.3 V below V+ and ~+2.3 V above ground, and the Ref pin must be biased at mid-supply (e.g., +7.5 V) using a low-noise buffer. Output swing remains asymmetric and reduced compared to dual-supply use.

How does the PGA204BP's offset voltage behave across gain settings?

The PGA204BP's total input-referred offset voltage follows V_OS = V_OSI + V_OSO/G, where V_OSI is input-stage offset (~±25 µV) and V_OSO is output-stage offset (~±125 µV). At G=1, total offset is dominated by V_OSO; at G=1000, it is dominated by V_OSI. This explains why the datasheet specifies tighter offset bounds at higher gains - e.g., ±125 µV max at G=1 vs. ±50 µV max at G=1000.