Isoloate Digital As Well As Analog Signals

August 17th, 2007

My former boss, Jon Titus, writing for Design News, reminds us to isolate digital signals as well as analog signals:

Previous columns have stressed the need to eliminate ground loops that can cause digitized signals to include noise from nearby sources. Often, though, engineers may forget digital signals also can introduce ground loops that adversely affect analog measurements. So, when you examine an instrumentation system, look for possible problems with digital as well as analog signal-return paths and grounds. Isolation also provides another benefit: Equipment can operate at different voltage levels or “float” above zero volts.

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Entry Filed under: Data Acquisition, Test Equipment