Author Topic: Seperate switched AC plus DC signal  (Read 1736 times)

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Offline ChrischeTopic starter

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Seperate switched AC plus DC signal
« on: September 15, 2016, 06:50:10 pm »
Hey everyone,

I currently working on a project that involves sensing a low voltage ac signal that is superimposed on a large dc offset.

The problem is that this ac signal is switched.
So whenever i try to ac couple it, in order to remove the undesired dc component from the signal, i get the problem that
can be seen from the picture that i attached.
Obviously it is the time constant from the coupling capacitor and shunt impedance that is responsible for this kind of response.
I cannot really find  a solution to this problem.
So i hope you have any ideas how to solve this problem. Maybe even a circuit example, but any hint is very much appreciated!

 

Offline Signal32

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Re: Seperate switched AC plus DC signal
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2016, 07:36:42 pm »
You need to provide more context in order for us to figure out what solutions would work. Such as:
What are you trying to sense it with ?
Why are you sensing it - what are you trying to do ?

An easy generic solution is use DC coupling and don't use ground as the sensing point, but generate another voltage equal to the offset that you have and use that as ground.
 

Online PartialDischarge

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Re: Seperate switched AC plus DC signal
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2016, 08:05:24 pm »
As signal32 pointed the context is important, that way you can tailor a proper solution.
However dont expect a system that will give you the ac signal instantly after you apply an ac+dc input. Even if you were to convert the signal into digital with a fast ADC and come up with a software algorithm to separate both, il'll take a few iterations for it to separate the DC given that you properly define the min and max components of the spectrum of the AC signal
 

Offline ChrischeTopic starter

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Re: Seperate switched AC plus DC signal
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2016, 08:21:29 pm »
Ok, so almost immediately after i posted the original post i got an idea. It seems to solve the problem but i don't really like the circuit because i think there might just be a simpler solution.

You can have a good look at the pictures i attached below i think they should explain it a bit better.
I attached also a LTspice model of the circuit so it might become a little more appeared what I'm trying to do.
 


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