Datasheet
LTC1966
31
1966fb
The calculations of the error terms for a 200mV full-scale 
case are:
Gain  = 
Reading at 200mV – Reading at 20mV
180mV
Output Offset  = 
Reading at 20mV
Gain
–20mV
DC, 2 Point
DC based calibration is preferable in many cases because a 
DC voltage of known, good accuracy is easier to generate 
than such an AC calibration voltage. The only down side 
is that the LTC1966 input offset voltage plays a role. It is 
therefore suggested that a DC based calibration scheme 
check at least two points: ±full-scale. Applying the –full-
scale input can be done by physically inverting the voltage 
or by applying the same +full-scale input to the opposite 
LTC1966 input.
For an otherwise AC-coupled application, only the gain 
term may be worth correcting for, but for DC-coupled ap-
plications, the input offset voltage can also be calculated 
and corrected for.
The calculations of the error terms for a 200mV full-scale 
case are:
Gain  = 
Reading at 200mV +Reading at – 200mV
400mV
Input Offset  = 
Reading at – 200mV – Reading at 200mV
2•Gain
applicaTions inForMaTion
Note: Calculation of and correction for input offset voltage 
are the only way in which the two LTC1966 inputs (IN1, 
IN2) are distinguishable from each other. The calculation 
above assumes the standard definition of offset; that a 
positive offset is the case of a positive voltage error inside 
the device that must be corrected by applying a like nega-
tive voltage outside. The offset is referred to whichever 
pin is driven positive for the +full-scale reading.
DC, 3 Point
One more point is needed with a DC calibration scheme 
to determine output offset voltage: +10% of full scale.
The calculation of the input offset is the same as for the 
2-point calibration above, while the gain and output offset 
are calculated for a 200mV full-scale case as:
Gain  = 
Reading at 200mV – Reading at 20mV
180mV
Output Offset  = 
Reading at 200mV +Reading at – 200mV – 400mV • Gain
2










