This design is commonly referred to as a loop powered or 2 wire 4 20 ma transmitter.
4 20ma signal generator ic.
The 4 20 ma current loop is the prevailing process control signal in many industries.
Mine uses the same 317 regulator with switches for 1 2 4 8 12 ma.
Volt ma thermocouple loop process calibrator 0 20v and 4 20ma simulator portable millivolt ma and temperature signal generator and meter for transmitters current loops plc and process devices 349 95 349 95 get it as soon as thu sep 3 free shipping by amazon.
Two ics convert 4 20ma signal to 0 5v output abstract.
It is also much simpler and cost effective.
The transmitter has only two external input terminals.
I can use this to source 4 wire or simulate 2 wire it also has a 10 turn potentiometer which i can use as a rough check for thermocouple or rtd inputs.
I have a slightly different variation on mikevt s signal source.
Product description the current loop simulator was developed to assist maintenance personnel and integrators in 4 to 20 ma analog input testing troubleshooting and application development.
This homemade calibrator will produce 4 30ma which can be used in place of various sensors giving signal as 4 20ma in its wide range of input.
The 4ma level from the transducer produces a 0v output and the 20ma level produces a 5v output.
It simulates a 2 wire loop powered transmitter.
The transmitter communicates back to its host typically a plc analog input module by precisely controlling the magnitude of its return current.
It is an ideal method of transferring process information because current does not change as it travels from transmitter to receiver.
This design idea describes a simple circuit that converts a 4 20ma signal to a 0v to 5v analog voltage ideal for conversion to digital with an analog to digital converter adc.
To keep it simple this will simulate 4 20ma or called as 4 20ma signal generator.
Testing the circuit in breadboard giving desired output.