Temperature-compensated shunt current measurement

A current measurement unit, for providing an output for measuring the current through a shunt, wherein said shunt has a resistance which varies with a temperature of said shunt, comprising:

• an amplifier, configured for amplifying a voltage drop across said shunt, and having a gain determined by a total resistance between said shunt and said amplifier;
• and
• a first resistant element connected between said shunt and a first amplifier input, in thermal contact with a first predetermined location subject to thermal drift on said shunt, and having a resistance which varies in accordance with said temperature of said shunt, such that a change in shunt resistance causes a compensating change in amplifier gain.

A method for measuring a current through a shunt, wherein said shunt has a resistance which varies with a temperature of said shunt, comprising:

• outputting a shunt voltage signal through an output resistance which varies in accordance with a temperature of a predetermined location subject to thermal drift on said shunt;
• and
• amplifying said output voltage signal by a gain determined by said output resistance, such that a change in shunt temperature causes a compensating change in amplifier gain.

A method for providing a current measurement unit comprising:

• providing a current sensor having a shunt, a first terminal and a second terminal;
• and
• attaching a first resistant element between said shunt and said first terminal such that at least a portion of said first resistant element is in thermal contact with a first predetermined location subject to thermal drift on said shunt, wherein a resistance of said first resistant element varies in accordance with a temperature of said shunt, thereby to provide an output stabilized for changes in shunt temperature.

A current measurement unit for providing an output for measuring the current through a shunt, wherein said shunt has a resistance which varies with a temperature of said shunt, comprising:

• a controllable-gain amplifier, configured for amplifying an input signal with a gain determined by a gain control signal;
• and
• a gain control element associated with said amplifier, in thermal contact with a location subject to thermal drift on said shunt, configured for providing a gain control signal to said amplifier in accordance with a temperature at said location such that a change in shunt temperature causes a compensating change in amplifier gain.