Common-mode rejection is a measure of the change in output
voltage when both inputs are changed by equal amounts. These
specifications are usually given for a full-range input voltage
change and a specified source imbalance. “Common-Mode
Rejection Ratio” (CMRR) is a ratio expression while “Common-
Mode Rejection” (CMR) is the logarithm of that ratio. For
example, a CMRR of 10,000 corresponds to a CMR of 80 dB.
In an instrumentation amplifier, ac common-mode rejection is
only as good as the differential phase shift. Degradation of ac
common-mode rejection is caused by unequal drops across
differing track resistances and a differential phase shift due to
varied stray capacitances or cable capacitances. In many applications
shielded cables are used to minimize noise. This technique
can create common-mode rejection errors unless the
shield is properly driven. Figures 32 and 33 shows active data
guards which are configured to improve ac common-mode
rejection by “bootstrapping” the capacitances of the input
cabling, thus minimizing differential phase shift.