An excitation signal is produced on a plate of an unknown capacitor and on a plate of a known capacitor. The excitation signal is amplified over time to produce a first output signal, with gain that is proportional to capacitance of the unknown capacitor. The excitation signal is also amplified over time to produce a second output signal, with gain that is proportional to capacitance of the known capacitor. Capacitance of the unknown capacitor is computed using a mathematical function of the first and second output signals and the capacitance of the known capacitor, while being insensitive to amplitude of the excitation signal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.