An analyte monitoring device, comprising: an analyte sensor having a plurality of sensor electrodes including a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode, and sensor electronics coupled to the sensor electrodes (W,R,C) of the analyte sensor and in signal communication with the analyte sensor, the sensor electronics including analog front end circuitry and programmed, or including programmable logic, to process signals generated by the analyte sensor and received by the analog front end circuitry, the analog front end circuitry including an analog-to-digital converter to convert an analog voltage signal from the counter electrode to digital form; wherein the analog front end circuitry of the sensor electronics is referenced to a reference potential; characterized in that: the analyte monitoring device further comprises a first guard trace associated with the reference electrode, and a second guard trace associated with the counter electrode; the analog front end circuitry comprises a first amplifier coupled to the reference electrode and to the first guard trace; the analog front end circuitry comprises a second amplifier coupled to the counter electrode and to the second guard trace, the first amplifier being different from than the second amplifier; wherein the first amplifier is configured to receive a boosted voltage from a charge pump adapted to boost power supply voltage, and wherein the analog-to-digital converter is configured to receive a voltage from a power supply that is different from the boosted voltage that the first amplifier is configured to receive; the analyte sensor having at least a portion configured to be in contact with interstitial fluid under a skin layer; and the signals generated by the analyte sensor correspond to a monitored analyte level in the interstitial fluid. an analyte sensor having a plurality of sensor electrodes including a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode, and sensor electronics coupled to the sensor electrodes (W,R,C) of the analyte sensor and in signal communication with the analyte sensor, the sensor electronics including analog front end circuitry and programmed, or including programmable logic, to process signals generated by the analyte sensor and received by the analog front end circuitry, the analog front end circuitry including an analog-to-digital converter to convert an analog voltage signal from the counter electrode to digital form; wherein the analog front end circuitry of the sensor electronics is referenced to a reference potential; characterized in that: the analyte monitoring device further comprises a first guard trace associated with the reference electrode, and a second guard trace associated with the counter electrode; the analog front end circuitry comprises a first amplifier coupled to the reference electrode and to the first guard trace; the analog front end circuitry comprises a second amplifier coupled to the counter electrode and to the second guard trace, the first amplifier being different from than the second amplifier; wherein the first amplifier is configured to receive a boosted voltage from a charge pump adapted to boost power supply voltage, and wherein the analog-to-digital converter is configured to receive a voltage from a power supply that is different from the boosted voltage that the first amplifier is configured to receive; the analyte sensor having at least a portion configured to be in contact with interstitial fluid under a skin layer; and the signals generated by the analyte sensor correspond to a monitored analyte level in the interstitial fluid. the analyte monitoring device further comprises a first guard trace associated with the reference electrode, and a second guard trace associated with the counter electrode; the analog front end circuitry comprises a first amplifier coupled to the reference electrode and to the first guard trace; the analog front end circuitry comprises a second amplifier coupled to the counter electrode and to the second guard trace, the first amplifier being different from than the second amplifier; wherein the first amplifier is configured to receive a boosted voltage from a charge pump adapted to boost power supply voltage, and wherein the analog-to-digital converter is configured to receive a voltage from a power supply that is different from the boosted voltage that the first amplifier is configured to receive; the analyte sensor having at least a portion configured to be in contact with interstitial fluid under a skin layer; and the signals generated by the analyte sensor correspond to a monitored analyte level in the interstitial fluid.