Application Brief
Photo-Diode Current-To-Voltage Converters
Converting the small output current of a photo- In the case of Figure 1, using the CLC450 CFA,
diode transducer to a fast responding voltage is Cf was experimentally determined to be around
often challenging. Here are some ways to use 2 pF for about 10% overshoot in the step response.
high-speed current feedback and voltage Cf improves stability by counteracting the effect
feedback op amps to do the job. of the zero discussed in the paragraph above by
introducing a low frequency pole (1/2πRfCf) and
Current Feedback Amplifier Solution an inconsequential zero (1/2πROCf).
Current feedback amplifiers (CFA) are
RA RB
especially suited to implement this function,
as shown in Figure 1. With an effective internal
C' f
buffer on the inverting node of the op amp,
the output impedance RO (internal to U1, not
+12V Rf
shown) and the photo-diode’s output capacitance - 1 kΩ
CIN (typically 10-200 pF) introduce a zero in the U1 VOUT
CLC450
noise gain at approximately 1/2π(ROCIN). +
In comparison, the zero produced by a voltage
feedback op amp in a similar configuration
[1/2π(RIN||Rf ||RBIAS)CIN ] tends to be much lower Figure 2. RA-RB Resistor Divider Allows Use Of Practical Value for Cf
in frequency and more troublesome. This being
the case, CIN has less of an effect on reduction of It is possible to change the required 2 pF
the converter bandwidth, and achieving stability compensation capacitor to a more practical value,
is easier when using a CFA. by adding RA and RB in a voltage divider, as shown
in Figure 2. The new value of Cf is (1+RB/RA) x Cf.
If CIN is sufficiently large, the closed loop phase This relationship holds true as long as RB<<Rf.
shift will approach -180˚ at the cross-over
frequency (where open loop transimpedance For this example, select RA=50Ω, and RB=500Ω.
gain crosses the noise gain function). As with Therefore, Cf =(1+500/50) x 2 pF=~22 pF,
voltage feedback amplifiers, the closed loop which is a much more practical component value.
amplifier can be compensated by adding a This value needs to be “fine tuned” in the real
small capacitor (Cf) across Rf. application for proper step response.
Cf
2 pF
VBIAS
Photo-Diode With Biasing
And Equivalent Circuit
1.2k C1
RBIAS 100 nF Rf
Shown
+12V 1 kΩ
1 mA CIN RIN
-
Photo-Diode 15 pF 40k U1
CLC450 VOUT
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+
RL CL
C2 R11 R10 1k 10 pF
0.1 uF 1k 1k
+12V
Cf
5 pF
VBIAS
Rf
1.2k C1 Q1 +5V 1K
100 nF ~1 mAPP
2N3904
1 mA -
Photo-Diode R2 U1
CIN RIN LMH6642 VOUT
1.8k
10- 40k R5 +
200 pF 510 RL CL
D1 R11 R10 1k 10 pF
1N4148 910 1k
R3
1k +5V
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