Avalanche photo diode (APD) receiver modules arewidely used in fi ber optic communication systems. AnAPD module contains the APD and a signal conditioningamplifi er, but is not completely self contained. It stillrequires signifi cant support circuitry including a highvoltage, low noise power supply and a precision currentmonitor to indicate the signal strength. The challenge issqueezing this support circuitry into applications withlimited board space. The LT®3482 addresses this challengeby integrating a monolithic DC/DC step-up converter andan accurate current monitor. The LT3482 can supportup to a 90V APD bias voltage, and the current monitorprovides better than 10% accuracy over four decades ofdynamic range (250nA to 2.5mA).
Linear Technology’s DC/DC step-down μModule®regulators are complete switchmode power supplies in asurface-mount package. They include the DC/DC controller,inductor, power switches and supporting circuitry.These highly integrated regulators also provide an easysolution for applications that require negative outputvoltages. In other words, these products can operate asinverting buck-boost regulators. As a result, the lowestpotential in the circuit is not the standard 0V, but –VOUT,which must be tied to the μModule regulator’s GND. Allsignals are now referred to –VOUT.
High voltage buck DC/DC controllers such as the LTC3890(dual output) and LTC3891 (single output) are popular inautomotive applications due to their extremely wide 4V to60V input voltage range, eliminating the need for a snubberand voltage suppression circuitry. These controllersare also well suited for 48V telecom applications whereno galvanic isolation is required.
AN22 details the theoretical and application aspects of the LT1088 thermal RMS/DC converter. The basic theory behind thermal RMS/DC conversion is discussed and design details of the LT1088 are presented. circuitry for RMS/DC converters, wideband input buffers and heater protection is shown.
Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are widely utilized in laserbased fiberoptic systems to convert optical data intoelectrical form. The APD is usually packaged with a signalconditioning amplifier in a small module. An APD receivermodule and attendant circuitry appears in Figure 1. TheAPD module (figure right) contains the APD and a transimpedance(e.g., current-to-voltage) amplifier. An opticalport permits interfacing fiberoptic cable to the APD’sphotosensitive portion. The module’s compact constructionfacilitates a direct, low loss connection between theAPD and the amplifier, necessary because of the extremelyhigh speed data rates involved
Occasionally, we are tasked with designing circuitry for aspecific purpose. The request may have customer originsor it may be an in-house requirement. Alternately, a circuitmay be developed because its possibility is simply tooattractive to ignore1. Over time, these circuits accumulate,encompassing a wide and useful body of proven capabilities.They also represent substantial effort. These considerationsmake publication an almost obligatory propositionand, as such, a group of circuits is presented here. This isnot the first time we have displayed such wares and, giventhe encouraging reader response, it will not be the last2.Eighteen circuits are included in this latest effort, roughlyarranged in the categories given in this publication’s title.They appear at the next paragraph.
Size, output flexibility and efficiency advantages havemade switching regulators common in electronic apparatus.The continued emphasis on these attributes hasresulted in circuitry with 95% efficiency that requiresminimal board area. Although these advantages are welcome,they necessitate compromising other parameters
In an increasing trend, telecommunications, networking,audio and instrumentation require low noise power supplies.In particular, there is interest in low noise, lowdropout linear regulators (LDO). These components powernoise-sensitive circuitry, circuitry that contains noisesensitiveelements or both. Additionally, to conserve power,particularly in battery driven apparatus such as cellulartelephones, the regulators must operate with low input-tooutputvoltages.1 Devices presently becoming availablemeet these requirements (see separate section, “A Familyof 20mVRMS Noise, Low Dropout Regulators”).
In August of 1992 LTC published Application Note 49,
“Illumination circuitry for Liquid Crystal Displays.” One
notable aspect of this event is that it generated more
response than all previous LTC application notes combined.
This level of interest, along with significant performance
advances since AN-49’s appearance, justifies
further discussion of LCD backlighting circuitry.
The ISO7220 and ISO7221 are dual-channel digital isolators. To facilitate PCB layout, the channels are orientedin the same direction in the ISO7220 and in opposite directions in the ISO7221. These devices have a logic inputand output buffer separated by TI’s silicon-dioxide (SiO2) isolation barrier, providing galvanic isolation of up to4000 V. Used in conjunction with isolated power supplies, these devices block high voltage, isolate grounds, andprevent noise currents on a data bus or other circuits from entering the local ground and interfering with ordamaging sensitive circuitry.
