Photodiodes can be broken into two categories: largearea photodiodes with their attendant high capacitance(30pF to 3000pF) and smaller area photodiodes withrelatively low capacitance (10pF or less). For optimalsignal-to-noise performance, a transimpedance amplifi erconsisting of an inverting op amp and a feedback resistoris most commonly used to convert the photodiode currentinto voltage. In low noise amplifi er design, large areaphotodiode amplifi ers require more attention to reducingop amp input voltage noise, while small area photodiodeamplifi ers require more attention to reducing op amp inputcurrent noise and parasitic capacitances.
The 14-bit LTC2351-14 is a 1.5Msps, low power SARADC with six simultaneously sampled differential inputchannels. It operates from a single 3V supply and featuressix independent sample-and-hold amplifi ers and a singleADC. The single ADC with multiple S/HAs enables excellentrange match (1mV) between channels and channel-tochannelskew (200ps).
Recent advances in low voltage silicon germaniumand BiCMOS processes have allowed the design andproduction of very high speed amplifi ers. Because theprocesses are low voltage, most of the amplifi er designshave incorporated differential inputs and outputs to regainand maximize total output signal swing. Since many lowvoltageapplications are single-ended, the questions arise,“How can I use a differential I/O amplifi er in a single-endedapplication?” and “What are the implications of suchuse?” This Design Note addresses some of the practicalimplications and demonstrates specifi c single-endedapplications using the 3GHz gain-bandwidth LTC6406differential I/O amplifi er.
Linear Technology’s High Frequency Product lineupincludes a variety of RF I/Q modulators. The purpose ofthis application note is to illustrate the circuits requiredto interface these modulators with several popular D/Aconverters. Such circuits typically are required to maximizethe voltage transfer from the DAC to the baseband inputsof the modulator, as well as provide some reconstructionfi ltering.
Control systems are becoming increasingly dependent on digital processing and so require sensors able to provide direct digital inputs. Sensors based on time measurement, having outputs based on a frequency or phase, have an advantage over conventional analogue sensors in that their outputs can be measured directly in digital systems by pulse counting.
This application note describes a Linear Technology "Half-Flash" A/D converter, the LTC1099, being connected to a 256 element line scan photodiode array. This technology adapts itself to handheld (i.e., low power) bar code readers, as well as high resolution automated machine inspection applications..
Low power operation of electronic apparatus has becomeincreasingly desirable. Medical, remote data acquisition,power monitoring and other applications are good candidatesfor battery driven, low power operation. Micropoweranalog circuits for transducer-based signal conditioningpresent a special class of problems. Although micropowerICs are available, the interconnection of these devices toform a functioning micropower circuit requires care. (SeeBox Sections, “Some Guidelines for Micropower Designand an Example” and “Parasitic Effects of Test Equipmenton Micropower Circuits.”) In particular, trade-offs betweensignal levels and power dissipation become painful whenperformance in the 10-bit to 12-bit area is desirable.
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits narrow-spectrum incoherent light when forward-biased.The color of the emitted light depends on the chemical composition of the semiconductor material used, and can benear-ultraviolet, visible or infrared. LEDs are more prevalent today than ever before, replacing traditional incandescent andfluorescent bulbs in many lighting applications. Incandescents use a heated filament, are subject to breakage and burnoutand operate at a luminous efficiency of 2% to 4%. Fluorescents are more efficient, at 7% to 12%, but require highdrive voltage and contain mercury, a toxic substance that may be eventually banned in certain countries. LEDs, however,produce light directly through electroluminescence, operate at low voltage and can deliver over 20% luminous efficiency.
Abstract: This application note illustrates an intermediate 8V switching power supply for an automotive radio and infotainment system.The design withstands the complete automotive input voltage range (including cold crank and load dump conditions), assuring a stable8V supply for common subsystems such as a CD driver, LCDs, and a radio module in modern infotainment systems. To avoiddisturbance in the AM and FM bands, the switching power supply runs at a fixed frequency of 2MHz, enabling an ideal solution forradio systems.
