Photodiode Amplifier Design

ericgibbs

Joined Jan 29, 2010
18,766
hi,
Consider that you are using a single supply for the OPA.
Say you wanted the Vout to swing positive and negative when there is a signal from the photo-diode.
With a single Vcc , Vout cannot swing below zero volts, so a common way to overcome this limitation is to bias the Non Inv input of the OPA to a positive voltage level.
This raises the steady state of Vout above zero volts, usually R2=R3 so that Vout is Vcc/2.
Update:
So the photo diode will drive Vout above and below Vcc/2
Is this what you are asking.?
E
 

Audioguru again

Joined Oct 21, 2019
6,672
The inputs of most opamps do not work if their voltage is within a few volts from the negative supply voltage. Since your circuit has no negative supply voltage, instead it has 0V then the opamp inputs must be biased to a positive voltage that is away from your 0V.
Also, the photodiode needs a reverse bias voltage across it.
 

Wolframore

Joined Jan 21, 2019
2,609
I agree it’s a comparator and it would have hysteresis if we we using -/+ rails. I believe that biased with DC it only triggers at half point since the capacitor coupling centers the input.
 

ericgibbs

Joined Jan 29, 2010
18,766
hi W,
R12 is connected from the Output back to the NI input of the OPA, so as NI is driven high by the incoming signal via C4, the Vout going adds to the to NI input, ie; hysteresis.
E
 

Analog Ground

Joined Apr 24, 2019
460
The photodiode will have a reverse bias across it which means it is operating in photoconductive mode. Generally, this mode gives faster speed (higher bandwidth) but introduces dark (leakage) current. The other mode is photovoltaic where there is no bias on the photodiode. When using this circuit it is good to know in which mode the photodiode is operating.
 

ericgibbs

Joined Jan 29, 2010
18,766
hi,
When using a comparator you need to have a Threshold voltage on one of the OPA pins against which the incoming signal is compared.
If the incoming voltage is less than the threshold voltage the OPA output is at one state, when the incoming voltage is greater than the threshold voltage the output of the OPA is in the other state.
OK.?
E
 

Thread Starter

Sergen Erbay

Joined Dec 19, 2019
23
hi,
When using a comparator you need to have a Threshold voltage on one of the OPA pins against which the incoming signal is compared.
If the incoming voltage is less than the threshold voltage the OPA output is at one state, when the incoming voltage is greater than the threshold voltage the output of the OPA is in the other state.
OK.?
E
Thank you.I understood.
 
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