A wideband low-noise variable-gain BiCMOS transimpedance amplifier

Meyer, Robert G.; Mack, W.D.

doi:10.1109/4.293116

Cited by 50 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Equations (2) and (3) can, therefore, be used to calculate the necessary feedback capacitance for critical damping and the resulting 3-dB frequency. In the high-current regime, that is for ac photocurrents biased above , the feedback loop complicates the overall transfer function (10) where is the 3-dB frequency of the single-pole difference amplifier and it is assumed that has been determined from equation (2). Stability in the high-current regime is determined by the poles of equation (10), whose loci with varying are shown graphically in Fig.…”

Section: B Bilinear Transimpedance Preamplifiermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, there is also a direct trade-off between sensitivity and the input current overload, determined by the value of the fixed transimpedance gain, which ultimately limits the achievable DR. Extension of the DR can be accomplished by varying the preamplifier gain in response to the input signal level, although continuously variable gain control circuits often require precise component matching to achieve stability [2] and may exhibit reduced noise performance [3]. Various methodologies have been employed to overcome these limitations, including variable attenuation of the diode current before amplification [4], improved stability via differential transimpedance topologies [5] and the use of switched discrete gain levels [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A nonlinear optical preamplifier for sensing applications

Hayes

2002

IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. I

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper describes a methodology for designing optical preamplifiers that exhibit a logarithmic response, and, therefore operate over a wide dynamic range. A novel bilinear transimpedance preamplifier is presented that can be utilized to overcome the bandwidth limitations of extant nonlinear preamplifier designs when combined with conventional logarithmic circuitry. The bandwidth improvement is achieved by exploiting the bilinear nature of the transimpedance preamplifier to implement a photocurrent gain over a very wide dynamic range. This photocurrent amplification opposes the decreased bandwidth exhibited by logarithmic amplifiers at low input current levels, which are a requirement of sensitive optical preamplification. In addition, it is demonstrated that the bilinear transimpedance approach can simplify rejection of ambient photocurrent by comparison to a single-stage logarithmic design. This method of dynamic range extension is particularly suited to optical sensing applications, where the requirements for sensitivity and monotonicity may preclude the use of continuously variable or switched gain preamplifier designs. The methodology is validated by the presentation of experimental results from a complete implementation intended for use with multiplexed-source sensing schemes, demonstrating good logarithmic conformity, high bandwidth and sensitivity, and a dynamic range comparable to variable gain designs.Index Terms-Ambient photocurrent rejection, bilinear transimpedance amplifier, logarithmic transimpedance amplifier, optical preamplifier.

show abstract

Section: B Bilinear Transimpedance Preamplifiermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A nonlinear optical preamplifier for sensing applications

Hayes

2002

IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. I

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Immunity against CM noise is also required in case a charge pump is used to increase bias voltage across the PD [8]. Furthermore, the loop gain characteristics (set by the differential response) can be determined independently from the DC-biasing voltages, which is advantageous over implementations such as in [7] given the required temperature range. The increased input current noise is not a problem since transmission distances in the car are low and utmost sensitivity is not needed.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This moves the collector poles to higher frequencies, and does not disturb the DC-bias points. It only requires two MOSFETs to control the gain of the core amplifier whereas in [7] seven MOSFETs were needed. This results in better control of the circuit over temperature.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the voltage drop across the current switches results in low bias voltage across a common anode PD. In [7], a Darlington input stage is combined with MOSFETs used as voltage-controlled resistors to achieve wide dynamic range. However, the Darlington input stage is not suitable for a supply voltage of 3.3 V, and the use of ten MOSFETs to control the gain and frequency response makes the circuit design over a wide temperature range difficult.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

BiCMOS variable gain transimpedance amplifier for automotive applications

et al. 2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A new BiCMOS variable gain transimpedance amplifier with a large area integrated photodiode for automotive applications is presented. Through careful control of the input pole position and the frequency response of the core amplifier, the bandwidth of the transimpedance amplifier varies from 112 to 300 MHz when its gain changes from 14.2 kV to 400 V. The proposed circuit configuration maintains a high voltage across a common anode photodiode, and its bandwidth in highest gain varies from 121 to 102 MHz over a temperature range of 240 to þ1408C. Simulation results in a 0.6 mm Si BiCMOS technology are given. The amplifier consumes 16 mW from a 3.3 V supply.Introduction: Optical transmission technology is increasingly used in cars as an alternative for copper-based solutions [1]. Optical receivers for automotive communication networks must cope with a high ambient temperature range (240 to þ1258C), be cost-effective and low power. Cost-effectiveness implies usage of an integrated photodiode (PD) with large diameter (430 mm in this Letter) to relax the mechanical alignment accuracy requirement, resulting in a high PD capacitance of 4.8 pF. PDs can be made using the p-substrate as an anode and an n þ contact as a cathode [2]. To ensure a fast PD and minimise its capacitance, its reverse bias must be high. This is challenging at a supply voltage of 3.3 V. Variable gain transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) are needed to ensure high dynamic range. In [3], a variable gain TIA is realised by splitting the core amplifier into two parallel amplifiers and adding their outputs together in a weighted sum fashion. Variable gain was realised by adjusting the weighting factor. However, owing to the varying open-loop gain it is difficult to control the bandwidth and peaking of the frequency response. In [4][5][6], current switches at the input of the TIA are used to steer part of the photodiode current away from the TIA for high optical input power. However, the voltage drop across the current switches results in low bias voltage across a common anode PD. In [7], a Darlington input stage is combined with MOSFETs used as voltage-controlled resistors to achieve wide dynamic range. However, the Darlington input stage is not suitable for a supply voltage of 3.3 V, and the use of ten MOSFETs to control the gain and frequency response makes the circuit design over a wide temperature range difficult. In this Letter we propose a new circuit that overcomes these disadvantages, and can handle a junction temperature range of 240 to þ1408C.

show abstract

Advanced Transimpedance Amplifier Design I

2017

Analysis and Design of Transimpedance Amplifiers for Optical Receivers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A wideband low-noise variable-gain BiCMOS transimpedance amplifier

Cited by 50 publications

References 11 publications

A nonlinear optical preamplifier for sensing applications

A nonlinear optical preamplifier for sensing applications

BiCMOS variable gain transimpedance amplifier for automotive applications

Advanced Transimpedance Amplifier Design I

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About