Current-Mode Light Receiver Circuit for Wide-Voltage Low-Power Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light receiving circuits face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to operate within a wide range of power supply voltages, particularly when using CMOS elements, which have low withstand voltage and are prone to noise interference.
Innovation Solution
The proposed light receiving circuit incorporates a transimpedance amplifier circuit, a current source, a differential amplifier, a current mirror unit, and a conversion unit to output a voltage corresponding to differential signals, utilizing a current source load to reduce noise and power consumption, and shielding the light receiving element to improve noise tolerance and operate across a wide power supply voltage range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If CMOS elements are used in the light receiving circuit, then power consumption is reduced, but the circuit becomes difficult to operate within a wide range of power supply voltages due to low withstand voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the logic elements from voltage-based CMOS operation to current-based operation. By using current mode logic with current mirrors and differential amplifiers, the circuit can tolerate wide power supply voltage variations while maintaining low power consumption, as current operation is less sensitive to voltage fluctuations than voltage mode CMOS.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional light receiving circuits are used, then they can operate with standard components, but power consumption is high and noise tolerance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes conventional voltage-mode amplifier circuits with current-mode circuits using transimpedance amplifiers and current mirrors. This substitution maintains ease of manufacture with standard semiconductor components while achieving lower power consumption and improved noise tolerance through the current-mode operation architecture.
3Device complexity
If voltage-mode operation is used, then the circuit is simple to design, but noise tolerance is reduced and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces transimpedance amplifiers as intermediary components between the photodetector and subsequent logic stages. These amplifiers convert current signals to voltage signals while providing impedance matching and noise filtering, thereby improving noise tolerance without significantly increasing overall circuit complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively reduces power consumption and enhances noise tolerance, allowing the circuit to operate efficiently across a wide range of power supply voltages without the need for additional regulators, while maintaining high-speed operation and minimizing pulse width distortion.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving element; a transimpedance amplifier circuit which is connected to the light receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
A light receiving circuit includes: a transimpedance amplifier circuit which is connected to a light receiving element; a differential amplifier which operates by a predetermined current supplied by a current source to output a current corresponding to a differential signal between a signal outputted from the transimpedance amplifier circuit and a predetermined reference signal; a current mirror unit which outputs a current corresponding to the current outputted from the differential amplifier; and a conversion unit which converts the current outputted from the current mirror unit into voltage.