IP Library Granted Patent US 7,411,460
Granted Patent B2
US 7,411,460 · App. 11/372,793 · Granted Aug 12, 2008

Elimination of dummy detector on optical detectors using input common mode feedback

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,411,460
App. No.
11/372,793
Granted
Aug 12, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A voltage reference forces a constant voltage at the inputs to an amplifier, thereby negating a need for a dummy detector on the non-active input of the amplifier.

Claims (32)

1. A circuit to amplify an electrical signal comprising:

a photo-detector to provide an input signal;

a first amplifier to receive an input signal from the photo-detector and to amplify the input signal to form an output signal, the first amplifier comprising an active input to receive the input signal and a non-active input; and

a second amplifier to force a constant voltage at the active and non-active input of the first amplifier, thereby negating a need for a dummy detector on the non-active input of the first amplifier;

wherein the second amplifier maintains an input common mode voltage at an approximately constant level.

2. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the photo-detector comprises a photo diode.

3. A circuit to amplify an electrical signal comprising:

a photo-detector to provide an input signal;

a first amplifier to receive an input signal from the photo-detector and to amplify the input signal to form an output signal, the first amplifier comprising an active input to receive the input signal and a non-active input; and

a second amplifier to force a constant voltage at the active and non-active input of the first amplifier, thereby negating a need for a dummy detector on the non-active input of the first amplifier;

further comprising a reference voltage, V reference, to provide a reference voltage to a non-inverting input of the second amplifier.

4. The circuit of claim 3 , wherein the second amplifier senses input common mode voltage of the first amplifier to determine an output signal to force a constant voltage at the active and non-active inputs of the first amplifier.

5. A circuit to amplify an electrical signal comprising:

a photo-detector to provide an input signal;

a first amplifier to receive an input signal from the photo-detector and to amplify the input signal to form an output signal, the first amplifier comprising an active input to receive the input signal and a non-active input; and

a second amplifier to force a constant voltage at the active and non-active input of the first amplifier, thereby negating a need for a dummy detector on the non-active input of the first amplifier;

wherein the first amplifier is a transimpedance amplifier.

6. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the output of the first amplifier is used in a laser-based device.

7. The circuit of claim 6 , wherein the laser-based device is a compact disc (CD) drive.

8. The circuit of claim 6 , wherein the laser-based device is a digital versatile disc (DVD) drive.

9. The circuit of claim 3 , wherein the photo-detector comprises a photo diode.

10. The circuit of claim 5 , wherein the photo-detector comprises a photo diode.

11. The circuit of claim 3 , wherein the output of the first amplifier is used in a laser-based device.

12. The circuit of claim 5 , wherein the output of the first amplifier is used in a laser-based device.

13. a circuit comprising:

a photo-detector;

a transimpedance amplifier operably connected to the photo-detector; and

a second amplifier having a first input being the input common mode voltage of the transimpedance amplifier and a second input being a reference voltage, the output of the second amplifier providing feedback to the transimpedance amplifier.

14. The circuit of claim 12 , wherein the second amplifier drives the input common mode voltage of the transimpedance amplifier to an approximately constant level.

15. The circuit of claim 12 , wherein the output of the first amplifier is used in a laser-based device.

16. The circuit of claim 15 , wherein the laser-based device is a compact disc (CD) drive.

17. The circuit of claim 15 , wherein the laser-based device is a digital versatile disc (DVD) drive.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2015
From: STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.
To: EXAR CORPORATION; CADEKA MICROCIRCUITS, LLC
Reel/Frame 035168/0384 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2014
From: EXAR CORPORATION; CADEKA MICROCIRCUITS, LLC
To: STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.
Reel/Frame 033062/0123 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2008
From: SIPEX CORPORATION
To: EXAR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021754/0806 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2006
From: RANDLETT, RICHARD W.
To: SIPEX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 017640/0730 →