Including Atomic Particle Or Radiant Energy Impinging On A Semiconductor Patents (Class 330/308)
  • Patent number: 7466204
    Abstract: A differential amplifier circuit, an operational amplifier circuit, and a light-receiving amplifier circuit using the same are provided, by which the influence of an on resistance of an analog switch is reduced during the switching of gain resistances. An NPN transistor Q2 having an emitted connected in common is connected to an NPN transistor Q1 of a differential amplifier circuit including the NPN transistors Q1 and Q3, PNP transistors Q4 and Q5, and a constant-current source I1, and analog switches ASW-1c and ASW-2c are inserted and connected to the collectors of the NPN transistors Q1 and Q2 and connected to the base and collector of the PNP transistor Q4 and the base of the PNP transistor Q5. Further, analog switches ASW-1b and ASW-2b are connected to the bases of the NPN transistors Q1 and Q2, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Fukuda, Shinichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7459982
    Abstract: An amplifier output stage for reducing Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) that includes an output node and an input node. A first transistor has a base terminal coupled to the input node and has a collector terminal coupled to the output node. A second transistor has a base terminal coupled to an emitter terminal of the first transistor and has a collector terminal coupled to the output node. A third transistor has a collector terminal coupled to the emitter terminal of the first transistor and the base of the second transistor and has an emitter terminal coupled to a current source and to an emitter terminal of the second transistor. A resistor has a first terminal coupled to a base terminal of the third transistor and has a second terminal coupled to the emitter terminal of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Y Miao
  • Patent number: 7460792
    Abstract: In an optical communication-use receiving circuit of the present invention, the pulse width of the received pulse which is a binary signal corresponding to the signal optical pulse is specified by using an integration circuit and a trigger generating circuit. If the pulse width of the received pulse is not shorter than a predetermined value, a signal having a fixed pulse width is outputted as an output signal from a one-shot pulse generating circuit, so that a pulse having a constant pulse width corresponding to the specified communication speed is outputted. Accordingly, if the pulse width deriving from the signal optical pulse is larger than a certain value, the communication is deemed as a low-speed communication, and a pulse having a constant pulse width corresponding to the communication speed is outputted. As a result, it is possible to realize a small-size receiving circuit and a small-size electronic device which require no external switching-over terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naruichi Yokogawa, Takeshi Nishino
  • Publication number: 20080290952
    Abstract: A photodiode (201) is positioned so as to detect a beam of light reflected from the surface of a spinning DVD. In response to the detection of incident light, the photodiode (201) generates a signal, which is input to a trans-impedance amplifier (203). The output of the trans-impedance amplifier (203) is input to a voltage amplifier (204), to generate an output signal for processing. The trans-impedance amplifier (203) is provided with a feedback arrangement comprising a resister (205) in parallel with a capacitor (206) and a diode (207), in this case embodied by a transistor (such as an MOS transistor) arranged to act as a diode. At an input voltage wherein the corresponding output voltage is equal to the maximum normal operating voltage, diode (207) begins to conduct and capacitor (206) becomes operative. As a result, the feedback conditions change, reducing the effective gain of the trans-impedance amplifier (203).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Mekexis NV
    Inventor: Holger Pless
  • Publication number: 20080284522
    Abstract: A linear transimpedance amplifier includes a forward transimpedance circuit that receives an input signal from an optical device. The forward transimpedance circuit generates a linear output signal. The forward transimpedance circuit includes a first gain path and a second gain path, the first gain path configured to amplify the input signal when the first gain path is at a lower input impedance relative to the second gain path and the second gain path configured to amplify the input signal when the second gain path is at a lower input impedance relative to the first gain path. A feedback circuit includes a first circuit that detects a low frequency component of the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Gilles P. Denoyer
  • Patent number: 7453322
    Abstract: A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) with negative impedance compensation comprises a TIA element and a negative impedance compensator connected to the output terminal of the TIA element. The major components of the negative impedance compensator are a negative impedance element formed by a positive feedback circuit, and a compensation circuit for the parasitic capacitance at the output terminal. The negative impedance compensator changes the equivalent impedance of the output terminal from low to high with respect to the ground, and compensates the parasitic capacitance at the output terminal. Thus, an increase of both bandwidth and voltage gain is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Day-Uei Li, Chia-Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 7449669
    Abstract: There may be provided a receiving apparatus including: a light receiving element which receives an optical signal and generates a current signal dependent on the optical signal; a conversion unit which converts the current signal into a voltage signal; a reference voltage generation unit which generates a reference voltage; a threshold voltage generation unit which generates, based on the voltage signal outputted from the conversion unit and the reference voltage outputted from the reference voltage generation unit, a threshold voltage signal having an amplitude smaller than an amplitude of the voltage signal with reference to substantially the center of amplitude range of the voltage signal and delayed by a predetermined time period from the voltage signal; and a comparison unit which compares the voltage signal outputted from the conversion unit with the threshold voltage signal outputted from the threshold voltage generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Sakura
  • Patent number: 7449670
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit according to the present invention includes: a first operational amplifier having a negative input terminal, a positive input terminal, and an output terminal; a photodiode connected to the negative input terminal; a first resistor inserted between the output terminal and the negative input terminal; and a second resistor inserted between the output terminal and the positive input terminal, in which the amplifier circuit outputs current from the output terminal via the second resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Shinichi Miyamoto, Tetsuo Chato, Yasufumi Shirakawa, Yuzo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7427738
    Abstract: A light-receiving amplifier circuit of the present invention includes: a first preamplifier circuit to which a light-receiving element is connected; a second preamplifier circuit which is the same type as the first preamplifier circuit and which is apart from the light-receiving element; and a differential amplifier circuit for amplifying output voltage differential between the preamplifier circuits, wherein each of the first preamplifier circuit includes an amplifier and first and second plural feedback resistors, each of which resistors has an end commonly connected to an input terminal of the amplifier; an amplification factor of the differential amplifier circuit is less than one; and the first preamplifier circuit includes an output voltage expanding circuit which is connected to (i) another end of the first feedback resistors in the first preamplifier circuit and (ii) an output terminal of the amplifier, and which circuit is for expanding an output voltage range from the amplifier and supplying the expa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohichiroh Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7418213
    Abstract: A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) with integrated filtering. A capacitance is integrated into the TIA and connected to the power supply and to an internal ground of the TIA. Noise on the power supply of the transimpedance amplifier is filtered by the capacitor such that the power supply noise is reduced. The integrated capacitor also reduces noise ground. The integrated capacitor also reduces the effects of common mode noise that may be received from another circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Gilles P. Denoyer
  • Patent number: 7411460
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Exar Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. Randlett
  • Patent number: 7408141
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light-receiving amplifier circuit which includes a clipping circuit, can prevent an oscillation at the time of clipping operation, and can freely set clipping voltage. The light-receiving circuit of the present invention includes a photodiode, an operation amplifier, a conversion resistance connected between an output terminal and an inverting input terminal of the operation amplifier, and a clipping circuit which clips output voltage of the operation amplifier to a predetermined value. The clipping circuit includes a PNP transistor which detects a change in the output voltage of the operation amplifier and a voltage source connected to a base of the PNP transistor. Here, when the PNP transistor is turned ON along with an increase of an emitter potential of the NPN transistor which constitutes an output amplifier stage of the operation amplifier, voltage from the voltage source is applied to the base of the NPN transistor via the PNP transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Chato, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7406268
    Abstract: An optical receiver circuit is constructed to be immune to interference from external interference signals. The optical receiver circuit includes a differential amplifier having an optical reception device connected to one input of the differential amplifier. The optical receiver circuit also includes an electrical element for simulating the electrical behavior of the reception device in the illumination-free state. The electrical element is connected to the other input of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Karl Schrödinger
  • Patent number: 7403065
    Abstract: A differential transimpedance amplifier circuit for correlated differential amplification. The amplifier circuit increase electronic signal-to-noise ratios in charge detection circuits designed for the detection of very small quantities of electrical charge and/or very weak electromagnetic waves. A differential, integrating capacitive transimpedance amplifier integrated circuit comprising capacitor feedback loops performs time-correlated subtraction of noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Sandia Corporation, Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventors: Christopher A. Gresham, M. Bonner Denton, Roger P. Sperline
  • Publication number: 20080159756
    Abstract: Configurable amplifiers for optical receivers and transceivers are disclosed. In one aspect, a configurable amplifier may be coupled with an output of a current-to-voltage converter to receive a voltage. The configurable amplifier may be capable of being configured to use either a substantially linear amplifier portion or a substantially non-linear amplifier portion to amplify the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Hengju Cheng, Christine Krause
  • Patent number: 7391265
    Abstract: An amplifier unit is provided, with which the need for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion IC in Bi-CMOS process is eliminated, and relatively low process cost of the photoelectric conversion IC is achieved. The input section of a buffer (the base of a transistor Q5) is connected with a plurality of patterns of phase compensation circuits each including a resistor and a capacitor connected in series. A bipolar transistor (Q6) is interposed between a positive power supply line and a capacitor (C2) forming a capacitance of the phase compensation circuit. By switching on/off the bipolar transistor (Q6), the capacitance value and resistance value of the phase compensation circuit are switched. Since the bipolar transistor (Q6) is interposed between the capacitor (C2) and the positive power supply line, base current (Isw) acting as a switch signal does not affect the amplifier unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Miyamoto, Yousuke Kuroiwa, Masaya Ueda, Hideo Fukuda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Masaki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7388435
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods utilize an advanced linearized trans-impedance amplifier (ATIA) that allows for the recovery and amplification of low amplitude analog and digital signals. This disclosure further describes unique approaches of addressing issues inherent in the transmission and reception of small amplitude multi-carrier signals used for distribution of voice, video, and data communications over both fiber optic cables and free space transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Parsec Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Neenan, Chris G. Szymanski, Eric E. Crawford
  • Patent number: 7389056
    Abstract: A preamplifier circuit, a clock switching circuit, and an optical receiver are provided that include a preamplifier that controls a bandwidth for conducting amplification on an input signal by varying a feedback resistance according to a control signal; a control signal generating part that determines the band of the output signal of the preamplifier to generate the control signal; and a correction signal generating part that generates a correction signal for correcting the control signal; wherein the correction signal corrects the control signal to adjust the feedback resistance. Accordingly, even when the number of rises and falls of an optical input signal in a given time period is less than a predetermined number range, the control signal may be properly generated to successfully conduct band control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaki Kunii, Hirokazu Osada
  • Patent number: 7385170
    Abstract: An optical receiver circuit that effectively suppresses ambient light. A photodiode receives both desired higher frequency modulated optical signals, as well as the lower frequency or even DC ambient light optical signals. The optical receiver circuit includes a trans-impedance amplifier as do conventional optical receiver circuits. However, the optical receiver circuit also includes an ambient light suppression circuit in a feedback loop between the output terminal of the trans-impedance amplifier and the input terminal of the trans-impedance amplifier. The transfer function of the ambient light suppression circuit may be selected such that the transfer function of the optical receiver circuit filters out DC and lower frequency components contributed by the unwanted ambient light, and passes the higher frequency components that correspond to the wanted optical signal that actually contains the information of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Edward Krumberger
  • Patent number: 7373091
    Abstract: The inventors propose herein a switch fabric architecture that allows broadcasting and fast channel access in the ns-range. In various embodiments of the present invention, 10 Gb/s receiver modules are based on a novel heterodyne receiver and detection technique, which is tolerant to moderate wavelength drifts of a local oscillator. A gain clipped electrical amplifier is used in the novel receiver as a rectifier for bandpass signal recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lothar Benedict Erhard Josef Moeller
  • Publication number: 20080106338
    Abstract: The present invention has as an object to provide, for received-light amplifiers capable of changing the current-voltage conversion efficiency by changing the resistance of feedback resistors, a received-light amplifier which can prevent the deterioration of output voltage linearity occurring when the current-voltage conversion efficiency is low. The present invention includes: a light-receiving device PD; a current amplification circuit which amplifies an output current of the light-receiving device PD, and outputs the amplified current; and a current-voltage conversion circuit which performs voltage-conversion on the output current from the current amplification circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Miyamoto, Hideo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7368999
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DC offset cancellation circuit for a trans-impedance amplifier, which is typically used for converting an input current from a photodiode into an output voltage. The DC offset cancellation circuit utilizes the monitor current from a photodiode monitoring device to cancel the DC offset from the photodiode input current, enabling the conventional feedback circuit in the trans-impedance amplifier to be fully integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventor: Brad Anthony Natzke
  • Patent number: 7358819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to circuits configured for implementation in sensors, sensors employing such circuits, and methods of operating and manufacturing such sensors and/or circuits. In at least some embodiments, the circuit includes a capacitor having a first input terminal and a first output terminal, a first amplifier having second and third input terminals and a second output terminal, and a second amplifier having fourth and fifth input terminals and a third output terminal. The first output terminal of the capacitor is coupled at least indirectly to the second input terminal, the fourth input terminal, and the third output terminal. Additionally, the second amplifier provides feedback current with respect to the capacitor depending upon signals provided to the fourth and fifth input terminals. The capacitor and each of the amplifiers can be implemented on an integrated circuit without any need for external components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George E. Rollins
  • Patent number: 7358818
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical receiver operable for optical signals each having different transmission speed. The optical receiver includes a light-receiving device, a pre-amplifier, a main amplifier, and a control circuit. The pre-amplifier, may be a trans-impedance amplifier, includes a parallel connection of a switching device and a resistor in a trans-impedance or a load element. By switching ON/OFF the switching device, the gain and the bandwidth of the pre-amplifier may be changed. By providing a filter circuit, whose cut-off frequency may be switched, in the main amplifier, the bandwidth of the optical receiver may be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Uesaka, Naoki Nishiyama
  • Publication number: 20080074197
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an amplifier stage or circuit for providing a signal boost. The circuit includes an emitter-follower pair and a cross coupled differential pair. The cross coupled differential pair provides a feedback signal that provides a boost to a signal output by the emitter follower pair. In some embodiments, a capacitor of the cross coupled differential pair may be adjustable in order to vary the amount of boosting provided. In other embodiments, a current source of the cross coupled differential pair may be adjustable in order to vary the amount of boosting provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Y. Miao, Timothy G. Moran
  • Publication number: 20080074196
    Abstract: An amplifier output stage for reducing Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) that includes an output node and an input node. A first transistor has a base terminal coupled to the input node and has a collector terminal coupled to the output node. A second transistor has a base terminal coupled to an emitter terminal of the first transistor and has a collector terminal coupled to the output node. A third transistor has a collector terminal coupled to the emitter terminal of the first transistor and the base of the second transistor and has an emitter terminal coupled to a current source and to an emitter terminal of the second transistor. A resistor has a first terminal coupled to a base terminal of the third transistor and has a second terminal coupled to the emitter terminal of the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Y. Miao
  • Publication number: 20080074198
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a photoreceiver/amplifier circuit comprising a differential circuit including a differential transistor pair and a bias circuit; an active load; a feedback resistor for converting a photocurrent generated from a photodiode into a voltage; a reference resistor; and a compensation circuit. The resistance of the feedback resistor is greater than the resistance of the reference resistor. The compensation circuit supplies a compensation current from a junction between the feedback resistor and a non-inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit, so as to cancel the difference between a voltage between terminals of the feedback resistor and a voltage between terminals of the reference resistor. This reduces noise and improves offset voltage characteristics. The present invention provides a photoreceiver/amplifier circuit ensuring noise reduction and desirable offset voltage characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaya OHNISHI
  • Patent number: 7345536
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit which is connected to a sensor and variably sets an amplification property and a control method thereof are disclosed, the circuit having the capability of restricting the influence of change with time and temperature change. The amplifier circuit 1, which receives, as an input, a detection signal from the sensor and variably sets an amplification property, comprises: (1) a first reference value retaining unit 50 for retaining a first reference value K1 for setting an amplification property which makes an output signal be a specified detection reference output voltage when a reference input condition KJ is detected; (2) a correction signal generation unit 30 for generating a correction signal HS which reduces the difference between an amplification property actual measurement value and an amplification property set value; and (3) a first amplification property correction unit 40 for correcting the first reference value K1 based on the correction signal HS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaya Mizutani, Koju Aoki, Takahiro Watai, Koji Takekawa, Hiroyuki Sakima
  • Patent number: 7342212
    Abstract: An active pixel sensor (APS) image sensor comprises an array of pixel circuits corresponding to rows and columns of pixels, a plurality of amplifiers that buffer signals output by the array of pixel circuits, and a plurality of sample and hold circuits that read the buffered signals. A routing mechanism is positioned between the array of pixel circuits and the plurality of amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Allen Mentzer, Frank J. DeMonte, Jeffery Steven Beck, Matthew Michael Borg, Charles Grant Myers
  • Patent number: 7335872
    Abstract: A photocurrent amplifier circuit which can be realized as a simple and downsized photocurrent amplifier circuit is capable of selectively amplifying, in an amplifier circuit in an output stage, one or more of current signals which are respectively obtainable from light receiving circuits. The photocurrent amplifier circuit includes: light receiving circuits; amplifier devices associated with the light receiving circuits; device selector switches which apply input voltages, which deactivate the amplifier devices, to the associated amplifier devices; and a differential amplifier circuit having an inverting input unit configured of the amplifier devices which are connected in parallel. The inputs of the amplifier devices and the output of the differential amplifier circuit are connected by gain resistors. The differential amplifier circuit amplifies, into voltage signals, current signals flowing from the light receiving circuits which are respectively associated with the gain resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hideo Fukuda, Shinichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7332971
    Abstract: A Gigabit/s transimpedance amplifier system includes a forward-path amplifier section with a very large bandwidth and an overall frequency-selective feedback section which is active only from DC to low frequencies. The forward-path of the amplifier comprises a regulated cascode for receiving the input signal, a regulated cascode for receiving the feedback signal, a single-ended to differential converter and an output buffer. Stability and frequency selection is achieved by a bandwidth-limited operational amplifier in the feedback path. The Miller multiplication of a capacitive means in the operational amplifier creates a low-frequency pole and stabilizes the feedback loop and thereby limits the frequency range of the feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Uday Dasgupta, Chun Geik Tan
  • Patent number: 7330668
    Abstract: The low noise light receiver comprises a light sensor for generating a sensor signal, the sensor signal comprising a wanted signal resulting from a light source and an interfering signal resulting from interfering light; an optical filter apparatus for reducing the interfering light; an electric filter apparatus connected to the light sensor for filtering out the interfering signal and for generating a correction signal that substantially compensates for the interfering signal; and a processing apparatus connected to the light sensor and the electric filter apparatus for processing the wanted signal in order to generate an output signal (Vout).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Optosys S.A.
    Inventor: Peter Heimlicher
  • Patent number: 7323938
    Abstract: An amplifier 11 to which transistors 13 and 14 functioning as variable resistors are connected in parallel is used. A burst signal is received by a light receiving element 10 and the received signal is converted into an input current signal Iin. The input current signal Iin is converted in the amplifier 11 into an output voltage Vo. Determination is made in a determining circuit 20 as to whether the output voltage Vo exceeds a current voltage V1 which is a threshold. The result of determination is stored in a register circuit 15. Based on the result of determination outputted from the register circuit 15, a desired voltage is selected from among a number of voltages generated beforehand in a control voltage generating circuit. The selected voltage is used to generate a control voltage Vg1 or Vg2 to be applied to the transistors 13 and 14; and the generated control voltage Vg1 or Vg2 is inputted to the transistor 13 or 14 of the amplifier 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microsystems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7319365
    Abstract: In a signal determining apparatus including an amplifier circuit adapted to receive and amplify an input signal to generate an output voltage, and a comparator adapted to compare the output voltage of the amplifier circuit with a reference voltage to generate an output signal, the amplifier circuit has variable response speed characteristics so that a response speed of the amplifier circuit is controlled during its amplifying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Fujita
  • Patent number: 7319220
    Abstract: A trans-impedance amplifier receives an input current and is operable to generate an output voltage responsive to the input current. The amplifier is responsive to an increased range of input currents and has a wide bandwidth. The amplifier includes an input stage having a first and a second transistor and is configured to receive the input current. The amplifier includes an output stage coupled to the input stage and having a third and a fourth transistor. A variable resistor is coupled to the output stage to adjust the amount of current in the output stage. A variable current source is coupled to the output stage and is operable to adjust the amount of current in the output stage. A output driver, which is coupled to the output stage, includes at least another transistor. The output driver is operable to provide the output voltage and is operable to reduce the output impedance of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Mindspeed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dario Soltesz, Cristiano Bazzani, Wim Cops
  • Publication number: 20080007344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DC offset cancellation circuit for a trans-impedance amplifier, which is typically used for converting an input current from a photodiode into an output voltage. The DC offset cancellation circuit utilizes the monitor current from a photodiode monitoring device to cancel the DC offset from the photodiode input current, enabling the conventional feedback circuit in the trans-impedance amplifier to be fully integrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventor: Brad Anthony NATZKE
  • Publication number: 20080007343
    Abstract: A trans-impedance amplifier has a front-end circuit including a transistor and collector resistor for setting the open-loop gain of the feedback circuit. The collector resistor, when connected directly to the power supply, has a secondary function of defining the current through the gain transistor, affecting second-order characteristics. A current source is added between the collector resistor and power supply providing a means by which several outside factors can be mitigated, e.g the current source can take over duties for determining/defining the current for the gain transistor, thereby enabling the choice of collector resistor for setting the open-loop gain separate from the current for the gain transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventor: Brad Anthony NATZKE
  • Publication number: 20080001676
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for shorted input detection for amplifier circuits. An embodiment of a circuit includes multiple amplifier circuits, with each amplifier circuit having an input and an output. The circuit also includes multiple short detection circuits, with one of the short detection circuits being coupled to the input of each amplifier circuit. Each short detection circuit has an active state for detection of short circuits and an inactive state for normal amplifier operation. The circuit also includes a register coupled with the output of each of the amplifier circuits to hold the output of one or more of the amplifier circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Pulkit Shah, Gajender Rohilla
  • Publication number: 20070285174
    Abstract: A high-frequency circuit is provided. In the high-frequency circuit, a first PIN diode is provided in a signal line and a second PIN diode is provided between the signal line and ground so that an attenuating circuit is formed. A power supply is applied to one end of a series circuit composed of two resistors. The other end of the series circuit is connected to ground via a drain-source path of an FET. An AGC voltage is applied to a gate of the FET. A bias voltage in accordance with the AGC voltage is applied to a base voltage of a low-noise amplifier via the first and second PIN diodes so as t control attenuation of the first PIN diode and an operating current of the low-noise amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Masaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7304542
    Abstract: A feedback resistor of a feedback circuit included in a photo-receiving amplifier element is formed on an island region in which an electric potential is in a floating state. The island region is electrically isolated from an island region on which an element other than the feedback resistor is formed. This enables the response speed of the photo-receiving amplifier element to be increased without changing the process of the circuit or varying a resistance value of the feedback resistor in a first-stage amplifier unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohiko Yamamoto, Takanori Okuda
  • Patent number: 7304543
    Abstract: Devices and methods for processing signals using a Burst-Mode TIA that meets EPON and GPON specifications are disclosed herein. A signal provided by a power detector is processed with the appropriate gain by using a gain selector which includes a feedback circuit to choose the gain internally, thereby eliminating the need for an external control. Further embodiments of the invention include power detectors featuring a low-pass filter, a peak detector, and/or an envelope detector. Further embodiments of the invention include a Freeze function circuit for maintaining a current gain. Further embodiments of the invention apply appropriate gains when bursts with substantially different power levels are received consecutively, and prevent the gain from being changed during a burst. In this method, a two-pole low-pass filter with an undamped response function is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra Israel Ltd.
    Inventor: Raanan Ivry
  • Patent number: 7298978
    Abstract: An optical receiver in an optical communication system, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for optimizing a decision level of a signal output from an optical receiver to obtain a minimum bit error rate (BER) by measuring output characteristics of the optical receiver and adjusting a reference voltage of the optical receiver based on a measurement result. The provided method includes measuring the strength of an electric signal at a modulated frequency out of the frequency elements of the output electric signal in the optical receiver, generating a reference voltage based on the strength data of the electric signal, inputting the reference voltage to the optical receiver and re-measuring the strength of the electric signal output from the optical receiver to determine whether the strength of the signal is minimum, and maintaining the reference voltage when the strength of the signal is minimum and adjusting the reference voltage in other cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jyung-chan Lee, Seung-il Myong, Jin-soo Han, Je-soo Ko
  • Patent number: 7288754
    Abstract: An optical receiver. The optical receiver includes a photodiode, a differential transimpedance amplifier, a transistor, and a current source. When the photodiode receives an optical signal, a current signal transmitted from a cathode of the photodiode to an anode thereof is generated. Two input terminals of the differential transimpedance amplifier couple the current signal, and the differential transimpedance amplifier converts the current signal to a voltage signal. In addition, voltage variation of the cathode is coupled to the anode through a voltage follower composed by the transistor and the current source. As a result, voltage of the cathode and that of the anode vary in phase, effectively decreasing a value of the photodiode parasitic capacitance and improving operating bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 7279984
    Abstract: A device for differential-mode processing of an incident voltage relative to a reference voltage includes a differential circuit including a voltage/current conversion block having a differential input, designed to receive the incident voltage at a first input and the reference voltage at a second input. A current amplification block includes a gain module and a current subtraction module. A current/voltage conversion block includes an operational amplifier with differential transimpedance supplied with a common-mode voltage, receiving the two currents output from the amplification block at its input, and delivering two calibrated opposing voltages at its output that are centered around the common-mode voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Lionel Grillo, William Thies
  • Publication number: 20070229172
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes: a control circuit that controls the gain of a transimpedance amplifier by taking part of an input current to be input to the transimpedance amplifier, based on the output voltage of the transimpedance amplifier; and a PIN diode that is provided between an input of the transimpedance amplifier and the control circuit, and is connected in the forward direction with respect to the current to be drawn into the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: EUDYNA DEVICES INC.
    Inventors: Taizou Tatsumi, Sosaku Sawada
  • Patent number: 7268628
    Abstract: A preamplifier includes a negative-feedback amplifier circuit that converts a current signal from a photodetector into a voltage signal; and a conversion-gain control circuit that simultaneously controls a resistance value of a feedback resistor portion of the negative-feedback amplifier circuit and a resistance value of a load resistor portion of the negative-feedback amplifier circuit, based on the voltage signal from the negative-feedback amplifier circuit. Each of the feedback resistor portion and the load resistor portion includes a fixed resistor element, a MOSFET element, and a diode-connected transistor, connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Noda
  • Patent number: 7268338
    Abstract: A CCD imaging array and a charge measurement amplifier for use in such imaging arrays is disclosed. The array includes a plurality of pixels that accumulate charge when exposed to light, a readout amplifier having input and output ports. The readout amplifier has a variable gain that is set by a gain control signal. The readout amplifier also includes a reset path between the input and output ports, the path having an impedance controlled by a reset signal. A controller generates the gain control signal and the reset signal during a charge measurement cycle. Initially the gain is set to a first value after generating the reset signal. The gain is changed to a second value during the charge measurement cycle if the output signal exceeds a first threshold value. The readout amplifier can be constructed from an operational amplifier having a capacitive feedback loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Fairchild Imaging
    Inventors: Xinqiao (Chiao) Liu, Hung Do
  • Patent number: 7265632
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a current source circuit having a reference resistor produces first, second and third bias currents that vary with manufacturing variances of the current compensation resistor. An input amplification stage includes a transconductance stage biased by the first bias current, a first transimpedance amplifier (TIA) biased by the second bias current, and a first feedback resistor coupled between the first TIA's input and output. The input of the first TIA is coupled to an output of the transconductance stage. An output amplification stage is biased by the third bias current and has an input coupled to an output of the first TIA. A second feedback resistor is coupled between the output of the output amplification stage and the input of the transconductance stage. The reference resistor and first and second feedback resistors are formed using a common manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hock Tiong Kwa, Xue Min Ji, Bin Zhang, Pak Kwong Chan
  • Patent number: 7265333
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a light-receiving circuit, in particular, the circuit for an avalanche photodiode (APD), in which the current of the APD is dynamically controlled to protect the APD from the over current. The circuit comprises the high voltage source, the current mirror circuit connected to the high voltage source, the APD connected to one of the current output terminal of the current mirror circuit, and the current source connected to the other current output terminal of the current mirror circuit. The current flowing out from the other current output terminal is dynamically controlled by the current source to protect the APD from the over current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moriyasu Ichino, Sigeo Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7265631
    Abstract: The transimpedance amplifier that performs signal amplification includes a first input that receives an input signal, a second input that receives a power signal, a third input that receives a control signal, and an output that generates an output signal. The transimpedance amplifier includes at least one signal amplification circuit that receives the power signal, input signal, and the control signal and that performs both signal amplification on the input signal and regulation of the power signal in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hock Tiong Kwa, Richard Kok Keong Lum