High dynamic range transimpedance amplifier
AssigneeAnalog Devices Global Unlimited Company
InventorYalcin Alper Eken
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a receiver for a light detection and ranging system. The receiver includes a transimpedance amplifier that is operable in a linear mode for a range of power of light received by the receiver. The receiver can provide information about amplitude of the light outside of the range of power of the light for which the transimpedance amplifier operates in the linear mode. This information can be useful, for example, in identifying an object from which light received by the receiver was reflected.
Claims20
A receiver for a light detection and ranging system with high dynamic range, the receiver comprising:
- an optoelectrical device configured to receive light and to convert the light to a current;
- a transimpedance amplifier configured to generate an output voltage from the current, the transimpedance amplifier being operable in a linear mode for a range of power of the light;
- and
- an over-current sensing circuit coupled to the transimpedance amplifier, the over-current sensing circuit configured to generate an overload signal indicative of an amplitude of the light outside of the range of power of the light for which the transimpedance amplifier is operable in the linear mode.
A current pulse processing circuit with high dynamic range, the current pulse processing circuit comprising:
- a transimpedance amplifier configured to generate a voltage pulse from a current pulse, the transimpedance amplifier operable in a linear mode for a range of current;
- and
- an over-current sensing circuit coupled to the transimpedance amplifier, the over-current sensing circuit configured to generate an overload signal indicative of an amplitude of the current pulse outside of the range of current for which the transimpedance amplifier is operable in the linear mode.
A method of processing a pulse of light in a light detection and ranging receiver with high dynamic range, the method comprising:
- converting the pulse of light to a current pulse, the pulse of light having an optical power above a range for which a transimpedance amplifier of the light detection and ranging receiver operates in a linear region;
- clipping an input voltage of the transimpedance amplifier;
- and
- generating, based on a sensed current associated with the clipping, an overload signal indicative of an amplitude of the received pulse of light having the optical power above the range for which the transimpedance amplifier operates in the linear region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.