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Optocouplers Application Note 50

Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

By Deniz Görk and Achim M. Kruck

INTRODUCTION OPERATION OF THE IL300

This application note presents isolation amplifier circuit The IL300 consists of a high efficiency AlGaAs LED emitter
designs useful in industrial test and measurement systems, coupled to two independent PIN photodiodes. The servo
instrumentation, and communication systems. It covers the photodiode (pins 3, 4) provides a feedback signal which
IL300’s coupling specifications, and circuit topologies for controls the current to the LED emitter (pins 1, 2). This
photovoltaic and photoconductive amplifier design. Specific photodiode provides a photocurrent, IP1, that is directly
designs include unipolar and bipolar responding amplifiers. proportional to the LED’s incident flux. This servo operation
Both single ended and differential amplifier configurations linearizes the LED’s output flux and eliminates the LED’s
are discussed. Also included is a brief tutorial on the time and temperature dependancy. The galvanic isolation
operation of photodetectors and their characteristics. between the input and the output is provided by a second
Galvanic isolation is desirable and often essential in many PIN photodiode (pins 5, 6) located on the output side of the
measurement systems. Applications requiring galvanic coupler. The output current, IP2, from this photodiode
isolation include industrial sensors, medical transducers, accurately tracks the photocurrent generated by the servo
and mains powered switchmode power supplies. Operator photodiode.
safety and signal quality are insured with isolated Fig. 1 shows the package footprint and electrical schematic
interconnections. These isolated interconnections of the IL300. The following sections discuss the key
commonly use isolation amplifiers. operating characteristics of the IL300. The IL300
Industrial sensors include thermocouples, strain gauges, performance characteristics are specified with the
and pressure transducers. They provide monitoring signals photodiodes operating in the photoconductive mode.
to a process control system. Their low level DC and AC
signal must be accurately measured in the presence of high
common-mode noise. The IL300’s 130 dB common mode IL300
rejection (CMR), high gain stability ± 0.005 %/°C (typ.) and 1 8
± 0.01 % linearity provide a quality link from the sensor to
the controller input.
2 7
The aforementioned applications require isolated signal
K1 K2
processing. Current designs rely on A / D or V / F converters
to provide input / output insulation and noise isolation. Such 3 6
designs use transformers or high speed optocouplers which
often result in complicated and costly solutions. The IL300 4 5
eliminates the complexity of these isolated amplifier designs IP1 IP2
without sacrificing accuracy or stability.
APPLICATION NOTE

The IL300’s 200 kHz bandwidth and gain stability make it an Fig. 1 - IL300 Schematic
excellent candidate for subscriber and data phone
interfaces. Present switch mode power supplies are
approaching 1 MHz switching frequencies. Such supplies
need output monitoring feedback networks with wide
bandwidth and flat phase response. The IL300 satisfies
these needs with simple support circuits.

Rev. 1.8, 11-Oct-2021 1 Document Number: 83708

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 Application Note 50
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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

SERVO GAIN - K1 construction spaces the LED 0.4 mm from the output PIN
The servo gain is defined as the ratio of the servo photodiode. The package construction and the insulation
photocurrent, IP1, to the LED drive current, IF . It is called K1, material guarantee the coupler to have a transient
and is described in equation 1. overvoltage of 8000 V peak.
K1 = I P1 ⁄ I F (1) K2, the output (forward) gain is defined as the ratio of the
output photodiode current, IP2, to the LED current, IF . K2 is
The IL300 is specified with an IF = 10 mA, TA = 25 °C, shown in equation 5.
and VD = -15 V. This condition generates a typical servo K2 = I P2 ⁄ I F (5)
photocurrent of IP1 = 120 μA. This results in a typical The forward gain, K2, has the same characteristics of the
K1 = 0.012. servo gain, K1. The normalized current and temperature
The servo gain, K1, is guaranteed to be between 0.006 min. performance of each detector is identical. This results from
to 0.017 max. of an IF = 10 mA, TA = 25 °C, and VD = 15 V. using matched PIN photodiodes in the IL300’s construction.

Axis Title
TRANSFER GAIN - K3
8 10000 The current gain, or CTR, of the standard phototransistor
Normalized to:
NIP1 - Normalized Photodiode Current

IF = 10 mA,
optocoupler is set by the LED efficiency, transistor gain, and
7 Tamb = 25 °C
VD = -15 V, optical coupling. Variation in ambient temperature alters the
Tamb = 25 °C
6 LED efficiency and phototransistor gain and results in CTR
Tamb = 0 °C 1000 drift. Isolation amplifiers constructed with standard
5
2nd line

phototransistor optocouplers suffer from gain drift due to

2nd line
1st line

4 changing CTR.
Tamb = -55 °C
Tamb = 100 °C Isolation amplifiers using the IL300 are not plagued with the
3
100 drift problems associated with standard phototransistors.
2 Tamb = 85 °C The following analysis will show how the servo operation of
the IL300 eliminates the influence of LED efficiency on the
1
amplifier gain.
0 10 The input / output gain of the IL300 is termed transfer gain,
0 10 20 30 40 50
K3. Transfer gain is defined as the output (forward) gain, K2,
IF - Forward Current (mA)
divided by servo gain, K1, as shown in equation 6.
Fig. 2 - Normalized Photodiode Current vs. Forward Current K3 = K2 ⁄ K1 (6)
The first step in the analysis is to review the simple optical
Fig. 2 presents the normalized servo photocurrent, NIP1 servo feedback amplifier shown in Fig. 3.
(IF , TA), as a function of LED current and temperature. It can The circuit consists of an operational amplifier, U1, a
be used to determine the servo photocurrent, I P1, given LED feedback resistor R1, and the input section of the IL300. The
current and ambient temperature. servo photodiode is operating in the photoconductive
The servo photocurrent under specific use conditions can mode. The initial conditions are:
be determined by using the typical value for IP1 (120 μA) and Va = Vb = 0
the normalization factor from Fig. 2. The example is to Initially, a positive voltage is applied to the nonirritating input
determine IP1 for the condition at TA = 85 °C, and IF = 6 mA. (Va) of the op amp. At that time the output of the op amp will
I P1 = I P1, typ x NI P1, typ ( I F , T A ) (2) swing toward the positive Vcc rail, and forward bias the LED.
APPLICATION NOTE

I P1 = 120 μA x 0.5 (3) As the LED current, IF , starts to flow, an optical flux will be
generated. The optical flux will irradiate the servo
I P1 = 60 μA (4)
photodiode causing it to generate a photocurrent, IP1. This
The value IP1 is useful for determining the required LED photocurrent will flow through R1 and develop a positive
current needed to servo the input stage of the isolation voltage at the inverting input (Vb) of the op amp. The
amplifier. amplifier output will start to swing toward the negative
supply rail, -VCC. When the magnitude of the Vb is equal to
OUTPUT FORWARD GAIN - K2 that of Va, the LED drive current will cease to increase. This
Fig. 1 shows that the LED’s optical flux is also received by a condition forces the circuit into a stable closed loop
PIN photodiode located on the output side (pins 5, 6) of the condition.
coupler package. This detector is surrounded by an optically
transparent high voltage insulation material. The coupler

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

3 7
IL300 IL300
+ + VCC 1 8
Va 7
6
U1 2 7 3 +
Vin Vout
Vb IF K1 K2 VCC 6
- U2
VCC 3 6
2
4 VCC 2
4 5 -
IP1 IP2 4
IP1
R1 R2
IP2
17757

17756

Fig. 3 - Optical Servo Amplifier Fig. 4 - Optical Servo Amplifier

When Vin is modulated, Vb will track Vin. For this to happen The input / output gain of the isolation amplifier is
the photocurrent through R1 must also track the change in determined by combining equations 12 and 15.
Va. Recall that the photocurrent results from the change in I F = V in ⁄ ( K1 x R1 ) (12)
LED current times the servo gain, K1. The following
I F = -V out ⁄ ( K2 x R2 ) (15)
equations can be written to describe this activity.
V in ⁄ ( K1 x R1 ) = -V out ⁄ ( K2 x R2 ) (16)
V a = V b = V in = 0 (7)
V out ⁄ V in = - ( K2 x R2 ) ⁄ ( K1 x R1 ) (17)
I P1 = I F x K1 (8)
Note that the LED current, IF , is factored out of equation 17.
V b = I P1 x R1 (9)
This is possible because the servo and output photodiode
The relationship of LED drive to input voltage is shown by currents are generated by the same LED source. This
combining equations 7, 8, and 9. equation can be simplified further by replacing the K2/K1
V a = I P1 x R1 (10) ratio with IL300’s transfer gain, K3.
V in = I F x K1 x R1 (11) V out ⁄ V in = -K3 x ( R2 ⁄ R1 ) (18)
I F = V in ⁄ ( K1 x R1 ) (12) The IL300 isolation amplifier gain stability and offset drift
Equation 12 shows that the LED current is related to the depends on the transfer gain characteristics. Fig. 5 shows
input voltage Vin. A changing Va causes a modulation in the the consistency of the normalized K3 as a function of LED
LED flux. The LED flux will change to a level that generates current and ambient temperature. The transfer gain drift as
the necessary servo photocurrent to stabilize the optical a function of temperature is typically ± 0.005 %/°C over a
feedback loop. The LED flux will be a linear representation -55 °C to 100 °C range.
of the input voltage, Va. The servo photodiode’s linearity Fig. 6 shows the composite isolation amplifier including the
controls the linearity of the isolation amplifier. input servo amplifier and the output trans resistance
The next step in the analysis is to evaluate the output trans amplifier. This circuit offers the insulation of an optocoupler
resistance amplifier. The common inverting trans resistance and the gain stability of a feedback amplifier.
APPLICATION NOTE

amplifier is shown in Fig. 4. The output photodiode is

operated in the photoconductive mode. The photocurrent,
IP2, is derived from the same LED that irradiates the servo
photodetector. The output signal, Vout, is proportional to the
output photocurrent, IP2, times the trans resistance, R2.
Vout = -IP2 x R2 (13)
I P2 = K2 x I F (14)
Combining equations 13 and 14 and solving for IF is shown
in equation 15.
I F = -V out ⁄ ( K2 x R2 ) (15)

Rev. 1.8, 11-Oct-2021 3 Document Number: 83708

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 Application Note 50
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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

An instrumentation engineer often seeks to design an

Axis Title isolation amplifier with unity gain of Vout/Vin = 1.0. The
1.04 10000 IL300’s transfer gain is targeted for: K3 = 1.0.
NK3 - Normalized Transfer Gain (K2/K1)

Normalized to:
1.03 IF = 10 mA, Tamb = 25 °C Package assembly variations result in a range of K3.
Because of the importance of K3, Vishay offers the transfer
1.02 Tamb = -55 °C
Tamb = 0 °C gain sorted into ± 6 % bins. The bin designator is listed on
Tamb = 25 °C 1000
1.01 the IL300 package. The K3 bin limits are shown in table 1.
2nd line

2nd line
This table is useful when selecting the specific resistor

1st line
1.00
values needed to set the isolation amplifier transfer gain.
0.99
Tamb = 100 °C Tamb = 85 °C 100
0.98 TABLE 1 - K3 TRANSFER GAIN BINS
0.97 BIN MIN. MAX.
D 0.765 0.859
0.96 10
0 10 20 30 40 50 E 0.851 0.955
IF - Forward Current (mA) F 0.945 1.061

Fig. 5 - Normalized Transfer Gain vs. Forward Current G 1.051 1.181

3 7 IL300
+ + VCC
1 8
Va
6 3 7
U1 2 7
Vin +
IF K1 K2 Vout
Vb VCC 6
– U2
3 6
2
4 VCC VCC 2
4 5 –
IP1 IP2 4
IP1
R1 IP2 R2

17759

Fig. 6 - Composite Amplifier

ISOLATION AMPLIFIER DESIGN TECHNIQUES The IL300 can be configured as either a photovoltaic or
The previous section discussed the operation of an isolation photoconductive isolation amplifier. The photovoltaic
amplifier using the optical servo technique. The following topology offers the best linearity, lowest noise, and drift
APPLICATION NOTE

section will describe the design philosophy used in performance. Isolation amplifiers using these circuit
developing isolation amplifiers optimized for input voltage configurations meet or exceed 12 bit A / D performance.
range, linearity, and noise rejection. Photoconductive photodiode operation provides the largest
coupled frequency bandwidth. The photoconductive
configuration has linearity and drift characteristics
comparable to a 8 to 9 bit A / D converter.

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

PHOTOVOLTAIC ISOLATION AMPLIFIER When low offset drift and greater than 12 bit linearity is
The transfer characteristics of this amplifier are shown in desired, photovoltaic amplifier designs should be
Fig. 7. considered. The schematic of a typical positive unipolar
photovoltaic isolation amplifier is shown in Fig. 8.
The input stage consists of a servo amplifier, U1, which
controls the LED drive current. The servo photodiode is The composite amplifier transfer gain (Vo/Vin) is the ratio of
operated with zero voltage bias. This is accomplished by two products. The first is the output transfer gain, K2 x R2.
connecting the photodiodes anode and cathode directly to The second is the servo transfer gain, K1 x R1. The amplifier
U1’s inverting and non-inverting inputs. The characteristics gain is the first divided by the second. See equation 19.
of the servo amplifier operation are presented in Fig. 7a and
Fig. 7b. The servo photocurrent is linearly proportional to the IP1 IP2
IF Vout
input voltage, IP1 = Vin/R1. Fig. 7b shows the LED current is
inversely proportional to the servo transfer gain, IF = IP1/K1.
The servo photocurrent, resulting from the LED emission, 1 1 R2
K1 K2
R1
keeps the voltage at the inverting input of U1 equal to zero.
The output photocurrent, IP2, results from the incident flux 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 +
Vin IP1 IF IP2
supplied by the LED. Fig. 7c shows that the magnitude of
a b c d
the output current is determined by the output transfer gain, 17760

K2. The output voltage, as shown in Fig. 7d, is proportional Fig. 7 - Positive Unipolar Photovoltaic Isolation
to the output photocurrent IP2. The output voltage equals the Amplifier Transfer Characteristics
product of the output photocurrent times the output
amplifier’s trans resistance, R2.

VCC
1 kΩ

+
3 6
IL300 R2
U1 1 8
Vin R1 5.6 kΩ
2 IF
5.6 kΩ -
2 7

+ Voltage K1 K2
IP1 IP2
3 6 -
2
6
4 5
U2
IP1 IP2
3
Vout
+
17761

Fig. 8 - Positive Unipolar Photovoltaic Amplifier

V out K2 x R2
----------- = ---------------------- (19)
V in K1 x R1
APPLICATION NOTE

Designing this amplifier is a three step process. First, given

Equation 19 shows that the composite amplifier transfer the input signal span and U1’s output current handling
gain is independent of the LED forward current. The K2/K1 capability, the input resistor R1 can be determined by using
ratio reduces to IL300 transfer gain, K3. This relationship is the circuit found in Fig. 8 and the following typical
included in equation 20. This equation shows that the characteristics:
composite amplifier gain is equal to the product of the IL300
gain, K3, times the ratio of the output to input resistors. U1 Iout = ± 15 mA
IL300 K1 = 0.012
V out K3 x R2
----------- = ---------------------- (20) K2 = 0.012
V in R1 K3 = 1.0
Vin = 0≥ + 1 V

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

The second step is to determine servo photocurrent, IP1,

resulting from the peak input signal swing. This current is the Axis Title
product of the LED drive current, IF , times the servo transfer 2 10000
gain, K1. For this example the Iout max. is equal to the largest
LED current signal swing, i.e., IF = Iout max.. 1

IP1 = K1 x Iout max.

Voltage Gain (dB)

0 1000
IP1 = 0.012 x 15 mA

2nd line
IP1 = 180 μA

1st line
2nd line
-1
The input resistor, R1, is set by the input voltage range and
the peak servo photocurrent, IP1.
-2 100
Thus R1 is equal to:
R1 = Vin/IP1 -3 IF = 10 mA
IFmod = ± 4 mA
R1 = 1 V/180 μA RL = 50 Ω
R1 = 5.6 kΩ -4 10
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
f - Frequency (kHz)

Fig. 9 - Voltage Gain vs. Frequency

1 kΩ
IL300
+ IF 1 8
3 6
U1 R2
2 7
Vin R1 5.6 kΩ
2 – K1 K2
5.6 kΩ
3 6
- Voltage IP1 IP2
2 –
4 5
IP1 IP2 6
U2
Vout
3
17764 +

Fig. 10 - Negative Unipolar Photovoltaic Isolation Amplifier

The third step in this design is determining the value of the The modifications of the input amplifier include reversing the
trans resistance, R2, of the output amplifier. R2 is set by the polarity of the servo photodiode at U1’s input and
composite voltage gain desired, and the IL300’s transfer connecting the LED so that it sinks current from U1’s output.
gain, K3. Given K3 = 1.0 and a required Vout/Vin = G = 1.0, The non inverting isolation amplifier response is maintained
APPLICATION NOTE

the value of R2 can be determined. by reversing the IL300’s output photodiodes connection to
R2 = (R1 x G) / K3 the input of the trans resistance amplifier. The modified
circuit is shown in Fig. 10.
R2 = (5.6 k Ω x 1.0) / 1.0
The negative unipolar photovoltaic isolation amplifier
R2 = 5.6 k Ω
transfer characteristics are shown in Fig. 11. This amplifier,
When the amplifier in Fig. 8 is constructed with OP- 07 as shown in Fig. 10, responds to signals in only one
operational amplifiers it will have the frequency response quadrant. If a positive signal is applied to the input of this
shown in Fig. 9. This amplifier has a small signal bandwidth amplifier, it will forward bias the photodiode, causing U1 to
of 45 kHz. reverse bias the LED. No damage will occur, and the
The amplifier in Fig. 8 responds to positive polarity input amplifier will be cut off under this condition. This operation
signals. This circuit can be modified to respond to negative is verified by the transfer characteristics shown in Fig. 11.
polarity signals.

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

IP1 IF IP2 IP2

0 +

-1 1 - R2
K2
R1 K1
-
- Vin 0 0 IP1 + 0 IF + Vout
17765 a b c d
Fig. 11 - Negative Unipolar Photovoltaic Isolation Amplifier Transfer Characteristics

+ IL300a
3 6
1 8 R2
U1 1 kΩ
R1 5.6 kΩ
2 2 7
5.6 kΩ – K1a K2a
Vin
3 6
–
2
6
4 5 U2
IP1a IP2a
Vout
3
+
IL300b
1 8

2 7
K1b K2b
3 6

4 5
IP1b IP2b

17766

Fig. 12 - Bipolar Input Photovoltaic Isolation Amplifier

IP1a IFa IP2a Vout

+ + + +
1 1 K2a R2
R1 K1a
APPLICATION NOTE

+ 0 0 0 IP2a
0 + IFa + +
Vin IP1a I IP2b
IP1b IFb 0 +I
P2b
+ + +
-1 1 K2b -R2
R1 K1b
–
– Vin 0 0 IP1b + 0 IFb +
Vout
17767 a b c d

Fig. 13 - Bipolar Input Photovoltaic Isolation Amplifier Transfer Characteristics

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

A bipolar responding photovoltaic amplifier can be limited by crossover distortion resulting from the
constructed by combining a positive and negative unipolar photodiode stored charge. With a bipolar signal referenced
amplifier into one circuit. This is shown in Fig. 12. This to ground and using a 5 % distortion limit, the typical
amplifier uses two IL300s with each detector and LED bandwidth is under 1 kHz. Using matched K3s, the
connected in anti parallel. The IL300a responds to positive composite amplifier gain for positive and negative voltage
signals while the IL300b is active for the negative signals. will be equal.
The operation of the IL300s and the U1 and U2 is shown in Whenever the need to couple bipolar signals arises a pre
the transfer characteristics given in Fig. 13. biased photovoltaic isolation amplifier is a good solution. By
The operational analysis of this amplifier is similar to the pre biasing the input amplifier the LED and photodetector
positive and negative unipolar isolation amplifier. This will operate from a selected quiescent operating point. The
simple circuit provides a very low offset drift and relationship between the servo photocurrent and the input
exceedingly good linearity. The circuit’s useful bandwidth is voltage is shown in Fig. 14.

IP1
IP1Q

1
R1

17768
- Vin +

Fig. 14 - Transfer Characteristics Pre Biased Photovoltaic Bipolar Amplifier

+
3 2N3906
6
OP-07 IL300
R1 1 8 R2
2
5.6 kΩ - 0.1 µF 5.6 kΩ
VCC
100 Ω 2 7
Input K1 K2
3 6 - 0.1 µF
100 µA 2
6
4 5 OP-07
IP1 IP2
100 µA
3 Output
+

R2
GAIN = K3
R1
FS = ± 1 V 100 µA 100 µA current
17770 source
APPLICATION NOTE

Fig. 15 - Pre Biased Photovoltaic Isolation Amplifier

The quiescent operation point, IP1Q, is determined by the a zero volt equilibrium. The bias source can be as simple as
dynamic range of the input signal. This establishes a series resistor connected to VCC. Best stability and
maximum LED current requirements. The output current minimum offset drift is achieved when a good quality current
capability of the OP- 07 is extended by including a buffer source is used.
transistor between the output of U1 and the LED. The buffer Fig. 17 shows the amplifier found in Fig. 15 including two
transistor minimizes thermal drift by reducing the OP- 07 modified Howland current sources. The first source pre
internal power dissipation if it were to drive the LED directly. biases the servo amplifier, and the second source is
This is shown in Fig. 15. The bias is introduced into the connected to U2’s inverting input which matches the input
inverting input of the servo amplifier, U1. The bias forces the pre bias.
LED to provide photocurrent, IP1, to servo the input back to

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

IP1 IF IP2 Vout

+
1
R1 1
K1 K2 0 + IP2

- 0 + 0 + 0 + R2 -
Vin IP1 IF
17769 a b c d

Fig. 16 - Pre Biased Photovoltaic Isolation Amplifier Transfer Characteristics

+
3 6 2N3906
OP-07 IL300
R1 R2
2 – 1 8
100 pF 5.6 kΩ
5.6 kΩ VCC
100 Ω 2 7
Input K1 K2
3 6 – 100 pF
100 µA 2
6 Output
4 5 OP-07
12 kΩ IP1 IP2
100 µA 3
+

+ 100 µA current 100 µA current

3 6 source 100 µA source
OP-07
2 12 kΩ
– LM313 GAIN = R2 K3
VCC-
R1
1.2 V +
FS = ± 1 V 3 6
2N4340 OP-07
2
– LM313
0.01 µF VCC-
1.2 V

2N4340

17771
0.01 µF

Fig. 17 - Pre Biased Photovoltaic Isolation Amplifier

APPLICATION NOTE

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

+
3 6 2N3906
OP-07 IL300 R2
R1 2 – 1 8
100 pF 5.6 kΩ
5.6 kΩ VCC
100 Ω 2 7
Input + K1 K2
3 6 – 100 pF
100 µA 2
6
4 5 OP-07
12 kΩ IP1 IP2
100 µA 3
+

10 kΩ
+ 100 µA current
3 6
source
OP-07
2 10 kΩ 10 kΩ
– LM313
VCC-
1.2 V +
3 6
2N4340 OP-07
2
–
0.01 µF Output

10 kΩ
–
2
OP-07 10 kΩ
3 + 6

10 kΩ

10 kΩ
100 µA IL300
12 kΩ 1 8 +
3
VCC 100 Ω 2 7 OP-07
K1 K2 6
2
3 6 – 100 pF
100 µA
Input - 4 5
R4 IP1 IP2 R3
5.6 kΩ – 5.6 kΩ
2 100 pF
OP-07
6
3
+ 2N3906

17772

Fig. 18 - Differential Pre Biased Photovoltaic Isolation Amplifier

The previous circuit offers a DC/AC coupled bipolar isolation PHOTOCONDUCTIVE ISOLATION AMPLIFIER
amplifier. The output will be zero volts for an input of zero The photoconductive isolation amplifier operates the
volts. This circuit exhibits exceptional stability and linearity. photodiodes with a reverse bias. The operation of the input
This circuit has demonstrated compatibility with 12 bit A/D network is covered in the discussion of K3 and as such will
converter systems. The circuit’s common mode rejection is not be repeated here. The photoconductive isolation
determined by CMR of the IL300. When higher common amplifier is recommended when maximum signal bandwidth
APPLICATION NOTE

mode rejection is desired one can consider the differential is desired.

amplifier shown in Fig. 18.
This amplifier is more complex than the circuit shown in
Fig. 17. The complexity adds a number of advantages. First
the CMR of this isolation amplifier is the product of the IL300
and that of the summing differential amplifier found in the
output section. Note also that the need for an offsetting bias
source at the output is no longer needed. This is due to
differential configuration of the two IL300 couplers. This
amplifier is also compatible with instrumentation amplifier
designs. It offers a bandwidth of 50 kHz and an extremely
good CMR of 140 dB at 10 kHz.

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

UNIPOLAR ISOLATION AMPLIFIER R2 = ( R1 x G ) ⁄ K3 (22)

The circuit shown in Fig. 19 is a unipolar photoconductive This amplifier is conditionally stable for given values of R1.
amplifier and responds to positive input signals. The As R1 is increased beyond 10 kΩ, it may become necessary
gain of this amplifier follows the familiar form of to frequency compensate U1. This is done by placing a
V out ⁄ V in = G = K3 x ( R2 ⁄ R1 ). R1 sets the input signal small capacitor from U1’s output to its inverting input. This
range in conjunction with the servo gain and the maximum circuit uses a 741 op amp and will easily provide 100 kHz or
output current, Io, which U1 can source. Given this, greater bandwidth.
I 0 max. = I Fmax.. R1 can be determined from equation 21.
R1 = V in max ⁄ ( K1 x I 0 max ) (21)
The output section of the amplifier is a voltage follower. The
output voltage is equal to the voltage created by the output
photocurrent times the photodiode load resistor, R2. This
resistor is used to set the composite gain of the amplifier as
shown in equation 22.

3 7 IL300
+ VCC
+ 1 8
Va 7 VCC
6
U1
Vin 2 7 –
IF 2 6
Vb K1 K2
– U2
VCC 3 6 VCC
2
VCC 3 Vout
4
+
4 5
IP1 IP1 IP2
R1 4
R2
IP2

17773

Fig. 19 - Unipolar Photoconductive Isolation Amplifier

VCC + Vref2
Vin IL300
3 7 - VCC
+ 1 8
R1 7 VCC
6 100 Ω
U1 2 7 +
741 3
R2 K1 K2 6
2 VCC VCC U2
– 4 3 6
741
-VCC
APPLICATION NOTE

Vout
20 pF 2
4 5 -
IP1 IP2 4
- VCC
R3

17774 R4
-Vref1

Fig. 20 - Bipolar Photoconductive Isolation Amplifier

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

BIPOLAR ISOLATION AMPLIFIER

Many applications require the isolation amplifier to respond From equation 24, Vref2 is shown to be twice Vref1. Vref2 is
to bipolar signals. The generic inverting isolation amplifier easily generated by using two 1N914 diodes in series.
shown in Fig. 20 will satisfy this requirement. Bipolar signal This amplifier is simple and relatively stable. When better
operation is realized by pre biasing the servo loop. The pre output voltage temperature stability is desired, consider the
bias signal, Vref1, is applied to the inverting input through isolation amplifier configuration shown in Fig. 23. This
R3. U1 forces sufficient LED current to generate a voltage amplifier is very similar in circuit configuration except that
across R3 which satisfies U1’s differential input the bias is provided by a high quality LM313 band gap
requirements. The output amplifier, U2, is biased as a trans reference source.
resistance amplifier. The bias or offset, Vref2, is provided to This circuit forms a unity gain non-inverting
compensate for bias introduced in the servo amplifier. photoconductive isolation amplifier. Along with the
Much like the unipolar amplifier, selecting R3 is the first step LM113 references and low offset OP- 07 amplifiers the
in the design. The specific resistor value is set by the input circuit replaces the 741 op amps. A 2N2222 buffer transistor
voltage range, reference voltage, and the maximum output is used to increase the OP- 07’s LED drive capability. The
current, Io, of the op amp. This resistor value also affects the gain stability is set by K3, and the output offset is set by the
bandwidth and stability of the servo amplifier. stability of OP-07s and the reference sources.
The input network of R1 and R2 form a voltage divider. U2
Fig. 24 shows a novel circuit that minimizes much of the
is configured as a inverting amplifier. This bipolar
offset drift introduced by using two separate reference
photoconductive isolation amplifier has a transfer gain given
sources. This is accomplished by using an optically coupled
in equation 23.
tracking reference technique. The amplifier consists of two
V out K3 x R4 x R2 (23)
----------- = ------------------------------------------ optically coupled signal paths. One IL300 couples the input
V in R3 x ( R1 + R2 ) to the output. The second IL300 couples a reference voltage
Equation 24 shows the relationship of the Vref1 to Vref2. generated on the output side to the input servo amplifier.
V ref2 = ( V ref1 x R4 ) ⁄ R3 (24) This isolation amplifier uses dual op amps to minimize parts
count. Fig. 24 shows the output reference being supplied by
Another bipolar photoconductive isolation amplifier is
a voltage divider connected to VCC. The offset drift can be
shown in Fig. 22. It is designed to accept an input signal of
reduced by using a band gap reference source to replace
± 1 V and uses inexpensive signal diodes as reference
the voltage divider.
sources. The input signal is attenuated by 50 % by a voltage
divider formed with R1 and R2. The solution for R3 is given
in equation 25.
R3 = ( 0.5 V in max + V ref1 ) ⁄ ( I F x K1 ) (25)
For this design R3 equals 30 kΩ. The output trans resistance
is selected to satisfy the gain requirement of the composite
isolation amplifier. With K3 = 1, and a goal of unity transfer
gain, the value of R4 is determined by equation 26.
R4 = [ R3 x G x ( R1 + R2 ) ] ⁄ ( K3 x R2 ) (26)
R4 = 60 kΩ APPLICATION NOTE

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

Non-inverting input Non-inverting output

+Vref2
R5
Vin 7 -V cc IL300
3 + Vcc 1 8
R6
6 100 Ω 2 + 7
R1 2 7
R2 K1 K2 Vcc
2 – -V cc Vcc 6
+Vcc 3 6
4 Vo
20 pF 4 5 3 – -Vcc
IP1 IP2
4
R3
R4
-Vref1

Inverting input Inverting output

Vin 3 + 7 Vcc
100 Ω +Vref2
R1 6 IL300
R2 1 8
2 -Vcc +Vcc
3 + 7
– 2 7
Vcc
4 K1 K2 Vcc 6
20 pF 3 6
Vout
R3 4 5 2 – -V cc
IP1 IP2
-Vcc 4
+Vref1
R4
iil300_22

Fig. 21 - Non-Inverting and Inverting Amplifiers

OPTOLINEAR AMPLIFIERS
AMPLIFIER INPUT OUTPUT GAIN OFFSET
V OUT K3 x R4 x R2 V ref1 x R4 x K3
Inverting Inverting -------------- = ------------------------------------------- V ref2 = -----------------------------------------
V IN R3 x ( R1 + R2 ) R3
Non-inverting
V OUT K3 x R4 x R2 x ( R5 + R6 ) -V ref1 x R4 x ( R5 + R6 ) x K3
Non-inverting Non-inverting -------------- = ----------------------------------------------------------------------- V ref2 = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
V IN R3 x R5 x ( R1 + R2 ) R3 x R6
V OUT -K3 x R4 x R2 x ( R5 + R6 ) V ref1 x R4 x ( R5 + R6 ) x K3
Inverting Non-inverting -------------- = -------------------------------------------------------------------------- V ref2 = ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
R3 x ( R1 + R2 )
APPLICATION NOTE

V IN R3 x R6
Inverting
V OUT -K3 x R4 x R2 -V ref1 x R4 x K3
Non-inverting Inverting -------------- = ------------------------------------------- V ref2 = -------------------------------------------
V IN R3 x ( R1 + R2 ) R3

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

+VCC
13.7 kΩ +

1N914
22 µF
VCC
Vin -VCC IL300
3 7
1 8
+
30 kΩ 100 Ω
U1 6 7
2 7
30 kΩ + VCC
741 K1 K2 3
2 +VCC +VCC 6 Vout
- 3 6 U2
4
-VCC 20 pF 741
4 5 2 -VCC
IP1 IP2 -
4
30 kΩ
14.3 kΩ R3
60 kΩ
-VCC
20 pF
1N914
22 µF
+

17775

Fig. 22 - Bipolar Photoconductive Isolation Amplifier

7 VCC VCC
3
Vin +
6.8 kΩ
18 kΩ 1 kΩ
6
OP07 2N2222
1.5 kΩ 2
-
20 pF LM313
4
- VCC 10 µF
1 kΩ
Gain 2 kΩ
1 kΩ IL300
VCC
2 kΩ R3 1 8
18 kΩ
6.8 kΩ 10 kΩ 2 7
2 7 VCC - VCC
K1 K2
10 kΩ 6
APPLICATION NOTE

- VCC 2 kΩ VCC 3 6 OP07

Offset 0.1 µF
LM313 47 µF 4 5
3 +
IP1 IP2 4 - VCC

20 kΩ

17776

Fig. 23 - High Stability Bipolar Photoconductive Isolation Amplifier

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

+VCC
3
7
0.1 V +
470 Ω IL300
6
90 kΩ 1 8
10 kΩ OP77 Gain adjust
+VCC
1V 2
2 7
Vin - 4 7.5 kΩ 5 kΩ
900 kΩ K1 K2 +VCC
-VCC 20 pF
3 6
10 V -VCC
9 MΩ -VCC 4 5 4
10 kΩ IP1 IP2
100 V 2 -

OP77
6
+
7
± 0 mV to 100 mV
3
Output
+VCC

-VCC +Vref2 220 pF

4 IP2 IP1
+ 5 4
+Vref1 3
+VCC -VCC 10 kΩ
OP77 4.7 kΩ 6 3 4 -
6 VCC 2

-
K2 K1
7 2 OP77
7 2 6 VCC
+VCC 470 Ω +
5 kΩ 8 1 7
adjust 3
IL300
+VCC 73.2 kΩ
Zero
1 kΩ
17777 Tracking reference
Fig. 24 - Bipolar Photoconductive Isolation Amplifier with Tracking Reference

One of the principal reasons to use an isolation amplifier is

to reject electrical noise. The circuits presented thus far are Axis Title
of a single ended design. The common mode rejection, 0 10000
CMRR, of these circuits is set by the CMRR of the coupler
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (dB)

and the bandwidth of the output amplifier. The typical -20

common mode rejection for the IL300 is shown in Fig. 25.
-40 1000
APPLICATION NOTE
2nd line
1st line
2nd line

-60

-80 100

-100

-120 10
0.1 1 10 100 1000
f - Frequency (kHz)

Fig. 25 - Common Mode Rejection

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

The CMRR of the isolation amplifier can be greatly The offset independent of the operational amplifiers is given
enhanced by using the CMRR of the output stage to its in equation 28.
fullest extent. This is accomplished by using a differential
Is x [ R1 x R3 x K3 (U2 ) – R2 x R4 x K3 (U5 ) ]
amplifier at the output that combines optically coupled V offset = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (28)
R1 + R2
differential signals. The circuit shown in Fig. 26 illustrates the
circuit. Equation 29 shows that the resistors, when selected to
produce equal differential gain, will minimize the offset
Op amps U1 and U5 form a differential input network. U4 voltage, Voffset. Fig. 27 illustrates the voltage transfer
creates a 100 μA, IS, current sink which is shared by each of characteristics of the prototype amplifier. The data indicates
the servo amplifiers. This bias current is divided evenly the offset at the output is -500 μV when using 1 kΩ 1 %
between these two servo amplifiers when the input voltage resistors.
is equal to zero. This division of current creates a differential
signal at the output photodiodes of U2 and U6. The transfer
gain, Vout/ Vin, for this amplifier is given in equation 27.
V out R4 xR2 x K3 ( U5 ) + R3 x R1 x K3 ( U2 -)
----------- = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (27)
V in 2 x R1 x R2

7 VCC U2
+
3 IL300
6 2.2 kΩ
U1 1 8
OP-07
2
– 2 7
Inverting 10 kΩ 4 - VCC 470 Ω
100 pF 2N3904 K1 K2
VCC 3 6 VCC

4 5
IP1 IP2 Gain

1 kΩ 1 % 2 kΩ

7 VCC 1.2 V
6.8 kΩ 7 VCC
2N3904 + –
1 kΩ 6 3 2
U4 U3 6
0.01 µF
OP-07 OP-07
2
4 - VCC – 3
+ Output
Common 100 µA current sink 4 - VCC
LM313
1 kΩ 1 %
12 kΩ
- VCC
Zero adjust
7 VCC U6 2 kΩ

3 + 6 IL300
U5 2.2 kΩ 1 8
APPLICATION NOTE

OP-07
10 kΩ 2
2 7
Non-inverting – 4 - VCC 470 Ω
100 pF 2N3904 K1 K2
VCC 3 6 VCC

4 5
IP1 IP2

17779

Fig. 26 - Differential Photoconductive Isolation Amplifier

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

Axis Title Axis Title

0.6 10000 5 45
Vout = -0.4657 mV - 5.0017 x Vin Phase response reference
Tamb = 25 °C to amplifier gain of -1, 0° = 180°
0.4

Amplitude Response (dB)

Ø - Phese Response (°C)

Vout - Output Voltage (V)

0 0
0.2 1000

2nd line

2nd line
1st line
2nd line

2nd line
0 -5 dB -45

-0.2 100
-10 -90
-0.4 Phase

-0.6 10 -15 -135

-0.15 -0.10 -0.05 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.1 1 10 100 1000
17780 Vin - Input Voltage (V) 17781 f - Frequency (kHz)

Fig. 27 - Differential Photoconductive Isolation Amplifier Fig. 29 - Transistor Unipolar Photoconductive Isolation
Transfer Characteristics Amplifier Frequency and Phase Response

Axis Title
46 10000 CONCLUSION
IP2 = 74.216 μA - 6.472 (μA/V) x Vin The analog design engineer now has a new circuit element
45 Tamb = 25 °C
that will make the design of isolation amplifiers easier. The
preceding circuits and analysis illustrate the variety of
IP2 - Output Current (μA)

44
1000 isolation amplifiers that can be designed. As a guide, when
43
highest stability of gain and offset is needed, consider the
2nd line
1st line
2nd line

42 photovoltaic amplifier. Widest bandwidth is achieved with

the photoconductive amplifier. Lastly, the overall
41
100 performance of the isolation amplifier is greatly influenced
40 by the operational amplifier selected. Noise and drift are
directly dependent on the servo amplifier. The IL300 also
39
can be used in the digital environment. The pulse response
38 10 of the IL300 is constant over time and temperature. In digital
4.4 4.6 4.8 5.0 5.2 5.4 5.6 designs where LED degradation and pulse distortion can
17810 Vin - Input Voltage (V) cause system failure, the IL300 will eliminate this failure
Fig. 28 - Transistor Unipolar Photoconductive Isolation
mode.
Amplifier Transfer Characteristics

DISCRETE ISOLATION AMPLIFIER

A unipolar photoconductive isolation amplifier can be
APPLICATION NOTE

constructed using two discrete transistors. Fig. 30 shows

such a circuit. The servo node, Va, sums the current from
the photodiode and the input signal source. This control
loop keeps Va constant. This amplifier was designed as a
feedback control element for a DC power supply. The DC
and AC transfer characteristics of this amplifier are shown in
Fig. 28 and Fig. 29.

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

6.2 kΩ 5V VCC

IL300
1 8
MPSA10

2 7
Va K1 K2
3 6 5V VCC
MPSA10
100 kΩ
4 5
IP1 IP2
Vin Vout

+5V
15 kΩ 1.1 kΩ 10 kΩ
200 Ω

GND1 GND2

17782

Fig. 30 - Unipolar Photoconductive Isolation Amplifier with Discrete Transistors

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION The photocurrent is converted to a voltage by the load

resistor RL. Fig. 31 also shows that when the incident flux is
PHOTODETECTOR OPERATION TUTORIAL zero (E = 0), a small leakage current or dark current (ID) will
flow.
PHOTODIODE OPERATION AND
CHARACTERISTICS Vd/RL
Photoconductive
load line
The photodiodes in the IL300 are PIN (P-material - Intrinsic
Ee-5
material - N-material) diodes. These photodiodes convert RL (small)
the LED’s incident optical flux into a photocurrent. The Photovoltaic
Ee-4
magnitude of the photocurrent is linearly proportional to the load line
Ee-3
incident flux. The photocurrent is the product of the diode’s
responsivity, S l, (A / W), the incident flux, Ee (W/mm2), and Ee-2
the detector area AD (mm2). This relationship is shown Ee-2
below: RL (large)
Ee-1
IP = SI x Ee x A (1a) Id
Forward bias Reverse bias
PHOTODIODE I TO V CHARACTERISTICS 17783

Reviewing the photodiode’s current / voltage Fig. 31 - Photodiode I to V Characteristics

characteristics aids in understanding the operation of
the photodiode, when connected to an external load. The PHOTOVOLTAIC OPERATION
I to V characteristics are shown in Fig. 31. The graph Photodiodes, operated in the photovoltaic mode, generate
shows that the photodiode will generate photocurrent a load voltage determined by the load resistor, R L, and the
in either forward biased (photovoltaic) or reversed photocurrent, IP . The equivalent circuit for the photovoltaic
biased (photoconductive) mode. operation is shown in Fig. 32. The photodiode includes a
In the forward biased mode the device functions as a current source (IP), a shunt diode (D), a shunt resistor (RP), a
APPLICATION NOTE

photovoltaic, voltage generator. If the device is connected series resistor (RS), and a parallel capacitor (CP). The
to a small resistance, corresponding to the vertical load line, intrinsic region of the PIN diode offers a high shunt
the current output is linear with increases in incident flux. As resistance resulting in a low dark current and reverse
R L increases, operation becomes nonlinear until the open leakage current.
circuit (load line horizontal) condition is obtained. At this
point the open circuit voltage is proportional to the logarithm IP Anode +
IF RS
of the incident flux. RP
IL
In the reverse-biased (photoconductive) mode, the CP RL VO
photodiode generates a current that is linearly proportional D
to the incident flux. Fig. 31 illustrates this point with the Cathode -
equally spaced current lines resulting from linear increase of 17784
E e. Fig. 32 - Equivalent Circuit - Photovoltaic Mode

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

The output voltage, Vo, can be determined through nodal

analysis. The circuit contains two nodes. The first node, VF , Axis Title
includes the photocurrent generator, IP , the shunt diode, D, 0.5 10000
50 000
shunt resistor (RP), and parallel capacitance, CP . The 30 000
20 000
second node, VO, includes: the series resistor, RS, and the 0.4
10 000

Vout - Output Voltage (V)

load resistor, RL. The diode, D, in the VF node is responsible 7000
5000
for the circuit’s nonlinearity. The diode’s current voltage 3000 1000
0.3 1000
relationship is given in equation 2a. 700

2nd line
1st line
2nd line
500
I F = I S x [ EXP (V F ⁄ K ) – 1 ] (2a) 300
100
0.2
This graphical solution of 2a for the IL300 is shown in 100
Fig. 33.
0.1

Axis Title
100 10000 0 10
0 50 100 150 200
10 17786 IP - Photocurrent (μA)
IF - Forward Current (μA)

Fig. 34 - Photovoltaic Output vs. Load Resistance and Photocurrent

1 1000
2nd line
1st line

This curve shows a series of load lines and the output

2nd line

0.1
voltage, Vo, caused by the photocurrent. Optimum linearity
is obtained when the load is zero ohms. Reasonable linearity
0.01 100
is obtained with load resistors up to 1000 Ω. For load
resistances greater than 1000 Ω, the output voltage will
0.001
respond logarithmically to the photocurrent. This response
is due to the nonlinear characteristics of the intrinsic diode,
0.0001 10
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
D. Photovoltaic operation with a zero ohm load resistor
VF - Forward Voltage (V)
offers the best linearity and the lowest dark current, ID. This
17785
operating mode also results in the lowest circuit noise. A
Fig. 33 - Photodiode Forward Voltage vs. Forward Current zero load resistance can be created by connecting the
photodiode between the inverting and non-inverting input of
Inserting the diode equation 2a into the two nodal equations a trans resistance operational amplifier, as shown in Fig. 35.
gives the following DC solution for the photovoltaic
operation (equation 3a):
IL300
Vout = RIp
0 = I P – I S x ( { EXP [V O ( R S + R L ) ⁄ K x R L ] – 1 } 1 8
– V [(R + R + R ) ⁄ (R x R )])
O S L P P L
(3a) R
2 7 -
K1 K2 Ip
Typical IL300 values: IF 3 6 U
IS = 13.94 x 10-12 + Vout
4 5
RS = 50 Ω IP1 IP2
APPLICATION NOTE

RP = 15 GΩ 17787
K = 0.0288
Fig. 35 - Photovoltaic Amplifier Configuration
By inspection, as RL approaches zero ohms the diode
voltage, VF , also drops. This indicates a small diode current.
All of the photocurrent will flow through the diode series PHOTOCONDUCTIVE OPERATION MODE
resistor and the external load resistor. Equation 3a was Isolation amplifier circuit architectures often load the
solved with a computer program designed to deal with photodiode with resistance greater than 0 Ω. With non-zero
nonlinear transcendental equations. Fig. 34 illustrates the loads, the best linearity is obtained by using the photodiode
solution. in the photoconductive or reverse bias mode. Fig. 36 shows
the photodiode operating in the photoconductive mode. The
output voltage, Vo, is the product of the photocurrent times
the load resistor.

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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

The reverse bias voltage causes a small leakage or dark

current, ID, to flow through the diode. The output Axis Title
photocurrent and the dark current, sum the load resistor. 2 10000
This is shown in equation 4a.
VL = RL x ( IP + ID ) (4a) 0

Percent Difference (%)

1000
-2
IP Cathode

2nd line
1st line
ID

2nd line
IF RP CP
D +
-4
100
VD
RS
Anode -6
VO

17788 IL -8 10
RL
0 5 10 15 20
17790 Vr - Reverse Voltage (V)

Fig. 38 - Photoconductive Responsivity vs. Bias Voltage

Fig. 36 - Photoconductive Photodiode Model
The photodiode operated in the photoconductive mode is
The dark current depends on the diode construction, easily connected to an operational amplifier. Fig. 39 shows
reverse bias voltage and junction temperature. The dark the diode connected to a trans resistance amplifier. The
current can double every 10 °C. The IL300 uses matched transfer function of this circuit is given in equation 5a.
PIN photodiodes that offer extremely small dark currents,
typically a few picoamperes. The dark current will usually V out = R x ( I P + I D ) (5a)
track one another and their effect will cancel each other
when a servo amplifier architecture is used. The typical dark
current as a function of temperature and reverse voltage is BANDWIDTH CONSIDERATIONS
shown in Fig. 37. PIN photodiodes can respond very quickly to changes in
The responsivity, S, of the photodiode is influenced by the incident flux. The IL300 detectors respond in tens of
potential of the reverse bias voltage. Fig. 38 shows the nanoseconds. The slew rate of the output current is related
responsivity percentage change versus bias voltage. This to the diodes junction capacitance, Cj, and the load resistor,
graph is normalized to the performance at a reverse bias of R. The product of these two elements set the
15 V. The responsivity is reduced by 4 % when the bias is photo-response time constant.
reduced to 5 V. τ = R x Cj (6a)
This time constant can be minimized by reducing the load
Axis Title resistor, R, or the photodiode capacitance. This capacitance
100 10000
is reduced by depleting the photodiode’s intrinsic region, I,
Tamb = 70 °C
by applying a reverse bias. Fig. 40 illustrates the effect of
photodiode reverse bias on junction capacitance.
10
Id - Dark Current (nA)

APPLICATION NOTE

Tamb = 50 °C 1000
IL300
2nd line
1st line
2nd line

1 8
1
Tamb = 25 °C 7
2 7
100 3 + V
IF K1 K2 Vcc 6 out
0.1 U2
3 6
2
4 5 -
4
IP1 IP2
0.01 10 R
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 IP2

17789 Vr - Reverse Bias (V) 17791

Fig. 37 - Dark Current vs. Reverse Bias Fig. 39 - Photoconductive Amplifier

Rev. 1.8, 11-Oct-2021 20 Document Number: 83708

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ARE SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC DISCLAIMERS, SET FORTH AT www.vishay.com/doc?91000
 Application Note 50
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Designing Linear Amplifiers Using the IL300 Optocoupler

Axis Title Axis Title

20 10000 2 10000
CJ - Junction Capacitance (pF)

1
15

Voltage Gain (dB)

1000 0 1000

2nd line

2nd line
1st line

1st line
2nd line
2nd line

10 -1

100 -2 100
5
-3 IF = 10 mA
IFmod = ± 4 mA
RL = 50 Ω
0 10 -4 10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
17792 Vr - Reverse Bias (V) f - Frequency (kHz)

Fig. 40 - Photodiode Junction Capacitance vs. Reverse Voltage Fig. 41 - Voltage Gain vs. Frequency

The zero biased photovoltaic amplifier offers a 50 kHz to

60 kHz usable bandwidth. When the detector is reverse Axis Title
biased to -15 V, the typical isolation amplifier response 2 10000
increases to 100 kHz to 150 kHz. The phase and frequency
response for the IL300 is presented in Fig. 41. When 0
maximum system bandwidth is desired, the reverse biased
photoconductive amplifier configuration should be -2 1000
Phase Angle (°)

considered.

2nd line
2nd line

1st line
-4

-6 100

-8 IF = 10 mA
IFmod = ± 4 mA
RL = 50 Ω
-10 10
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
f - Frequency (kHz)

Fig. 42 - Phase Angle vs. Frequency

APPLICATION NOTE

Rev. 1.8, 11-Oct-2021 21 Document Number: 83708

For technical questions, contact: [email protected]
THIS DOCUMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. THE PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HEREIN AND THIS DOCUMENT
ARE SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC DISCLAIMERS, SET FORTH AT www.vishay.com/doc?91000