Light to frequency converter optical sensor with electronic bias and adjustable gain

摘要

An improved light to frequency converter optical sensor and method using electronic bias. Adjustable gain also may be provided. A summing circuit sums electrical current from a photo detector and electrical current from a bias current circuit and provides the summed current to an integrator. A threshold detector comparator circuit has an input coupled to the output of the integrator and an output providing a series of pulses. The series of pulses has a frequency based on the light received by the photo detector and the electrical current from the bias current circuit.

主权项

1. An optical sensor comprising:
a photo detector; a bias current circuit; a summing circuit summing electrical current from the photo detector and electrical current from the bias current circuit; an integrator coupled to an output of the summing circuit; and a threshold detector comparator circuit having an input coupled to the output of the integrator and an output providing a series of pulses; wherein the series of pulses has a frequency based on light received by the photo detector and the electrical current from the bias current circuit.