Avalanche photo diode detector control systems and method

摘要

An avalanche photo diode detector including an avalanche photo diode, an adjustable voltage source, a current mirror coupled to the voltage source output of the adjustable voltage source and having a current measurement output, and a processor coupled to the adjustable voltage source and the current mirror. The processor implements a process of obtaining a signal current measurement from the current mirror, computing an estimate of an input optical power level from the signal current measurement and adjusting the output of the adjustable voltage source based upon on the estimate of the input optical power level.

主权项

1. A method for controlling an avalanche photo diode detector comprising:
providing an avalanche photo diode optically coupled to a light source, whereby the light source provides an input optical power level to the avalanche photo diode; measuring a signal current flowing through the avalanche photo diode in response to the input optical power level; computing an estimate of the input optical power level from the signal current measurement; and adjusting a voltage bias applied to the avalanche photo diode based on the estimate of the input optical power levels wherein the voltage bias is adjusted to a high voltage level VH for input optical power levels equal to or below a first input optical power level; and wherein the signal current passing through the avalanche photo diode is held constant for input optical power levels above the first input optical power level.