Thermal noise reduction technique for optical receivers using identical amplifier circuits

摘要

The present invention is directed towards an optical receiver including a noise reduction technique that mitigates internally generated thermal noise and reduces input signal losses. The optical receiver includes a photodiode for providing an electrical signal in accordance with a received optical signal and an amplification circuit. Two identical amplifier circuits included in the amplification circuit are connected in DC bias series, thereby biasing the photodiode with their potential difference. Advantageously, the absence of a conventional photodiode bias circuit both reduces the input signal losses and limits the amount of thermal noise that is typically conventionally generated.