11
FN1050.6
March 4, 2005
Differential Light Detector
In the circuit shown in Figure 11, the CA3240E converts the
current from two photo diodes to voltage, and applies 1V of
reverse bias to the diodes. The voltages from the CA3240E
outputs are subtracted in the second stage (CA3140) so that
only the difference is amplified. In this manner, the circuit
can be used over a wide range of ambient light conditions
without circuit component adjustment. Also, when used with
a light source, the circuit will not be sensitive to changes in
light level as the source ages.
FIGURE 11. DIFFERENTIAL LIGHT DETECTOR
3
2
+15V
6
2
3
7
+15V
CA3140
+
6
5
4
8
4
1
7
-15V
-15V
1/2
CA3240E
+
-
1/2
CA3240E
+
0.015μF
100K
0.015μF
100K
+15V
5.1K
1.3
13K
K
C30809
PHOTO
DIODE
C30809
PHOTO
DIODE
-
2K
200K
2K
OUTPUT
-
200k
CA3240, CA3240A