CURRENT AMPLIFIER

BACKGROUND

[0001] Photoelectric smoke detector systems use a light source and a light detector in a light- shielded environment that is designed to keep ambient light out. The light detector is a photodiode that outputs a current that is proportional to the intensity of the light incident upon the photodiode. The light source may emit infrared, visible or ultraviolet light. The components of the smoke detector system are arranged inside a chamber designed to exclude extraneous ambient light but allow sufficient air flow.

[0002] The light source for the smoke detector is positioned to emit collimated light at an angle to the light sensor. During normal operation without the presence of smoke particles, no light from the source will be incident on the photodiode because the light will travel in a straight line, never bending downward toward the photodiode detector. However, if smoke enters the air chamber, smoke particles will scatter the light beam and deflect some of the light onto the photodetector. When light hits the photodetector, the photodiode will output a current proportional to the amount of light reflected onto the photodiode.

SUMMARY

[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce the described concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary does not limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

[0004] Described embodiments describe an apparatus comprising a first stage amplifier having a noninverting input, an inverting input, and an output. The noninverting input is adapted to be coupled to an anode of a photodiode and is coupled to a first stage bias voltage source. The inverting input is adapted to be coupled to a cathode of the photodiode, and is coupled to a first terminal of a feedback resistor, and a first terminal of a feedback capacitor. The output is coupled to a second terminal of the feedback resistor and a second terminal of the feedback capacitor. [0005] The apparatus also comprises a second stage amplifier having a noninverting input, an inverting input and an output. The noninverting input is coupled to the output of the first stage amplifier. The inverting input is coupled to a first terminal of a feedback resistor and a second stage bias voltage source. The output is coupled to a second terminal of the feedback resistor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram for one example of a prior art photoelectric smoke detector amplifier circuit with a two-stage photo amplifier referenced to ground.

[0007] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for one example of a photoelectric smoke detector amplifier circuit with a two-stage photo amplifier having two bias voltage references as claimed. [0008] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. Details of one or more implementations of this description are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. The figures are not drawn to scale and they are provided merely to illustrate the description. Specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide an understanding of the description. Other features and advantages may be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The amount of light being deflected onto a photodiode detector from smoke particles in a photoelectric smoke detector system is small. As a result, the difference in current output from a photodiode between a clean air condition and in the presence of smoke is typically in the nanoampere range. In addition to the light scattered from smoke particles which the photoelectric smoke detection system is intended to detect, the photodiode may also pick up stray ambient light. This adds a baseline current to the output of the photodiode. In an environment with no stray ambient light, the baseline signal level of a photodiode output can be under a nanoampere. [0010] This small photocurrent is converted into a voltage using a high gain low noise amplifier. In at least one embodiment, the output of the amplifier may be coupled to an analog- to-digital converter (ADC) in a microcontroller. Operations may be performed on the data in the microcontroller to reduce the ambient light contribution. It is desirable for the amplifier to always operate in the linear region where a sub-nanoampere signal can be detected when there is no baseline current resulting from ambient light incident on the photodiode.

[0011] A problem that may arise with photocurrent amplifiers is that their output can be saturated even without a signal input. This saturation can occur due to an amplifier’s inherent offset voltage being gained up by the amplifier, which can cause the amplifier output to remain at either a supply rail voltage or at ground. When the output of an amplifier is saturated, a small fluctuation on the input will not be seen or be measurable on the output.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram for an example of a photoelectric smoke detector amplifier circuit 100 with a two-stage photo amplifier referenced to ground. Light emitting diode (LED) 102, which is supplied by a regulated current source 108, emits light into a smoke detector air chamber. The light from LED 102 may be infrared or may be visible light. Isolation barrier 160 shields photodiode 110 from receiving the light from LED 102 directly. When air entering the smoke detector air chamber is free of smoke, light from LED 102 does not have a path to get to the photodiode 110.

[0013] However, when smoke enters the smoke detector air chamber, smoke particles 162 can drift into the space over the isolation barrier 160. Some of the light from LED 102 reflects off the smoke particles 162 and onto the photodiode 110, bypassing the isolation barrier 160. The higher the concentration of smoke particles 162, the more light from LED 102 is reflected onto photodiode 110. As a result, photodiode 110 emits a current proportional to the concentration of smoke particles 162 in the proximity of the isolation barrier 160. Because the amount of light from LED 102 that reflects off the smoke particles 162 onto the photodiode 110 is small, the current emitted by photodiode 110 is small. This small photocurrent is converted into a voltage by a high gain, low noise amplifier to make the signal readable by an analog-to-digital converter. [0014] The cathode of photodiode 110 is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor 112, a first terminal of a capacitor 114, and an inverting input of amplifier 120. The anode of photodiode 110 is coupled to a second terminal of a resistor 112, a second terminal of a capacitor 114, and a noninverting input of amplifier 120. A resistor 122 and a capacitor 124 are connected in parallel providing a feedback loop between the inverting input of amplifier 120 and the output of amplifier 120.

[0015] There is also a resistor 126 and a capacitor 128 connected in parallel between the noninverting input of amplifier 120 and ground. This provides an input reference voltage for amplifier 120 at ground.

[0016] The output of amplifier 120 is coupled to a noninverting input of amplifier 140. A resistor 146 is coupled between an inverting input of amplifier 140 and ground. A variable resistor 142 is coupled in a feedback loop between the output of amplifier 140 and the inverting input of amplifier 140, making amplifier 140 a variable gain amplifier. In at least one example, the value of variable resistor 142 can be programmed using a control register.

[0017] The output of amplifier 140 can be coupled to an ADC. The amplifier output may be coupled to the ADC through a low pass filter. Resistor 148 is coupled to the output of amplifier 140 and to capacitor 150, which is also coupled to ground, together making up that low pass filter.

[0018] Amplifier 120 and amplifier 140 are both referenced to ground, which can lead to a problem in some instances. Linear amplifiers may have an input offset voltage that can be negative. If the amplifier input is referenced to ground, the amplifier output may saturate at ground even with no signal input. This prevents small input signals, such as the nanoamp current from a photodiode, from being measurable because the output will not change with the input if the amplifier is saturated.

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram for one embodiment of a two stage photoelectric smoke detector amplifier circuit with two references. The voltages for the two reference voltage sources are selected to reduce the input offset voltage of each amplifier for the purpose of avoiding amplifier saturation.

[0020] Referring to Figure 2, one embodiment of a photoelectric smoke detector amplifier circuit with a two-stage photo amplifier circuit 200 having two separate reference voltages for the two stages, PREF 280 and GREF 294, is shown. LED 202 is supplied by a regulated current source 208 and emits light into a smoke detector air chamber. Photodiode 210 outputs a current proportional to the intensity of light incident upon it.

[0021] The light emitted by LED 202 may be infrared or may be visible light. An isolation barrier 260 shields photodiode 210 from receiving the light from LED 202 directly. When air entering the smoke detector is free of smoke, light from LED 202 does not have a path to get to photodiode 210.

[0022] If smoke enters the smoke detector air chamber, smoke particles 262 can drift into the space around the isolation barrier 260. Some of the light from LED 202 can reflect off the smoke particles 262 and onto the photodiode 210, bypassing the isolation barrier 260. Thus, the smoke particles 262 provide a path for some of the light from LED 202 to reach the photodiode 210. The higher the concentration of smoke particles 262, the more light from LED 202 is reflected onto photodiode 210. As a result, the photodiode 210 emits a current proportional to the concentration of smoke particles 262 in the proximity of the isolation barrier 260. Because the amount of light from LED 202 that reflects off the smoke particles 262 onto the photodiode 210 is small, the current emitted by photodiode 210 is also small. This small photocurrent is converted into a voltage by a high gain, low noise amplifier to make the signal readable by an analog-to-digital converter.

[0023] The cathode of photodiode 210 is coupled to a first terminal of a resistor 212, a first terminal of a capacitor 214, and an inverting input of an amplifier 220. The anode of photodiode 210 is coupled to a second terminal of a resistor 212, a second terminal of a capacitor 214, and a noninverting input of amplifier 220. A resistor 222 and a capacitor 224 are connected in parallel between the inverting input of amplifier 220 and the output of amplifier 220.

[0024] Linear amplifiers, such as amplifiers 220 and 240, can have an input offset voltage. If the input offset voltage is negative, the input offset voltage may saturate the output of the amplifier at ground with no input signal to the amplifier if the amplifier input is referenced to ground. This may prevent small input signals, such as the photocurrent that is being input to amplifier 220, from being measurable because the output will not change as the input changes. In one embodiment of the invention, two voltage references are generated, one for the input of each amplifier stage. The values of the two reference voltages are selected to counteract the input offset voltage of each amplifier.

[0025] A resistor 226 and a capacitor 228 are connected in parallel with one of their terminals coupled to the noninverting input of amplifier 220. The other terminals of resistor 226 and capacitor 228 are coupled to a node PREF 280 which provides an input reference voltage for amplifier 220.

[0026] The output of amplifier 220 is coupled to a noninverting input of amplifier 240. A variable resistor 242 is coupled in a feedback loop between the output of amplifier 240 and the inverting input of amplifier 240, making amplifier 240 a variable gain amplifier. In at least one embodiment, the value of variable resistor 242 can be programmed using a control register. In an alternative embodiment, resistor 242 may be a fixed value resistor.

[0027] One terminal of a resistor 246 is coupled to the inverting input of amplifier 240. The other terminal of resistor 246 is coupled to a node GREF 294 which provides an input reference voltage for amplifier 240. [0028] The output of amplifier 240 can be coupled to an ADC. The amplifier output may be coupled to the ADC through a low pass filter. Resistor 248 is coupled to the output of amplifier 240 and to one terminal of capacitor 250. The other terminal of capacitor 250 is coupled to ground. Together, resistor 248 and capacitor 250 form a low pass filter for the output of amplifier 240. The node where resistor 248 and capacitor 250 are coupled together provides a signal 252 that may be coupled to the ADC.

[0029] PREF 280 and GREF 294 are the nodes supplying the input reference voltages for amplifier 220 and amplifier 240, respectively. They are derived from V _DD 290. V _DD 290 is a reference voltage supplied by an internal voltage regulator. In one embodiment, the voltage at V _DD 290 is 2.3 volts. One terminal of a resistor 282 is coupled to V _DD 290 and the other terminal is coupled to the PREF node 280.

[0030] One terminal of a resistor 286 is coupled to the PREF node 280 and the other terminal is coupled to the drain terminal of a transistor 296. The source terminal of the transistor 296 is coupled to ground. The gate terminal of the transistor 296 is coupled to an amplifier enable signal 292 which turns the transistor 296 on or off to prevent current draw from V _DD 290 when amplifiers 220 and 240 are off.

[0031] The voltage at the PREF node 280, which is the input reference voltage for the first stage amplifier 220, is derived by dividing the voltage from the output of an internal voltage regulator, V _DD 290. This input reference voltage at the PREF node 280 allows the output of the first stage amplifier 220 to remain in linear operation and avoid saturation even with no input signal. The voltage at the GREF node 294, which is the input reference voltage for the second stage amplifier 240, is derived by further dividing the voltage at the PREF node 280. Because the second reference voltage at the GREF node 294 is generated by dividing the first reference voltage at the PREF node 280, the GREF node 294 is ensured to be at a lower voltage than the PREF node 280. This ensures that the output of the second stage amplifier 240 is above the first reference voltage and any offset introduced by amplifier 220 and amplifier 240. As a result, both amplifier 220 and amplifier 240 may remain in the linear operating region no matter what amplifier gain is selected.

[0032] The voltage at the PREF node 280 is set by the voltage divider made up of resistor 282 and resistor 286 dividing the voltage of VDD 290. The voltage at the GREF node 294 is set by the voltage divider made up of the sum of the resistance values of resistor 282 and resistor 284 compared to the resistance value of resistor 288. In one embodiment, the voltage at VDD 290 is 2.3 V, resistor 282 is 200K, resistor 286 is 5K, resistor 284 is 4.44K and resistor 288 is 40K. With these values, PREF 280 will be 50 mV and GREF 294 will be 45 mV. Therefore, the difference in voltage between PREF 280 and GREF 294 is 5 mV in this embodiment.

[0033] A voltage difference of 5 mV was chosen for this example because 5 mV may be expected in some cases to be the worst case offset voltage between the inverting and noninverting terminals of the amplifiers 220 and 240. A voltage difference of 5 mV between the two reference voltages may be desirable in some embodiments because choosing a lower voltage difference may not adequately reduce the offset, and choosing a higher voltage difference could reduce the dynamic range of the amplifier output in some embodiments. However, in other embodiments, it may be desirable for the voltage difference between PREF 280 and GREG 284 to be larger or smaller than 5 mV.

[0034] The resistance values given in this example are just one possible embodiment. Different resistance values than those in this example may be chosen to achieve a different voltage gain for amplifier 220 or amplifier 240. Different resistance values than those given in this example may also be used to generate different reference voltages at the PREF node 280 or the GREF node 284.

[0035] For the purposes of this description, if an element is referred to as being “coupled” to another element, it may be directly coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may exist. If an element is referred to as being “directly coupled” to another element, no other intervening elements are intentionally disposed. The terms “substantially the same,” “substantially equal,” and “approximately the same” describe a quantitative relationship between two objects. This quantitative relationship may prefer the two objects to be equal by design but with the anticipation that a certain amount of variations can be introduced by the fabrication process.

[0036] While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this does not require that all illustrated operations be performed to achieve desirable results unless such order is recited in one or more claims. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above does not require such separation in all embodiments.