www.fairchildsemi.com Application Note AN-3002 Low Current Input Circuit Ideas 6N138/139 Series Introduction Advancements in opto-coupling and LED technology have given us the 6N139. This unique optocoupler, having an input LED current specification at 500 microamperes, has opened some interesting design doors. Besides the obvious and much written about ability to be directly driven by CMOS circuits, the 6N139 can be considered for signal detection, transient detection, matrices and non-loading line receiving. Following are but a few circuit ideas to stimulate the designer’s interest. The LED is provided with a 50 microampere forward current to charge the LED capacity to the VF level. In this way, the LED is not causing conduction in its output circuitry but is prepared to conduct very quickly. Any noise or oscillation on the “D.C. power source” is coupled through “C” which develops a signal across the LED. Even small unwanted signals can cause a large change in the LED forward current. Once the LED’s forward current equals or exceeds 500 microamperes, the output circuitry will conduct indicating the presence of the unwanted signal. Transient Detection Signal Detection The detection of noise, spikes or oscillations can easily and directly be detected by the input of the 6N139 as shown in the circuit of Figure 1. The detection of the presence or absence of waveforms can easily be detected by the circuit in Figure 2. RS C 6N139 CR RL 6N139 INPUT + C R LED X D.C. POWER SOURCE LED X - Figure 2. Pulse or Waveform Detection Circuit Figure 1. 6N139 Input Circuit For Signal Detection For the detection of the presence of a desired signal, pulse or waveform use: For the detection of undesirable signals on a D.C. power source use: CR=Silicon diode Power supply voltage – 1.5 volts R = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------50 microamperes ( Positive Vpk. of input ) – 2.5 volts R L = -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 milliampere C=To inject 500 microamperes into LED Pulse interval of 1/f C min = ----------------------------------------------RL X=Latching or non-latching output circuitry to follow LED=Input diode of 6N139 Pulse width or 1/4f R S max = --------------------------------------------5C X=Non-Latching output circuitry to follow LED=Input diode of 6N139 f=frequency Examples: A desired pulse train to be present is shown in Figure 3. REV. 4.00 4/30/02 AN-3002 APPLICATION NOTE The resulting LED forward current that will keep the output circuitry conducting is shown as the result of proper design. + Non-Loading Line Receiver For virtual non-loading, the 6N139 is compatible with the differential amplifier circuit of Figure 6. INPUT (Volts) t=0 LED (mA) +V 1.0 0.5 0 or here 5.0 OUTPUT (Volts) LED 10KΩ IN 0.4 +V 6N139 X VREF AS EXAMPLE 1mA VREF Figure 3. Pulse Train Waveforms A desired sine wave to be present is shown in Figure 4. The resulting LED forward current that will keep the output circuitry conducting is shown as the result of proper design. INPUT (Volts) + 0 RE 0.5 mA Figure 6. Differential Amplifier Drive t=0 For a virtual no-load optoisolator circuit use: 1.0 LED (mA) 0.5 X=Non-latching output circuitry to follow LED=Input diode of 6N139 0 5.0 Current requirement at “in” will be less than 20 micro Amperes. 0.4 Example: OUTPUT (Volts) Figure 4. Sine Wave Waveforms Matrices Opto-Coupling With the low input LED current advantage of the 6N139, the ability to drive matrices with but one TTL output is now possible as shown in Figure 5. 6N139 Output Circuitries 5V 5.5KΩ RESISTORS SCAN 1 of 16 ACTIVE LOW ALL ARE INPUT DIODES OF 6N139 16 X 16 MATRIX CONTROL Figure 5. Opto-Coupling out of Matrices 2 If “VREF” is made to be +1.4 Volts and the RE is 1.2 KΩ, the circuit will respond nicely to TTL “0” and “1” levels. That is, a “0” at “In” will cause LED current resulting in the conduction of the output circuitry. Conversely, a “1” at “In” will result in no LED current. Notice that depending upon which collector the LED is in series with it will give the option of LED current flowing with a “0” or a “1” at “In”. The following are two examples of 6N139 output circuitry. One latching (Figure 7); the other non-latching (Figure 8), but both capable of driving a TTL gate directly. Referring to Figure 7 and assuming that the “RESET” has been actuated by a momentary ground and no input signal is being received, all transistors shown are non-conducting (Output high, “1”). The arrival of an input signal will cause all transistors to turn on. (Output low, “0”). The PNP transistor, being turned on by the output transistor, will in turn latch that same output transistor or until the “RESET” is again initiated. In Figure 8, where no signal is being received, the input transistor is not conducting. The output transistor is very slightly conducting. The 4.7MΩ resistor causing this slight conduction will not bring the “Output” to a “0” level. The purpose of this slight conduction is to reduce the turn-on delay time. When a signal is received, both input REV. 4.00 4/30/02 APPLICATION NOTE AN-3002 and output transistors are turned on causing the “Output” to a logic “0” state. The 4.7 MΩ resistor will now tend to reduce the output transistor’s turn-off time. If you have not looked over the 6N139 specification sheet, you may not be totally aware of the current capabilities of Fairchild Semiconductor optocouplers. (5V) +V 6N139 4.7KΩ 4.7KΩ 4.7KΩ 4.7K OUTPUT TO TTL 4.7KΩ *Normally OPEN momentary push-button or TTL output with open collector GROUND FOR RESET* Figure 7. Latching Output Circuit for 6N139 (5V) +V 6N139 4.7KΩ 4.7MΩ OUTPUT TO TTL Figure 8. NON-Latching Output Circuit for 6N139 REV. 4.00 4/30/02 3 AN-3002 APPLICATION NOTE DISCLAIMER FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE TO ANY PRODUCTS HEREIN TO IMPROVE RELIABILITY, FUNCTION OR DESIGN. FAIRCHILD DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF THE APPLICATION OR USE OF ANY PRODUCT OR CIRCUIT DESCRIBED HEREIN; NEITHER DOES IT CONVEY ANY LICENSE UNDER ITS PATENT RIGHTS, NOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. 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