Photodiode Amplifier via Parallel Port

Introduction

In a previous article, I wrote about reading to a parallel port using the signal port. What I needed to read in was the signal from a photodiode. The following is a decent method to amplify the photodiode signal using common IC chips.

Schematic

This is a schematic of a photodiode amplifier that I used for an earlier project. It produces enough current to trigger a relay that connects the 'signal pin' to a 'ground pin.'

The components are as follows:

1. LED or any light source, mine was a laser
2. Photodiode
3. 3 Pots (Potentiometer) or Resistors; R1 = 3.3K, R2 = 104.6K, R3 = 312.2
4. Opamp, mine was a UA741
5. NPN Transistor, mine was 2N3904
6. IC Relay, mine was a Hamlin HE721C0500
7. Source: You'll need a source with at least 9 Volts. Note that you'll need a source that also includes a negative voltage and ground. You can substitute +9V or my +5V and -9V for my -5V. However if you also want to substitute my +12V for a +9V, then you may have to tweak R3.

*Important note: I take no responsibility for any mishaps.

IC Diagram/Schematic

*This Diagram/Schematic can be found at www.datasheetcatalog.com.

Opamp

NPN Transistor

Reed Relay

Explanation

My photodiode can only provide at most .9V (I think). The relay I'm using requires more current than my photodiode could provide. I needed the relay to trigger the switch inside of it and allow the 'signal pin' to be grounded; this would then result in a low on my signal pin. And as indicated from my previous article; I need the signal pin to be grounded so I could read it as data.

Some may say; why didn't you just use the transistor. Wouldn't it be easier? My answer is nah! Due to the fact that the base of the transistor needs a decent current to allow Vbe to go to saturation, I used a opamp to boost the signal and then tie the output to the base of the transistor. I used 12V at the collector since I didn't have 9V.

If you have any questions, email me at phebejtsov@yahoo.com.

History

• 8^th August, 2006: Initial post