Advanced Photonix introduces 4-Mbit/sec photodiode for IrDA transceivers

Advanced Photonix Inc. has introduced a new 4-Mbit/sec silicon PIN photodiode specifically tailored for price-sensitive OEM optical communication applications. According to the company, the new SD150-13-003 is primarily intended for use in IrDA-compatible transceivers, but is also useful for fiber-optic LANs and VCSEL-based IR links.

The SD150-13-003 offers low capacitance and fully depletes at low voltages, resulting in fast response characteristics. Rise and fall times have been optimized for digital transmission, and signal tailing, a common problem for photodiodes operating at low bias, is largely eliminated. The SD150-13-003 also has excellent quantum efficiency (>80% between 500 nm and 850 nm), say company representatives, yielding higher sensitivity and thus extending the effective operating range of IrDA enabled peripherals.

The SD150-13-003 is nominally supplied as an unpackaged chip with an active area of 1.4 mm². Advanced Photonix can produce customized versions of the product to suit specific OEM requirements, as well as assemble the detector into IrDA transceiver modules.