Semiconductor Light-Controlled Instrument Transducer with Direct PWM Output for Automatic Control Systems

Abstract

This work shows that the direct PWM output electric signal, with a duty cycle controlled by light intensity, can beobtained using a circuit containing a saw-tooth voltage generator connected in series with a dc voltage source and ametal (semitransparent gate) oxide semiconductor capacitor (MOS-C).The internal PWM signal conversion occurs by the use of non-equilibrium physical processes in the semiconductorsubstrate of the MOS-C. The 10-20 V amplitude limited square PWM output signal is obtained by the amplification ofthe sensor signal with a standard 60 dB transimpedance amplifier. The amplified output signal presents positive andnegative PWM waveforms that can be easily separated using diodes. The duty of the positive part is proportional tothe light intensity, whereas the negative part is inversely proportional to the intensity. The frequency operating rangeof this proposed instrument varies from 1 Hz to a few kilohertz. The duty cycle of the PWM output signal varies from2% to 98% when the incident light intensity varies in the microwatts range. These new transducers or sensors couldbe useful for automatic control, robotic applications, dimmer systems, feedback electronic systems, and non-contactoptical position sensing for nulling and centering measurements.