Stabilize Your Transimpedance Amplifier

Abstract: Transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) are widely used to translate the current output of sensors like photodiode-to-voltage signals, since many circuits and instruments can only accept voltage input. An operational amplifier with a feedback resistor from output to the inverting input is the most straightforward implementation of such a TIA. However, even this simple TIA circuit requires careful trade-offs among noise gain, offset voltage, bandwidth, and stability. Clearly stability in a TIA is essential for good, reliable performance. This application note explains the empirical calculations for assessing stability and then shows how to fine-tune the selection of the feedback phase-compensation capacitor.
Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Tutorials > Amplifier and Comparator Circuits > APP 5129
Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Tutorials > Sensors > APP 5129
Keywords: TIA, trans impedance amplifier, transimpedance amp, photodiode, medical instrumentation, industrial control, piezo-sensor
interface, TIA stability, feedback capacitance, phase compensation, bode plot
Feb 03, 2012
TUTORIAL 5129

Stabilize Your Transimpedance Amplifier
By: Akshay Bhat, Senior Strategic Applications Engineer
Feb 03, 2012

Abstract: Transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) are widely used to translate the current output of sensors like photodiode-to-voltage
signals, since ma