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IR Receiver / Comparator Circuit help

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FMICW

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First things first, this is a college assignment. I appreciate that people are not going to do my homework for me, but i am just asking for some guidance/research advice.

I have a pulse width modulation circuit that uses 2 555's with the output of the monostable 555 being an LED. The receiver/comparator is as follows-
**broken link removed**

The areas i must explain are-
- The resistor value RD before the LED.
- The F.E.T function.
- The PT function.
- The 3K9 resistor.

I will probably be ok with the PT and FET explanations, but struggle more with the reasoning of resistor values.
Can anybody recommend some online resources where i can learn the basic functions covered above?

Thanks
 
First things first, this is a college assignment. I appreciate that people are not going to do my homework for me, but i am just asking for some guidance/research advice.

I have a pulse width modulation circuit that uses 2 555's with the output of the monostable 555 being an LED. The receiver/comparator is as follows-

The areas i must explain are-
- The resistor value RD before the LED.
- The F.E.T function.
- The PT function.
- The 3K9 resistor.

I will probably be ok with the PT and FET explanations, but struggle more with the reasoning of resistor values.
Can anybody recommend some online resources where i can learn the basic functions covered above?

Thanks

hi,
Its difficult to pick out a general tutorial for these values.

The resistor values are usually determined by checking the datasheet for the active devices.
ie: the PT data will determine the collector value, to suit the required sensitivity, saturation and speed of operation.
Likewise, one the output signals from PT are known, then the Vref for the comparator thresholds can be determined.

for example: the 5V6 zener feeds a resistive divider of 100K and a 10K variable. The junction of these two will be at +0.509V, this means the voltage level output from the PT when 'lit' will have to fall to somewhere less than +0.5V in order for the comp output to change state.. the actual value is et by the 10K.

Can you say what you think the function of the 2N3819 is.?
 
To be honest, your final paragraph explained the comparator logic quite well. The part i can't figure out is what effect the F.E.T has on this comparator input.

I beleive fet's give a high current output for very low voltage/current input... so i can't really see how it works when it is wrapped around itself as in the diagram.
 
To be honest, your final paragraph explained the comparator logic quite well. The part i can't figure out is what effect the F.E.T has on this comparator input.

I beleive fet's give a high current output for very low voltage/current input... so i can't really see how it works when it is wrapped around itself as in the diagram.

hi,
Its connected as a constant current source, to supply the 5V6 zener.
The 2N3819 isnt cheap, IMO a suitable current limiting resistor would the job.

The 3K9 in the comp output is a 'typical' value, the LM339 will sink about 3mA with that as a load.

The common range of LED's require a current limiting resistor, currents in the order of 10mA thru 20mA are typical.

The led emitter in your cct with a 100R, suggests a pulse current in the order of ~ 100mA
 
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The gate of the FET should be shorted to its source then the 1M resistor is not needed.

The current will be the IDss rating of the FET (2mA to 20mA).
 
The 3K9 in the comp output is a 'typical' value, the LM339 will sink about 3mA with that as a load.
So, what does the resistor actually do? Surely with the resistor in place, current will always flow from + to the output?

The led emitter in your cct with a 100R, suggests a pulse current in the order of ~ 100mA
thanks for that, what calculation did you use there?

Cheers
 
So, what does the resistor actually do? Surely with the resistor in place, current will always flow from + to the output?


thanks for that, what calculation did you use there?

Cheers

Even with gate connected to the source the FET will be conducting, it a Depletion mode FET, that means the gate voltage is used to turn the FET off.

Your emitter data sheet gives a 2V fwd drop for the diode, assuming a 12Vdc supply -2V =10v across a 100R resistor gives 100mA.
 
Even with gate connected to the source the FET will be conducting, it a Depletion mode FET, that means the gate voltage is used to turn the FET off.

Your emitter data sheet gives a 2V fwd drop for the diode, assuming a 12Vdc supply -2V =10v across a 100R resistor gives 100mA.
Eric,

You need to remember that a lot of these young whipper-snappers have never heard of depletion mode. ;) ... so they would have no clue that it is a current source.

Dan
 
Eric,

You need to remember that a lot of these young whipper-snappers have never heard of depletion mode. ;) ... so they would have no clue that it is a current source.

Dan

hi Dan.
In his opener the OP said he would be OK with the FET/PT.:confused:

Hows the new hotrod... are you now a boy racer.?
 
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So, what does the resistor actually do? Surely with the resistor in place, current will always flow from + to the output?
The LM339 is a comparator with an open collector output. It needs a pullup resistor at its ouput for the output to be high.
Its typical saturation voltage is 0.25V (0.4V max) with a 4mA load so the 3.9k resistor will have a current of (12V - 0.25V)/3.9k= 3mA.
 
hi Dan.
In his opener the OP said he would be OK with the FET/PT.:confused:

Hows the new hotrod... are you now a boy racer.?
True but the repeated questioning about it betrayed the truth of the matter. I do not even think about it unless I have an app for it.

Doing great, 98 Saturn PIF saves me about $280/mo. While I would not call myself a racer I must confess to having missed my 5 speed stick!

Dan
 
I see the schematics write "FET" but 2n3819 is actually a JFET, a high frequency amplifier.

You are interfacing digital with analog. Digital is noisy and that interferes with the analog reference (zener 5.6V). To reject the noise from power supply, you supply the zener with a constant sorce. Thats what the 2n3819 is for. If this is really nesessary is up to the application and where the circuit is used.
The JFETs are new to me, but i just now read this tutorial: https://www.electro-tech-online.com/custompdfs/2009/03/jfet101.pdf and i get it that when Vg=Vs, Id=Idss, a very stable current over large range of delta-Vds. Read the tutorial.
 
Thanks for everybodies help.

Regarding the value of Rd, what is it's significance on the transistor loading of the BFY51? I am led to beleive that the resistors value effects this as well as the LED current limiting.

Cheers
 
Regarding the value of Rd, what is it's significance on the transistor loading of the BFY51? I am led to beleive that the resistors value effects this as well as the LED current limiting.
I don't know what you mean by "transistor loading of BFY51".
If the BFY51 has enough base current to saturate then Rd (and its supply voltage) is the only part that determines the amount of LED current.
 
I certainly can't figure it out, when i clarified with my tutor that the resistor limited current to the LED, he said it was more to do with transistor loading. I thought it must be some sort of minimum or maximum current for the BFY51.
No worries, i will sort it!
 
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