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From: psfales@cbnewsc.ATT.COM (Peter Fales)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Infrared remote controller decoding
Summary: Need a PIN Photodiode
Message-ID: <3108@cbnewsc.ATT.COM>
Date: 12 Sep 89 12:55:02 GMT
References: <12459@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 22

In article <12459@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU>, liud@guille.ece.orst.edu (Dongtai Liu) writes:
> 
> I suggest that you try a PIN photo diode. Since the sensitivity of PIN
> diodes are much lower than photo transistors, an op-amp stage would be
> necessary to amplify the signal.

I can second this one.  When I was experimenting with IR receivers
I found that "typical" bipolar phototransistors and photodiodes 
(i.e. from Radio Shack) were both too slow for this application.  
PIN diodes worked fine however.

There is  chip made by Motorola, the MC3373, that is designed to
connect directly to a PIN photodiode and provide all the necessary
buffering and amplification.  I have never used it, but from 
looking at app. notes, it should be very easy to use.  I believe
it is sold by other manufacturers as the 1373.

-- 
Peter Fales			AT&T, Room 5B-420
				2000 N. Naperville Rd.
UUCP:	...att!peter.fales	Naperville, IL 60566
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