Pyroelectric detector with feedback amplifier for enhanced low frequency response

• US 6,340,816 B1
• Filed: 02/10/1999
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Micko, Eric S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Application Number:
  US09/242,243
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 250/338.3
• US Class Current: 250/338.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/34 using separate light paths used alternately or sequentially, e.g. flicker
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/10 using electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/34 using capacitors, e.g. pyroelectric capacitors

Abstract

A pyroelectric detector circuit comprises a pyroelectric sensor element connected to a load resistor and to an input of a buffer amplifier having a feedback path for multiplying the resistance of the load resistor at non-zero frequencies. This feedback enables the use of a smaller load resistor which is multiplied to produce a higher effective load resistance necessary for proper low frequency response of the detector circuit.

Claims

1. A pyroelectric detector comprising:

means for sensing infrared radiation;

means connected in parallel with said sensing means for providing a load to measure said sensing means output, wherein said load means comprises a first resistor in series with a second resistor;

means coupled to said output of said sensing means for buffering said output; and

said detector comprises a feedback means connected from an output to an input of said buffering means for producing multiplication of the resistance of said load.

2. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a pyroelectric ceramic material.

3. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said feedback means comprises a capacitor connected between said buffering means output and said load means.

4. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said buffering means comprises a field effect transistor.

5. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said buffering means comprises an operational amplifier.

6. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said buffering means comprises a gain of near unity.

7. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said multiplication of said load resistance improves a peak low frequency response of said sensing means.

8. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said buffering means comprises a source resistor for providing a buffered output of said sensing means output from said buffering means.

9. A pyroelectric detector comprising:

means for sensing infrared radiation;

means connected in parallel with said sensing means for providing a load to measure said sensing means output, said load comprising a first load resistor in series with a second resistor;

means connected to said output of said sensing means for buffering said sensing means output;

said detector comprises an output divider which includes a first source resistor connected in series with a second source resistor; and

said detector comprises a feedback means connected from the junction of said first source resistor and said second source resistor to the junction of said first load resistor and said second resistor for producing multiplication of said load.

10. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 9 wherein said sensing means comprises a pyroelectric ceramic material.

11. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 9 wherein said feedback means comprises a capacitor.

12. A pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 9 wherein said buffering means comprises a field effect transistor.

13. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 9 wherein said buffering means comprises a gain of near unity.

14. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 9 wherein said multiplication of said load resistor improves a peak low frequency response of said sensing means.

15. A method of providing a pyroelectric detector comprising the steps of:

sensing infrared radiation;

connecting a load in parallel with means for sensing said infrared radiation, wherein said step of connecting said load comprises the step of connecting a first resistor in series with a second resistor;

buffering said output of said sensing means with amplifier means; and

providing a feedback means in said amplifier means for producing multiplication of the resistance of said load.

16. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said step of sensing infrared radiation comprises the step of using a sensor having pyroelectric ceramic material.

17. The pyroelectric detector as recited in claim 15 wherein said step of providing said feedback means comprises the step of connecting a capacitor between said amplifier means output and said load at said amplifier means input.

18. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said step of buffering said output of said sensing means comprises the step of using a field effect transistor.

19. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said step of buffering said output of said sensing means comprises the step of using an operational amplifier.

20. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said step of providing feedback for producing multiplication of the resistance of said load improves a peak amplitude of a low frequency response of said sensing means.