THE FIBER FORUM

Fiber Optic Communications

PRESENTED BY

Dr. JOSEPH C. PALAIS

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 1

 Chapter 10

Modulation

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 2

 Section 10.1

LED Circuits

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 3

10.1.1 Analog Modulation

(dP/di) = a1
Power P
PSP
Pdc t

Idc i
ISP

is
t

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 4

 Analog modulation circuit:
i

is Idc

i = Idc + is
i = Idc + ISP sin wt
w = modulation frequency
P = Pdc + PSP sin wt
modulation factor:
m’ = ISP / Idc

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 5

For 100% modulation:
Isp = Idc and thus m’ = 1

i m’ = 1
Idc Isp

0 t

In general

0  m'  1
Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 6
The optic modulation factor is
m = PSP / Pdc
Thus
P = Pdc + mPdc sin wt
P = Pdc( 1 + m sin wt )
We earlier noted the frequency response of an
LED. It was:

a1ISP
PSP 
1 w 
2

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 7

 = carrier lifetime (average recombination time)
a1 = slope of the power vs. current curve
Thus
a1 ISP 1
m = PSP / Pdc =
1 w  a1 Idc
2

m'
m=
1  w 
2

m / m’
w

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 8

 Transistor amplifier LED driver:
Vdc = 5 V

ic
Ra 2k LED
(LD)
C c
Signal b
vin
iE
ib e
Rin Rb Re
50 W 5 kW 60 W

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 9

 ib (mA)
Load Line
50 1250
ic(mA)
30 750

10 250

0 1 2 3 4
vce (volts)

= Q point (operating point)

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 10

Current amplification:
b = (D ic / D ib ) = [(30 - 10)mA / (750 - 250)mA] = 40
When there is no signal (vin = 0), the transistor
operates at the Q-point.
In this example, the base current is
IB = 763 mA
and the collector current is
IC = bIB = 40(763) mA
IC = 31 mA
(see text for full analysis)

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 11

An input signal (vin ) varies ib and thus varies ic
about the 31 mA dc level.
Note that the collector current saturates at about
ic = 55 mA.
Thus the total swing in collector is limited to
ISP = 55 - 31 = 24 mA
The maximum modulation factor is then
m’ = (ISP / Idc) = (24 / 31) = 0.774
Follow the circuit design equations in the text.
These calculate the load line and the Q-point.

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 12

Linearity
We have been assuming a linear characteristic for
the LED output.

P Slope = a1

P
Pdc

Idc i

is

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 13

The output power is :
P = Pdc + a1 is
where
a1 = slope of the characteristic curve
is = signal current
In practice, LEDs vary from linearity .
A suitable mathematical model is :
P = Pdc + a1 is + a2 is2 (10-9)
This is a power series expansion about the bias
point (Pdc, Idc )
Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 14
Let the signal current be:
is = I sin wt
Then
P = Pdc + a1 I sin(wt) + a2 I2 sin2 (wt)
P = Pdc + a1 I sin (wt) + a2 I2 [(1 - cos(2wt) / 2]
P = Pdc + 0.5 a2 I2 + a1 I sin(wt) - 0.5 a2 I2 cos(2wt)
The last term is the second harmonic distortion.
Pdc + 0.5 a2 I2 Signal spectrum
a1 I
2w
0 w
0.5 a2 I2
Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 15
The total harmonic distortion (THD) is:
THD = ( electric power in harmonics/electric power
in fundamental)
as measured at the receiver
The received current is
iR = rP
iR = r[Pdc + 0.5 a2 I2 + a1 I sin(wt) - 0.5 a2 I2 cos(2wt)]

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 16

Electrical power in the receiver is proportional to
the current squared . Thus
THD = [(0.5 a2 I2)2 / (a1 I)2 ]
THD = 0.25 [ (a2/ a1) I ] 2
(THD)dB = - 10 log { 0.25 [ (a2/ a1) I ]2 }
Distortion due to nonlinearity in LEDs and LDs is
the biggest problem in analog modulation. Cable
TV often uses optical analog modulation to transmit
television signals.

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 17

10.1.2 Digital Modulation
Digital modulation LED driver circuit requirements:
1. No optical power when the signal is a zero (i.e.,
off).
2. Fixed, repeatable, optical power level when the
signal is a one (i.e., on) .

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 18

Series switched modulator
Vdc

I
R

+
LED Switch open: LED OFF
vd
- Switch closed: LED ON
Switch vd = diode voltage

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 19

In the ON state
I = (Vdc - vd ) / R
In the ideal case the closed switch has zero voltage
drop (zero resistance).
The maximum current is
I = Vdc / R
Conclusion: Resistor R limits the current,
protecting the LED

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 20

 Implementation is : Vdc
ic +
vd
C + -
R
Signal -
vin c +
b vce
-
R1 ib e
R2

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 21

 R1, R2 match the signal source impedance
Capacitor C speeds up response (optional)

ON Load line
ib(mA)
80
60 1.6
ic(mA) 40 1.2
0.8
20 0.4 OFF

0 0.3 1 3.6 4
2 3
vce (volts)

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 22

To turn the LED ON, the transistor switch is closed
by making
ib > 1.6 mA
In this saturated condition
vce = 0.3 volts
Now
ic = Ic = [(Vdc - vce - vd ) / R]
Set
Vdc = 5 volts
vce = 0.3 volts

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 23

R = 45 W
vd = 1.4 volts (the diode forward voltage)

Diode v-i curve

id

vd
1.4
Then
Ic = [( 5 - 0.3 - 1.4) / 45]
Ic = 73 mA

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 24

Load Line Equation
icR + vce + vd = Vdc (10-17)
If vce = 0
ic = [(Vdc - vd ) / R] = [(5 - 1.4 )/ 45] = 0.08
ic = 80 mA
If ic = 0
vce = (Vdc - vd ) = (5 - 1.4 ) = 3.6 volts
These two points allow us to draw the load line.
But, when ic = 0 (or low), vd = 0 volts.

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 25

Thus, when ib = 0 (no signal input), then ic = 0, and
vd = 0 . Now (10-17) yields
vce = Vdc = 5 volts
Notes
1. If ib > 1.6 mA, then Ic = 73 mA and the LED output
power will be the same for all larger base currents .
This gives good repeatability even if the input
current increases.
2. This circuit does not work for a LD because no dc
bias current is provided.

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 26

3. The transistor and load resistor limit the current
to ic < 80 mA.
4. A small current will flow through the LED even
when ib = 0. Thus the ON-OFF ratio of power is not
infinite.
Other circuits are possible also. Included would be
a parallel switched modulator such as that
illustrated on the next slide.

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 27

Parallel Switched Modulator

Vdc

R1

Switch LED

Dr. Joseph C. Palais 10.1 28