Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An avalanche photodiode circuit comprising: an avalanche photodiode for receiving a light signal and generating an electrical output in response thereto; a thermistor-containing voltage divider network; and a first resistor; and wherein said voltage divider network is electrically separated from said avalanche photodiode except for said first resistor which is connected therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
An avalanche photodiode circuit comprising: an avalanche photodiode for receiving a light signal and generating an electrical output in response thereto; a thermistor-containing voltage divider network; and a first resistor; and wherein said voltage divider network is electrically separated from said avalanche photodiode except for said first resistor which is connected therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An avalanche photodiode circuit according to claim 1, wherein said thermistor-containing voltage divider network includes a negative temperature coefficient thermistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An avalanche photodiode circuit according to claim 1, wherein said voltage divider network comprises a pair of resistor sections connected in series with one another between first and second voltage reference terminals, the junction of said first and second resistor sections being connected to said first resistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An avalanche photodiode circuit according to claim 3, wherein the junction of said first and second resistor sections is connected to the end of said first resistor opposite to the end thereof connected to said avalanche photodiode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An avalanche photodiode circuit according to claim 4, wherein said thermistor-containing voltage divider network includes a negative temperature coefficient thermistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An avalanche photodiode circuit according to claim 5, wherein said voltage divider network comprises second and third resistors connected in series between said first and second voltage reference terminals, said thermistor being connected in parallel with said second resistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An avalanche photodiode circuit according to claim 6, wherein the resistance of said thermistor R TH , relative to that R 2 second resistor in parallel therewith, is such that R TH >>R 2 for temperatures at the lower end of a prescribed temperature range and R 2 >>R TH for temperatures at the upper end of said prescribed temperature range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
An opto-electrical conversion circuit comprising: an opto-electrical conversion element for receiving a light signal input and generating an electrical output in response thereto; a gain control element; and a negative temperature coefficient variable resistance network connected to a source of bias potential; and wherein said network is electrically separated from said opto-electrical conversion element except for said gain control element which is connected therebetween for controlling the voltage bias applied across said conversion element in response to the electrical output generated in accordance with the light signal applied to said conversion element, whereby the gain available to said conversion element is maintained substantially constant over a prescribed temperature range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
An opto-electrical conversion circuit comprising: an opto-electrical conversion element for receiving a light signal input and generating an electrical output in response thereto; a gain control element; and a negative temperature coefficient variable resistance network connected to a source of bias potential; and wherein said network is electrically separated from said opto-electrical conversion element except for said gain control element which is connected therebetween for controlling the voltage bias applied across said conversion element in response to the electrical output generated in accordance with the light signal applied to said conversion element, whereby the gain available to said conversion element is maintained substantially constant over a prescribed temperature range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An opto-electrical conversion circuit according to claim 8, wherein said opto-electrical conversion element comprises means for converting a light signal input into an electrical current output proportional thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An opto-electrical conversion circuit according to claim 9, wherein said gain control element comprises a resistor element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
An opto-electrical conversion circuit according to claim 8, wherein said negative temperature coefficient variable resistance network comprises first and second resistors connected in series between said source of bias potential and a reference potential terminal, and a negative temperature coefficient thermistor connected in parallel with one of said first and second resistors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
An opto-electrical conversion circuit according to claim 10, wherein said negative temperature coefficient variable resistance network comprises first and second resistors connected in series between said source of bias potential and a reference potential terminal, and a negative temperature coefficient thermistor connected in parallel with one of said first and second resistors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An opto-electrical conversion circuit according to claim 10, wherein said opto-electrical conversion element comprises an avalanche photodiode.