[Laser] Thoughts on receiver design

[Art]

Hi Phil,

You are correct, Newark and Digi-Key both have them for ~$45. Ouch, they 
used to be $16 each in single quan!

The opt101 is selling for ~$5.50, which is actually lower than it used to 
sell for-they used to sell for $6. each.

I queried TI about samples soon after they bought Burr-Brown and was told 
that the chip was not being sampled and could be discontinued soon.

The opt101 is virtually identical to the opt301, except that it has the 300 
ua current source built in so that it can be operated with a single supply. 
The constant current source creates a small amount of racket on the 
non-inverting input, but there is very little difference between the 
devices. The opt301 is self shielding as it comes in a metal can package, 
which gives it an additional slight advantage in NEP over the opt101.

The opt301 is currently selling for $5. on ebay at this moment. The opt101 
is currently selling for $2.50 on ebay at this moment.

I'm not sure what the opt-301 price increase is about....they tripled the 
price on those puppies.

Good luck to all.

Art



At 02:55 PM 3/21/04, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I'm finally getting around to building my LASER setup.
>I am trying to nail down an adequate receiver design
>for use with MCW using standard 670nm LASER diodes. My
>receivers will be used at prime focus of 8" and larger
>telescopes. My design goal is line of sight
>communication over paths of 20+ miles primarily at
>night.
>
>I have been looking at the K3PGP and G0MRF designs.
>
>The G0MRF design looks interesting and easy to build
>based on the OPT301 sensor. The downside is the high
>cost (~$45) of the sensor itself. The OPT101 is a lot
>more cost effective although it appears to not be as
>sensitive/low noise. Thoughts?
>
>If I go the route of the K3PGP design what is the best
>PIN diode sensor to choose? I have been looking into
>the Photonics Detectors PDB-V107 as a possibility.
>What are other people using with the 'PGP front end
>design?
>
>My transmitter will be modeled after the G0MRF design
>initially starting with standard <5mw Red LASER
>diodes.
>
>One final question, is there any consensus at to
>modulation frequency?
>
>Since I plan on using a tight bandpass filter I'd like
>to stay near a "standard" (if there is one) to be
>compatible with others rigs. G0MRF uses 500Hz. My ear
>prefers a bit higher frequency like 700Hz though.
>There may be a electronic limit as to how fast the
>LASER diode can be keyed as well. Any other comments?
>
>73 & hope to _see_ you on the band ;)
>
>Phil, KB0NES
>EN34jt
>
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