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Application Notes—Analog Optical Isolators
This reduced low frequency power rating can be accommodated by
using a limted circuit which reduces the limt threshold when the
frequency is below 200 Hz. Figure 8a shows a very simple circuit to do
this. At low frequency, the gain of amplifier A
1
is unity. The amplifier
has a 6 db/octave gain roll-off starting at 25Hz and levels off at 100
Hz. Therefore it will take a signal that is four times as large at 100 Hz
as at 25 Hz before limting action starts. Breakpoints in the Frequency
vs. Gain curve shown in Figure 8b can be set to match the speaker
frequency dependent power limt. Also, potentiometer R
4
can be set to
match the power rating and impedance of the speaker.
The threshold is set by the sumof V
BE
of Q
1
and the forward voltage
drops of D
1
and the LED, approximately 2.8V peak or 2.0 VRMS. Once
the threshold has been exceeded, current is injected into the LED of
the AOI which attenuates the signal voltage. This voltage divider can
be placed anywhere in the signal path. Once the limter comes into
play, the systemfrequency response will no longer be flat, but no
distortion is introduced.
Automatic Gain Control
Automatic gain control (AGC) circuits have electrically programmable
references or set points, but in other respects are the same as limters
or compressor circuits. Each has a forward gain amplifier and a loop
which controls the gain of that amplifier.
Figure 8a. Speaker Power Limter with Frequency Compensation
Figure 8b. Amplitude vs. Frequency for the Amplifier
Figure 8c. SystemVoltage Limts