THORLABS PDAPC4 User manual

PDAPC4

InGaAs Switchable Gain

Photodetector,

OEM Package

User Guide

InGaAs Switchable Gain Detector, OEM 
 
Table of Contents 
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions ...........................................1 
Chapter 2 Description........................................................................2 
Chapter 3 Setup..................................................................................3 
Chapter 4 Operation...........................................................................8 
4.1. Theory of Operation......................................................8 
4.2. Responsivity .................................................................8 
4.3. Dark Current.................................................................8 
4.4. Bandwidth and Response ..............................................9 
4.5. Terminating Resistance.................................................9 
4.6. Gain Adjustment...........................................................9 
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting.............................................................10 
Chapter 6 Specifications.................................................................11 
6.1. Response Curve...........................................................12 
6.2. Mechanical Drawing ...................................................13 
Chapter 7 Regulatory.......................................................................14 
Chapter 8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts.......................................15 

InGaAs Switchable Gain Detector, OEM Chapter 1: Warning Symbol Definitions

Rev A, May 7, 2021 Page 1

Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions

Below is a list of warning symbols you may encounter in this manual or on your

device.

Symbol

Description

Direct Current

Alternating Current

Both Direct and Alternating Current

Earth Ground Terminal

Protective Conductor Terminal

Frame or chassis Terminal

Equipotentiality

On (Supply)

Off (Supply)

In Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control

Out Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control

Caution, Risk of Electric Shock

Caution, Hot Surface

Caution, Risk of Danger

Warning, Laser Radiation

Caution: ESD Sensitive Components

InGaAs Switchable Gain Detector, OEM Chapter 2: Description

Page 2 TTN239793-D02

Chapter 2 Description

The PDAPC4 is an amplified, switchable-gain, Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs)

photodetector in an OEM package with an operating wavelength range of 800 to

1700 nm. A DIP switch allows the user to vary the gain in 10 dB steps. A buffered

output drives 50 Ωload impedances up to 5 V. The output signal is readable from

the MMCX connector. We provide MMCX to BNC cables (Item # CA3339) or

MMCX to SMA cables (Item # CA3439). Users can also access the digital pins of

the gain switch or the output through an on-board header.

ESD Caution

This product is ESD sensitive. Take all appropriate precautions to

discharge personnel and equipment before making any electrical

connections to the unit.

InGaAs Switchable Gain Detector, OEM Chapter 3: Setup

Rev A, May 7, 2021 Page 3

Chapter 3 Setup

1. The pin out table for the on-board header (J2), Figure 1, is shown in the

two tables below:

Figure 1 J2 Header

J2 PIN OUT

Designation

GND

OUTPUT

-V

N.C.

Note:

Pins 1 & 5: ±V refers to the power supply positive/negative voltages.

Pins 7, 8, & 9: A0-A2 refers to the three digital pins for the gain adjustment.

Gain Switch Table

Gain

0 dB

10 dB

20 dB

30 dB

40 dB

50 dB

60 dB

70 dB

Pin 10

Pin 1

InGaAs Switchable Gain Detector, OEM Chapter 3: Setup

Page 4 TTN239793-D02

2. Connect a power supply to pins 1, 3, and 5 of the J2 header. The required

power supply voltages are:

J2 Pin

Voltage

+12 VDC

GND

-12 VDC

Thorlabs offers the LD1255-SUPPLY as one compatible power supply

option. Connection to the board is shown below:

Figure 2 Power Supply Connection

InGaAs Switchable Gain Detector, OEM Chapter 3: Setup

Rev A, May 7, 2021 Page 5

3. Digital gain can be adjusted through the J2 header shown in Figure 1 or

using the on-board DIP switch shown below. Each switch is ‘Off’/0 when

in the up position and ‘On’/1 when in the down position.

Figure 3 Location of the On-Board DIP Switches

The following table describes what each switch does:

Switch Number

Function

Enable

To enable the DIP switch settings, set switch # 1 to ‘On’/1. See the table

on page 3 for the corresponding gain settings.

Note: The default DIP switch settings are all in the ‘Off’/0 position and

customer could only use J2 Header for gain setting purposes. When the

DIP switch is enabled, it would override the seetings of the J2 Header.

On-Board DIP

Switches

InGaAs Switchable Gain Detector, OEM Chapter 3: Setup

Page 6 TTN239793-D02

4. The side adjusted potentiometer is used to adjust the voltage output’s

offset at high gain settings (e.g. 70 dB). This part is factory pre-adjusted

so normally the user does not need to adjust it. However, if the output

offset value has fallen out of spec, for example drift over time or

temperature, then it is possible to adjust it back by turning this

potentiometer. Turning the screw head clockwise decreases the offset

voltage and adjusting the screw head conterclockwise increases it.

Figure 4 Side adjusted potentiometer

5. Attach a 50 Ωcoax cable to the output of the PDAPC4 detector. Thorlabs

offers two suitable cable options, the CA3339 MMCX to BNC cable or the

CA3439 MMCX to SMA cable.

When running cable lengths longer than 12", Thorlabs recommends

terminating the opposite end of the coax with a 50 Ωresistor for optimal

performance. Thorlabs Item # T4119 is suitable for this purpose.

Potentiometer

Adjustment

Screw Head

MMCX

Connector

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