The MTI04CS/CQ now offers the ability to adapt the compensation of the transimpedance amplifier to the input capacitance of the sensors, such as photodiodes. This is done digitally in two stages, 5 and 80pF. Programming of the transimpedance gain is carried out via three input pins to any of eight levels; and takes effect for all channels simultaneously.

The MTI04CS/CQ integrates 4 channels on a single chip. It is possible to increase the number of channels to more than 4 (i.e. 8, 16, 32 etc.), if required by the customer. Combined with ‘naked’ chip (die) manufacturing and corresponding sensors, surface optimized receiver modules are possible. When cascaded, these can be laid out as scanning row modules.

To increase the input sensitivity compared with previous ICs, the amplification has been increased by a factor of four (previously 5 MOhm, now 20 MOhm) and the noise has been minimized. The smallest current measurement range is now 25 nA. Initial tests have verified the low noise and higher amplification of the IC. The new MTI04CS/CQ is therefore ideal for the conversion of the smallest photo currents in the lower nA range or the conversion of very high input frequencies in the upper KHz or even MHz range. Also new, the power-down mode of the MTI04CS/CQ allows the IC to be operated in power saving mode.

Because of the features of multi-channel, programmability, sensitivity and bandwidth, the MTI04CS/CQ is particularly suited for use as amplifiers for sensors such as opto arrays and rows in the UV, VIS, NIR and IR regions. This is also true for typical applications such as industrial sensor technology (light grid, length, filling level, position, thickness and distance measurement), equipment for surface analysis and temperature measurement (thermal imaging, combustion supervision), detectors for alpha, beta, gamma and x-rays and ions as well as applications for measurement, regulation and control of light and laser sources.