6
I
S
+ I
b
R
V
≈
26,000
where
I
S
= diode saturation current
in
μ
A
I
b
= bias current in
μ
A
Saturation current is a function of
the diode’s design,
[4]
and it is a
constant at a given temperature.
For the HSMS-285A series, it is
typically 3 to 5
μ
A at 25
°
C. For the
medium barrier HSMS-2860 family,
saturation current at room
temperature is on the order of
50 nA.
Together, saturation and (if used)
bias current set the detection
sensitivity, video resistance and
input RF impedance of the
Schottky detector diode. Since no
external bias is used with the
HSMS-285A series, a single
transfer curve at any given
frequency is obtained, as shown in
Figure 4. Where bias current is
used, some tradeoff in sensitivity
and square law dynamic range is
seen, as shown in Figure 6 and
described in reference [3].
The most difficult part of the
design of a detector circuit is the
input impedance matching
network. For very broadband
detectors, a shunt 60
resistor
will give good input match, but at
the expense of detection
sensitivity.
When maximum sensitivity is
required over a narrow band of
frequencies, a reactive matching
network is optimum. Such net-
works can be realized in either
lumped or distributed elements,
depending upon frequency, size
constraints and cost limitations,
but certain general design
principals exist for all types.
[5]
Design work begins with the RF
impedance of the HSMS-285A
series, which is given in Figure 13.
Note that the impedance of the
HSMS-286A series is very similar
when bias current is set to 3
μ
A.
1 GHz
2
3
4
5
6
0.2
0.6
1
2
5
Figure 13. RF Impedance of the
HSMS-285A Series at -40 dBm.
915 MHz Detector Circuit
Figure 14 illustrates a simple
impedance matching network for a
915 MHz detector.
65nH
100 pF
VIDEO
OUT
RF
INPUT
WIDTH = 0.050"
LENGTH = 0.065"
WIDTH = 0.015"
LENGTH = 0.600"
TRANSMISSION LINE
DIMENSIONS ARE FOR
MICROSTRIP ON
0.032" THICK FR-4.
Figure 14. 915 MHz Matching
Network for the HSMS-285A
Series at Zero Bias or the
HSMS-286A Series at 3
μ
A Bias.
A 65 nH inductor rotates the
impedance of the diode to a point
on the Smith Chart where a shunt
inductor can pull it up to the
center. The short length of 0.065"
wide microstrip line is used to
mount the lead of the diode’s
SOT-323 package. A shorted shunt
stub of length <
λ
/4 provides the
necessary shunt inductance and
simultaneously provides the return
circuit for the current generated in
the diode. The impedance of this
circuit is given in Figure 15.
FREQUENCY (GHz): 0.9-0.93
Figure 15. Input Impedance.
The input match, expressed in
terms of return loss, is given in
Figure 16.
R
0.9
-20
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0.915
0
-10
-15
0.93
-5
Figure 16. Input Return Loss.
As can be seen, the band over
which a good match is achieved is
more than adequate for 915 MHz
RFID applications.
[4]
Hewlett-Packard Application Note 969,
An Optimum Zero Bias Schottky Detector Diode.
[5]
Hewlett-Packard Application Note 963,
Impedance Matching Techniques for Mixers and Detectors.