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Abstract

Methods and devices provide for a dynamic bias voltage control in detector photodiodes. The methods and systems use a bias control loop to make continuous detections of changes in the effective breakdown current of the detector photodiodes, thereby enabling the devices to change the bias voltage as needed. In one embodiment, a sense diode is added and operated at the breakdown current while the detector diode is operated at a small offset from the breakdown current. As performance conditions change, a feedback loop with the sense diode detects changes in the breakdown current and is used to adjust the bias voltage as necessary. In another embodiment, no sense diode is used. Rather, the detector diode itself is maintained at the breakdown current by a low frequency feedback loop. The optical signal is measured by a high frequency filter.

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First Claim