Optically isolated current source

Abstract

There is a need for isolated current sources for use in selected bioimpedance measurement circuits. The requirement for good isolation is particularly important in medical settings because of safety concerns. A new circuit for producing voltage-controlled current is presented. Measurements have been made on a prototype and simulations have been done on a SPICE model. The presented circuit is an H-bridge where the output devices are the output photodiodes of high-linearity optocouplers. Five operational amplifiers, four high linearity optocouplers, and passive components are used. Output current capability is ±35 μA with an output impedance that is more than 1 MΩ. It is possible to achieve bandwidths above 1 MHz for small load impedances. This circuit is well suited for medical applications thanks to the isolation in the optocouplers.