Evaluation of the design requirements for the electrical part of transmission-type optical smoke detector to improve its threshold stability to slowly varying influences

Abstract

The output signal sensitivity to optical component contamination and other slowly varying parasitic influences in the transmission-type smoke detector is analyzed. The analysis carried out the new topology characterized by the selective feedback loop incorporating the optical part of the detector. Depending on the loop gain frequency shaping in the electrical part of the loop, dual-stability enhancement of the input threshold level can be achieved. The stable dc output signal can be preserved by the high dc loop gain value, as an option to the standard serial filter dc rejection. The detector passband gain stability is achieved by the high loop gain selectivity, eliminating feedback at very low or passband frequencies. The proposed topology can be easily adopted to both digital and low-cost analog detector designs. The special case of the threshold sensitivity neutralization through the cancellation of the output dc signal sensitivity and passband gain sensitivity is considered, too, as an option suitable for low-cost detectors. In addition to the described linear settlement, two nonlinear solutions are presented, the first of them based on the foregoing linear circuit analysis. Despite its nonlinear nature, this alternative solution is not troublesome for analog implementation, since the nonlinear function required is realized by the standard variable gain amplifier. Another nonlinear method requires logarithmic function implementation, so that its suitability depends on the particular design requirements.