SMALL CIRCUITSCOLLECTION

COMPONENTS LIST C3 = 470nF 250VAC class X2 IC3 = TSOP1836 (Vishay-Telefunken) (or

C4 = 470µF 16V radial Infineon SFH5110, Sharp IS1U60)
Resistors: C5 = 22nF 250VAC, class X2
R1 = 560Ω Miscellaneous:
R2 = 150Ω 1W Semiconductors: JP1 = 2-way pinheader +with jumper
R3,R4 = 47Ω 1W D1 = 1N4007 K1,K2 = 2-way PCB terminal block, lead
R5,R6 = 470kΩ D2 = zener diode 12V 1.3W pitch 7.5 mm
Tri1 = TIC206D F1 = fuse 1AT (time lag) with PCB mount
Capacitors: IC1 = 79L05 holder
C1 = 100nF ceramic IC2 = ATtiny22L-8PC Atmel Disk, source code files, order code
C2 = 10µF 16V radial (programmed, order code 000189-41) 000189-11

from Elektor Electronics (order code 000189-41). Jumper
JP1 is normally open. Closing this causes the last received
code to be stored in the internal EEPROM memory as the
new code that activates the receiver.
The use of the printed circuit board shown here will
make construction of the circuit very straightforward.
Remember to take great care during construction and test-
ing, since the complete circuit is at mains potential!
Finally, we would like to point out that the circuit will only
work with mainly resistive loads and is therefore unsuitable
for fluorescent lights.
(000189-1)

Speed-up for Darlingtons 009

+5V

R4
4Ω7

10W
+5V
- 5V T1
R1
1k

BD139 T2
R2
1k
D1
2N3055

BAT85 R3
220Ω

014041 - 11

Darlingtons are useful devices because they have a pleas-
antly high gain. A disadvantage however, is that they are
much slower than normal transistors, something that
becomes even more of an issue if the two base-emitter
resistors have relatively high values. The reason is that the
charge in the base can be dissipated only slowly. In reality
this can only happen in the base/emitter junction itself or
via the relatively high base-emitter resistor (R2). There is
not much that can be done with ready-made ‘three legged’
darlingtons, but with do-it-yourself darlingtons both base
connections are readily accessible, which makes it possi-
ble to apply ‘minor surgery’ in the interest of a little
improvement. The operation consists of the addition of a
(Schottky-)diode in the blocking direction across the base-
emitter junction (D1). This diode can provide a consider-
able reduction in turn-off time. The consequences for the
reproduction of, for example, a 113-kHz square wave are
clearly illustrated by the oscilloscope traces shown here,
where one trace is with, and one without, the additional
diode.
To avoid any misunderstandings, we would like to add
that this ‘diode trick’ really only works well when the input
voltage goes negative with respect to ground.
(014041-1)

12/2001 Elektor Electronics 35