SFH618A-2 opto-coupler

[mortonkopf]

Hi all, I am changing from using usb-midi input for driving some CV outputs for an analogue synth, to using midi DIN. The DIN input seems to be working on breadboard when testing using serial monitor. Has anyone been using these SFH618 opto-couplers, I am after some advice on the resistor values. I am currently using 220ohm on the input and 560ohm on the output, as in the diagram. Like I say, seems to be working, but wanted any input from those who have used it, before i start soldering things up.


The data sheet is here: http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/253546/VISHAY/SFH618A-2.html
and the product page for Maplin is here: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/low-current-opto-coupler-cy94c

many thanks for any suggested values, m

 

[Constantin]

Here is a resistor calculator I have liked. They have both DC and AC calculators.

FWIW, I use AC-compatible opto-couplers. The only difference to yours (net) is the removal of the external diode.

 

[mortonkopf]

Thanks Constantin - roughly 650 to 700 Ohm by the calculator for a 5mA output. According to the calculator, i guess that my mA output with the 560Ohm resistor is around 6mA.

 

[PaulStoffregen]

If you compare that opto's specs with the usual PC900, it's a lot slower.

PC900 has typical 1 us HIGH->LOW, and 2 us LOW->HIGH propagation delay, with 0.1 us rise and 0.05 us fall time.

SFH618 has 6 us turn on time and 5.5 us turn off time. I'm not sure if "turn on/off time" is really the same as "propagation delay". But the rise and fall time specs probably compare directly, which are 3.5 and 5.0 us.

One bit at MIDI baud rate is 32 us... so maybe timing in the 5 us range might work, but you definitely would not want to pass that received signal to a MIDI "Thru" connector.

If you look at the test condition in the SFH618 datasheet, they got those 5 us numbers using a 100 ohm pullup resistor!

 

[mortonkopf]

Paul, thanks for the pointer on this opto's speed issues. TBH, that spec sheet test conditions table did not make sense to me regarding voltage drop requirements, and how the us values were derived.

 

[mortonkopf]

As a follow up with some results using the SFH618 optoisolator. I have had some success at signals being received and processed, and seems to work well for my purposes of Midi Din -> CV out. Set up as below:


Some issues remain, such as very large gate values seeming to 'flood out' the signal, and the pitch scales being slightly off, but this is most likely a software side problem. This uses Marc Nostromos code and based on his great website: http://www.marc-nostromo.com/midi-control-for-the-monotron-using-a-teensy-3-0/
I just had to make a couple of small changes to convert the MIDI signal from USBmidi to Rx pin0, and Marcs code worked.