The ADL5306 is a low cost microminiature logarithmic converter optimized for determining optical power in fiber optic systems. The ADL5306 is derived from the AD8304 and AD8305 translinear logarithmic converters. This family of devices provides wide measurement dynamic range in a versatile and easy-to-use form. A single-supply voltage between 3 V and 5.5 V is adequate; dual supplies may optionally be used. Low quiescent current (5 mA typical) permits use in battery-operated applications. IPD, the 100 nA to 100 A input current applied to the INPT pin, is the collector current of an optimally scaled NPN transistor that converts this current to a voltage (VBE) with a precise logarithmic relationship. A second converter is used to handle the reference current, IREF, applied to IREF. These input nodes are biased slightly above ground (0.5 V). This is generally acceptable for photodiode applications where the anode does not need to be grounded. Similarly, this bias voltage is easily accounted for in generating IREF. The logarithmic front end's output is available at VLOG. The basic logarithmic slope at this output is 200 mV/decade (10 mV/dB) nominal; a 60 dB range corresponds to a 600 mV output change. When this voltage (or the buffer output) is applied to an ADC that permits an external reference voltage to be employed, the ADL5306's 2.5 V voltage reference output at VREF can be used to improve scaling accuracy.