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Laser Diode Driver |
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A client had experienced difficulty getting equivalent Laser
Diodes for their test equipment. The Laser Diodes they
wanted to be able to use were not pin- and
function-compatible and required different drive
electronics. The client asked Bolton Engineering to engineer
a general-purpose Laser Diode Driver that would work with
the widest possible range of diodes. The Driver had to be
both flexible and low-noise, as it would be used in
precision instrumentation. |
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Laser Diode
Background
Laser Diodes are some of the most delicate electronic
devices made. Providing a reliable “soft start” power-up
sequence is essential as they are easily damaged by
over-current transients lasting just nanoseconds. Laser
diodes incorporate photodiodes that are used as feedback
devices to maintain a desired power output level. The
photodiode sensitivity of different photodiodes varies
over a 100:1 range. The Laser Diodes are packaged in a
three terminal package and there is no standardization
as to which leads of the photodiode and Laser are
connected together as the common pin.
System Overview
Bolton Engineering designed a flexible system that could
operate over a 10:1 output power range using standard
low-cost components. User-settable jumpers select what
diode pin configurations is to be used, and set
different photodiode current ranges. The board operates
off a single 5V supply.
Project Scope
Bolton Engineering wrote the specification, designed the
schematics, obtained vendor quotes, designed the circuit
board, debugged the board, and delivered several hundred
production-quality boards.
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Consumer and Computer
