High-speed laser array driver
US6822987B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/4025
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for driving lasers. An example laser driving system includes a laser current controller for providing a modulation signal and a bias signal. The modulation signal and bias signal is used by a plurality of high-speed current drivers that accept the modulation signal and the bias signal and produce a plurality of laser drive signals. The example system also has a disable input that disconnects power from a high-speed current driver when the high-speed current driver is not in use. The exemplary system develops the modulation and bias signals by feeding back a signal developed from detection of laser light from one of the lasers driven by the system. The laser may be a data laser or a control laser that is modulated by a signal having a lower frequency than the data lasers. If a control laser is used then the photodetector circuit used for feedback can have a lower frequency response because of the lower frequency of the control laser signal. The photodetector system may also employ a peak detector capacitor discharge circuit where a large capacitance is simulated by having the capacitor discharge through the base of a transistor have a current source in the emi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.