Patent · US Active

Power-saving driver circuit for providing a bias current or driving a current-driven load

US8989598B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
2References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 11, 2012
Grant dateMar 24, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B20/30
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and circuits for providing a minimum driving voltage to a current-driven load (such as a laser diode) are disclosed. The circuit and methods may be useful for efficiently providing a bias and/or driving current to the current-driven load with minimal energy loss. The circuit generally comprises (1) a driver or voltage source configured to provide the bias and/or driving current to the current-driven load, (2) a sense circuit configured to (i) sense the bias and/or driving current and (ii) convert the bias and/or driving current to a first voltage, and (3) a comparator configured to (i) receive the first voltage and first and second reference voltages and (ii) provide a feedback/error signal to the driver or voltage source, the feedback/error signal configured to maintain or adjust the bias and/or driving current at or towards a target value.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.