Low-Power Laser Drivers Feature Multiple Channels For DVD, CD, And Other Applications

Sept. 18, 2000

Designed for rewritable DVD and CD, copiers, laser printers, and fax machines, the T0800 and T0810 laser-diode drivers consume less than 2 mA from a single 5-V supply. The T0800's current-controlled output-current source has five input channels,...

Roger Allan

The T0800's on-chip RF oscillator (100 to 600 MHz) swings within 100 mA. It drives two different grounded laser diodes for DVD-RAM (650 nm) and CD-RW (780 nm) products. Also, its five channels target five different optical-power levels, which are controlled by a separate IC. The read channel generates a continuous output power level at up to 150 mA per channel.

The T0800 has two selectable outputs for grounded laser diodes, with a total output current of up to 150 mA. Rise and fall times are specified at 1.0 and 1.1 ns, respectively. Users control two different frequencies and swings through four external resistors. A common enable/disable input is included as well. The T0800 works with TTL/CMOS signals, and it's available in a small SS0P24 package.

Similarly, the T0810 features an on-chip RF oscillator (100 to 500 MHz) that swings within 100 mA. Its fast-settling adaptive power-control transimpedance amplifier interfaces between the front-end photodiode and the power-controller circuit. The device itself drives a single laser diode for CD-RW drives. It includes three channels for three different optical-power levels, controlled by a separate IC. Like the T0800, its read channel generates a continuous output power level at up to 150 mA per channel.

The T0810's output current reaches up to 150 mA per channel and 200 mA total. Rise and fall times are specified at 1.0 and 1.1 ns, respectively. Users can control a different frequency and swing through two external resistors. The T0810 also has a common enable/disable input. Like the T0800, this driver works with TTL/CMOS signals. It comes in a small SS0P16 package.

Samples of both devices as well as evaluation boards are available now. Pricing starts at $2.80 each for the T0800 and $2.35 each for the T0810, both in 10,000-unit quantities.

Temic Semiconductor GmbH, P.O. Box 3535, D-74025, Heilbronn, Germany; +49 (0)7131 67 2594; fax +49 (0)7131 67 2423; www.temic-semi.com.

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.