Wavelength Electronics, Inc.

FL500 500 mA Laser Diode Driver

FL500 500 mA Laser Diode Driver

• Low Noise & Low Cost
• Small size: 0.75" x 0.45" x 0.255"
• Single supply operation: +3 to +12 V
• 12-pin SMT reflow compatible
• Slow Start & Brownout Protection
• Single output up to 500 mA
• Or configured as two 250 mA drivers
• Voltage Controlled Setpoint
• TTL Compatible Shutdown Pin
• Adjustable Current Limit on eval boards

Description

The FL500 is ideal for driving low power laser diodes where low noise is critical. Low leakage current (150 µA) makes it ideal for driving most VCSELs. It operates from 3 to 12 V, so it is compatible with Li+ battery operation. It can be configured as two totally independent 250 mA drivers or a single 500 mA driver. Compatible with Type A or B laser diodes. Because of it’s small size and low noise, it is often used in handheld devices and spectroscopy systems.

The base unit operates in Constant Current (CC) mode. The only external components required are a power supply, an analog control voltage, your laser and optional filtering circuitry.

For additional features, including current limit and photodiode feedback for Constant Power operation, use the FL591FL evaluation board with controller.

Free, effective, and responsive technical support is available to simplify integration of Wavelength products into your OEM design. Standard product can be easily modified to meet your application requirements.

Specifications

• Low noise: 3 µA RMS noise at full scale
  24 Hour Current Stability at ambient 25°C: 50-75 ppm
• Supply Range: 3 – 12 V
• Current Range: Two 250 mA drivers in independent mode; One 500 mA driver in parallel mode
• SMT package is reflow process compatible
• Size: 19 x 11.5 x 6.5 mm
• Delay: 100 msec. After the delay, current will rise to the level dictated by the setpoint voltage. This delay ensures that all control electronics are functioning before current flows to the laser diode. The delay time is set with internal components.
  Slow Start: 15 mA / msec
  Rise / Fall times: 300 nsec (to full scale)
• TTL Compatible RESET / ENABLE input is active LO.
• Bandwidth: 500 kHz – Constant Current sine wave
  Bandwidth: 100 kHz – Constant Current square wave
• Brownout protection is provided if VDD drops below 2.7 V. In this case, the RESET circuit is triggered immediately (within 100 μsec) to reduce the current through the laser diode to attenuated levels.
• Maximum Power Dissipation (configured as single 500 mA drive): 2 W