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Laser diode driver ...

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hey guys, i got a high powered red laser diode, that requires around 3V @ ~220ma. Now what I was wondering, is if anyone had any idea's on a driver that could power the diode, but also support analog modulation. The modulation signal would be 0-5V, and i'd need the lasers power to adjust accordingly. ie, if I sent the laser driver's modulation input 5V, the laser would be full on, and if it got 0v, it would be right off, and everything inbetween.

EDIT: It would be good if it could run off 5V DC, and the modulation has to be somewhat fast.

Any idea's?

Thanks :)
 
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There is specialized circuits to drive lasers, but a simple way to run that one from 5V would be to use a not-less-than 10 Ω resistor in series to limit the current.

To modulate it from full-on to full-off range in the entire 5 Volts, a medium power transistor also added in series should handle the task.

+5V---------10Ω-----------A--|>|--K----------C--tr--E----------Gnd

Miguel
 
Last edited:
hey guys, i got a high powered red laser diode, that requires around 3V @ ~220ma. Now what I was wondering, is if anyone had any idea's on a driver that could power the diode, but also support analog modulation. The modulation signal would be 0-5V, and i'd need the lasers power to adjust accordingly. ie, if I sent the laser driver's modulation input 5V, the laser would be full on, and if it got 0v, it would be right off, and everything inbetween.

EDIT: It would be good if it could run off 5V DC, and the modulation has to be somewhat fast.

Any idea's?

Thanks :)

hi,
Look at this forum link:

https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/laser-driver-modulator-circuit.29446/?highlight=laser
 
There is specialized circuits to drive lasers, but a simple way to run that one from 5V would be to use a not-less-than 10 Ω resistor in series to limit the current.

To modulate it from full-on to full-off range in the entire 5 Volts, a medium power transistor also added in series should handle the task.

+5V---------10Ω-----------A--|>|--K----------C--tr--E----------Gnd

Miguel

Hi, what kind of transistor would you recommend, that would give me full modulation from a 0 to 5V signal?
:)
 
Hi.
You caught me without an ECG manual on hand; but by smell I would say a 2N3053 or equivalent. The base has to be properly driven perhaps by a potentiometer to allow the span from cut-off to full saturation.
Miguel
 
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