The LDX-3412 Low Cost Precision Laser Diode Driver is designed for current controlling general purpose laser diodes. This 0-200 mA driver has the outstanding performance expected from ILX Lightwave, at an attractive price.
The LDX-3412 features three operation/display modes: Constant Current, which delivers a stable precision current up to 200 mA at up to 6V to the laser diode, Constant Power, which uses a photodiode feedback signal to control the current output, ensuring a constant light level, despite varying junction, and Limit Display, which conveniently displays the current limit set point level.
The output terminals of the LDX-3412 are fully floating, allowing either side to be grounded if necessary. For constant power operation, an instrumentation amplifier is used at the 3412’s input from the external monitor photodiode. This allows connection to any laser/LED package pin configuration.
Like other ILX Lightwave laser diode drivers, the LDX-3412 employs our unique output off/on switch technology. When the output switch is enabled, the output is turned on safely by slowly switching the shunt to a high impedance state. When turned off, the output switch returns the semiconductor shunting device to a low impedance state, thereby shorting the output terminals while suppressing potentially damaging current transients. Also a double-shielded transformer reduces AC line noise, and suppresses potentially damaging line transients. By incorporating our voltage source/constant current output stage design, the 3412 provides a greater level of laser protection than other current sources. The output stage is actually a voltage source, controlled by a slow feedback loop to maintain a constant output current. The LDX-3412 also employs our proven current limit circuit, which allows current adjustment without over-driving. This allows the current limit to be safely set, even while the unit is actively driving a laser at a lower current level, which is independent of the output compliance voltage.