FirePower Laser Driver ICs are said to be the first to combine charging and firing on a single chip, enabling a significant reduction in size and losses as well as the removal of several components from the PCB to reduce the component count and BOM cost.
The integration also creates the ability to develop high-performance laser-based applications that deliver unmatched pulse power and precision. For example, using the IC enables a 400 W quad EEL (Edge-Emitting Laser) module to shrink from 400 mm2 to 80 mm2 (an 80% improvement), while enabling a 73% improvement in VIN-to-laser efficiency.
The first product to be launched in the FirePower family is the SL2001, a 14-pin 3.5 mm2 IC with a sub-2 ns FWHM laser pulse and dual drive for peak-power outputs of up to 1000 W.
The device has high charging efficiency and operates from a supply range of 3 V to 24 V to fire either EEL diodes or VCSELs (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) with a pulse repetition frequency of over 10 MHz.
The SL2001 also has a differential Laser Fire output indication with a sub 0.1 ns Peak-to-Peak jitter. Built in laser output power sensing and control enables the SL2001 to meet eye-safety requirements.
The device also implements programmability via an I2C interface and multi-time-programmable ROM, removing the need for an on-PCB MCU. The SL2001 can track and respond to both input voltage and resonant capacitor voltage.
The IC is targeted at LiDAR and other time-of-flight sensing systems used in industrial manufacturing, and automotive systems.
Product Marketing Director Ken Boyden said: "LiDAR and similar laser-based applications have traditionally relied on third party power supply regulators to meet the high voltage requirements of resonant pulsed laser systems. The FirePower family is the first to consolidate both highly efficient high voltage charging and high-power firing on a single chip."
Stingray is available in a 1 x 3.5 mm WLCSP package and is available immediately as an evaluation kit or in sample quantities.
