PCO-7121 | 5 to 50A Pulse OutputPulsed / CW Laser Diode Driver Module

The PCO-7121 is a low-cost and small OEM pulsed current laser driver module. It is intended to deliver incredibly quick high-current pulses for atmospheric communications, LIDAR, rangefinder, ADAS, and other applications that need high-current nanosecond pulses. This module provides variable output current at frequencies up to 1 MHz, and pulse widths ranging from 22 ns to 1 µs and 5 A to 50 A.

To install the laser diode directly to the driver, mounting pads are included. Packages in the sizes of 5.6 mm, 9 mm, TO-18, TO-5, and TO-52 can be mounted using the four-hole layout.

Two solder pads at the end of the board accept different laser diode packages attached on-axis to the driver to accommodate different packages and mounting preferences. Alternatively, the board can be connected to a diode that is far away using low-inductance cable.

Using the included control cable, connect the DC high voltage and +15 V DC power supply to J1, a six-pin male header connection. The HV supply voltage, which ranges from 0 V to +95 V (maximum), determines the pulse current.

Either J1 or an SMB connector is used to feed externally generated pulses into the gate input. The timing of the output pulses is directly determined by the gate pulses’ width and repetition rate. 

An oscilloscope may be used to view the diode current in real time thanks to the current monitor output that is supplied.

The driver comes installed atop a ½-inch thick aluminum heat spreader, which makes mounting and installation easier and provides the necessary cooling.