Low-Power Laser-Diode Drivers for DVD

Atmel Wireless & Microcontrollers, a business unit of Atmel Corporationwo members of a new family of laser-diode drivers are available for applications in re-writeable DVD, CD and other optical media drives such as copying machines, laser printer and fax machines. The T0800 and T0810 ICs feature very low current consumption to extend the operating time of DVD end products.

With five input channels, the T0800 is the first laser driver for the new generation of 4.7-GB DVD-ROM end products. The T0800 is said to the first such product providing two optional outputs. This feature enables the device to drive end products that operate with both the old (CD-RW) and the new (DVD-RAM) standard while using only one IC. Each input channel can support up to 150 mA of drive; each of the output channels can reach up to 200 mA. An oscillator is integrated to reduce laser mode-hopping noise during read mode.

The T0810 is a low-cost means of driving laser diodes in CD-RW devices. It contains an oscillator and a fast-settling adaptive power control amplifier for a front-end monitor diode. Thanks to TEMIC Semiconductors' enhanced bipolar technology, the current consumption in operating mode is significantly reduced (write mode: 30 mA, read mode: 40 mA) compared to competing BiCMOS solutions.

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