Specification

• Circuit: Low drop out voltage linear current regulator.
• Connections: Laser diode +ve is connected to power +ve; Laser diode –ve is controlled by the circuit (case +ve diodes cannot be grounded).
• Input voltage: 0.5 – 1.5 V higher than the laser operating voltage.
• Max. Voltage: 9V (excess voltage is dissipated by the driver as heat)
• Driver Current: Typically 20-30mA higher than the output current.
• Stability: Typically better than 3%.
• Dimensions: 10mm x 20.3mm

TTL Control

• When the TTL +ve is not connected the output is a few mA, when it is powered above 2.5V the driver is enabled.
• TTL+ can be connected to power +ve for continuous operation, (use a 1N4001 or similar diode if the voltage is above 5V)
• The TTL control can be used to switch the laser at rates >5kHz.

Specification

• Type : Low drop-out linear regulator, precision current source
• Applications: 808nm diodes 20 - 300mW, 650-660nm red diodes 20-200mW
• Input Voltage: 3.0 – 5.5V
• Output Current Range: 50-400mA
• Dimensions: 11 x 20 mm

Notes on Operation

1. The LM358 is a single-ended dual op-amp that allows the circuit to regulate current through a single side of the power circuit, in this case the power –ve connection to the LD- connection regulates the drive current. Power +ve is connected directly to LD+.
2. These drivers can be configured to by-pass the on-board switch by connecting the –ve power supply to the ‘power –ve unswitched’ connection or if the switching action is required the centre ‘power –ve switched’ connection can be used.
3. The positive power supply can connect either to the ‘power +ve’ solder pad on the board, typically used for laser modules or (for case +ve or case not connected laser diodes) the case pin of the laser diode can be used to make the connection. The case pin connection method is typically used in green laser pointers where the laser pointer body (and hence the diode casing) connected to battery +ve and the battery –ve connects via a spring to the power -ve switched board pad.

• This step-up driver board works from 3-5V input and steps up the output voltage to suit 405nm (Blu-ray) laser diodes.(5V)
• Drive current is set with a variable pot on the driver board. 20- 300mA.

Notes on Operation

This is a low dropout constant current driver board that requires the input voltage to exceed the required laser diode voltage by approximately 1.5V (the dropout). The drive FET is rated up to ~2000mA .depending on load and cooling.

• Dimensions :15mm x 20mm
• Reverse polarity protection
• Soft start protection for diode
• 0 - 1500mA (FET will need heatsink at highter currents)
• 3.5 - 12V depending on laser diode
• Output current set using the variable resistor on the circuit board
• Module housing (case pin of LD) is the positive connection and normally soldered to the pads marked power +ve/LD+ for portable battery powered lasers.
• For laser module applications the pad marked VCC on the circuit board can be connected to the positive power supply wire.
• Power –ve connection is normally made via a battery spring contact to the power –ve pad
• For a 1000mW 445nm Laser Diode (that requires an input voltage of ~5V) the board power supply should be greater than 6.5V, e,g, 2 x 3.7V RCR123/16340 lithium batteries 3 x 3.7V 18650 batteries

This step-up driver board works from 3.7-4.2V input and steps up the output voltage to suit 445nm (blue) and 405nm (Blu-ray) laser diodes. Output current of up to 1.8A with heatsink (exact output depends on diode characteristics).

• Specification
• Input Voltage: 3.7 – 4.2V
• Output Voltage: 4.5 -6.0V
• Output Current: <1.8A, adjustable
• Slow Start Diode Protection: Output starts at ~30%output and reaches maximum (set) output after a few seconds
• Diameter: 17mm

This driver board is suitable for continuous operation in laser light show type applications.

• Designed for red lasers, 635-680nm up to 350mW
• Optional TTL control ~ 30kHz max)
• Soft start
• 12V operation
• 0-500mA output
• Max. LD voltage 4V

This board can be used to interchange connections with lasers that have two 2-wire connections (separate TTL and power) and controllers with one 3-wire connection or controllers with two 2-wire connections (separate TTL and power) and lasers with one 3-wire connection.

Modules that have a separate TTL and Power connection share a common ground (normally black wire), these are connected together on this board.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Wavelengths:                           445-450nm

Output Power:                         0 - 1500mA (5.9V maximum diode voltage)

Input Voltage:                         12V (8-14V min-max range) JST cable

Dimensions:                           50mm x 36mm x 25mm;

Operating Temperature:          10 – 40°C

TTL:                                        Optional, 20Khz

Notes:                                     

Reverse polarity protection, optional 12V fan support.

Step down design, maximum output current can be adjusted between 0 and 1500mA (@ 5.9V)

Always check current on a dummy load before connecting laser diode.

TTL: Driver is normally on, a TTL signal can be used to pulse the laser at up to 20kHz.

Specification

• Operating voltage : 12-14V (drop down driver)
• Continuous drive capacity: 2.5A @ ~4.8V
• TTL Modulation, supports switching rates up to 30kHz
• Maximum (no load) output voltage: 5.8V

This driver has optional TTL modulation: The output is on when the TTL modulation connector is floating ( not connected). The output is off when 0V is supplied to the TTL modulation connector  and on when a TTL signal (5V) is supplied.

The maximum output current of this driver depends on the diode drive voltage, for higher voltage diodes the maximum output current will be less 2.5A.

These drivers can be used in parallel to increase the output current, see pictures for an example of two drivers wired in parallel to make a driver for 4-5W blue laser.

Limited stock, no longer in production.

This is a current regulating step-down driver with adjustable output voltage and current. Optional TTL modulation, 8-14V maximum input.

• Wavelengths: 405nm – 660nm (adjustable output voltage)
• Output Power: 0 - 2500mW (2.5A maximum)
• Output current set using multi-turn pot on the circuit board
• Input Voltage: 12V nominal, 8-14V AC or DC
• Dimensions: 49mm x 29mm x 15.5mm; mounting holes are M3 16mm separation
• Optional TTL modulation: 5V, 20kHz

Notes: Reverse polarity protection, optional 12V fan support. Step down design, maximum output voltage can be adjusted to suit the diode in use, the closer the voltage is matched to the diode operating voltage the higher the efficiency of the driver. Power input can be either via the plug connection (5521 specification) or the cable connection socket. Connections marked on PCB.