LDC-4 High Power Laser Diode Driver, Pulsed Laser Diode Driver

Description

LDC-4 High-Power Laser Diodes Driver and TEC controller of LDC series

Laser diode controller LDC-4 combines laser diode driver and two independent thermoelectric controllers (TEC). It is designed to provide pulsed and continuous modes of operation for laser diode modules used both independently and as sources of diode pumping for solid-state lasers (DPSSL) in the laboratory, medical and technological laser devices and systems. The power supply is controlled from a computer via VLC software.

Key Features:

Provides up to 400 A pulsed LD current and up to 400 V LD voltage (max values of voltage and current are depending on LDC-4 modification, see NOTE ٠ 1 of Specification Section)
Precisely set LD voltage via VLC software;
Control of the of LD current pulses timing in a wide range of parameters;
Synchronization with external devices;
2 independent thermoelectric controllers (TEC1, TEC2) and one additional temperature sensor (Ths3);
Power supply for additional low-power pilot laser;
Measurement of external photodiode signal;
3 external interlocks;
Controlled from computer via COM port connector in accordance with the RS-232 standard.

Technical Specifications

LDC
Peak LDM current	up to 400 ANOTE 1
Max bias current	50 A
Max LDM voltage	up to 400 V NOTE 1
LDM average power	≤ 600 W
LDM working pulse length	40 ÷ 100,000 µsec
Repetition rate	0.1 Hz ÷ 10 kHz
Instability of the current amplitude	≤ 1 %
Power supply of pilot laser	5 V & 200 mA
TEC1 & TEC2 (Peltier Elements)
Range of the temperature control	– 50 ÷ 120 °C
Discreteness of the temperature control	± 0.01 °C
Max voltage	22 V
Max current	2 × 8 A
Additional Temperature Interlock TEC3	– 50 ÷ 120°C
PHOTO-DETECTOR
Linear range of the LDM photocurrent measurements	0.01 ÷ 160 µA
Scale factor of light power/current conversion	0 ÷ 100 W/µA
TRIGGER
External triggering pulse amplitude Utrig_in (Impedance = 1 kΩ)	5 V ± 20%
External triggering pulses duration	> 2 μsec
Output trigger pulse amplitude Utrig_out (Impedance ≥ 1 kΩ2)	5 V ± 20%
Output trigger pulse duration	5 μsec
Adjustable range of output trigger delay	0 ÷ 3900 µsec
GENERAL
Dimensions	134 × 92 × 40 mm3 (see dimensional drw.)
Storage temperature	– 30 ÷ + 60°C
Operating temperature	+ 5 ÷ + 45°C
Ambient humidity	< 98%
NOTE 1. Maximum values of LDM current and voltages depends on modification of the LDC-series board. For LDC-4-25V-100A maximum voltage and current are 25V and 100 A correspondingly.

A close up of a map Description automatically generated

LDC-4 Connectors

LDC-4 can use 3 separate power supplies for:

Laser diode module, voltage depends on LDM parameters
Thermo-electric controllers, 24 V.
PCB power supply, 12 V.

If TEC 24 V power supply (J201, J202) is used, 12 V for PCB will be provided by onboard converter from 24 V. In this case connection of separate 12 V power supply (J1) is not necessary.

A close up of a device Description automatically generated Text Box: J1, WF-2 type Connected to external 12 V power source. Used as PCB power supply. Pin Functionality 1 GND 2 +12 V If connectors J201, J202 (24 V external power source) are used, 12 V will be provided by onboard converter. J1 in this case is not necessary to connect.

J2, J7, WF-3 type. Connectors for fans.

Pin	Functionality
1	GND
2	+12 V (+24 V)*
3	NC

*Can be chosen by onboard jumper resistors (R1 closed, R2 opened – 24 V, R1 open, R2 closed – 12 V).

J3, WF-4 type. Connector for indicator LEDs.

Power LED shows, that PCB is switched on and indicates current mode of operation. Blinking red/green light correspond to normal operation LDC board. Continuous red light indicates that LDC is booted in programming mode.
Ready LED indicate that laser diode module (LDM) is ready to operate (continuous green light). If Ready LED is switched off LDM operation is blocked by some of the interlock.

Pin	Functionality
1	Power Green Anode	3	Ready Anode
2	Power Red Anode	4	Ready Cathode

J4, WF-4 type. External interlock connection. If circuit is closed (Lock pin pulled to ground) interlock value is switched.

Pin	Functionality
1	GND
2	Lock1
3	GND
4	Lock2

J5, WF-2 type

Controlled from software DC output. (12 V or 24 V, depending on PCB connection version).

Pin	Functionality
1	GND
2	Controlled 12 V (24 V) output

J6, BH-20 type. Laser board controller input and output signals.

Output signals:

DAC1 – analog output for controlling of output voltage of External LDM Power Supply Unit
Trigger out – output trigger signal for synchronization of external device

Input signals:

Delay – setting of the delay value between end of pump pulse and output trigger by external analog signal
Trigger In – first external input trigger signal for synchronization from external device
Trigger In2 – second external input trigger signal for synchronization from external device
PhD1 – input signal from external photodiode
Ready LBC – external interlock signal

Pin	Functionality
1	12 V
2	Power GND
3	24 V
4	Power GND
5	HV OK
6	Delay
7	DAC 1
8	Pulse terminator
9	PhD1 Cathode
10	Ready LBC
11	5 V
12	Signal GND
13	Trigger out
14	Trigger in (A)
15	Signal GND
16	Trigger in (C)
17	Clock
18	Data
19	Pilot-
20	Pilot+

J8, BH-10 type. RS-232 Connection to PC

Pin	Functionality
1	NC
2	NC
3	TxD
4	NC
5	RxD
6	NC
7	NC
8	NC
9	GND
10	NC

J201, Keystone 1287 type

+24 V external power supply for Thermo-electric controllers (TEC). Through Internal PCB 24 V – 12 V converter also provides 12 V for PCB power supply.

Pin	Functionality
1	+24 V

J202, Keystone 1287 type

Power GND pin of +24 V external power supply for Thermo-electric controllers. Through Internal PCB 24 V – 12 V converter also provides 12 V for PCB power supply.

Pin	Functionality
1	Power GND

J302, 7461086 type

GND Power pin of external LDM power supply.

Pin	Functionality
1	Power GND

J303, 7461086 type

Connects to LDM anode and to LDM power supply + pin simultaneously.

Pin	Functionality
1	LDM Anode and +pin of LDM Power Supply

J304, 7461086 type

Connects to LDM Cathode.

J500, BH-16 type

TEC Controller connectors. Provides connection of 3 external Thermo sensors (TS) and 2 outputs for external Peltier elements (TEC1 and TEC2). TEC1 and TEC 2 outputs are duplicated at J501 and J502 connectors correspondingly.

Pin	Functionality
1	TEC1+
2	TEC1-
3	TEC1+
4	TEC1-
5	TEC1+
6	TEC1-
7	GND
8	TS1
9	TS3
10	TS2
11	TEC2-
12	TEC2+
13	TEC2-
14	TEC2+
15	TEC2-
16	TEC2+

J501, B2P-VH type

TEC1 output (up to 22 V, controlled from software); it’s duplicated @J500 connectors, pins 1-6.

Pin	Functionality
1	Peltier +
2	Peltier –

J502, B2P-VH type

TEC2 output (up to 22 V, controlled from software); it’s duplicated @J500 connectors, pins 11-16.

Pin	Functionality
1	Peltier +
2	Peltier –

Downloads

VLC-3 Software
Software-VLC3-eng_V5_dec2018.pdf (434 KB)

LDC-4 Pulsed Diode Driver