Laser diode bias controller features better accuracy

Xicor touts its highly integrated X9530 laser diode bias controller with dual temperature-compensated and digitally controlled current sources that set the modulation or bias current in the laser diode, as more accurate than competing products using temperature-compensated resistors. This level of performance becomes critical for 10Gbps fiber-optic transceivers and similar applications.

Operating at from 3V to 5.5V, the X9530 provides temperature compensation using integrated, dedicated lookup tables and has 2Kb of on-chip programmable EEPROM. The current generators deliver, or sink, suitable current as a function of temperature, according to the contents of the non-volatile lookup table. Current sources provide up to ±1.6mA with 8-bit, 256-step resolution, using an 8-bit DAC.

The EEPROM array, which is general-purpose, may be used to store fiber-optic manufacturing data, serial numbers or various other system parameters. The chip is rated for -40°C to 100°C.

Production samples of the X9530 are available now. It comes in a TSSOP and also in a 2.7-by-3.5mm CSP that the company said is an excellent fit for small-form-factor Xenpak modules. Prices start at $3.20.

EE Times