Power regulator having current and voltage modes

A power supply is configured to automatically and rapidly switch from a voltage maintaining mode to a current limiting mode (at times that are unpredictable from a point of view of the power supply) when supplying replenishing current to a combination of a power insulated gate switching device and power capacitor that drive relatively large surges of pulsed power through a load such as a laser emitter of a Time of Flight (TOF) determining system. The current limiting mode is automatically activated by the start of each train of large surges of pulsed power and it replenishes charge to the power capacitor on a time averaged basis such that the capacitor develops a temperature appropriate voltage for providing the time averaged current to the power insulated gate switching device and its load and causing the load (e.g., laser) to output a desired amount of output power. The current limiting mode automatically stops when the time averaged current is detected to drop below a threshold and then the voltage maintaining mode automatically begins. The voltage maintaining mode maintains a stored voltage across the capacitor slightly greater than a maximum voltage needed to drive the load (e.g., laser emitter) to the desired magnitude of output power (e.g., output luminance).

BACKGROUND

Power supplies for powering digital and analog circuits are typically voltage regulated ones. When large surges of current are to be drawn at unpredictable times by an analog component (e.g., a laser diode), a predetermined voltage level of a voltage regulated power supply is typically applied to a relatively large charge storage capacitor, current surges are drawn from that large capacitor at the respective unpredictable times and then the voltage of the voltage regulated power supply is re-applied to thus replenish the capacitor by recharging it to the predetermined voltage level.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a dual mode regulated power supply is provided where the dual mode power supply has the ability to rapidly switch (e.g., at unpredictable times) from a voltage regulating mode to a current regulating mode in response to detection of an above threshold amount of current being drawn by a current consuming component.

In one embodiment, the current consuming component is one whose behavior varies significantly as a function of change in voltage and/or temperature but less so as a function of change in drive current. Thus it is desirable to drive such a voltage and/or temperature sensitive component (e.g., laser diode and/or other semiconductive device) in a current regulated mode rather than in a voltage regulated mode so as to more accurately control the behavior of the voltage/temperature sensitive component. The embodiment however, has other components that preferably operate on a voltage regulated basis. A dual mode regulated power supply is used to provide both voltage regulated power and current regulated power. Switching from the voltage regulating mode to the current regulating mode has to be performed with extreme rapidity because precise timing of activation of the current consuming component (e.g., laser diode) is important to the operability of the system (e.g., a TOF sub-system). A unique circuit arrangement is provided which allows a dual mode power regulator to rapidly switch from a voltage regulating mode to a current regulating mode. More specifically, in one embodiment, a high power insulated gate switching device (e.g., MOSFET) episodically draws larges surges of current (e.g., 0.5 Ampere surges, hereafter also 0.5 A pulses) from a nearby capacitor and uses the drawn current to drive relatively large surges of pulsed power through a semiconductive laser emitter of a Time of Flight (TOF) determining system. The capacitor is replenished with charge from a dual mode power supply that is at the time of current draw, rapidly switched into operating in current regulating mode. Use of the current regulating mode causes the capacitor to automatically converge on a voltage level corresponding to the then present temperature and the then supplied rate of replenishing charge. In other words, the capacitor automatically discovers the temperature appropriate voltage for itself without need for a temperature compensating circuit. In one embodiment, the insulated gate switching device (e.g., MOSFET) and light emitter (e.g., laser diode) are closely mounted to one another on a printed circuit board having further closely packed other components. Waveforms of pulse trains that control the insulated gate switching device (e.g., power MOSFET) are programmably defined to occur at time sensitive moments and may include pulse durations that cause substantial changes of local temperature. A method of sensing the moments when charge draw is needed and of rapidly switching into a current regulating mode is provided. Accordingly, irrespective of how temperature changes, an appropriate current level is automatically applied to the semiconductive light emitter for thereby outputting a desired luminance level or a desired luminance power value.

This brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This brief Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One example of a circuit where large surges of current are episodically drawn (that is, at unpredictable times for the view point of the corresponding power supply) is a Time of Photonic Flight determining sub-system (also referred to as a TOF sub-system or LIDAR sub-system). In such a system, one or more light emitters (e.g., laser diodes) are used to episodically emit pulses of high intensity light for illuminating real objects in a user occupied space. TOF sub-systems may be used for example as part of a three-dimensional (3D) augmented reality system. In one variation, a pulsed photonic energy waveform corresponding to certain repetition frequencies and phases is produced as a series of time-bound bundles of photons with each bundle being output for example in the form of a short duration yet high intensity and substantially rectangular pulse of light preferably having steep rising and falling edges as well as a relatively narrow pulse width. More specifically, the per pulse, peak plateau width may desirably be on the order of about 50 nanoseconds (ns) or less as an example while the leading and trailing pulse edges of the pulse each desirably occupy no more than about 10 ns. The time it takes for the output pulses of photons to leave their emitter, travel through air to a reflective target and return to an appropriately sensitized sensor is referred to as the Time of Flight (TOF). Distance between the emitter/sensor pair and the target can be calculated as being TOF*C′/2 where C′ is the speed of light in the transmission medium (e.g., air). Because high powered components are used for producing the pulses, local temperatures may rise and behavior characteristics (e.g., I-V characteristics) of temperature sensitive parts may vary. In particular, the behavior of semiconductive light emitters when driven by a fixed value drive voltage may vary significantly in response to temperature change. Also, the behavior of such semiconductive light emitters may vary significantly in response to voltage change. Measurement accuracy and/or resolution of the TOF sub-system may suffer if component behavior fluctuates as a result of temperature change or voltage change.

As briefly introduced in the Background section, power supplies for digital and analog circuits are typically voltage regulated ones. However, high power semiconductive light emitters such as laser diodes tend to have luminance versus drive behaviors that are more so voltage and temperature sensitive than they are current sensitive. In other words, a small change (e.g., 1%) in either voltage or temperature can substantially change luminance output. Variation of output luminance is much less if the semiconductive light emitter is driven by a constant current source. However, in cases where the semiconductive light emitter has to be rapidly switched on and off at unpredictable times (unpredictable from the point of view of the power supply), in other words, between a high current mode and a zero current mode, the use of a constant current source is problematic. For example it can be extremely wasteful of energy if the constant current output of a constant current source were to be shunted around rather than through the light emitter each time the emitter is to be shut off. Energy efficiency is much better when a capacitor is charged to an appropriate voltage and then is episodically discharged through the semiconductive light emitter when a pulse of light is to be output. However, a problem with the capacitor discharge configuration is that the voltage needs to be changed in response to temperature changes if relatively constant luminance is to be provided. Use of temperature detection and compensating circuitry has its own set of problems. It would be advantageous if reliance on direct temperature detection could be avoided.

When a consistently fast turn on of a semiconductive light emitter is desired, there can be a minimum voltage that is needed (e.g., a floor voltage greater than 5 volts) for quickly charging RC or RLC circuits associated with switching elements (e.g., an in-series high power insulated gate switching device such as a power MOSFET) that are used for rapidly turning on the corresponding light emitter (e.g., laser diode). Thus a power regulator should be provided that, on one hand provides the minimal floor voltage (e.g., greater than 5V, and in one embodiment, greater than 7V) and yet on the other hand, overcomes the voltage and temperature sensitivity problems of semiconductive light emitters (and/or other semiconductive loads) in order to produce photonic pulses with steep leading edges and consistency for the desired light intensity.

An example of an application where it is desirable to assure that a high power semiconductive light emitter such as a laser diode is consistently outputting a desired intensity of light (e.g., a predetermined luminance or a predetermined level of optical power at a predetermined wavelength) is a Time of Photonic Flight determining sub-system (also referred to as a TOF sub-system) as used for example in a three-dimensional (3D) augmented reality system. Specific examples of systems in which a TOF sub-system may be embedded include mixed-reality Head Mounted Display (HMD) systems in which a TOF emitter/sensor pair is mounted on a stand alone HMD and used for measuring distance between the user's head and HMD pointed-to real objects that are both near and far away in the user's immediate surroundings (e.g., a 30 foot by 30 foot room). These measured distances are then used by appropriate data processing means (e.g., on-board and/or external electronic signal processing means) to construct in real-time a three-dimensional (3D) mapping of real objects surrounding the user. The mapped real objects are then modeled as existing in an XYZ reference frame where Z is depth distance between the user and an in-field-of-view XY plane orthogonal to the Z direction. The XYZ frame may be filled with real objects and one or more superimposed virtual objects. An illusion of 3D stereoscopic vision may be created by using a differentiated pair of see-through binoculars where there is a separate, electronically-driven and optically superimposing imaging sub-system for each of a user's two eyes when viewing an augmented reality scene. The term Augmented Reality (AR) is used to refer to displaying an augmented real-world environment where the perception of the real-world environment (or image data representing the real-world environment) is augmented or modified with addition of computer-generated virtual image data. An AR environment may be used to enhance numerous applications including single or multi-user real-time video gaming, real-time mapping, navigation, and various real-time mobile device applications.

When a TOF sub-system is to be used for providing high resolution distance measurement (e.g., on the order of centimeters) over a wide range of distances it is desirable to have: (1) high powered pulses of photonic energy of an appropriate wavelength (e.g., outside the visible spectrum); (2) very steep leading and trailing pulse edges (e.g., less than 10 ns each); (3) precise synchronization between the electronic drive signals of the optical energy emitter (e.g., an IR laser diode) and the optical return sensor (e.g., an IR sensing, gate-able CCD array of pixels); (4) flexibility in defining waveforms of the high powered pulses of photonic energy; (5) longevity and reliability for high powered components that produce the high powered pulses of photonic energy; and (6) consistent performance even as temperature changes and/or the fabrication process of the utilized light emitters (e.g., laser diodes) and their direct drive switches (e.g., power MOSFETs) changes or resistances of electrical contacts and wires change (e.g., due to corrosion or vibration).

Unfortunately, there are a number of impediments to realizing all these desirable features including that semiconductive light emitters are sensitive to temperature change and voltage change, that unexpected voltage drops may appear across contacts and/or wirings that conduct strong currents, that semiconductive light emitters which are produced by various manufacturers and/or by separate batch fabrication processes may exhibit different luminance (Lum) versus current (I) versus voltage (V) versus temperature (T) characteristics (hereafter also I-V-T characteristics), that during use and where flexible software control is allowed for digitally controlling power MOSFETs that drive high powered optical emitters (e.g., one or more IR laser diodes), such flexibility can also allow for excessively (undesirably) prolonged turn on of the high powered optical energy emitters or unduly short off times between the pulses such that overheating can occur and damage the high powered components and/or change their I-V-T characteristics.

FIG. 1Apresents an exemplary environment100in which a see-through head mounted display device (st-HMD) having a TOF sub-system embedded therein is used for enabling distance determination for real objects in a field of view seen by a user wearing the see-through HMD.

More specifically,FIG. 1Aschematically depicts a multi-user environment100in which a first user18wears a respective first head mounted device (shown magnified at150) and sees by way of partial see-through functionality of the HMD150an augmented reality surrounding that includes both real objects and virtual objects. The real objects may include a chair16, a hub computing system10and a wide sized display11disposed relatively close to the first user18. A real second user19is depicted as being positioned farther away from the first user18. The virtual objects in the augmented reality surrounding may include a virtual monster17which is three-dimensionally positioned in front, behind and/or between various ones of the real objects and differently relative to the two users. For example, computer generated image data may cause the virtual monster17to appear as overlaid besides the real chair16when perceived through selective see-through lenses of the first HMD150. The second user19may wear his own and respective second HMD and perceive things differently based on relative distances between himself and real and virtual objects within the augmented reality environment100. In the illustrated example, a first distance between the worn first HMD150of the first user18and the second user19is denoted as D1. A second distance between the worn first HMD150and the real chair16is denoted as D2. A third distance between the worn first HMD150and the virtually superposed monster17is denoted as Dv while a fourth distance between the worn first HMD150and a real furniture stand on which real display11is mounted is denoted as D4.

A Time of Flight (TOF) sub-system160is mounted to an upper frame portion of the HMD150and used for determining in real-time the various real distances (e.g., D1, D2, D4) between the first user's head and surrounding real objects. The determined real distances may be used in combination with determined head orientation to electronically construct in real-time a three-dimensional (3D) mapping of real objects surrounding the user. The latter data is then used to electronically construct in real-time a stereoscopic image of the virtually superposed monster17as appropriately sized and positioned relative to the viewable other objects in the mixed reality environment100. User experience and a sense of realism may be enhanced when the various real distances (e.g., D1, D2, D4) are accurately determined. In one embodiment, the various real distances (e.g., D1, D2, D4) determinable by the Time of Flight (TOF) sub-system160are in a range of 1 foot away from the corresponding HMD (e.g.,150) to 30 feet away from the corresponding HMD. In one embodiment, the various real distances determinable by the TOF sub-system160are in a range of 6 inches away from the corresponding HMD to 50 feet away from the corresponding HMD.

The illustrated hub computing system10may include a computing apparatus12, one or more reality capturing devices21(e.g., which may have their own TOF sub-systems—not shown), and a display11, all in wired and/or wireless communication with each other as well as with a computer network (not shown). The reality capturing devices21of the hub computing system10may operate in time multiplexed cooperation with the TOF sub-system160of the HMD150. More specifically, the HMD TOF sub-system160may output a digitally-defined burst of scenery strobing first pulses during first time periods that are relatively short (e.g., 1/300th of a second per burst) followed by long stretches (e.g., 1/30th of a second per stretch) of no strobing. In an alternate embodiment, the environment strobing pulses are output as 4.5 millisecond long bursts. The reality capturing devices21of the hub computing system10may automatically determine when the non-strobing periods of the in-scene HMDs occur and may output their own strobing pulses during those times. The scenery strobing pulses of the respective devices21and150may be PWM coded and/or may occupy different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The illustrated computing apparatus12may further be in wireless communication with an additional data processing device5(e.g., smartphone, touch tablet etc.) worn by the first user18where that worn data processing device5is in wired and/or wireless communication with the worn first HMD150. In one embodiment, one or more of the users may further wear a so-called, smartwatch29which has its own data processing resources and is in wireless communication with one or more of the local user's additional data processing devices (e.g., with smartphone5) and/or with the hub computing system10. The worn data processing devices5,29may contain respective low voltage portable power sources such as those comprising one or more rechargeable batteries (not shown, e.g., each having an output of about 5 VDC or less). In one embodiment, the HMD150may include a wireless or wired recharging means (not shown) by way of which its on-board battery (not shown) may be respectively recharged in a wireless or detachably wired recharging manner from one or more of ancillary devices,5,29and12.

Computing apparatus12may include one or more digital and/or analog signal processors as well as corresponding power supplies for powering those processors. Capture device21may include a combined color and depth sensing camera that may be used to visually monitor one or more targets including humans and one or more other objects within a particular environment100. In one example, capture device21may comprise an RGB sensing array and an IR or near infrared (NIR) based depth sensing array and computing apparatus12may operate as a set-top box and/or as a real time gaming console. As indicated above, the capture device21may operate in time multiplexing and/or spectrum multiplexing cooperation with other in-room TOF determining sub-systems (e.g.,160). Additionally, the hub computing system10may be in cooperative wireless communication with multiple ones of head mounted displays (only one shown in detail as HMD150) present in the local environment100and/or present in a remote environment (not shown).

As depicted inFIG. 1A, the first user18wears a respective first see-through head-mounted display denoted here as150(1) and the second user29may wear his own see-through head-mounted display designated here as150(2) although not explicitly referenced in the drawing. The worn see-through head-mounted displays,150(1) and150(2) may receive virtual image data from any of a number of processing devices as described herein, including hub computing system10, smartphone5and/or smartwatch29such that a three-dimensional (3D) virtual object (e.g., monster17) is perceived by each HMD wearing user to exist within a respective field of view as displayed through the respective HMD. For example, as seen by user18through his see-through head-mounted display150(1), the virtual object17is displayed as pointing its backside toward first user18. As seen by second user19through his see-through head-mounted display150(2), the virtual object17is displayed as facing toward that second user19and standing closer to the second user19than the real chair16.

Referring to the magnified depiction160″ of the embedded TOF sub-system160of the first HMD, in one embodiment, the TOF sub-system160is formed on a C-shaped multilayer printed circuit board (PCB)161that sports a combination RGB and IR/NIR camera165at its center and a plurality of high powered laser light emitters (e.g., IR and/or NIR laser diodes) such as162aand162bnear the terminal ends of the legs of its C-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the C-shaped printed circuit board (PCB)161has ten or more conductor layers spaced apart from one another by interposed dielectric layers. The positioning and/or angling of the respective laser light emitters (e.g.,162a,162b) may provide for a wider pulse strobed illuminating (in the IR and/or NIR bands of the user's surrounding than might be possible or practical with just a single, center mounter laser light emitter (not shown). In one embodiment, there are at least four such laser light emitters on the PCB161. The laser light emitters (e.g.,162a,162b) may each comprise one or more high power laser diodes connected in various series and/or parallel electrical connection configurations. The laser light emitters may be packaged in connecter insertable packages (having contact terminals) or in solder mounted packages (having high amperage carrying solderable terminals). Depending on the characteristics of the on board laser light emitters, different drive voltages may be called for by way of which the laser light emitters are pulsed by high current levels and thus at corresponding high power levels. One or more on board, voltage boosting circuits (not shown, see169″ ofFIG. 1B) may be provided for generating regulated voltages of respective values greater than that of the on-board portable battery or batteries; for example for powering the high power laser diodes. In one embodiment, the in HMD regulated voltage supplies include a 3.0 VDC supply, a 5.0 VDC supply and a 7.5 VDC supply. The current surge draws of the semiconductive light emitters may vary and may include those whose episodic current pulses are as large as about 10 to 20 Amperes each, but more typically around 1 A each. In one embodiment, a half length D0of the illustrated C-shaped PCB161is about 2.1 inches and each extension leg thereof is about 1.0 inch long such that there is an electromagnetic signal propagation length of about 3 inches between the centrally disposed camera165and each of the terminally disposed laser light emitters, e.g.,162a,162b. The terminally disposed laser light emitters162a,162bcan be, but do not necessarily need to be of a same kind. They alternatively could have different optical output wavelength spectrums and/or they can point out from the forward major face of the PCB161at different 3D directed angles. For example in one embodiment, at least one of the terminally disposed laser light emitters is angled downward to illuminate the hands of the user for the purpose of detecting user hand gestures with the aid of 3D depth imaging. In one embodiment, the terminally disposed laser light emitters162a,162bare angled to provide a 120 degree wide strobed illumination of the user's field of view. Although just two such laser light emitters162a,162bare shown inFIG. 1A, other embodiments may comprise a greater number of light emitters having respective optical output power capabilities, respective optical output spectrums and/or respective axes of optical output distribution and room-sweep capability (e.g., more than 120 degrees laterally and/or vertically) and respective electric drive requirements. The optical output distributions need not be circular and instead could be multi-polar or otherwise configured.

Although not shown inFIG. 1A, metallic heat sinks may be provided at the backsides of the PCB161where the high powered laser light emitters162a,162b(e.g., IR/NIR laser diodes) are disposed so as to provide for cooling of the light emitters162a,162bafter each respectively outputs a respective burst of light pulses. The heat sinks may be operatively coupled to air vents that are thermally isolated from the user's head. In one embodiment, the light emitters162a,162balternate between each outputting a 3.33 millisecond (ms) burst of about 10,000 pulses (or in an alternate embodiment, outputting a 4 . . . 50 millisecond (ms) burst of about 26,000 pulses) and then being shut off for about 30 ms or longer. In one embodiment, each pulse has a pulse width in the range of about 5 ns to 23 ns, where the 3.33 ms long train of output optical pulses is followed by a no-output period (no-strobing period) of about 30 ms to thereby complete a 1/30th of a second frame period. A different one of the laser light emitters on the HMD may provide its output train of optical pulses in the next frame and so on, such that each on-HMD laser light emitter has a relatively long time to cool off after outputting its burst of high energy pulses. Other TOF sub-systems present within the environment100(e.g., those of capture devices21) may output their own scenery strobing pulses during the no-strobe periods of the HMD-mounted light emitters (e.g.,162a,162b). The no-output period of about 30 ms per frame may be used for data processing purposes and/or to refresh on-board voltage boosters including those that power the high power light emitters162a,162bwith a voltage level greater than that of the on-HMD board battery or batteries (e.g., greater than 1.5 VDC, greater than 3.0 VDC or greater than 4.5 VDC).

Although thermal heat sinks and relatively long cooling off periods may be provided for the respective high powered light emitters (e.g.,162a,162b) it is still possible through inadvertency in software control for the configuration of the pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signals of the high powered light emitters and/or of their direct driving switching elements (e.g., IGFETs) to be set such that these high powered components overheat and are themselves damaged and/or damage nearby other components. In particular, when a relatively small sized and components packed PCB161is used, heat sensitive other components may come to be laid-out relatively close to the high powered ones (e.g., light emitters) and thus may be affected by thermal output of the high powered components.

For sake of better understanding of possible constraints, one embodiment is described here wherein each 3.33 ms long train of high powered output optical pulses is subdivided into 0.022 ns long repeat intervals where the number of pulses in each repeat interval and the placements of the leading and trailing edges of those pulses in the repeat interval is flexibly digitally controlled by means of software, for example to a precision of around 50 picoseconds (85 picoseconds in one embodiment). For example it may be desirable to produce within the repeat interval, a predetermined number of pulses each having a substantially same peak magnitude, a peak plateau width of about 6 ns, a leading edge rise time of about 3 ns or less and a trailing edge fall time of about 10 ns or less. The specific waveform created by the programmably established pulses of the repeat interval and the phasing of the pulses in that interval may be heuristically varied to improve signal-to-noise performance and to minimize interference from undesired higher order harmonics. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 8,587,771 (issued Nov. 19, 2013) which explains how frequency content may affect signal to noise behavior. However, in heuristic varying of where each pulse goes and how wide each pulse, it may come to be that two or more medium width pulses are too close together and have the overheating effect of one excessively (undesirably) wide pulse or it may come to be that the software inadvertently commands the production of one excessively wide pulse that results in an undesirable overheating condition whereby the light emitter is damaged or suffers a permanent change to its operating characteristics and/or whereby a switching device (e.g., power MOSFET) that directly drives the light emitter is damaged or suffers a permanent change to its operating characteristics and/or whereby nearby other components are damaged or suffer permanent changes to their operating characteristics. Any of these outcomes is undesirable because, for example, they interfere with optimal operation of the TOF determining sub-system (e.g.,160) and/or with optimal operation of other nearby sub-systems; including for example by increasing power consumption, changing the I-V-T characteristics of important components and/or reducing accuracy.

In addition to the light emitter drivers, there is a second class of digitally controlled circuitry within the system. At substantially the same time as the software-defined pulse train is output from the then utilized light emitter (e.g.,162a), digital shutter control pulses are propagated to and applied to an IR and/or NIR sensor array of the camera165so as to digitally operate an integrated, electronic shutter mechanism of the camera165(e.g., a CCD based charge collection limiting mechanism). The shutter control pulses may drive a voltage bias terminal of the camera165and may thus control a light sensitivity and pulse discriminating attribute of the camera165. More specifically, if the target real object (e.g., chair16) is relatively close to the user and highly reflective, then the return trip light pulses will come back relatively strong and timed to be near the beginning of a sensing period that might additionally be filled with noise and artifacts. In such a case, the shutter is preferably operated at low sensitivity and is caused to be shut closed soon after the beginning of the sensing period so as to block out the noise and artifacts but to capture the leading and/or trailing edges of selected ones of the returned pulses of photons of the short TOF scenario. On the other hand, if the target real object (e.g., second user19) is relatively far from the first user18and poorly reflective, the return trip light pulses will come back relatively weak and timed to be near the end of the return light sensing period. In that case, the camera shutter may be operated at high sensitivity and as shut closed at the beginning of the sensing period while open near the end and then closed shut again. In other words, the shutter mechanism may be variably and digitally operated under control of software to compensate for the different return light possibilities, for example by being open for only a short period of time near the front end of the return light sensing period and by being open for a longer time near the tail end of the return light sensing period so as to avoid oversaturation from too bright of return light from nearby reflective objects and so as to avoid too low of a sensitivity for weak return light from far away and less reflective target objects.

The timings and magnitudes of the electronic shutter pulses as applied to the centrally mounted camera165aand the timings of the electronic light emission drive pulses as applied to the terminally disposed light emitters162a,162bneed to be synchronized to be very close chronologically to one another (e.g., within about 50 ps of one another in one embodiment; within about 85 ps of one another in another embodiment). In one embodiment, a digital reference clock generator (see163b″ ofFIG. 1B) is provided in a PCB circuit section163blocated about midway between the camera165and a first (e.g.,162b) of the light emitters. A first electromagnetic signal propagation time delay is experienced by electrical signals traveling from PCB circuit section163bto a more terminal PCB circuit section163anear the first (e.g.,162b) light emitter. A second electromagnetic signal propagation time delay is experienced by electrical signals traveling from PCB circuit section163bto a more central PCB circuit section163cnear the camera165. The first and second electromagnetic signal propagation time delays may vary as functions of temperature, fabrication process (including change to device physics due to post manufacture overheating), voltage and/or other system parameters. One or more variable time delay elements are provided on the PCB161to compensate for these variation effects and to assure that the camera165receives its shutter control pulses (not shown inFIG. 1A, see instead123a″,123b″ ofFIG. 1B) at substantially the same time (e.g., on a 50 ps resolution level) as the light emitter (e.g.,162b) receives its waveform of laser drive pulses (not shown inFIG. 1A, see instead121″ ofFIG. 1B).FIG. 1Aadditionally shows that other PCB circuit sections such as164amay be interposed between the centrally mounted camera165and light emitters (e.g.,162a) disposed at the other terminal end of the printed circuit board (PCB)161. As mentioned, there can be more than two laser light emitters and they may be disposed elsewhere on the PCB161. A respective different time delay may be needed for each of the differently disposed light emitters.

While not detailed inFIG. 1A, it is to be understood that the circuitry of PCB161may be in operative wired and/or wireless communication with other parts of the head-mounted display (HMD)150including for example with regulated power supplies (e.g., 3.0 VDC, 5.0 VDC) disposed elsewhere in the HMD, with a serial and/or parallel communication port disposed elsewhere in the HMD, with digital processors and/or other control circuitry136disposed elsewhere in the HMD. Alternatively or additionally, an electrical cable may be detachably operatively coupled to a worn further module such as smartphone5where the latter serves as a battery-powered low voltage power recharging supply for the HMD and as a temporary communication mechanism for coupling to the computing hub10and/or directly to the internet or another form of network. Wireless communication as between the head mounted display device (HMD) and the computing hub10and/or directly to with internet or with another form of network is also contemplated. In one embodiment, and because it provides currents of relatively large magnitudes (e.g., an average DC flow of about 0.5 A when activated to be in a current regulating mode), so-called, voltage booster modules (e.g.,169″ of next described,FIG. 1B) are mounted on the PCB161in relatively close proximity to corresponding high powered components (e.g.,163a″ and162b″ ofFIG. 1B) so as to minimize I2R losses due to PCB trace resistances.

Referring next toFIG. 1B, provided here is a schematic diagram organized to show how various electrical signals may propagate about the physical layout of a printed circuit board (PCB)161″ similar to that161ofFIG. 1A. Not all of the elements shown inFIG. 1Bare necessarily provided on the PCB161ofFIG. 1A. Some of the structure ofFIG. 1Bis shown for sake of symmetry and easier understanding. This will be made clearer as the details ofFIG. 1Bare described below. The purpose ofFIG. 1Bis to show the correspondence between physical layout, component function, delays encountered by signals used to drive the light emitters (e.g.,162a″,162b″), delays encountered by the signals used to gate the light sensors (e.g., IR sensitive pixels) of the camera sensor array165″ mounted at its respective position on the PCB161″ and the variable delays that may be used to bring shutter and light emitter drive signals into very close temporal alignment with one another (e.g., within about 50 ps of one another).

A reference clock generator163b″ is preferably disposed physically close to the camera array165″, for example in PCB area163bofFIG. 1A. Immediately adjacent to the reference clock generator163b″, for example in PCB area163cofFIG. 1A, there is provided a shutter pulsing waveform generator163c0″. In one embodiment, the shutter pulsing waveform generator163c0″ is a digitally controlled one and also serves as a laser pulsing waveform generator, thus obviating the need for blocks163b1″ and163b2″ where the latter are in that case replaced by short circuiting PCB traces. This explains part of what was meant above by not all of the elements shown inFIG. 1Bbeing necessarily also provided on the PCB161ofFIG. 1A. Alternatively, the shutter pulsing waveforms output by waveform generator163c0″ are custom tailored to how it is desired to drive a sensitivity shuttering aspect of the shuttered sensor array165″ (e.g., a CCD array) and in that case, one or both of the further illustrated, laser pulsing waveform generators,163b1″ and163b2″ are provided for separately defining the train of pulses that respectively drive laser light sources162b″ and162a″. In one embodiment, the laser number1(#1) pulsing waveform generator163b1″ is physically disposed in PCB area163bofFIG. 1Aand immediately adjacent to the shared reference clock generator163b″. In one embodiment, the Laser#1pulsing waveform generator163b1″ is digitally programmable, includes a tapped delay line with 85 picoseconds apart delay elements (or other small delay lengths, for example having 50 ps delay elements) and a digitally controlled multiplexer and thereby allows for the generating of customized pulses including those having a rising edge duration of about 1 ns or less, a level plateau width of about 5 ns or more and a falling edge duration of about 1 ns or less. These may be used to drive a high voltage/high current light source driving buffer163a″. Due to parasitic capacitances present within the high voltage/current light source driving buffer163a″, the actual rise and fall times of electrical signals driven through the laser light source162b″ may be larger. More specifically, the falling edge duration of the electrical signals driven through the laser light source162b″ may be undesirably long, for example, longer than 10 ns. Such prolonged leading and/or trailing pulse edges may undesirably contribute to overheating of components. However, the main culprit leading to overheating is the case where individual pulses in the train are each made excessively long (e.g., greater than 50 ns) and/or the off time between immediately adjacent pulses is made too short (e.g., less than 20 ns).

Propagation speeds of electrical signals through conductors and semiconductors tend to be substantially smaller than propagation speeds of photonic signals (e.g.,118″ and120″) through air. This itself is not a problem. However, in order to properly generate the outgoing photonic signals (e.g.,118″) and properly process the return photonic signals (e.g.,120″) it is desirable that steep rising and falling edges be provided in the buffered output signals of buffer163a″ (e.g., in laser driving pulse121″) and in the buffered output signals of the shutter operating buffer163c2″ (e.g., in shutter driving pulses123a″ and123b″). It is also desirable that the relative timing relations between these preferably steep rising and falling edges be controlled to a high level of resolution in spite of variations in system operating temperatures, variations in system fabrication processes (including changes to operating characteristics due to overheating effects) and circuitry layout choices.

To this end, at least one digitally controllable time delay element is provided as having a fine delay resolution (e.g., 50 ps or 85 ps per discrete delay amount) and as interposed between either the Laser#1pulsing waveform generator163b1″ and its corresponding high power Buffer#1163a″ or between the Shutter pulsing waveform generator163c0″ and its corresponding Buffer#0163c2″ or between the Laser#2pulsing waveform generator163b2″ and its corresponding high power Buffer#2164a″. For sake of generality, all three of such interposed and digitally controllable time delay elements,163a1″,163c1″ and164a2″ are respectively shown inFIG. 1B. It is to be understood that in addition to having the optionally interposed, digitally controllable time delay elements, there will be some relatively fixed time delaying elements (e.g., PCB traces) in the respective signal propagating paths between the Laser#1pulsing waveform generator163b1″ and its corresponding high power Buffer#1163a″; between the Shutter pulsing waveform generator163c0″ and its corresponding Buffer#0163c2″; and between the Laser#2pulsing waveform generator163b2″ and its corresponding high power Buffer#2164a″. The fixed delays may vary as functions of temperature, variations in system fabrication processes and circuitry layout choices. One or more calibration processes adjust the at least one included of digitally controllable time delay elements,163a1″,163c1″ and164a2″ to compensate for those variations as well as for non-linearities in control functions. The specifics of such calibration processes are outside the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, one or more calibration comparators (e.g.,163cc″) are provided on the PCB161″ and each connected for receiving the leading and falling edges of the shutter driving pulses (as input into Buffer#0163c2″) and for receiving the leading and falling edges of at least one of the light emitter pulsing trains (as input into Buffer#1163a″ or into Buffer#2164a″) and for determining when; due to adjustment of the digitally controllable time delay element(s), (at least one of163a1″,163c1″ and164a2″) the received edges are time wise crossing relative to one another. Thereafter, a desired timing relationship between the shutter driving pulses (as input into Buffer#0163c2″) and the light emitter pulsing trains (as input into Buffer#1163a″ or into Buffer#2164a″) may be digitally commanded with use of on or off-board digital controllers and/or data processors170″ and on or off-board calibration parameter storing memories168″ and on or off-board control software stored in on or off-board instruction storing memories such as for example168″.

The one or more calibration comparators (e.g.,163cc″) of the one embodiment do not, however, detect the timing relations of signals within or output by the shutter driving Buffer#0163c2″ and the light source, direct driving Buffer#1163a″ and Buffer#2164a″. This is so because the calibration comparators (e.g.,163cc″) operate with low voltage, logic level signals whereas, at least the light source direct driving Buffer#1163a″ and Buffer#2164a″ operate with relatively higher voltages and/or currents. In light of this, if a design change is to be made to the light source direct driving Buffer#1163a″ and Buffer#2164a″, that design change should not introduce a significant time delay to signals propagating through the light source direct driving buffer (e.g.,163a″ and164a″) and that design change should not introduce a significant uncertainty as to the timing relationship between rising and falling edges of pulsed signals propagating through the light source direct driving buffer (e.g.,163a″ and164a″).

Additionally, for the sake of assuring sufficiently fast rise and fall times for the pulses that drive various components having relatively large capacitances, it may be desirable in certain parts of the system to provided relatively high voltages (e.g., on the order of 7 VD to 12 VDC) for driving RLC circuitry toward desired peak states in relatively short time (e.g., within 10 ns).

Design changes that allow for realization of the above are disclosed herein. However, before those changes are described in detail, the remainder ofFIG. 1Bis described for sake of completeness.

The combined effect of the pulsed laser light (e.g.,118″) and of the pulsed shuttering of the light sensitive sensor array165″ can be made equivalent to that of effectively multiplying (166″) the magnitudes of the overlapping concurrent portions of the respective waveforms of the outgoing and shuttered return light. More specifically,FIG. 1Bshows a leading edge portion of a first shutter driving pulse123a″ time-wise overlapping a falling edge portion121c″ of a direct laser driving pulse121″ where the assumption is that the sensed return light120″ corresponds to the magnitude of the illustrated direct laser driving pulse121″. The magnitude of the first shutter driving pulse123a″ can be controlled by a digital Gain control terminal of the shutter driving Buffer#0163c2″ so as to accommodate different magnitudes of sensed return light120″. If the first shutter driving pulse123a″ is at zero or the direct laser driving pulse121″ is at zero, the result of the effective multiplying of the two is zero. On the other hand, when both are non-zero the multiplication result is integrated and stored in an effective and per-pixel storage means167″ (which can be the CCD wise interconnected light sensing pixels of the array165″). Time of Flight (TOF) can be determined by sampling many times to improve the signal to noise ratio. The statistical contours of the trailing edges (corresponding to edges121c″) of the returned light pulses can be explored by time-wise shifting the leading edges of the shutter driving pulses, for example by modulating between the phases of the first illustrated shutter pulse123a″ and that of the second illustrated shutter pulse123b″. Conversely, the statistical contours of the leading edges (corresponding to edges121a″) of the returned light pulses can be explored by time-wise shifting trailing edges of the shutter pulses when those time-wise overlap with the leading edges of the returned light pulses. Resolution for Time of Flight (TOF) determination can be improved by causing the leading and falling edges of the direct laser driving pulses121″ and of the direct shutter pulsing signals123″ to be as steep as practical.

Block169″ ofFIG. 1Brepresents a plurality of voltage boosters that can increase a supplied DC power voltage from say a battery input of between 3 VDC-5 VDC to regulated voltage such as 5.0 VDC and 7.5 VDC so as to meet voltage drive requirements of certain components and so as to increase the drive power applied to the driven light sources (e.g., IR laser diodes162a″ and162b″) for providing appropriate output luminances. Item119″ is laser target whose distance from the TOF sub-system is to be determined. It could be as far away as 15 feet, 30 feet or further. In one variation, the respective, digitally adjustable delays of delay elements163a1″,163c1″ and164a2″ are instead integrated into their preceding waveform generators163b1″,163c0″ and/or163b2″ for example by changing the timing along a tapped delay line (part of a DDL not shown, see instead201ofFIG. 2B) where the leading edge of the first pulse in a repeated train of such pulses appears.

Referring toFIG. 2A, an example of a laser light source driver201is now described. A train of substantially rectangular pulses is generated by a digitally controlled, multi-tapped digital delay line (DDL)201having a positive feedback element (e.g., amplifying buffer A0) and operating for example with 3V binary signals. The DDL201is digitally programmable (and controlled by an on-board memory and/or microcontroller, e.g.,168″,170″ ofFIG. 1B) such that chronological spacing between each of the pulses (only one shown at221) in a repeat interval is customizable and such that chronological placement of a leading edge portion221aof each such pulse221is customizable; chronological placement of a trailing edge (e.g., falling edge) portion221cof each such pulse221is customizable and thus width of a peak plateau portion221bof each such pulse221is customizable. Accordingly, and as mentioned above, software instructed varying of where each pulse places on the time line, and how wide each pulse is, may result in production of two or more medium width pulses that are too close together and thus have an overheating effect similar to that of one excessively wide pulse or software instructed varying may result in an inadvertent production of one excessively wide pulse that leads to an undesirable overheating condition whereby the light emitter is damaged or suffers a permanent change to its operating characteristics and/or whereby a switching device (e.g., power MOSFET) that directly drives the light emitter is damaged or suffers a permanent change to its operating characteristics (I-V-T characteristics) and/or whereby nearby other components are damaged or suffer permanent changes to their operating characteristics. Any of these outcomes is undesirable because, for example, they can interfere with optimal operation of the TOF determining sub-system (e.g.,160) and/or with optimal operation of other nearby sub-systems; including for example by increasing power consumption and/or reducing accuracy.

In one embodiment, the leading edge portion221aof the DLL generated pulse has a rise time of less than 1 ns and the trailing edge221chas a fall time of about 1 ns or less. The width of the peak plateau portion221bis controllable in increments as small as about 50 picoseconds to about 85 picoseconds. Thus precise and digitally controlled fine tuning of edge placement is possible. It is within the contemplation of the present disclosure to use other programmable pulse train generators with similar capabilities for coarse and fine chronological placement of pulses and of their respective leading and trailing edges where the edges have such relatively steep rise and fall geometries. The magnifying glass inFIG. 2Apoints to node N2and shows in magnification one of 5.0V peak pulses appearing at node N2as a result of a level shifting function provided by non-inverting amplifier A1.

In one embodiment, an additional software controlled block202may be included that determines the amount of luminance to be output by the semiconductive light emitters (e.g., Laser#1). In one variation, the software controlled block202is operatively coupled to a voltage boosting module207for controlling a voltage output by the voltage boosting module207or for controlling other operating characteristics of the voltage boosting module207. (For the case of below described,FIG. 2Bone of those other operating characteristics of the respective voltage boosting module207′ is a target DC output current level of the respective voltage boosting module207′ when the latter is in a current regulating mode.)

The illustrated laser light source driver201ofFIG. 2Afurther comprises a plurality of bipolar junction transistors (BJT's), Qp3, Qn4connected in an emitter follower configuration and a power MOSFET Qn7. BJT Qn4is an NPN transistor while Qp3is a PNP transistor. The power MOSFET Qn7is an N-channel device. In one embodiment, all of Qp3, Qn4and Qn7are silicon based discrete devices having miniaturized solder bump mount packages with package dimensions on the order of about 1 mm. Thus they consume relatively little space on the PCB160(FIG. 1A). It is within the contemplation of the present disclosure to use other semiconductive material technologies for one or more of Qp3, Qn4and Qn7such as, but not limited to, III-V compounds such as GaAs and/or nitrides thereof (e.g., GaN), strained lattice SiGe formulations and so forth.

Buffering amplifier A1connects to a 5V power supply and it level shifts the 3V pulses output by the DDL circuit201into 5V pulses. (In an alternate embodiment, the pulses are 4.5V high due to internal voltage drops in amplifier A1.) Complimentary bipolar junction transistors (BJT's), Qp3and Qn4form an emitter follower type of driver for the parasitic gate capacitance Cpof the power MOSFET Qn7. The level shifted pulses221of the pulse train that is applied to the base terminals of Qp3and Qn4has a peak plateau magnitude of about 5 volts. This value is picked to sufficiently drive MOSFET Qn7into saturation and to compensate for band gap characteristics of the silicon based BJT's, Qp3and Qn4of the exemplary embodiment210. While the base drive voltage at node N2is 0V before the leading edge of the pulse221arrives, if node N3is above threshold (e.g., 0.6V) Qp3becomes forward biased and drains the gate capacitance Cp of charge so as to drive the voltage of gate node G7to below the threshold voltage (VTHigfet) of the MOSFET Qn7. Thus Qn7is substantially turned off.

When the leading edge portion221aof the applied pulse221arrives and crosses above around 0.6V, NPN transistor Qn4is rapidly turned on and is provided with adequate current from the relatively high voltage V7of the Vboost circuit207to charge up the voltage of gate node G7to the voltage of the applied pulse221(e.g., 5.0V) minus the base-emitter forward drop Vbe4Fwd of Qn4. This voltage is above the threshold voltage (VTHigfet) of the MOSFET Qn7and thus Qn7is rapidly turned on. At the same time, because the voltage on node G7rises to about 5V and current igs1into the gate capacitance Cpis diminishing as gate capacitance Cpcharges up, the forward bias current from node N2into the emitter of Qn4self-extinguishes and Qn4turns off. Thus power consumption for turning on MOSFET Qn7is limited to that needed to charge up the voltage of gate node G7to above the threshold voltage (VTHigfet) of the MOSFET Qn7.

When the trailing edge221cof the applied pulse221arrives and crosses below the voltage on G7minus around 0.6V, PNP transistor Qp3turns on and, as an emitter follower, starts draining gate capacitance Cp of charge so as to drive the voltage of gate node G7below the threshold voltage (VTHigfet) of the MOSFET Qn7. Thus Qn7is substantially turned off.

As mentioned, the collector of NPN transistor Qn4is connected to a relatively high voltage rail (node V7) which in one embodiment, is generally maintained at about 7.5V by action of a voltage boosting circuit207. Voltage boosting circuit207receives a power input from a lower voltage source, for example an on board regulated 5 VDC source (not shown). As soon as Qn4becomes forward biased in response to the leading edge221aof pulse221, it couples the V7rail voltage (e.g., 7.5V minus the forward emitter-collector drop, Vec4of Qn4) to charge the gate capacitance Cp (with current igs1). Voltage at the base B3of PNP transistor Qp3rises at least as fast if not faster than voltage at its emitter (node N3) and thus Qp3is kept reverse biased and turned off. In short, the charging up of the MOSFET gate (G7) at substantially a same time (e.g., simultaneously) turns Qn4first on and then off while Qp3is kept turned of. When MOSFET Qn7turns on, a large surge of current flows through light emitting element (e.g., IR laser diode or series of diodes) interposed between the drain terminal D7of the MOSFET and the V7node. In one embodiment, the surge has a magnitude of about 0.5 amperes but it could be higher or lower. In another class of embodiments, the current surges can be as high as 10 to 20 Amperes. Although for the sake of reduced clutter it is not shown inFIG. 2A(and in2B), a relatively large charge storage capacitor is connected to nodes V7and S7and positioned in relatively close physical proximity to the series combination of Qn7and its load (e.g., Laser#1) so that large current surges (e.g., 0.5 A-20 A) can be drawn directly from the capacitor. The adjacent power supply207(or207′ ofFIG. 2B) thereafter supplies replenishing charge to the capacitor. The drawn current surges should have relatively short durations corresponding to the pulse widths of the drive control pulses221, for example on the order of about 50 ns or less (more specifically, about 6 ns in one embodiment). However, it is possible for the digitally controlled DDL circuit201to be programmably commanded to output longer pulse widths or very short durations of off time and then the high powered components (e.g., Qn7, Laser#1) may overheat and become damaged by such overheating (e.g., experience a change of I-V-T characteristics).

FIG. 2Billustrates a self-synchronizing and low part count modification that overcomes or reduces the problem of potential overheating in the form of modified light emitter driver220. As seen, a few extra components, namely, NPN transistor Qn1, resistor R2and capacitor C1are inserted in a manner where, if the NPN transistor Qn1(e.g., a silicon bipolar junction transistor) is switched on, a relatively large first current, iGTTh1is pulled out of level shifting amplifier A1to support a corresponding current flow iGTTh2moving through the triggered on, NPN transistor Qn1. The level shifting amplifier A1is designed however, such that its output drops substantially below 5V when attempting to supply the relatively large first current, iGTTh1. On the other hand, the level shifting amplifier A1is designed to provide an output relatively close to 5V when supplying a substantially smaller current iLTTh0merely for forward biasing the base-emitter junction of NPN transistor Qn4. Accordingly, if transistor Qn1is not triggered into a high current mode, the amplifier A1is able to supply about 5V to the base of transistor Qn4. On the other hand, if transistor Qn1is triggered into a high current mode (one where iGTTh1flows), the amplifier A1is not able to supply the approximately 5V level, the base-emitter junction of Qn4becomes reverse biased and Qn4shuts off. At the same time, PNP transistor Qp3can become turned on so as to discharge the gate capacitance Cpof the power MOSFET Qn7and to thus turn off the latter power component.

A magnified exemplary embodiment of amplifier A1is depicted inFIG. 2B. The exemplary amplifier A1is composed of an even number of inverters such as the illustrated A1.1and A1.2. The first inverter, A1.1is a CMOS inverter powered by the on-board 3 volt power supply (V3). The second inverter, A1.2is a CMOS inverter powered by the on-board 5 volt power supply (V5) and comprised of an NMOS transistor Qno in cascade connection with a PMOS transistor Qp0. The source of Qp0connects to the V5power rail. The drain of Qp0connects to the drain of Qn0and to node N2. The source of Qn0connects to ground. The PMOS transistor Qp0is sized such that when the output of first inverter A1.1is low (e.g., at 0V) and Qn1is below its trigger threshold, PMOS transistor Qp0can output a forward biasing current iLTTh0for forward biasing the base-emitter junction of NPN transistor Qn4with relatively small voltage drop (e.g., VdsP0<0.5V) between the source (V5) and drain (N2) of Qp0. Additionally, the PMOS transistor Qp0is sized relative to NPN transistor Qn1such that if Qn1is triggered into its high current mode, a relatively large voltage drop (e.g., VdsP0>2.5V) appears between the source (V5) and drain (N2) of Qp0when the output of first inverter A1.1is low (e.g., at 0V), this occurring because the PMOS transistor Qp0has insufficient current conducting capability (e.g., too small of a channel width) to output the relatively large first current, iGTTh1drawn by NPN transistor Qn1when Qn1is triggered into its high current mode. This set of conditions forces the NPN transistor Qn4to shut off and stop applying approximately 5V to node N3. This in turn causes the power MOSFET Qn7to turn off or at least switch into a reduced current mode because its gate-to-source voltage (at node G7) is below its saturated operation level. As a consequence, current flow ids″through the high powered components (e.g., Qn7, Laser#1) decreases and overheating is prevented.

Resistor R2and capacitor C1form an analog voltage integrating circuit. While the voltage at node N1is high (e.g., 3.0V), current flows through resistor R2to charge up capacitor C1. On the other hand, while the voltage at node N1is low (e.g., 0V), a discharge current flows through resistor R2to discharge capacitor C1. Some amount of discharge current can also flow out of capacitor C1and through the base-to-emitter path of the voltage triggered, transconducting device (Qn1) although this amount can be relatively negligible when VN4is below threshold. The durations of the charge and discharge modes, as well as the RC time constant provided by the selected values of resistor R2and capacitor C1will determine what voltage VN4develops across capacitor C1. As long as the voltage VN4across integrator capacitor C1stays below the predetermined threshold voltage (e.g., 0.6V) of the voltage triggered, transconducting device (Qn1), the transconducting device draws only a negligible amount of current and does not interfere with the operation of the rest of the MOSFET drive circuit220. However, when the voltage across integrator capacitor C1reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold voltage (e.g., 0.6V) of the voltage triggered, transconducting device (Qn1), the transconducting device switches into a relatively high transconductance mode (e.g., a Δi/Δv ratio greater than 10 or better yet greater than 50); conducts a relatively large current IGTTh2(where here GTTh stands for greater than threshold) and thereby interferes with the operation of the rest of the MOSFET drive circuit220. More specifically, it cause the power MOSFET Qn7to become turned off and thus prevents large currents (ids7ofFIG. 2A) from flowing through the high powered components (e.g., Qn7and Laser#1).

The added, pulse width limiting components, namely, NPN transistor Qn1, resistor R2and capacitor C1can be in the form of miniaturized solder bump mount packages with package dimensions on the order of about 1 mm or less. Thus they consume relatively little space on the PCB161(FIG. 1A) and do not substantially change signal propagation delay through the laser's direct drive buffer circuit220. The values of resistor R2and capacitor C1may be heuristically selected in view of the peak voltages (e.g., 3V) of the pulses output by the DDL201and the trigger threshold voltage (e.g., 0.6V) of the voltage triggered, transconducting device (e.g., Qn1) and the maximum pulse width modulation ratio (duration of high levels over duration of low levels plus high levels) to be allowed for the pulses output by DDL201over a predetermined time period (e.g., 100 ns or less). In one embodiment, the pulse width clamping circuit cuts off any one single pulse having a pulse width greater than 75 ns. The trigger threshold voltage (e.g., 0.6V) of the voltage triggered, transconducting device (e.g., Qn1) should be less than the peak voltage (e.g., 3V) of the pulses applied to the input (node N1) of the integrator.

FIG. 2Bshows a further addition of an inductor RL55that has a characteristic inductance L5and an inherent resistance R5. For example inductor RL55may be of a wire-wound air core type configured for operating at frequencies of about 45 MHz and higher. Inductor RL55is inserted so as to form an RLC loop when considered in combination with gate capacitance Cp of MOSFET Qn7. In one embodiment, the added inductor RL55is also in the form of a miniaturized solder bump mount package with package dimensions on the order of about 1 mm or less. Thus it consumes relatively little space on the PCB161(FIG. 1A) and does not substantially change signal propagation delay through the laser's direct drive buffer circuit220. In the illustrated embodiment, one terminal of the dual terminal inductor RL55connects directly to ground (e.g., a wide area ground plane among the plural conductive layers of the PCB161) while the other terminal connects to node N5. The inductance L5of the inductor RL55is used to provide faster discharge of the high gate capacitance Cp of the power MOSFET Qn7. Details of that operation are not wholly germane here. Very briefly, when Qn7is being turned on, a first current iLaflows downward through the inductance L5and its characteristic resistance R5. When Qn7is being turned off, a magnetic filed of L5collapses and an induced second current iLbflows downward through the inductor RL55to more quickly discharge gate capacitance Cp.

Referring toFIG. 3A, shown is a first circuit310including a voltage regulated power supply comprised of a feedback controlled voltage boosting module307. The voltage boosting module307receives input power from a regulated other power supply, for example in this case from an on-board 5.0 VDC supply (V5). A high gain operational amplifier306drives a control terminal of the voltage boosting module307. When the output of the operational amplifier306is positive (logic high), the voltage boosting module307responsively increases a DC voltage V7present at an output terminal thereof by pumping charge (e.g., in the form of pump current iPump) which pumped charge accumulates in capacitors C34and C37during time periods that power MOSFET Qn7is not being fired (turned on by pulse train source301). The control of the voltage boosting module307may be digital or analog. If digital, then the voltage boosting module307has only two modes: on (and pumping out a fixed amount of boosting current iPump) or off (and not pumping out any boosting current). On the other hand, if the control of the voltage boosting module307is analog, than the level of pumped out boosting current iPumpmay vary as a linear or other function of the output voltage of the Op amp306. In one embodiment, the output DC voltage V7is designed to nominally be at about 7.0 VDC where this value is predetermined to be a desired drive voltage to be placed across the load E36when at a nominal operating temperature (e.g., slightly higher than room temperature). In one embodiment, the output DC current, iPumpoutput by the voltage boosting module307is about 0.5 A DC maximum. It is within the contemplation of the present disclosure to use other values (e.g., higher nominal voltage and/or higher maximum current levels).

When the output of the operational amplifier306is zero (logic low) or driving negative, the voltage boosting module307responsively stops increasing the DC voltage V7output at its corresponding output terminal, and if the boosting is allowed to cease for sufficiently long time, the output voltage drops to a lower value, for example less than 7.0 VDC due to leakage currents. It is to be understood that the actions of the voltage boosting module307(which in one embodiment includes an oscillator and a charge pump—not shown) are relatively slow as compared to the power needs of the fast pulsed light emitter E36. When pulses are commanded (e.g., by signal source301), the immediately needed power is drawn from the immediately adjacent and relatively large charge storage capacitor C37. Charge storage capacitor C37is configured such that its corresponding RLC loop (where the R is the resistance of Qn7and E36) has a relatively small loop inductance. While short bursts of surge current are drawn from storage capacitor C37, a steady flow of replenishing current, iPumpflows into C37as substantially DC current passing through RF choke coil L35and past RF suppressing capacitor C34.

The positive input terminal (+) of the high gain operational amplifier306(Op amp306) is connected to a DC reference voltage source305. In one embodiment, the corresponding reference voltage, VrefDCis fixed at 0.5 VDC. In an alternate embodiment, the corresponding reference voltage, VrefDCis digitally controllable and may be set to another temperature-independent value, for example in digitally controllable increments of 0.1 volts in a range of 0 VDC to 5.0 VDC.

The negative input terminal (−) of the high gain operational amplifier306is connected to a voltage drop providing element304, in this case a Zener diode having a nominal drop of Vz volts, where in one embodiment the nominal drop Vz is picked to be 6.5 volts. An appropriate biasing resistor Rnfb(where here “nfb” stands for negative feedback) is provided so as to keep the Zener diode304in the Zener breakdown portion of its I-V behavior curve. If the voltage at node N32is at the desired 7.0 volts target value, a corresponding Zener-controlled current, infbflows through the voltage drop providing element304and through the negative feedback resistor Rnfbsuch that the predetermined 6.5 volt drop develops across element304. In that case, node N31is at exactly 0.5V matching the 0.5 VDC reference output of DC reference voltage source305(for the case where VrefDCis fixed at 0.5 VDC). In response, the high gain operational amplifier306outputs zero volts (a logic low) and the voltage boosting module307stops pumping charge out to node V7, thereby leaving that node at its present nominal voltage level, which is 7.0V.

If the voltage at node V7(which connects directly to node N32) drops below the desired 7.0V nominal level, the voltage at feedback node N31correspondingly drops below VrefDC(e.g., 0.5 VDC) and the high gain operational amplifier306is activated to output a positive drive voltage (e.g., a logic high) to the voltage boosting module307. The boosting module307then responsively starts pumping charge (ipump) out to its output node V7until the target 7.0V level is reached and then it stops. If for some reason, node V7is above the target 7.0V level, the boosting module307does nothing. Over the long haul, leakage current flows through the Zener diode304and the negative feedback resistor Rnfbso that charge is depleted from node V7. Alternatively or additionally, the pulse train source310is eventually activated, it turns on MOSFET Qn7and the latter device discharges current by way of light emitter E36and RF choke L35. One function of the RF choke L35and of a high frequency suppressing capacitor C34attached thereto is to block high frequency noise from leaking back to the high gain operational amplifier306when the pulse train source310is outputting a train of high frequency pulses (221ofFIG. 2A). Capacitor C33stabilizes the negative feedback loop of the high gain operational amplifier306. When the voltage at feedback node N31drops below VrefDCthe OP amp306switches to outputting a logic high and the Vboost module307again pumps charge out to node V7until the desired voltage equalization between node N31and VrefDCis achieved.

Referring toFIG. 3B, shown is a schematic diagram of a second circuit320that includes a multi-mode regulated power supply which is automatically switchable between a voltage regulating mode, a current regulating mode and a do nothing mode. Many of the components inFIG. 3Band their associated functions have been described in the above discussion ofFIG. 3Aand hence those descriptions will not be repeated here. The do nothing mode occurs when the voltage across capacitor C34is greater than the target voltage established by components325,304′ and Dp5and therefore the Vboost module307is switched off and doing nothing.

One difference between the circuit310ofFIG. 3Aand the circuit320ofFIG. 3Bis that the target value for the voltage regulating mode is set higher. More specifically, in one embodiment, the target output DC voltage V7is designed to be at 7.5 VDC where this value is predetermined to be slightly larger (e.g., 0.2V to 0.6V larger) than a largest voltage ever needed for driving whatever load (e.g., E36) is placed between nodes V7″ and D7. When current regulating mode is in effect, the voltage at node N32is below the voltage regulating mode target (e.g., 7.5V), for example at least 0.2V below, and the Zener diode304′ is caused to operate in a low current mode below that of its Zener breakdown current.

In the modified circuit ofFIG. 3B, a diode Dp5is inserted in series with the voltage drop providing element304′. The nominal current, infbthat flows through the voltage drop providing element304′, the inserted diode Dp5and the negative feedback resistor Rnfbwhen the target 7.5 VDC level of the voltage regulating mode is present at node N32is picked such that diode Dp5is just above its threshold voltage (e.g., 0.6V) and such that 6.9V appears across the voltage drop providing element304′ (here a Zener diode different from that,304ofFIG. 3A). As long as this target condition is maintained (and assuming for the moment that no load current is being drawn by the pulsed load circuit (Qn7and E36), the feedback loop for maintaining 7.5 VDC at node N32will operate as before. If the voltage at node N32is above the desired 7.5 VDC (of the given example), the Vboost module307is switched off and does nothing. Because the Zener diode304′ is not an ideal Zener diode, it exhibits some finite amount of leakage current when operating below its breakdown voltage. That sub-breakdown leakage current (typically on the order of microamps) is shunted to ground by shunting resistor Rz. The value of shunting resistor Rz is picked so as to not substantially affect the operation of the Zener diode304′ when it is in Zener breakdown mode and it passes a substantially higher level of current (typically on the order of milliamps). Thus, when a current regulating mode is activated (as shall be described below) and at least a major portion of the iPumpcurrent is shunted into the Rsenseresistor (as shall be described below), the voltage at node N32drops below the target 7.5 VDC level of the voltage regulating mode (where it is to be understood that 7.5 VDC is merely an example and other target values could be used), the Zener diode304′ switches into a non-breakdown mode (e.g., having a voltage drop less than 6.9V), the series diode Dp5develops a voltage drop less than its threshold voltage (e.g., 0.6V) and thus the effective resistance of the downward current carrying branch of node N32increases so as to inhibit current flow down that downward current carrying branch. The feedback current infbis instead drawn from the downward current carrying branch of node N33as shall be described immediately below.

A PNP transistor Qp6is added together with an emitter connected resistor, X*Rsenseto reside in parallel with the voltage drop providing element304′ and the inserted diode Dp5. A current sensing resistor, Rsenseis inserted between nodes N33and N34to generate a sensing voltage corresponding to a drawn DC current, idrawnflowing between those nodes when the load E36is drawing more than a negligible amount of current (e.g., more than a predetermined threshold level). The drawn load current ics″of the load E36can be one including AC components even though the drawn DC current, idrawnflowing through the sensing resistor, Rsense(and through the choke coil L35) is substantially a direct current (DC). This is so because the load E36can draw AC current components from the immediately adjacent charge storage capacitor C37. The drawn DC current, idrawnreplenishes current into the charge storage capacitor C37. In one embodiment, the drawn DC current, idrawnis on the order of about 0.5 Amps DC whereas the drawn load current ics″of the load E36can include pulses of magnitude 1.0 Amps or higher.

When the drawn DC current, idrawnis flowing under condition of a known controlling drive pulse train (e.g., VGS7during an Imode period as depicted in graph325) the effective DC resistance of the circuitry to the right of node N34can be estimated as VN34divided by idrawn. For example if the drawn DC current, idrawnis on the order of about 0.5 Amps (or at another predetermined magnitude) and the voltage at node N34is about 7.0 VDC (which is less than the voltage regulated target of 7.5 VDC), then the effective DC resistance of the circuitry to the right of node N34is about 7.0/0.5 or 14 ohms. The resistance value of the emitter connected resistor, X*Rsenseis picked to be X times that of the current sensing resistor, Rsensewhere X is number greater than one and preferably greater than 100. The X*Rsenseresistor is also referred to herein as a current diverting or current sampling resistor. The combined resistance of the X*Rsenseresistor and the feedback resistor Rnfbis picked to be a known multiple M of the combined resistance of the Rsenseresistor and the estimated effective resistance (e.g., 14 ohms; where M is greater than one) so that, when the drawn DC current, idrawnis flowing through sensing resistor, Rsenseand soon-described PNP transistor Qp6is turned on at the time, a sampling current, isampleequal to a determinable function of the drawn DC current, idrawn, flows through the series combination of X*Rsenseand Qp6and feedback resistor Rnfb. That function can be is isample=VN33/(X*Rsense+Rce+Rnfb) where Rceis the collector to emitter resistance of the turned on PNP transistor Qp6. Here, VN33=iDrawn*Rsense+V34where V34is the voltage across AC suppressing capacitor C34. Thus, assuming that V34remains relatively constant during current regulating mode, VN33rises and falls in step with iDrawn. In other words, if iDrawngrows too large, isamplecorrespondingly increases and shuts off the charge pump307. The resistance of the current sampling resistor X*Rsenseis picked so that when a maximum allowed amount of drawn DC current, idrawnis flowing through sensing resistor Rsense, (meaning the load E36is receiving its intended amount of current flow), the voltage VN33at node N33rises to a corresponding value (but one less than VTargetof voltage regulating mode) and as a result the sampling current, isampleincreases such that the voltage at feedback node N31′ rises to equal VrefDCand the booster307shuts off. Thus the amount of current delivered to the load E36is limited. If less than the desired amount (iDesired) of drawn DC current, idrawnis flowing through sensing resistor Rsense, the voltage VN33at node N33drops, the sampling current, isampledecreases to a smaller value and as a result the voltage at feedback node N31′ will be less than VrefDC. In turn, the charge pump307(the Vboost module) will be driven to generate additional pumping current iPumpfor driving iDrawnup to its desired maximum level (iDesired).

Contrastingly, when no current or a negligible amount of current flows through current sensing resistor, Rsenseits voltage drop is approximately equal to zero. Due to the Kirchhoff current laws, if there is an ipumpcurrent then present, that ipumpcurrent will primarily flow down one or both of the downward current carrying branches of nodes N32and N33. If any part of the ipumpcurrent is then flowing down through X*Rsense, a provided second Op amp336is driven to its logic high outputting state (because X*Rsensedevelops a positive input voltage for the Op amp336while Rsensehas approximate zero across it) and the associated PNP transistor Qp6is then turned off (because its base is driven to a higher voltage than that of its emitter). That forces the sampling current, isampledown to zero. As a result, the provided second Op amp336remains driven to (latched to) its logic high outputting state and PNP transistor Qp6remains turned off. The current regulating mode is therefore shut off when no current or a negligible amount of current flows through current sensing resistor, Rsense.

In one embodiment, the provided second Op amp336is biased to not output a logic low until its input voltage drops to be more negative than a predetermined negative threshold voltage. Thus the drawn DC current, idrawn(which generates a negative voltage across sensing resistor, Rsense) must exceed a corresponding threshold current level before the provided second Op amp336outputs a logic low and it responsively turns its associated PNP transistor Qp6on. Therefore, depending on how the provided second Op amp336is biased, if the drawn DC current, idrawnis less than a predetermined threshold current level (e.g., below a pre-specified floor level, iFloor), the associated PNP transistor Qp6is kept shut off (not conducting between its emitter and collector) and sampling current, isampleis kept at zero. That prevents the circuit320from inadvertently entering its current regulating mode due to noise.

In the voltage regulating mode, the Vboost module307keeps pumping charge out to node N32until the voltage at N32reaches the voltage regulated target value (e.g., VTarget=7.5 VDC). At that point the Zener diode304′ having a breakdown voltage of 6.9V breaks down and the series silicon diode Dp5becomes forward biased at 0.6V (where 6.9V+0.6V=7.5V) so that feedback current infbdrives the voltage at node N31′ equal to VrefDCand then first Op amp306quickly shuts off the Vboost module307so that ipumpceases. The circuit320is then primed to feed current regulated power to the load E36as soon as a train of drive pulses is delivered by control source301.

When the first pulse of the train of drive pulses arrives, the charge storage capacitor C37is pre-primed to the target voltage of the voltage regulating mode (e.g., to 7.5 VDC). MOSFET Qn7is rapidly turned on and a first large surge of current flows through the load E36. The discharge of C37cause the voltage at nodes V7″, N37and N34to drop. An above threshold amount of current begins flowing through Rsense. The input voltage across the input terminals of second OP amp336goes negative (VN34-N36<0) and responsively, the output of OP336goes low. PNP transistor Qp6is then turned on because its base voltage drops below its emitter voltage (thus forward biasing the base/emitter PN junction). In that state, a sampling current isampleflows through the turned on transistor Qp6and produces a slightly negative voltage drop as measured from node N36up to node N33. That could potentially drive the second OP amp336into its on state. However, as long as an above threshold amount of drawn DC current, idrawnis being pulled by the load E36(and it will be for most of the time that the pulse train of source301is present), the greater voltage across Rsensewill keep the second OP amp336in its off state and consequently will keep PNP transistor Qp6turned on. The combined flow of significant drawn current iDrawnand less significant sampling current isamplewill deprive the Zener diode304′ and diode Dp5of at least some of the ipumpcurrent (if iPumpis present). That will assure that diode Dp5goes subthreshold. Diode Dp5then presents itself as a large resistance within the downward current carrying branch of node N32and the system is thus rapidly locked out of being in a voltage regulating mode. The only current that substantially feeds the infbfeedback current at that point is the sample sampling current isample. Therefore, after the first one or more pulses of the pulse train drain enough charge out of the charge storage capacitor C37, the above threshold DC current, idrawnbegins flowing and the circuit320rapidly enters it its current regulating mode.

More specifically, when power MOSFET Qn7is pulsed by source301, a corresponding, low frequency current, idrawnbegins flowing through sensing resistor, Rsense. A corresponding negative voltage is applied to the +input terminal of second OP amp336, thus driving the output of that second operational amplifier336low and turning PNP transistor Qp6on. The immediately resulting sampling current isampleas well as the larger DC current, idrawnare drawn from the right side of node N32, thus greatly reducing whatever then flowing ipumpcurrent is flowing down into the downward current carrying branch of node N32. This rapid reduction of current flowing down through the voltage drop providing element304′ and through the series inserted diode Dp5shifts the state of diode Dp5to below its threshold voltage (e.g., <0.6V) and causes diode Dp5to switch into exhibiting a relatively large resistance (as well as a sub-threshold voltage drop). It also drives the Zener diode304′ below its breakdown voltage, where sub-breakdown leakage current is shunted off by resistor Rz. In response, the current contribution of the downward current carrying branch of node N32to current moving through negative feedback resistor Rnfbdrops to essentially zero and only the sampling current isamplecontributes to feedback current, infb. The circuit320is therefore in a current regulating mode.

While the circuit320remains in current regulating mode (CRM), the power capacitor C37will be charged to a voltage V7″ at which, for the given temperature, and the then given I-V-T characteristics of the semiconductive light emitter E36, that emitter E36will draw its temperature-determined current surges ics″while the pulse train is being commanded to be fired and to which same voltage V7″ the power capacitor C37will be recharged by the replenishing DC current, iDrawnduring the same duration (the Imode duration of graph325) when the pulse train is being fired. The magnitudes of the current surges ics″should be those specified by the manufacturer of the load (e.g., E36) for producing the desired, current-determined effect (e.g., the desired luminance power output). If ics″and its total on time are known then the amount of charge drawn is Qdrawn=ics″times total_on_time. The amount of charge to be replenished by the replenishing DC current, iDrawnduring the same duration is substantially equal to Qdrawnand can be calculated as the integral over time of iDrawnwhile the current regulating mode is on.

AlthoughFIG. 3Bshows only one combination of a power capacitor (e.g., C37) connected in parallel with one series set of a light emitter (e.g., E36) and its switching device (e.g., Qn7), it is within the contemplation of the present disclosure to have plural such driven combinations connected to node N37where the respective pulse trains are fired at mutually exclusive and temporally spaced apart time periods.

FIG. 3Cshows one possible example where plural combinations of power capacitor, light emitter and series switching device are driven by a common power regulator circuit330. More specifically, in addition to a first combination341of a first power capacitor C37aand closely mounted series of a first light emitter E36aand corresponding switch Qn7a(where the close mounting is for minimizing the loop inductance),FIG. 3Cshows the attachment to node N37of a second combination342of a respective second power capacitor C37band closely mounted series of a second light emitter E36band corresponding switch Qn7band of yet a third combination343of a respective third power capacitor C37cand closely mounted series of a third light emitter E36cand corresponding switch Qn7c, where yet further such combinations could be optionally added. Although not shown, each of combination circuits341,342,343, etc. could additionally be provided with its own RF choke coil and/or low pass capacitor similar to the illustrated L35and C34. It is understood that respective pulse train sources301a,301b,301care preferably fired at mutually exclusive times. The Rsenseresistor automatically detects when the start of firing of each mutually exclusive pulse train occurs and then automatically switches the circuit330into current regulating mode (CRM). In one embodiment, the switch over to current regulating mode takes about 105 microseconds (μs) or less.

For the respective, mutually exclusive times and according to one option, different ones of a Zener in series with a branch controlling diode are activated by digitally activating a respective MOSFET or transmission gate (latter not shown), namely, at a first time (which includes at least one firing duration and one non-firing duration—see graph325ofFIG. 3B) switching NMOS transistor Qn41into a conductive state so as to bring into play a corresponding first Zener diode304aand its branch controlling diode Dp5a; at a second and mutually exclusive time (which includes at least one firing duration and one non-firing duration) switching NMOS transistor Qn42into a conductive state so as to bring into play a corresponding second Zener diode304band its branch controlling diode Dp5b; and at a third and mutually exclusive time switching NMOS transistor Qn43into a conductive state so as to bring into play a corresponding third Zener diode304cand its branch controlling diode Dp5c. The Zener break down voltages and/or other I-V-T characteristics of the respective Zener diode304a,b,cand/or their respective branch controlling diodes Dp5a,b,cmay be different from one another. One or more of the alternatingly activated Zener diode branches may additionally include a leakage shunting resistor Rza,b,c. Optionally, the Zener diode of one of the illustrated branches of respective nodes N32a, N32b, N32cmay be replaced by a resistor or an additional branch may be added with such a replacement resistor where selective activation of that branch drives the feedback node N31″ to a voltage level above VrefDCso as to initially keep the Vboost module307turned off during startup. Instead of or in addition to the illustrated NMOS transistors, Qn41-Qn43, PMOS transistors could have been placed in series above the Zener diodes where the gates of those PMOS transistors (not shown) would be driven to logic low (e.g., ground) to selectively turn them on according to a mutually exclusive basis.

Additionally,FIG. 3Cshows the optional provision of a custom current injector circuit (e.g., DAC345and resistor Rcustom) that is configured to selectively inject into (or conversely draw out of) the negative feedback node N31″ a desired amount of current icustom. The programmably controlled DAC345may have an analog voltage output or an analog current output, and in the case of the latter, resistor Rcustommay be replaced by a short. The digital control input signal346of the DAC may command different levels of injected (or withdrawn) current for negative feedback node N31″ so as to thereby bias that node N31″ at a respectively appropriate and predetermined voltage for the case when any of combination circuits341,342and343is used and/or for the case when any of the different Zener diode branch circuits is used. On one hand this modification provides the illustrated power supply330with greater flexibility. On the other hand, it adds components, size, cost and complexity as compared to the simpler configuration ofFIG. 3B.

FIG. 3Dillustrates yet another configuration,350. Here, a second PNP transistor Qp7is added between diode Dp5dand the negative feedback node N31′″. As long as diode Dp5dis forward biased and, the voltage drop between node N32dand feedback node N31′″ is large enough to keep Qp7forward biased, feedback current flows out of the collector of the second PNP transistor Qp7to establish the voltage across resistor Rnfb as equal to the boosted voltage V7minus the drop across Zener304d, minus the drop across diode Dp5dand minus the emitter-collector drop (Vec7) of PNP transistor Qp7. The latter drop, Vec7across PNP transistor Qp7can be set by fine tuning its base to collector biasing resistor R39. Capacitor C38provides biasing stability. Transistor Qp7shuts off when the first PNP transistor Qp6turns on. The turning on of first PNP transistor Qp6happens when a pulse train is fired and corresponding current iDrawnpasses through resistor Rsenseto thus drive the positive input terminal (+) of second OP amp336negative relative to its negative input terminal (−). At that point the circuit350is automatically switched from voltage regulating mode to current regulating mode. The circuit350automatically switches back to voltage regulating mode when iDrawnstops flowing.

While a number of variations have been illustrated, these should not be viewed as limiting. It is within the contemplation of the present disclosure to employ other configurations for automatically switching from voltage regulating mode to current regulating mode when regulated current flow is desired and then back to voltage regulating mode when the regulated current flow is no longer needed and a regulated voltage is instead then desired.

FIG. 4Ais a flow chart showing a sequence of events400in which an automatic switch over from voltage regulating mode to current regulating mode may be desirable followed by a switch back to voltage regulating mode. At step402, it is determined that voltage regulating mode (e.g., a VTargetvoltage maintaining mode) is now desirable (e.g. for fast responding to the first pulse of the pulse train) and the power regulator circuit is automatically placed in voltage regulating mode (VRM).

At step404, it is automatically detected that there has been a change of circumstances (e.g., the pulse train has begun firing) where current regulating mode is more desirable for replenishing a charge storing device (e.g., power capacitor C37) and the power regulator circuit is automatically placed in current regulating mode. In one embodiment, a control current (e.g., isample) which is a function of a working current ramps up to a predetermined top value, iTop(see alsoFIG. 4B) indicative of the working current having reached its allowed maximum.

At step406, it is automatically detected that the need for current regulating mode (CRM) has ceased, for example because the light emission pulse train has ended. Control is then returned to step402so as to maintain a pre-primed voltage (e.g., VTarget=7.5V).

FIG. 4Bis a current versus time graph in which piece wise linear segments are used to schematically indicate what is happening. The actual plot may have nonlinear segments. At time point t0the system is sitting in a voltage regulating state and it could be doing nothing if a predetermined target voltage value (e.g., 7.5V) is present or exceeded. At time point t1the system detects a change of circumstances, such as detecting that a high power pulse train is being commanded and the system automatically determines that it is time to switch over into current regulating mode. The switch over occurs at time point t2. Between time points t2and t3, the system is testing a control current (e.g., isample) which is a function of a larger operating current (e.g., iDrawn). At time point t3the system automatically detects that a predetermined target value (iTop) has been reached by the tested control current (e.g., isample). At time point t4the system automatically turns down or shuts off its charge pump (e.g.,307). At time point t5the system is automatically testing for a next change of circumstance event that warrants turning up or turning on its charge pump (e.g.,307). In one embodiment, because there is a larger voltage across capacitor C37than the first time, a smaller amount of time is need to bring the control current (e.g., isample) back to the top level (iTop).

FIG. 4Cis a voltage versus time graph in which piece wise linear segments are used to schematically indicate what is happening. The actual plot may have nonlinear segments. At time point t0the system is sitting in a voltage regulating state and it could be doing nothing if a predetermined floor voltage value VTargetis present or exceeded. If a capacitor stored voltage (e.g., VC37) drops below the predetermined floor voltage value Vtarget, a booster is activated to bring it back up to the predetermined floor voltage value Vtarget. At time point t1the system detects a change of circumstances, such as detecting that a high power pulse train is being commanded and the system automatically determines that it is time to switch over into current regulating mode. The switch over occurs at time point t2. Although it takes a finite amount of time to switch over, for example about 100 ps, and during that time the voltage applied to the load (E36) includes an over-voltage (VTarget) that is greater than an operating one specified for the load, most loads can handle a short duration of operating in over-voltage mode. In particular, because the application of the over-voltage (VTarget) occurs at the very beginning of the pulse train where the load had had time to dissipate some of the thermal energy from the previous pulse train, the short duration application of the over-voltage (VTarget) generally does not damage the load. Between time points t2and t3, the system is pumping a replenishing current into a discharged capacitor (e.g., C37) so that the voltage of that capacitor begins to rise. At the same time the system is testing a control current (e.g., isample) which is a function of a larger replenishing current (e.g., iDrawn). At time point t3the system automatically detects that a predetermined current mode top value (iTop) has been reached by the tested control current (e.g., isample). At time point t4the system automatically turns on or up its charge pump because the tested control current (e.g., isample) is below the desired top value (iTop). At time point t6the system is back in voltage regulating mode (VRM).

FIG. 4Ddepicts I-V-T characteristic curves for an exemplary semiconductive light emitter (e.g., laser diode) in the form of three exemplary temperature plots for respective temperatures T1, T2and T3. Tilted current plot iLum0represents the currents needed for realizing a pre-specified luminance output at the different temperatures T1, T2and T3. Non-tilted line iconstantrepresents a constant current value for where iLum0crosses with the T2voltage versus current curve. VT2is the voltage across the exemplary semiconductive light emitter (e.g., laser diode) when its current is iconstant. VT3is the voltage across the exemplary semiconductive light emitter when its current is iLum0.

As can be seen the schematic depiction ofFIG. 4D, substantially different voltages (e.g., VT2, VT3) need to be maintained across the light emitter (e.g., laser diode) at respective different temperatures (e.g., T2, T3) if a predetermined output luminance value (e.g., Lum0) is to be maintained. On the other hand, if a substantially constant current (e.g., iconstant) is used over the different temperatures, the predetermined output luminance value (e.g., Lum0) can be substantially maintained with little variance. The above described, multi-mode power regulator scheme can be used to automatically and rapidly switch into current controlled mode when needed. The current controlled mode not only takes care of temperature variances, but also of small resistance change issues. For example inFIG. 3C, an extra resistance might be introduced by the inclusion of the PCB trace between nodes N37and N38. Because the load drive currents are relatively large, even a small added series resistance RN37-38can have significant effect. Aside from trace N37-38, other examples of small but insertable series resistances can include connector contact resistances, changes due to corrosion and/or vibration, changes due to replacement cable resistances, etc. Current regulated mode is tolerant of such insertable series resistances because it drives towards a predetermined current target not towards a predetermined voltage value. Thus the current mode using power regulator can at substantially a same time (e.g., simultaneously) compensate for temperature changes and inserted series resistances which come to be inserted over time, for example due to contact corrosion

AlthoughFIGS. 2B-2C and 3Adepict just a single combination of an IGFET driven laser emitter and a corresponding fast charge and discharge drive circuit for the one IGFET, it is to be understood that the PCB161ofFIG. 1A(for example) can have two or more such combinations mounted thereon and thus the circuitry of one or more ofFIGS. 2B-2CandFIG. 3Acan be many times repeated on the PCB without unduly adding many large components to the PCB. For example, the multi-load configurations ofFIGS. 3C-3Dmay be used. Accordingly, an elegant and small form factor modification is provided for reducing the risk of inconsistent output luminance due to temperature drift or over-time contact corrosion. This is done without significantly increasing system weight, cost, size of complexity.

FIG. 5is a block diagram depicting example components of one embodiment500of a see-through, mixed reality display device using the high powered components pulse width clamping aspect of the present disclosure. The illustrated system500includes a see-through display device as a near-eye, head mounted display device150′ in communication with a user-worn (e.g., belt-worn, or arm-worn) processing unit4via wireless link3. Head mounted display device150′, which in one embodiment is in the shape of eyeglasses116in a frame102, is worn on the head of a user so that the user can see through a display, embodied in this example as a separate display optical system for each eye, and thereby providing binocular vision including an actual direct view of the space in front of the user.

The use of the term “actual direct view” refers to the ability to see real world objects directly with the human eye through the lenses (e.g.,116) of the HMD150′, rather than seeing only created image representations of such objects. For example, looking through glass at a room allows a user to have an actual direct view of the room, while viewing a video of a room on a television is not an actual direct view of the room. Based on the context of executing software, for example, a gaming application, the system can project images of virtual objects (e.g., monster17ofFIG. 1A), sometimes referred to as virtual images, on the display that are viewable by the person wearing the see-through display device while that person is also viewing real world objects through the display.

Frame102provides a support for holding elements of the system in place as well as a conduit for electrical connections. In this embodiment, frame102provides a convenient eyeglass frame as support for the elements of the system discussed further below. In other embodiments, other support structures (e.g., an around the head adjustable band) can be used. An example of such a structure is a visor or goggles. The frame102includes a temple or side arm for resting on each of a user's ears. The visible temple side of102is representative of an embodiment of the right temple and includes control circuitry136for the display device150′. Nose bridge104of the frame includes a microphone110for recording sounds and transmitting audio data to processing unit4. Although not shown inFIG. 5, the C-shaped PCB161ofFIG. 1Amay be mounted just above the microphone110so as to allow for unimpeded receipt of audio signals while at the same time providing for accurate depth determination with use of TOF techniques. The provided depth determination capability may be used to identify various hand gestures made by the wearer of the HMD150′.

In one embodiment, processing unit4is worn on the user's wrist and includes some of the computing power used to operate see-through head-mounted display150′. Processing unit4may communicate wirelessly (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, infra-red, or other wireless communication means) to one or more hub computing systems10.

Hub computing system10may include a computer, a gaming system or console, or the like. According to an example embodiment, the hub computing system10may include hardware components and/or software components such that hub computing system10may be used to execute applications such as real-time, multi-user gaming applications, non-gaming applications, or the like. In one embodiment, hub computing system10may include a processor such as a standardized processor, a specialized processor (e.g., one including high speed graphics support firmware), a microprocessor, or the like that may execute instructions stored on a processor readable storage device for performing the processes described herein.

Hub computing system10further includes one or more capture devices, such as capture devices21A and21B. In other embodiments, more or less than two capture devices can be used to capture the room or other physical environment of the user.

Capture devices21A and21B may, for example, include cameras that visually monitor one or more users in the local and surrounding space and capture poses, gestures and/or movements performed by the one or more users, as well as the structure of the surrounding space. The captured real world data may be analyzed, and tracked to perform one or more controls or actions within an application and/or animate an avatar or on-screen character. An application may be executing on hub computing system10, the worn display device150′, and/or on a non-worn display16and/or on a mobile device5as discussed below or a combination of these.

Hub computing system10may be connected to an audiovisual device16such as a television, a monitor, a high-definition television (HDTV), or the like that may provide game or application visuals. For example, hub computing system10may include a video adapter such as a graphics card and/or an audio adapter such as a sound card that may provide audiovisual signals associated with the game application, non-game application, etc. The audiovisual device16may receive the audiovisual signals from hub computing system10and may then output the game or application visuals and/or audio associated with the audiovisual signals. According to one embodiment, the audiovisual device16may be connected to hub computing system10via, for example, an S-Video cable, a coaxial cable, an HDMI cable, a DVI cable, a VGA cable, component video cable, RCA cables, etc. In one example, audiovisual device16includes internal speakers. In other embodiments, audiovisual device16, a separate stereo or hub computing system10is connected to external speakers22.

Furthermore, as in the hub computing system10, gaming and non-gaming applications may execute on a processor of the mobile device4which user actions control or which user actions animate an avatar as may be displayed on a display7of the mobile device4. The mobile device4also provides a network interface for communicating with other computing devices like hub computing system10over the Internet or via another communication network via a wired or wireless communication medium. For example, the user may participate in an online gaming session with other mobile device users and those playing on more powerful systems like hub computing system10. Examples of hardware and software components of a mobile device4such as may be embodied in a smartphone or tablet computing device. Some other examples of mobile devices4are a laptop or notebook computer and a netbook computer.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of one embodiment of hardware and software components of a see-through, near-eye display unit150as may be used with one or more embodiments. In this embodiment, see-through head-mounted display150″, receive instructions about a virtual image from processing unit210and provides the sensor information back to processing unit210. Software and hardware components which may be embodied in a processing unit210, will receive the sensory information from the display device150″ and may also receive sensory information from hub computing device10. Based on that information (including depth information obtained from the TOF sub-system), processing unit210will determine where and when to provide a virtual image to the user and send instructions accordingly to the control circuitry136of the display device150″.

Note that some of the components ofFIG. 6(e.g., eye cameras134, variable virtual focus adjuster135, photodetector interface139, micro display120, illumination device153or illuminators, earphones130, temperature sensor138, display adjustment mechanism203) are shown in shadow to indicate that there are two of each of those devices, one for the left side14L and one for the right side14R of head mounted display device150″.FIG. 6shows the control circuit200in communication with the power management circuit202. Control circuit200includes processor210, memory controller212in communication with memory214(e.g., D-RAM), camera interface216, camera buffer218, display driver220, display formatter222, timing generator226, display out interface228, and display in interface230. In one embodiment, all of components of control circuit220are in communication with each other via dedicated lines of one or more buses. In another embodiment, each of the components of control circuit200are in communication with processor210.

Cameras interface216provides an interface to the physical environment facing camera165′ and each eye camera134and stores respective images received from the cameras165′,134in camera buffer218(which includes a Z depth data storing portion and an RGB plane image storing portion for the case of the depth camera165′). Display driver220will drive microdisplay120. Display formatter222may provide information, about the virtual image being displayed on microdisplay120to one or more processors of one or more computer systems, e.g.20,12,210performing processing for the augmented reality system. Timing generator226is used to provide timing data for the system. Display out228is a buffer for providing images from physical environment facing cameras113and the eye cameras134to the processing unit4. Display in230is a buffer for receiving images such as a virtual image to be displayed on microdisplay120. Display out228and display in230communicate with interface232which is an interface to processing unit4.

Power management circuit202includes voltage regulators234, eye tracking illumination driver236, variable adjuster driver237, photodetector interface239, audio DAC and amplifier238, microphone preamplifier and audio ADC240, temperature sensor interface242, display adjustment mechanism driver(s)245and clock generator244. Voltage regulator234receives power from processing unit4via band interface232and provides that power to the other components of head mounted display device150. Illumination drivers236provide the IR lightsource drive signals for illumination devices153,162as described above. Audio DAC and amplifier238receives the audio information from earphones130. Microphone preamplifier and audio ADC240provides an interface for microphone110. Temperature sensor interface242is an interface for temperature sensor138. One or more display adjustment drivers245provide control signals to one or more motors or other devices making up each display adjustment mechanism203indicating which represent adjustment amounts of movement in at least one of three directions. Power management unit202also provides power and receives data back from three axis magnetometer132A, three axis gyro132B and three axis accelerometer132C. In one embodiment, the power management circuit202includes a recharging management module (not shown) which allows the small on-board batteries (not shown, e.g. 3 VDC, 4.5 VDC) to be recharged in a detachably wired or wireless manner from an external source.

The variable adjuster driver237provides a control signal, for example a drive current or a drive voltage, to the adjuster135to move one or more elements of the microdisplay assembly173to achieve a displacement for a focal region calculated by software executing in the processing unit4or the hub computer10or both. In embodiments of sweeping through a range of displacements and, hence, a range of focal regions, the variable adjuster driver237receives timing signals from the timing generator226, or alternatively, the clock generator244to operate at a programmed rate or frequency.

The photodetector interface239receives performs any analog to digital conversion needed for voltage or current readings from each photodetector, stores the readings in a processor readable format in memory via the memory controller212, and monitors the operation parameters of the photodetectors152such as temperature and wavelength accuracy.

FIG. 7is a block diagram of one embodiment of the hardware and software components of a processing unit4associated with a see-through, near-eye display unit. The mobile device4may include this embodiment of hardware and software components as well or similar components which perform similar functions.FIG. 7shows controls circuit304in communication with power management circuit306. Control circuit304includes a central processing unit (CPU)320, graphics processing unit (GPU)322, cache324, RAM326, memory control328in communication with memory330(e.g., D-RAM), flash memory controller332in communication with flash memory334(or other type of non-volatile storage), display out buffer336in communication with see-through, see-through head-mounted display150via band interface302and band interface232, display in buffer338in communication with see-through head-mounted display150via band interface302and band interface232, microphone interface340in communication with an external microphone connector342for connecting to a microphone, PCI express interface for connecting to a wireless communication device346, and USB port(s)348.

In one embodiment, wireless communication component346can include a Wi-Fi enabled communication device, Bluetooth communication device, infrared communication device, etc. The USB port can be used to dock the processing unit4to hub computing device10in order to load data or software onto processing unit210as well as charge processing unit4. In one embodiment, CPU320and GPU322are the main workhorses for determining an XYZ mapping of the user's environment (including based on TOF determinations) and of where, when and how to insert images into the view of the user.

Power management circuit306includes clock generator360, analog to digital converter362, battery charger364, voltage regulators366, see-through, near-eye display power source376, and temperature sensor interface372in communication with temperature sensor374(located on the wrist band of processing unit4). An alternating current to direct current converter362is connected to a charging jack370for receiving an AC supply and creating a DC supply for the system. Voltage regulator366is in communication with battery368for supplying power to the system. Battery charger364is used to charge battery368(via voltage regulator366) upon receiving power from charging jack370. Device power interface376may provide recharging power to the smaller on-board batteries of the display device150. The voltage regulator may provide one or more of specific voltages for powering the HMD150including for example a 3.0 VDC signal and a 4.5 VDC signal.

The figures above provide examples of geometries of elements for a display optical system which provide a basis for different methods of determining Z-depth as discussed above. The method embodiments may refer to elements of the systems and structures above for illustrative context; however, the method embodiments may operate in system or structural embodiments other than those described above.

The example computer systems illustrated in the figures include examples of computer readable storage media. Computer readable storage media are also processor readable storage media. Such media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, cache, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, memory sticks or cards, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, a media drive, a hard disk, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by a computer.

What has been disclosed therefore is a method of supplying power to a load that episodically becomes connected to receive current from a power supply, the method comprising: (a) automatically detecting if the load is drawing on a time averaged basis, more than a predetermined first amount of average current, and if not responsively causing a charge storage device to be charged to a predetermined first voltage using a voltage controlled mode of a multi-mode regulated power supply, where the load becomes connected to the charge storage device when the load becomes episodically connected to receive current from the multi-mode regulated power supply; (b) in response to detecting that the load is on the time averaged basis drawing more than the predetermined first amount of average current, automatically switching the multi-mode regulated power supply to a current regulating mode to thereby limit the amount of average current received by the load to a second amount of average current greater than the first amount of average current; and (c) in response to detecting that the load is no longer on the time averaged basis drawing more than the predetermined first amount of average current, automatically switching the multi-mode regulated power supply to the voltage controlled mode to thereby cause the charge storage device to again be charged to the predetermined first voltage. The method may be one further comprising automatically switching the multi-mode regulated power supply back to a current regulating mode upon again detecting that the load is on the time averaged basis again drawing more than the predetermined first amount of average current. The method may be one wherein the charge storage device includes a capacitor; and the load includes a temperature and voltage sensitive device whose output behavior is more so determined by current levels that it receives rather than by its temperature and by corresponding load voltages that develop across the temperature and voltage sensitive device. The method may be one wherein the temperature and voltage sensitive device includes a semiconductive light emitter whose output luminance is more so determined by current levels that it receives rather than by its temperature and by corresponding load voltages that develop across the semiconductive light emitter. The method may be one wherein the semiconductive light emitter is one that needs to receive an episodic surge of current of 0.5 Ampere or more to produce an application adequate output luminance. The method may be one wherein the load is connected in series with a semiconductive switching device and the load episodically becomes connected to receive current from the multi-mode regulated power supply due to episodic closing and opening of the semiconductive switching device, the method further comprising: causing the semiconductive switching device to close and open, the closing of the semiconductive switching device occurring in 10 nanoseconds (10 ns) or less. The method may be one wherein the causing of the charge storage device to be charged to the predetermined first voltage when using the voltage controlled mode comprises: generating a feedback voltage that is predetermined amount less than an output voltage produced by the multi-mode regulated power supply; applying the feedback voltage to a feedback resistor; comparing the feedback voltage with a reference voltage; and in response to detecting that feedback voltage is equal to or greater than the reference voltage, deactivating a voltage booster that generates the output voltage produced by the multi-mode regulated power supply. The method may be one wherein the generating of the feedback voltage comprises: passing a feedback current through the feedback resistor; and passing the feedback current through a voltage sensitive device having a threshold voltage, where the voltage sensitive device switches from a relatively low resistance mode to a substantially higher resistance mode when voltage across the voltage sensitive device drops below the threshold voltage; wherein during the voltage regulating mode, the voltage sensitive device operates just above its threshold voltage; and wherein the load is coupled so as to divert current away from the voltage sensitive device when the load draws on the time averaged basis, more than the predetermined first amount of average current, where the diverting away of the current causes the voltage sensitive device to operate below its threshold voltage and thus in its substantially higher resistance mode. The method may be one wherein the switching of the multi-mode regulated power supply to the current regulating mode comprises: producing a sampling current that is representative of a magnitude of the on the time averaged basis drawn current of the load; and passing the sampling current through the feedback resistor. The method may be one wherein causing the load to become episodically connected to receive current from the multi-mode regulated power supply by commanding a firing of a rapid train of pulses each have a pulse duration of 50 nanoseconds or less.

What has been disclosed therefore includes a power supply configured to supply power to a load that episodically becomes connected to receive current from the power supply, the power supply having a voltage regulating mode and a current regulating mode and comprising: a voltage maintaining portion that is configured to be active when the voltage regulating mode is in effect, the voltage maintaining portion including a subtractive circuit that subtracts a predetermined first voltage magnitude from a voltage present at an output sampling node to thereby produce a first feedback voltage which is applied to a feedback resistor; a comparator coupled to the feedback resistor so as to receive the first feedback voltage and configured to compare the first feedback voltage with a predetermined first reference voltage; and a booster configured to pump charge to the output sampling node in response to the comparator indicating that the first feedback voltage is less than the first reference voltage; and a current limiting portion that is configured to automatically become active when an over-time averaged current drawn to the load is detected to exceed a predetermined first current magnitude, the drawn averaged current being one drawn to the load when the load is episodically connected to receive current from the power supply; wherein the voltage maintaining portion is configured to automatically stop producing the first feedback voltage when the drawn averaged current exceeds the first current magnitude; and wherein the current limiting portion is configured to supply a sampling current to the feedback resistor when the current limiting portion becomes active, the sampling current being representative of a magnitude of the drawn averaged current and causing a second feedback voltage to develop at the feedback resistor such that the booster stops pumping charge to the output sampling node in response to the comparator indicating that the second feedback voltage is equal to or greater than the first reference voltage. The power supply may be one wherein the voltage maintaining portion is configured to automatically again produce the first feedback voltage when the drawn averaged current ceases to exceed the predetermined first current magnitude. The power supply may be one wherein the load is connected to a charge storage device so as to be able to receive pulses of current from the charge storage device when the load episodically becomes connected to receive current from the power supply; the charge storage device is connected to the power supply so as to store a maintained output voltage developed by the power supply when the voltage regulating mode is in effect. The power supply may be one wherein the charge storage device includes a capacitor; the load is configured to draw pulses of current each of 0.5 Ampere or more from the capacitor; and the booster that pumps charge to the output sampling node has sufficient charge producing capability to replenish over a duration of two pulses the drawn amount of charge that the load has drawn as pulses of current from the capacitor. The power supply may be one wherein the subtractive circuit comprises a Zener diode in series with a semiconductive diode, the semiconductive diode having a predetermined threshold voltage; the subtractive circuit is configured to bias the semiconductive diode just above its predetermined threshold voltage when the voltage regulating mode is in effect; and the current limiting portion is connected so as to deprive the semiconductive diode of at least some of its biasing current when the drawn averaged current exceeds the first current magnitude, thus shifting the semiconductive diode below its predetermined threshold voltage and causing the semiconductive diode to decrease in conductivity. The power supply may be one wherein the current limiting portion includes an operational amplifier having a first input terminal coupled to a current sensor through which the drawn averaged current passes and a second input terminal coupled to a current diverting resistor through which the sampling current flows. The power supply may be one wherein the current limiting portion further includes a bipolar transistor interposed in series between the current diverting resistor and the comparator, a base terminal of the bipolar transistor being coupled to an output terminal of the operational amplifier. The power supply may be one further comprising: a digitally controllable current supply operatively coupled to the feedback resistor so as to perform at least one of, injecting a digitally defined current into the feedback resistor, drawing off a digitally defined current from a node of the feedback resistor and in response to a supplied digital command, not injecting current into the feedback resistor or drawing current out from the node of the feedback resistor.

What has been disclosed therefore includes a time of flight (TOF) determining system comprising: a semiconductive light emitter; a capacitor connected to the light emitter such that the light emitter can draw high powered surges of current from the capacitor, the surges having a magnitude of 0.5 Amperes or more; and a power supply configured to supply a charge replenishing current to the capacitor after the light emitter has drawn the high powered surges of current from the capacitor, the power supply having a voltage regulating mode and a current regulating mode and including: a voltage maintaining portion that is configured to be active when the voltage regulating mode is in effect, the voltage maintaining portion including a subtractive circuit that subtracts a predetermined first voltage magnitude from a voltage present at an output sampling node to thereby produce a first feedback voltage which is applied to a feedback resistor; a comparator coupled to the feedback resistor so as to receive the first feedback voltage and configured to compare the first feedback voltage with a predetermined first reference voltage; and a booster configured to pump charge to the output sampling node in response to the comparator indicating that the first feedback voltage is less than the first reference voltage; and a current limiting portion that is configured to automatically become active when an over-time averaged current drawn to the load is detected to exceed a predetermined first current magnitude, the drawn averaged current being one drawn to the load when the load is episodically connected to receive current from the power supply; wherein the voltage maintaining portion is configured to automatically stop producing the first feedback voltage when the drawn averaged current exceeds the first current magnitude; and wherein the current limiting portion is configured to supply a sampling current to the feedback resistor when the current limiting portion becomes active, the sampling current being representative of a magnitude of the drawn averaged current and causing a second feedback voltage to develop at the feedback resistor such that the booster stops pumping charge to the output sampling node in response to the comparator indicating that the second feedback voltage is equal to or greater than the first reference voltage. The TOF determining system may be one wherein: the power supply is configured to alternatingly and between its supplying of replenishing current to the first said capacitor, to supply replenishing current to one or more additional capacitors, each having a corresponding additional semiconductive light emitter connected to it to draw corresponding high powered surges of current from the corresponding capacitor.