PCO-6141 FIXED PULSED/CW LASERDIODE DRIVER MODULE••••••••The PCO-6141 is a compact, OEM-style high power
pulsed current source designed to drive diode lasers,
bars and arrays in pulsed, QCW or CW modes. It
delivers output current variable to 60A, pulse widths
variable from <100ns to DC, and pulse repetition
frequencies variable from single-shot to 500KHz at duty
cycles up to 100%.

Economical OEM Module
0A to 60A Output
20V Maximum Output Voltage
1.2kW Maximum Average Output
PowerUser Adjustable Rise Time<100nS to DC Pulse Width
Repetition Frequency Single-shotto 500kHz
Current Monitor Output (OptionalPCA-9150)

When enabled, at 60A maximum output approximately
80W is continuously dissipated in the driver to maintainthe current in the energy storage inductor (see note #1
on next page for more information). This architecture
provides a high performance driver in a small form
factor, with high operating efficiency and low stored
energy. At 60A output current, the stored energy
in the driver is approximately 7 Joules, dramaticallylower than the stored energy in comparable linearcurrent sources.

The PCO-6141 features a user adjustable variable risetime control. This innovative feature allows the user toadjust the rise time within a range of <12ns to >1.5µs bymeans of a PCB-mounted potentiometer, to optimize the The PCO-6141 requires user-supplied +24VDC support
power, a CMOS (+5V) gate signal, and a TTL-level
driver’s rise time for the user’s application.
enable/ disable signal. The high current output is derived
from the +24VDC DC input. The output pulse width andThe PCO-6141 is based on a hysteretic, average
current, switch-mode regulator. This type of regulator is frequency are controlled by the gate signal. The output
current amplitude is controlled by a PCB-mount potentioa variable frequency, variable pulse width design which
maintains current in an energy storage inductor between meter. A current monitor output may be viewed with an
oscilloscope, providing a straight-forward means toa minimum and maximum level. The ripple is limited toobserve the diode current waveform in real-time.To
the minimum and maximum current determined by thehysteretic controller.The regulator is started when theprotect the laser diode and the driver, circuitry isincorporated into the driver that disables the output if theTTL "enable" line is taken high and runs as long as the+24VDC support power drops below 18V. Clamp diodes
enable is high. The use of the hysteretic regulator
are incorporated into the output network to protect theprovides a large input range and high efficiency.
laser diode against reverse voltage conditions.
A shunting switch shorts the output of the regulator until
The PCO-6141 is mounted on an air-cooled
output current is needed. The pulse is generated byheatspreader, appropriate for mounting to a system
opening the shunt switch for the length of the input
bulkhead or mounting plate**. The rugged, compact
pulse.The pulse rise and fall times are then limited onlyby the stray/parasitic capacitance and inductance of the design and high power capability of the PCO-6141 makeit an excellent OEM choice for drivinghigh power laser
shunting switch and output leads.
diodes.
No power is dissipated in the driver until it is enabled.Specifications
PARAMETERPULSE OUTPUT CURRENT
Amplitude Range
Means Of Adjustment

VALUE

Pulse Width
Pulse Recurrence Frequency Range

0A to 60A
Trimpot Mounted On PCB or External
Analog Voltage Program. Jumper Selectable
Positive
Variable from <12nS to >1.5uS (10% to90%). Adjustable with trimpot Mounted on
PCB<100nS to DC
Single Shot to 500kHz

Maximum Duty Cycle
Output Pulse Ripple
JitterEfficiency~600mA (<1% at 60A)
<3nS First Sigma>65% at 50% Duty Cycle 60A Output *Output Polarity
Pulse Rise Time

Output Connector
DIODE FORWARD VOLTAGE
Amplitude
GATE INPUT
Type
Gate Input
CURRENT MONITOR OUTPUT
Current Monitor (Optional)

Current Monitor Connector
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
Output Enable/DisableGeneral
Input PowerOperating Temperature
Cooling
Dimensions (H X W X D)High Current DSUB PCB Mounted
20 Volts Maximum
Positive Edge Trigger+5V CMOS
PCA-9150 200A/V Terminated Into 50Ω+3% of Actual Output Current
BNC
TTL Input High = Enabled

24VDC Unregulated *0ºC to 40ºC
Air Cooled **2.05” x 8.9” x 6.25”(5.2cm x 22.6cm x 15.9cm)
SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOU NOTIFICATION*The idle power consumption (power consumed when the driver is enabled but notpulsing) varies non-linearly with output current, and can be approximated by theformula PIDLE=I² x 0.023 where I is the output current setpoint. When pulsing, theswitching losses (PSW) are about 30W. Therefore the 24VDC power requirements canbe approximated by the formula PSW + [IOUTVOUT + IOUT²(0.030)]DC + PIDLE (1-DC)
where VOUT is the diode forward voltage and DC is the duty cycle. For example, at 40A
output current, 10V diode voltage and 30% duty cycle, the power consumption is 30W+ [40A x 10V + 40A² x 0.03].3 + [40A² x 0.023](1-.3) = 190W. The +24VDC support
power should be sized to provide this average power.
** The driver is mounted on an air-cooled aluminum heat spreader 1/4” (0.635cm)
thick. The heat spreader temperature should not exceed 45°C. Forced-air and/or
mounting the heat spreader to a larger heat sink or cold plate may be required inapplications in which the heat spreader temperature exceeds 45°C.

Ordering Information
Model number PCO-6141 is
mounted on a 1/4” aluminumheat spreader and includes mating I/O connector and 1 meter
stripline Cable assembly.
PCA-9150 Current Monitor
Available Seperately