PCO-7120 PULSEDLASER DIODE•••••••

Compact Economical OEM Module
500mA to 50A Output<9nS Rise Time
Variable Pulse Width From 12nS
to >1uS
Repetition Frequency To 1MHz
Diode May Be Mounted Directly On
The PCO-7120
Pulsed Current Monitor Output

The PCO-7120 is a compact, economical OEM laser diodedriver module designed to provide extremely fast, high current
pulses to drive laser diodes in range finder, LIDAR,
atmospheric communications and other applications requiringhigh current, nanosecond pulses. It offers variable output
current from 500mA to 50A, with continuously variable pulse
widths from 12ns to >1µs and frequencies up to 1MHz.

The driver requires three user-supplied inputs: A TTL gate
input, +15VDC support power, and a high voltage DC input(+100V maximum). The output pulse follows the input gate inwidth and frequency. The output current depends upon theavailable charge of the driver’s energy storage network. Thischarge is directly proportional to the voltage by the highvoltage DC power supply. Therefore the output current
Mounting pads are provided to mount the laser diode directly amplitude of the PCO-7120 is controlled by varying the input
high voltage amplitude. The output current can be varied
to the driver, eliminating the need for interconnect cables orstriplines. The four-hole mounting pattern accepts TO-18, TO- over a large range with little variation in pulse width.
5, TO-52, 5.6MM, and 9MM packages, as well as otherTo minimize cost, the driver is designed so that the laser
packages of similar dimensions and lead spacing, mounted
perpendicular to the driver circuit board. To facilitate different diode is floating on the voltage of the drain of the output
packages and mounting preferences, there are two soldertransistor. The diode must be electrically isolated frompads on the end of the board to accept various laser diodeearth (chassis) ground. The cathode (-) connects to “NEG”
terminal of D3, and the anode (+) connects to the “POS”
packages mounted on axis to the driver. Furthermore, thediode can be connected remotely from the driver using a low- terminal of D3. The diode can be connected remotely using alow-impedance stripline interconnection between theimpedance stripline interconnection between the mounting
mounting pads and the leads of the laser diode.
pads and the leads of the laser diode.
A current monitor output may be viewed with an oscilloscope,providing a straight-forward means to observe the diodecurrent waveform in real-time.

High speed clamp diodes are incorporated into the output
network to protect the laser diode against reverse voltage
conditions.

The PCO-7120 driver provides high-speed performance,
variable pulse width, current and frequency, a robust design,
flexible mounting configurations and the ability to drive a wide
range of laser diodes in a small package. These features
provide the user with an economical OEM module with theflexibility to be readily designed into a wide range of products.

The driver is supplied mounted on a 1/4” aluminum heatspreader to provide the cooling needed for the switchingtransistor, and to simplify mounting or installation of the driver.

Technical Overview
The PCO-7120 uses an IXYS-RF DE-150 Series MOSFET
driven with an IXYS-RF IXDD415SI high speed gate drive IC
as the main switching element. Unlike avalanche transistor
drivers, the power MOSFET of the PCO-7120 is not operated
in breakdown, but instead is controlled via its gate with ahighspeed gate drive circuit. This design provides a highdegree of reliability, excellent switching performance, variable
pulse width and superior amplitude.

SPECIFICATIONSPARAMETERS
Output Current
Minimum Pulse Width (Typical)
Maximum Pulse Width With 5% Pulse Droop
Rise Time (10% to 90%)
Pulse Recurrence Frequency
Gate (Trigger) Input
Support Power

500mA to 50A Controlled
12nS
1uS at 50A 10uS at 5A8nS
Single Shot To 1MHZ Limited By Maximum Average Current
See Graph Below+5VInto 50Ω+12VDC to +15VDC at 60mA TypicalHigh Voltage Input+5VDC to 100VDC

Throughput Delay<40nS, Typically 36nS

MECHANICAL
Size W x L x HWeight
Operating Temperature2.00” x 4.06” x 0.76”
51mm x 103mm x 19.3mm
4.5oz (128g)-20ºC to +55ºC

ALL SPECIFICATIONS MEASURED INTO A SHORTED OUTPUT. SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGEWITHOUT NOTICE. LASER DIODE NOT INCLUDEDOrdering Information:· The PCO-7120 is provided on an aluminumheat spreader. Mating input connector (2 x 12housing) is supplied with the driver.
Optional Accessories:· PCA-9145: 36” Current Monitor Connector toBNC Male Coaxial
Cable to connect current monitor to an oscilloscope.
· PCA-9245 36” BNC Male to SMB Plug Coaxial
Cable For Gate Input.
1820-0030 Low-Impedance Stripline to remotelyconnect PCO-7120 to the laser diode.