Patent ID: 7356057

Claim:
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) module, comprising: a VCSEL; a temperature sensor configured to sense an operating temperature of the VCSEL; a heating element in thermal communication with the VCSEL; and a control module in communication with the temperature sensor and operably connected with the heating element and with the VCSEL, and the control module configured to operate in: a first operational mode where a change in operating temperature of the VCSEL is associated with a VCSEL operating current output of the control module; and a second operational mode where a change in operating temperature of the VCSEL is associated with a heating element control output of the control module, the heating element control output corresponding with a thermal output of the heating element; wherein a drop in VCSEL operating temperature below an activation temperature is associated with either: a corresponding relative increase in the VCSEL operating current output of the control module; or a corresponding change in a heating element control output of the control module; and wherein the control module is configured to operate in whichever operational mode requires the least amount of energy, relative to the other operational mode.