Atec LDC-3916 User Manual
Product Features
LDC
Mainframe
16 independent channels,
with 32 isolated outputs
“Smart” modules for exibility and speed
Laser Current Sources
High compliance voltage
Direct modulation up to 1.2 MHz
Four-wire measurement of laser diode
forward voltage
Advanced laser protection features
including adjustable voltage limit
TEC Controllers
TEC voltage measurement
Resistive heater control adapters
available
The LDC-3916 16-Channel Laser Diode Controller
packs 16 channels of laser diode current source and tem-
perature control into a space-saving 3U-high instrument.
An on-board processor powers each module, simplifying
future module additions and accelerating performance. A
variety of “smart” modules are available. These include
controller modules with up to 1.5 A of laser current source,
with 9 W of TEC control; dual laser current source mod-
ules with two isolated currents of up to 1 A; a dual 9
W TEC module; a 3 A laser current module; and 3 A
24 W TEC module. Additional modules are currently in
development.
An independent, isolated power supply powers each
module, delivering unparalleled stability. This design
brings even greater levels of laser diode protection
through our adjustable compliance voltage feature. Com-
munications and instrument operations are controlled
by a separate mainframe processor, paired with a
powerful GPIB chipset that is fully tested to ensure
IEEE 488.2 compliance.
3916
16-Channel
Laser Diode
Controller
16 Channels of Laser Diode Control
LDC
3916
16-Channel
Laser Diode
Controller
Front Panel Interface
Provides Simple Operation
The front-panel interface features a bright
vacuum uorescent display, making the
information readable from almost any angle.
You can easily monitor the operations of up to
four channels at a time. Simple and intuitive
menus, supported by screen-specic soft-keys,
allow you to quickly congure and operate each
channel. Menu depths have been intentionally
limited to keep the front-panel operation con-
cise, while more sophisticated operations are
reserved for the GPIB interface. Setpoints and
other values can be entered through your choice
of numeric keypad entry, up-down arrow keys, or
a rotary adjustment knob.
Powerful GPIB Interface Offers
Robust, Automated Control
A powerful processor platform drives the
LDC-3916 16-Channel Laser Diode Controller.
When coupled with the latest GPIB technology
from National Instruments’ HS488 TNT chipset,
you get all the processing capability needed for
mission-critical production testing. With micro-
processors on each module, the mainframe
engine manages 16 independent control chan-
nels quickly and reliably. Free LabVIEW®
instrument drivers are available upon request,
or by downloading them at
www.ilxlightwave.com.
High Performance Modules
Support Future System Expansion
Designed to provide the cleanest, safest
power available for laser diode control, each
module’s control functions are handled locally
and communicated quickly to the host pro-
cessor. On-board intelligence simplies future
addition of modules since all operational and
calibration data is stored in the module. Simply
plug in your new module and power up the
system. Your mainframe never needs to leave
the rack. This simplicity, coupled with low-noise,
high-stability outputs and state-of-the-art laser
diode protection, equals ultimate performance.
State-of-the-Art Current Source
Design Brings New Levels
of Performance
This new current source topology uses an
innovative, proprietary control loop and incorpo-
rates the latest techniques for signal ltering and
circuit board shielding. These advancements
provide unbeatable stability and unparalleled
noise performance, ideal for the most demand-
ing production test applications. This design
also incorporates adjustable compliance voltage
and faster shutoff, helping prevent dangerous
“reconnect” transients that can occur from inter-
mittent connections between the controller and
your laser diode. This new level of protection
adds to our proven list of protection features:
independent current limits, output shorting cir-
cuits and a slow-start turn-on feature.
New Capabilities from the
Flexible Current Source You Trust
Operational modes including constant cur-
rent, constant current high-bandwidth, or
constant optical power are selectable from the
front panel, or via the GPIB interface. Mea-
surement of your laser diode’s forward voltage
is possible with 4-wire accuracy, which can be
helpful in production environments where longer
cable runs are common. A single, rear-panel
modulation port can individually enable direct
modulation of each channel’s laser current. This
new current source design supports modulation
bandwidths of up to 1.2 MHz (small signal),
achieving the highest direct modulation
High channel-density laser diode
control for production test.
LDC
3916
16-Channel
Laser Diode
Controller
levels available today. Modules also include
reverse photodiode bias capabilities, especially
important for telecom wavelength devices.
High-Stability TEC Control Keeps
Your Device Temperature in Check
Equipped with a smart integrator control loop
and an expanded gain setting range, the tem-
perature control circuits optimize settling times.
These modules also provide voltage measure-
ment of your TEC, and allow internal selection
of thermistor current ranges via front-panel or
via GPIB. Achieve unparalleled temperature
stabilities with ultra-stable design topology and
low-noise bipolar output stages.
Flexible Control Over a
Wide Range of Applications
By combining true modularity with high chan-
nel density, the LDC-3916 easily grows with your
applications. When coupled with our 16-channel
mounting tray, this controller also serves as a
cost effective DWDM optical source set. Simply
mount your choice of WDM DFB laser
diodes in the mounting tray, connect to the
controller, and you’ll have full control over
16 WDM signal sources. If your specied test
wavelengths change, simply drop in new DFB
laser diodes. For even higher channel counts,
add another controller and mounting tray to your
rack. If your device drive specications change,
look to ILX Lightwave for new modules that can
be easily added to your system in the future.
Protect Your Investment with the
Leader in Laser Diode Protection
The LDC-3916 16-Channel Controller
provides all of ILX Lightwave’s proven laser
protection features like independent current
limits, slow-start turn-on circuits, and isolated
power supplies.* The adjustable compliance
voltage capability brings even greater levels
of protection to your devices. Designed
for time-critical production test needs, the
LDC-3916 will satisfy your test requirements
with fast, reliable and secure laser diode control.
* Semiconductor lasers are sensitive devices. Always
take appropriate antistatic precautions and use extreme
care when handling laser diodes. For more information,
request ILX Application Note #3, “Protecting Your Laser
Diode.”
LDC
Specications
1
Fine Temperature Resolution Controller Module
3916
16-Channel
Laser Diode
Controller
CURRENT SOURCE
1
3916371
500 mA/9W
LASER CURRENT OUTPUT
Output Current Range: 0–500 mA
Setpoint Resolution: 10 µA
Setpoint Accuracy: ±0.1% of FS
Compliance Voltage: >6 V
Temperature Coefcient: <50 ppm/°C
Short-Term Stability (1 hr.):
Long-Term Stability (24 hr.):
Noise and Ripple
High bandwidth: <10 µA rms
Low bandwidth: <5 µA rms
Transients
Operational:
1kV EFT: <4 mA
Surge:
6
<8 mA
2
<20 ppm
3
<50 ppm
4
5
<3 mA
(adjustable voltage limit)
LASER DRIVE LIMIT SETTINGS
Current Limit Range: 0–500 mA
Current Limit Resolution: 0.2 mA
Current Limit Accuracy: ±0.7 mA
Voltage Limit Range: 0–7.5 V
Voltage Limit Resolution: 0.1 V
PHOTODIODE FEEDBACK
Type: Differential 10 Ω Input.
Selectable Zero Bias
or 5 V Reverse Bias
Photodiode Current Range: 0–5000 µA
Output Stability:
Setpoint Accuracy: ±0.1% of FS
7
0.01%
EXTERNAL ANALOG MODULATION
Input:8 0–10 V, 50 Ω
Transfer Function: 50 mA/V
High Bandwidth Mode
Small Signal Bandwidth:
Large Signal Bandwidth:
Low Bandwidth Mode DC to 30 kHz
9
DC to 1.2 MHz
10
DC to 1.0 MHz
LASER CURRENT MEASUREMENT (DISPLAY)
Output Current Range: 0–500.00 mA
Output Current Resolution: 0.01 mA
Output Current Accuracy (@25°C): ±0.05% of FS
Photodiode Current Range: 0–5000 µA
Photodiode Current Resolution: 0.1 µA
Photodiode Current Accuracy: ±2 µA (@25°C)
Photodiode Responsivity Range:
Photodiode Responsivity Resolution: 0.01 µA/mW
Optical Power Range: 0.00–5000.0 mW
Optical Power Resolution: 100 µW
Forward Voltage Range: 0.00–7.5 V
Forward Voltage Resolution: 10 mV
Forward Voltage Accuracy:
11
0.00–1000.00 µA/mW
12
±7 mV
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
3916371
1
500 mA/9W
TEMPERATURE CONTROL OUTPUT
Temperature Control Range:2 20°C–35°C
Thermistor Setpoint
Resolution: 0.01°C
Accuracy:
Short-Term Stability (1 hr.):
Long-Term Stability (24 hrs.):
Output Type: Bipolar current source
Compliance Voltage: >7 V DC
Maximum Output Current: 1.5 A
Maximum Output Power: 9 W
Current Noise and Ripple:
Current Limit Range: 0–1.5 A
Current Limit Set Accuracy: ±0.05 A
Control Algorithm: Smart Integrator, Hybrid PI,
Gain adjustable from 1–127
3
±0.2°C
4
<±0.007°C
5
<±0.01°C
6
<1 mA rms
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
Types: Thermistor (2-wire NTC)
Thermistor Sensing Current: 100 µA
Usable Thermistor Range: 5100–13,000 Ω, typical
UserCalibration: Steinhart-Hart, 3 constants
TEC MEASUREMENT (DISPLAY)
Temperature
7
–99.9°C to 199.9°C
Range:
3
±0.5°C
Accuracy:
Thermistor Resistance
Range: 5100–13,000 Ω
Accuracy: ±5 Ω
TEC Current
Range: –1.50 to 1.50 A
Accuracy: ±0.04 A
Voltage
Range: –9.999 to 9.999 V
Resolution: 100 mV (1 mV in GPIB)
Accuracy:
NOTES
The 3916371 Laser Current Source specications are the same as the 3916372 Controller
Module specications.
The TEC specications are different.
Current Source Notes and Temperature Control Notes are on the following pages.
8
±70 mV (±20 mV in GPIB)
Loading...