IXYS PCX-150 Datasheet

THE PULSE OF THE FUTURE

DIRECTED

ENERGY
INCORPORATED

• Output Current Up To 150A

• Output Voltage Up To 100V

• Rise Time < 10µµs

• Pulse Width < 50µµs to 5ms

• 5KHz Maximum Frequency

• Drives up to 50 diodes

simultaneously

• IEEE- 488 (GPIB) and RS-232

Computer Interfaces

The PCX-150 is an air-cooled, high power pulsed current source
designed to drive diode lasers, bars and arrays. It delivers
current pulses variable from 1A to 150A, pulse widths variable
from <50µs to 5ms, with rise times <5µs, and pulse repetition
frequencies variable from single shot to 5KHz at duty cycles up
to 20%.

A microprocessor-controlled front -panel and RS-232/IEEE-488
interface provide individual control of each electronic function,
while the backlit display provides immediate visual confirmation
of all operating parameters, including output current setpoint and
amplitude, pulse width, repetition frequency, duty cycle, and
error and fault messages. The front panel controls allow the user
to set either pulse width and frequency independently, or to set
frequency and duty cycle, which then sets the pulse width
accordingly. The front panel display monitors both the setpoints,
and the actual current delivered to the diode. Analog current and
voltage monitors and a synchronization output are also provided
for monitoring of the current and voltage to the laser diode. In
addition to stand-alone operation, the PCX-150 can be externally
triggered.

Connection to the laser diode is made through an innovative
front panel, low impedance ribbon cable, desig ned to preserve

the fidelity of high-speed, large-amplitude current pulses. The
output connector is interlocked, so that the PCX-150 is disabled
when the connector is removed.

The PCX-150 features advanced circuitry to protect both the
diode and driver. A relay closure shorts the output to ground
when power to the driver is turned off. At turn on, and at any time
the driver is not pulsing, the PCX-150’s output is electronically
shorted to ground, ensuring that no current flows through the
diode except during the on period of the pulse. In addition, the
actual current through the diode is monitored in real-time. If the
actual current ever exceeds the user-adjustable current setpoint,
the driver truncates the output current pulse, electronically shorts
the output to ground, and displays an error message on the front ­panel display. In addition, the PCX-150 has a factory-set
hardware-controlled current -limit and an independent, user­adjustable current limit. This provides a fail-safe mechanism to
prohibit the user from setting the current amplitude setpoint
above the user-controlled current limit.

A user-selectable slow-start option allows the user to configure a
slow-start current ramp, as shown in the waveform below.

Safety features of the PCX-150 include a laser enable keyswitch,
an output cable safety interlock, remote interlock, and delayed

2ms Pulse, 150A, 100V Output

250µs/Div horizontal scale,

25A/Div vertical scale

PCX-150

150A QUASI-CW LASER DIODE
DRIVER/PULSED CURRENT SOURCE

6.5µµs Rise, 9µµs Fall

150A, 100V Output

25µs/Div horizontal scale,

25A/Div vertical scale

Slow-start Ramp

Function, 0-120A

Output, 6A Step

Increments

25ms/Div

horizontal scale,

20A/Div vertical

scale

THE PULSE OF THE FUTURE

Directed Energy, Inc.
An IXYS Company
2401 Research Blvd., Suite 108
Fort Collins, CO USA 80526
970-493-1901 Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: http://www.directedenergy.com

9200-0205 REV 5

PARAMETER MODEL PCX150-25

Drives 1 to 12 Diodes in Series

MODEL PCX150-50

Drives 1 to 25 Diodes in Series

MODEL PCX150-100

Drives 1 to 50 Diodes in Series

PULSE OUTPUT CURRENT

Amplitude Range 1A to 125A 1A to 150A 1A to 150A
Output Current Resolution 0.1A
Accuracy At ≥25A Setpoint 1%
Slow-start Ramp Resolution 0.1A
Pulse Rise Time <10µs (10%-90%)

(1)

Pulse Fall Time <10µs (10%-90%)

(1)

Pulse Width 50µs to 5ms
Pulse Recurrence Frequency Range Single Shot to 5KHz
Maximum Duty Cycle and Average

Current

4% at 125A, 6% at 100A, 40% at 15A. The

max. average output power is 160W, and

the average current cannot exceed 6A.

2% at 150A, 3.5% at 100A, 23% at 15A. The

max. average output power is 175W, and

the average current cannot exceed 3.5A.

2% at 150A, 3% at 100A, 20% at 15A. The

max. average output power is 300W, and

the average current cannot exceed 3A.

Output Pulse Width Stability ≤±0.5% at 1ms pulse width, 125A at maximum output voltage
Output Pulse Amplitude Stability ≤±0.5% at 1ms pulse width, 125A at maximum output voltage
Output Pulse Flatness ≤±0.1% at 1ms pulse width, 125A at maximum output voltage
Over/undershoot <5%
Jitter <10ns shot -to-shot
Output Connector Ribbon Cable, Front Panel
COMPLIANCE VOLTAGE
Range 1V to 25V 1V to 50V 1V to 100V
Resolution 1V
CURRENT LIMIT
Range 1A to 150A
Resolution 1A
TRIGGER IN
Trigger Input TTL or +5V ±1V, into 50Ω
Minimum Trigger Pulse Width 100ns
Input Trigger Connector BNC, Front Panel
SYNC MONITOR OUTPUT
Sync Monitor TTL output into high impedance
Sync Monitor Connector BNC, Front Panel
CURRENT MONITOR OUTPUT
CVR Monitor 50A/1V into 50Ω, typically within 1% of the displayed actual current
CVR Monitor Connector BNC, Front Panel
VOLTAGE MONITOR OUTPUT
Voltage Monitor
Voltage Monitor Connector BNC, Front Panel
GENERAL
Input AC Power 90-240VAC Nominal, 50/60Hz
Dimensions (H X W X D) 3 1/4” x 17” x 21”
Weight Approx. 22 lbs
Safety Complies with CDRH US21 CFR 1040.10

50V/1V into 50Ω, typically within 1% of the actual voltage

SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
(1) Contact the factory for optional faster rise and fall time configurations.

SPECIFICATIONS