
Operating Description
Reset Function
The LB8108M includes a built-in circuit that outputs a reset signal to the control microprocessor. This circuit operates
when VCC is applied. (It does not depend on the S/S circuit.)
The reset time is determined by the capacitor connected to the CT pin, and will be about 50 ms for a 0.1 F capacitor.
The level detection circuit detects the VCD voltage as shown in the figure.
That is, the reset state is cleared by RST going from low to high after the passage of the time determined by CT starting
at the point the VCD voltage exceeds 2.2 V (typical) after VCC is applied. At this time RST will remain cleared even if
S/S is turned on and VCD rises to 3.9 V (typical). Then, if S/S is turned off and the VCD voltage returns to the voltage
determined by VCC and the Schottky diode voltage drop, and additionally, the VCD voltage falls under 2.1 V (typical)
due to a drop in the battery voltage, reset is applied (turned on) again.
(In other words, there is hysteresis in the detection level.)
(Note that since the RST output has a limited drive current, it should be used with a pull-up resistor of about 100 k
.)
APC Function
In systems that used earlier drivers, the laser diode APC (auto power control) circuit that adopted an ASP (analog signal
processor) were generally used. However, this ASP was originally driven by the power supply stepped up from VCC by
the driver IC and the laser diode was then driven by a series type regulator supplied by that voltage. This had the
problem that the power dissipation was large.
This power dissipation takes a large part of the total power dissipation in the whole system, especially in portable
equipment. To reduce this power dissipation, the LB8108M takes the power for the laser diode directly from VCC.
(In practice, this circuit consists of an up converter and a series regulator. When the VCC voltage is high enough, the
circuit operates as a series type circuit, but since these circuits are expected to be used in portable applications, that will
be relatively rare.)
Laser Diode Drive Technique in General
Overview of the LB8108M Laser Diode Drive System
No. 4946-10/12
LB8108M