The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 03, 2017
Filed:
Aug. 17, 2016
Stmicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, Buckinghamshire, GB;
Denise Lee, Edinburgh, GB;
STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED, Buckinghamshire, GB;
Abstract
One or more embodiments are directed to laser circuits, methods and devices that include a current sensing circuit for sensing a lasing current provided to a laser diode or device. One embodiment is directed to a circuit that includes a laser device, a switching device, a current sensing circuit and a current comparator. The switching device has a first conduction terminal coupled to the laser device and a second conduction terminal coupled to a supply voltage. The switching device is configured to operatively supply a lasing current to the laser device. The current sensing circuit is coupled to the switching device and is configured to generate a sense current representative of the lasing current. The current comparator is configured to receive the sense current from the current sensing circuit, to receive a reference current, and to compare the sense current with the reference current. If the sense current exceeds the reference current, the current comparator is configured to output an overcurrent detection signal.