Abstract: An optical measurement system is provided for performing time-of-flight distance measurement with ambient light suppression. The system has a detector circuit that includes a photodetector and an additional current gain element that amplifies the photocurrent produced by the photodetector. Placement of the additional current gain element near the photodetector allows low-power optical signals to be detected without amplifying noise from sources of the system that are outside of the detector circuit, thereby allowing a high signal-to-noise ratio to be achieved. Embodiments of the system include circuitry that automatically regulates the bias voltage of the photodetector to compensate for temperature and for fabrication process variations.

Abstract: An optical measurement system includes a photodetector coupled in series with a field effect transistor (FET) that is a part of a sample and hold circuit. When the sample and hold circuit is in a sampling mode of operation, a voltage bias is applied to the FET and the photodetector is exposed to ambient light, thus resulting in a first current flow through the photodetector. One of several components can be selected in the sample and hold circuit for obtaining a desired time constant. When the sample and hold circuit is subsequently placed in a hold mode of operation, a second current flows through the photodetector due to exposing of the photodetector to a combination of ambient light and light associated with an optical measurement. A portion of the second current that is attributable to the light associated with the optical measurement is used for executing the optical measurement.

Abstract: An optical measurement system is provided for performing time-of-flight distance measurement with ambient light suppression. The system has a detector circuit that includes a photodetector and an additional current gain element that amplifies the photocurrent produced by the photodetector. Placement of the additional current gain element near the photodetector allows low-power optical signals to be detected without amplifying noise from sources of the system that are outside of the detector circuit, thereby allowing a high signal-to-noise ratio to be achieved. Embodiments of the system include circuitry that automatically regulates the bias voltage of the photodetector to compensate for temperature and for fabrication process variations.

Abstract: An optical measurement system includes a photodetector coupled in series with a field effect transistor (FET) that is a part of a sample and hold circuit. When the sample and hold circuit is in a sampling mode of operation, a voltage bias is applied to the FET and the photodetector is exposed to ambient light, thus resulting in a first current flow through the photodetector. One of several components can be selected in the sample and hold circuit for obtaining a desired time constant. When the sample and hold circuit is subsequently placed in a hold mode of operation, a second current flows through the photodetector due to exposing of the photodetector to a combination of ambient light and light associated with an optical measurement. A portion of the second current that is attributable to the light associated with the optical measurement is used for executing the optical measurement.

Abstract: An optical detection system can include a set of photodetectors and a set of pixel processing circuits for processing pixel information provided by the set of photodetectors. A set of switches interposed between the set of photodetectors and the set of pixel processing circuits can be selectively activated to place the optical detection system in a first mode of operation that allows for optical detection using a subset of pixel processing circuits. The remaining pixel processing circuits that are not used during the first mode of operation can be placed in a power down condition for conserving power. The set of switches can then be re-activated as needed, to place the optical detection system in a second mode of operation that allows for optical detection using a larger number of pixel processing circuits than used during the first mode of operation.

Abstract: A laser control device comprises a driver circuitry for supplying a drive current to a laser diode (LD). The device further comprises a digital storage for storing drive current values for a plurality of temperature conditions, and a central processing unit coupled to the digital storage for controlling the driver circuitry in accordance with the drive current values from said digital storage. The central processing unit is configured for multiple updating the drive current values stored in the digital storage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses include operating a semiconductor component using a DC/DC-converter. The DC/DC-converter has its duty cycle controlled. A voltage at the semiconductor component is sensed for a voltage. The duty cycle is controlled or regulated so that the sensed voltage corresponds to a predetermined voltage. The predetermined voltage may be gradually increased until a difference between the sensed voltage and the predetermined voltage reaches a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A laser control device comprises a driver circuitry for supplying a drive current to a laser diode (LD). The device further comprises a digital storage for storing drive current values for a plurality of temperature conditions, and a central processing unit coupled to the digital storage for controlling the driver circuitry in accordance with the drive current values from said digital storage. The central processing unit is configured for multiple updating the drive current values stored in the digital storage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for operating a semiconductor component using a DC/DC-converter. The DC/DC-converter has its duty cycle controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating an optical transmitting device having a plurality of optical transmitters that can be driven independently. The method includes detecting the parameter values of the individual transmitters, comparing the parameter values determined with one another and/or with a prescribed comparison value, and selecting one of the transmitters for the communication operation of the transmitting device based on the comparison. The method further includes operating the transmitting device with the selected transmitter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating an optical transmitting device having a plurality of optical transmitters that can be driven independently. The method includes detecting the parameter values of the individual transmitters, comparing the parameter values determined with one another and/or with a prescribed comparison value, and selecting one of the transmitters for the communication operation of the transmitting device based on the comparison. The method further includes operating the transmitting device with the selected transmitter.

Abstract: A method for producing an emission module having at least two vertically emitting lasers in which an optically active laser layer is arranged on a substrate and at least one upper covering layer is arranged on said laser layer. In a first etching step, upper mesa regions are formed by etching the upper covering layer, wherein the etching depth of the first etching step is chosen such that the first etching step is ended above the optically active laser layer, and the first etching step is carried out such that the resulting distance between adjacent upper mesa regions is so small that the radiation generated by the finished lasers can be coupled directly into a single optical waveguide. In a second etching step, the optically active layer is severed to form lower mesa regions, the second etching step being a wet-chemical or dry-chemical etching step with a predominantly chemical etching component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser diode including a vertical resonator and to a method for producing the laser diode such that at least one active layer is configured between reflective layers. The invention is characterized by configuring at least one antioxidation layer between the reflective layers, thus preventing distortion caused by unintentional oxidation. The antioxidation layer consists of a III–V semiconductor material with a proportion of a molar aluminum of less than 0.7 and/or a III–V semiconductor material with an optical depth of at least two quarter waves.

Abstract: A laser device has a laser diode with an optical resonator. The resonator has an exit side for emitting light into an optical system. A monitor diode is provided and has a light-sensitive face for measuring optical quantities of the laser diode. The light-sensitive face of the monitor diode is optically coupled to a backside of the laser diode, on the other side from the light exit side of the resonator, the backside also emitting light. This configuration permits a space-saving SMD layout for the laser device.

Abstract: A method for producing an emission module having at least two vertically emitting lasers in which an optically active laser layer is arranged on a substrate and at least one upper covering layer is arranged on said laser layer. In a first etching step, upper mesa regions are formed by etching the upper covering layer, wherein the etching depth of the first etching step is chosen such that the first etching step is ended above the optically active laser layer, and the first etching step is carried out such that the resulting distance between adjacent upper mesa regions is so small that the radiation generated by the finished lasers can be coupled directly into a single optical waveguide. In a second etching step, the optically active layer is severed to form lower mesa regions, the second etching step being a wet-chemical or dry-chemical etching step with a predominantly chemical etching component.

Abstract: Electroabsorption modulator (100) having a layer sequence of at least five sequential layers, having at least one light absorption layer (106) which is arranged between the first layer (101) and the third layer (102) and is set up to generate charge carriers upon irradiation of light (108) of a specific wavelength, and having at least one storage layer (104) which is arranged between the third layer (102) and the fifth layer (103) and is set up to store charge carriers.

Abstract: A VCSEL has an active layer, a photodetector in one of the DBR gratings and with a radiation-absorbing layer that is arranged in an antinode of a laser mode. The laser and the photodetector are electrically driven by a common contact on a thick, heavily doped spacer layer that ensures low laser impedance and little electrical crosstalk between the laser and the photodetector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser diode including a vertical resonator and to a method for producing the laser diode such that at least one active layer is configured between reflective layers. The invention is characterized by configuring at least one antioxidation layer between the reflective layers, thus preventing distortion caused by unintentional oxidation. The antioxidation layer consists of a III-V semiconductor material with a proportion of a molar aluminum of less than 0.7 and/or a III-V semiconductor material with an optical depth of at least two quarter waves.

Abstract: Electroabsorption modulator, modulator laser device and method for producing an electroabsorption modulator Electroabsorption modulator (100) having a layer sequence of at least five sequential layers, having at least one light absorption layer (106) which is arranged between the first layer (101) and the third layer (102) and is set up to generate charge carriers upon irradiation of light (108) of a specific wavelength, and having at least one storage layer (104) which is arranged between the third layer (102) and the fifth layer (103) and is set up to store charge carriers.

Abstract: A laser device has a laser diode with an optical resonator. The resonator has an exit side for emitting light into an optical system. A monitor diode is provided and has a light-sensitive face for measuring optical quantities of the laser diode. The light-sensitive face of the monitor diode is optically coupled to a backside of the laser diode, on the other side from the light exit side of the resonator, the backside also emitting light. This configuration permits a space-saving SMD layout for the laser device.