Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods to control and initialize an Electro-Optical System. The apparatus consists of a controller that includes all of the necessary electronics needed to drive the laser, monitor its operation with the use of measurement circuits, maintain the laser parameters operating within acceptable limits over temperature and device variations and also control operation of related circuits such as signal amplifiers and Host Computer Interface. The methods consist of an automated factory calibration process that allows the laser to meet strict requirements for precision and reliability. The methods also consist of a process for continuously monitoring and adjusting the laser for changes due to temperature or aging by measuring monitored laser performance variables, utilizing the appropriate models and adjustment techniques and finally performing the adjustments while the laser is in use, that is, without the need to disconnect the laser from the system.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a laser module system includes the processes of connecting testing equipment used for laser calibration to the laser output; setting preamplifier gain to nominal; connecting input of preamplifier to ground; turning off the DC bias for laser; canceling the offset voltage of the preamplifier; recording the monitoring photodiode dark current; incrementing the DC bias to the laser; reading PL; computing dPL/dIL; setting the DC bias to threshold; recording PLTH; recording the photodiode current IPT; recording the temperature of laser module; connecting the preamplifier to provide a VREF input signal to the laser module input increment preamplifier gain G1 while reading power output PL with instrument; determining the preamplifier gain GF needed to obtain full scale output of laser power (PLM); determining the corresponding photodiode current for above condition IPM; calculating the effective responsivity Reff of the module containing the laser and the photodiode; and storing the effective