Abstract: A writing current circuit (42) supplies a controlled electrical current to a laser diode (34) for recording data swiftly onto a DVD (16). A plurality of current sources (62) in the writing current circuit (42) supply electrical current directly to the laser diode (34). Each current source (62) respectively receives a single output signal from a current control register (52) included in the writing current circuit (42) which activates or deactivates the current source (62) for supplying a particular quantity of current to the laser diode (34). In one aspect, a pair of current reference signals received by the current source (62) control electrical current supply to the diode (34). Incorporated into these controlling reference signals is a simulation of electrical characteristics of the diode (34). In another aspect, each current source (62) responds to a logical inverse of the output signal from the current control register (52) for controlling overshoot in voltage applied across the diode (34).

Abstract: A writing current circuit (42) supplies a controlled electrical current to a laser diode (34) for recording data swiftly onto a DVD (16). A plurality of current sources (62) in the writing current circuit (42) supply electrical current to the laser diode (34). Each current source (62) respectively receives a single output signal from a current control register (52) included in the writing current circuit (42) which activates or deactivates the current source (62) for supplying a particular quantity of electrical current to the laser diode (34). In each current source (62), electrical current flows to the laser diode (34) through a MOSFET output transistor (142) connected in series with the laser diode (34). Each current source's MOSFET output transistor (142) has a gate insulating layer which is thinner than the gate insulating layer conventionally used for a MOSFET output transistor (142) that is energized by the electrical potential the it applied to the writing current circuit (42).

Abstract: A writing current circuit (42) supplies a controlled electrical current to a laser diode (34) for recording data swiftly onto a DVD (16). A plurality of current sources (62) in the writing current circuit (42) supply electrical current directly to the laser diode (34). Each current source (62) respectively receives a single output signal from a current control register (52) included in the writing current circuit (42) which activates or deactivates the current source (62) for supplying a particular quantity of current to the laser diode (34). In one aspect, a pair of current reference signals received by the current source (62) control electrical current supply to the diode (34). Incorporated into these controlling reference signals is a simulation of electrical characteristics of the diode (34). In another aspect, each current source (62) responds to a logical inverse of the output signal from the current control register (52) for controlling overshoot in voltage applied across the diode (34).

Abstract: A writing current circuit (42) supplies a controlled electrical current to a laser diode (34) for recording data swiftly onto a DVD (16). A plurality of thermometer code registers (52) respectively store numerical values. A current control register (58) receives a numerical value from one of the thermometer code registers (52). Serial data specifies a sequence in which individual thermometer code registers (52) supply values to the current control register (58) thereby causing the writing current circuit (42) to supply a particular electrical current waveform to the laser diode (34). A plurality of current sources (62) respectively receive a single output signal from the current control register (52) which activates or deactivates individual current sources (62) for supplying a particular quantity of current to the laser diode (34).