Laser driver ICs enable small and efficient rangefinders running off 3V coin cells

Silanna Semiconductor has released the SL2002, the second breakthrough product in its FirePower family of laser driver ICs.

The device has been optimised for low-voltage operation in small-form-factor systems, facilitating powerful laser performance from a standard 3V battery supply. In doing so, it sets a new standard in performance, integration and efficiency.

The laser driver IC has been specifically designed to enable the creation of compact and low-cost battery-powered range-finding and measurement systems. This includes portable 3D mapping, sports rangefinders, scopes and industrial sensors.

“Many portable rangefinder systems rely on bulky, inefficient boost circuits to operate from low-voltage batteries. The SL2002 changes that, delivering compact, high-performance laser driving in a single chip that simplifies design, improves overall system efficiency and drastically lowers cost,” said Ken Boyden, product marketing director at Silanna Semiconductor.

The FirePower series is the industry’s first to combine resonant capacitor charging and high-current laser diode firing on a single chip. This innovation eradicates the necessity for external discrete components, significantly reduces PCB footprint, and simplifies system design. It also cuts BOM costs and minimises power losses.

Housed in a compact 14-pin, 3.5mm² WLCSP package, the device can generate light pulses with peak powers exceeding 1,000W. Also, it delivers a Vin-to-laser efficiency of 86%, representing a 73% improvement over traditional architectures, which typically offer efficiencies of 50% or less.

The SL2002 is now available in sample quantities and as part of a complete evaluation kit to support rapid design and development.