Monolithic Laser Multiplexer With Integrated VCSEL Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monolithic integrated circuit laser multiplexers are costly, cumbersome, and inefficient, lacking optimal switching speeds and being inconveniently sized for individually addressable lasers or sub-arrays.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic integrated circuit laser multiplexer is developed, integrating an analog multiplexer function on a laser chip, allowing efficient driving by a circuit and incorporating a triode laser functionality for laser arrays, with transistors such as pHEMTs and HBTs used for addressing light-emitting sources like VCSELs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional monolithic integrated circuit laser multiplexers are used, then the system can address individually addressable lasers, but the system becomes costly, cumbersome, and inefficient with suboptimal switching speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the multiplexer function directly into the laser chip by integrating transistor switches with the VCSEL array in a monolithic structure. This integration eliminates separate multiplexer components and interconnections, thereby improving switching speed while reducing overall system complexity despite the increased integration density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a two-dimensional array of VCSELs with corresponding transistor switches arranged in rows and columns. This spatial arrangement allows for efficient addressing of individual lasers or sub-arrays through row and column selection, improving switching speed by providing direct access paths while managing complexity through organized structure.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional laser multiplexer designs are used, then lasers can be addressed individually, but the device size becomes cumbersome and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the laser array into multiple sub-arrays or groups that can be independently addressed through the integrated transistor switches. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific laser groups, reducing the effective area needed for operation while maintaining convenient addressing through the monolithic integration of control transistors with each laser element.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated transistor switches serve multiple functions: they act as selection switches for individual VCSELs, enable grouping of lasers into sub-arrays, and provide control interfaces for different operating modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby reducing device area while improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional laser multiplexer systems are used, then laser arrays can be controlled, but the control interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control transistors directly with the VCSEL array in a monolithic integrated circuit, merging the control function with the laser emission function. This integration simplifies the control interface by eliminating external multiplexer components and reducing the number of external connections needed, thereby maintaining high adaptability while reducing control interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated transistor switches act as intermediaries between the control signals and the VCSEL array. Each transistor provides a direct control path to its associated VCSEL or group of VCSELs, simplifying the control interface by providing clear, dedicated control paths without requiring complex external multiplexing logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise a monolithic integrated circuit device comprising an addressable laser array, where the addressable laser array comprises a plurality of N light-emitting sources. Embodiments may also comprise a multiplexer including N transistors, where each of the N transistors are associated with a different one of the plurality of N light-emitting sources. In accordance with various embodiments, each of the N transistors may be operable to address the associated light-emitting source.