VCSEL Array Common Anode Structure for Inverse Voltage Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional VCSEL diode arrays in LiDAR devices face reduced lifespan due to inverse voltage application to unselected diodes and increased operating voltage requirements, which affect the quality and duration of light output.
Innovation Solution
A VCSEL diode array with a common anode structure, where each VCSEL diode channel has a common anode and separate driver FETs, allowing for uniform power application and preventing unnecessary inverse voltage on unselected diodes, thereby improving light output quality and reducing voltage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common cathode structure is used with a single driver FET connected to all VCSEL diodes, then device complexity is reduced, but inverse voltage is applied to unselected diodes reducing their lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the common cathode structure into individual cathode connections for each VCSEL diode channel. Each channel has its own driver FET that controls the cathode connection independently, preventing inverse voltage from being applied to unselected diodes while maintaining separate control capability for each channel.
2Device complexity
If a common cathode structure is used with a single driver FET, then the number of control components is reduced, but the operating voltage increases due to added inverse voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single driver FET into multiple driver FETs, one for each VCSEL diode channel. This segmentation allows each driver FET to control only its designated channel without imposing inverse voltage on other channels, thereby reducing the total operating voltage requirement while maintaining full control capability.
3Reliability
If individual control of VCSEL diodes is implemented, then light output quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements individual control by segmenting the driver circuit into separate driver FETs for each VCSEL diode channel. Each driver FET independently controls the current flow to its associated diode, enabling precise control of light output quality without requiring overly complex circuitry, as each control element manages only one diode.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The common anode structure enhances the smooth operation and quality of output light in VCSEL diode arrays, extending diode lifespan and optimizing light intensity and duration for LiDAR applications.
Implementation Method 1
an oxidation layer grown on the p type reflection part and configured to determine characteristics of a laser to be output and the diameter of an opening
Implementation Method 2
an active layer grown on the oxidation layer and configured to oscillate light by recombining holes and electrons
Implementation Method 3
a p type reflection part grown on the high-doping p type layer and including a plurality of distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) pairs
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a VCSEL diode and a VCSEL diode array having a common anode structure. An aspect of the present disclosure provides the VCSEL diode and the VCSEL diode array, which smoothly perform an operation and improve the quality of output light because the VCSEL diode and the VCSEL diode array have a common anode structure.