Micro Power 40Khz Burst Laser Diode Driver -  Some laser tag or simulated combat games can use this circuit to send short bursts of modulated laser light at the opponent's vest, equipped with a matching light receiver.  The circuit operates from three 1.5v cells  (4.5v) that should provide enough energy. . . Circuit by David Johnson P.E.-June, 2000

Micro-Laser range finder -  Laser range finders are a vital component of high precision targeting engagements.  The precise and accurate range-to-target information is an essential variable in the fire control solution of today’s sophisticated weapons.  This range information is readily provided by the laser range finder, however, current fielded laser range finders are bulky, heavy, difficult to mount onto weapons, eye hazards and very expensive.  The US Army CECOM RDEC NVESD is addressing these laser range finder issues in the development of a Micro-Laser Range Finder  (mLRF) .  The mLRF is being developed for the soldier, with his special needs a top priority. __ Designed by Samuel M. Goldwasser

Provides Laser-Diode Control -  09/19/02  EDN-Design Ideas Laser diodes are sensitive to ESD, rapid turn-on currents, and overvoltage conditions.  To address those problems, the simple laser-diode controller in Figure 1 has several functions.  The first part of the circuit comprises an 8.2V  Design by Michael Fisch, Agere Systems, Longmont, CO

Pulses for Infrared LEDs & Visible Diode Lasers -  This article demonstrates basic circuits for pulsing infrared LEDs and low power visible semiconductor lasers using components which are inexpensive and fairly readily available.  Many interesting and useful applications can be found in the references cited here, as well as several online web pages.  This article focuses on the basic circuits. __ Designed by M. Gallant

Rangefinder with Fast Multiple Range Capability -  A rangefinder is described that uses the propagation time of a beam of infrared radiation to measure distances of up to 120 meters with errors of less than 50 µm.  The instrument is capable of measuring up to five different distances per second by directing an amplitude modulated infrared beam to a retroreflector located at the far end of each path.  The instrument is being tested with the expectation that such a system could be used to make precise and rapid measurements on a large radio telescope. __ Designed by J. M. Payne, D. Parker & R. Bradley

Real-time Laser Range Finding Vision SystE - M -  The author's articles of months past focus on the application of 32-bit high-powered processors to amateur robotics and more recently applying CPLD technologies to the same.  Continuing on this high-tech trend, this article will cover the concepts and implementation of a Real-time Laser Range Finder based on CPLD Processing of NTSC Video for use in small mobile robotics applications. __ Designed by  Kenneth Maxon

RS-232 Laser Transceiver -  Laser based projects used to be expensive, until the development of solid state lasers.  This project is designed for the entry level laser experimenter.  The circuit allows any two computers with serial  (RS-232) communication capability to communicate over 200 meters using a laser beam.  A low cost transmitter only circuit is also presented here for use in one way communication and other laser based projects __ Designed by shaunwilson19 @ yahoo.com

Sensor Derives Power From Laser Over Fiber -  02/15/96 EDN-Design Ideas The photovoltaic power-supply circuit in Figure 1 delivers 3.34V  (±1.67V) at 5 to 20 mA to a low-power data-acquisition circuit.  The total conversion efficiency is 40%; you can thus use a low-cost laser as the power source.  The LM385Z shunt-regulates the photovoltaic converter at 1.67V output.  This voltage is close to the optimum power-out value for the converter, which specs a 2V open-circuit output.  The MAX665 voltage-inverter circuit provIdeas about 95% efficiency vs the 83% you'd obtain from a boost switcher, whose high start-up currents could cause the circuit to hang up.  Moreover, the inverter doubler does not produce current spikes, and its ramp-shaped ripple is easy to filter.  Low power-supply noise is important in powering a 12-bit ADC at 3.3V  (1 LSB=0.8 mV) .  Note that pin 5 of the instrumentation amplifier connects to the 1/2VCC point rather than to the negative rail. Design by Noor Khalsa, EG&G Los Alamos, NM

Simple Circuit high current pulsed laser driver using an avalanche transistor -  The image below shows the circuit with the hidden component displayed.  In operation, C1 charges through R1 until the collector-emitter avalanche voltage of Q1 is reached.  Q1 then switches on, and C1 discharges through Q1 and the laser diode in a very brief pulse of 20 to 50 nanoseconds.  The pulse delivers a current of up to 20 amps or so to the laser diode, which is not intended for continuous operation and is designed to be driven by a stream of high-current pulses.  R1 is selected so that the laser's allowable duty cycle is not exceeded.  R2 provides base bias to the transistor __ Designed by Forrest M. Mims III

Simple Circuit laser Alarm that gets triggered when beam from a laser pointer is broken -  This circuit is a laser alarm system like the one we see in various movies.  It uses a laser pointer beam to secure your valuables and property.  Essentially, when the beam gets interrupted by a person, animal or object, the resistance of a photodiode will increase and an alarm will be activated.  The laser and the receiver can be fitted in same box, sharing a common power supply.__ Learning Electronics

Simple Circuit LASER Transmitter/Receiver using HeNe laser tube -  This set of two circuits from the basis for a very simple light wave transmitter. A LASER beam is modulated and then aimed at a receiver that demodulates the signal and then presents the information  (voice, data, etc..) . The whole thing is very easy to build and requires no specialized parts execpt for the LASER itself. LASERs are available from MWK Industries. __ Designed by Andy Collison

Sniper tag laser beam Detector -  The hardware for this project had three main components: laser gun assembly, detector unit, control pad.  The detector unit’s function was to simply detect a laser pulse over a small area sent by the laser driver circuit on the laser gun assembly.  In reaction to this detection the control pad would keep correct score, play a short sound to indicate a hit, and transmit a successful hit via an RF frequency to the other player’s control pad where it would be received and displayed.  These three components joined together would complete the laser transmission, detection, and control for use in a typical laser tag environment __ Designed by Chris Chan and Kenneth Liu

Tester for Modulated Laser Diode -  This circuit can either be used to test laser diodes or as a general purpose modulated light source.  The circuit has an adjustable diode threshold current and an adjustable modulation frequency.  The frequency can be adjusted from below 30KHz to above 50MH . . . Hobby Circuit designed by Dave Johnson P.E.-March, 1999

The 8Way Relay Board -  This board is designed specifically to control the 5-motor Robot Arm sold by Baycom Technologies. It has no input facilities, but it is less expensive than combining the I/O Board with the Relay sub-Board. If you need lots of relays and no input, this is the way to go. __ Designed by shaunwilson19 @ yahoo.com

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