DESIGN CENTERS: BATTERIES & OTHER ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES

    Silanna Semiconductor SL2002 Laser Driver ICs Enable Smaller, More-Efficient Rangefinders That Run Off 3 V Coin Cell Batteries

    06/20/2025
    Second chip in FirePower™ series integrates resonant capacitor charging and laser diode firing and targets portable 3D mapping, sports, scopes and industrial sensors
    Silanna Semiconductor SL2002 Laser Driver ICs Enable Smaller, More-Efficient Rangefinders That Run Off 3 V Coin Cell Batteries

    ­Silanna Semiconductor, a global leader in analog innovation, today announced the release of the SL2002, the second breakthrough product in its FirePower™ family of laser driver ICs. 

    The SL2002 has been optimized for low-voltage operation in small-form-factor systems, enabling powerful laser performance from a standard 3V battery supply. In doing so, the SL2002 sets a new standard in performance, integration and efficiency.
     
    The laser driver IC has been purpose-built 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 eliminates the need for external discrete components, significantly reduces PCB footprint and simplifies system design. It additionally cuts BOM costs and minimizes power losses.
    Housed in a compact 14-pin, 3.5 mm² WLCSP package, the SL2002 is able to generate light pulses exceeding 1,000W peak power. Additionally, it delivers a Vin-to-laser efficiency of 86% - this is a 73% improvement on 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.
     
    For more information, go here
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