Methods and systems of driving arrays of diodes

A LIDAR system, comprising:

• an array of laser diodes defining a plurality of rows, the laser diodes of each row configured to be driven simultaneously;
• a power supply terminal;
• a ground terminal;
• an inductor defining a first lead and a second lead;
• a plurality of driver terminals;
• a substrate of semiconductor material;
• a plurality of row switches defined on the substrate, the plurality of row switches defining a respective plurality of control inputs, each of the plurality of row switches coupled to the second lead of the inductor, and the plurality of row switches coupled one each to the plurality of rows of the array of laser diodes;
• a high-side switch defined on the substrate, the high-side switch defining a first lead coupled to a power supply, a second lead coupled to the first lead of the inductor, and a control input;
• a low-side switch defined on the substrate, the low-side switch defining a first lead coupled to the first lead of the inductor, a second lead coupled to a ground, and a control input;
• a shorting switch defined on the substrate, the shorting switch defining a first lead coupled to the second lead of the inductor, a second lead coupled to the ground, and a control input;
• a controller defined on the substrate and coupled to the plurality of control inputs, and coupled to the control inputs of the high-side switch, low-side switch, and the shorting switch, the controller configured to:
• increase an inductor current through the inductor by commanding to close the high-side switch, close the shorting switch, and open the low-side switch,
• couple a first row of the plurality of rows to the second lead of the inductor by commanding to close a first row switch of the plurality of row switches,
• drive the inductor current to the first row by command to open the high-side switch, close the low-side switch, and open the shorting switch, and then
• recirculate the inductor current by command to close the shorting switch;
• and
• a pulse request terminal,
• wherein when the controller increases the inductor current, the controller is configured to increase the inductor current responsive to assertion of the pulse request terminal.