Laser diode controller

A laser diode controller comprising:

• a constant current source wherein said constant current source supplies current to a laser diode;
• a current shunt switch which directs current to either said laser diode or to a bypass circuit;
• a thermal compensator which alters a level of said constant current source as a function of on-time of said laser diode to compensate for changes in optical power conversion efficiency due to temperature changes in said laser diode;
• a laser diode temperature controller which maintains a constant temperature of a substrate for said laser diode;
• and
• an array of sample and hold amplifiers which provides analog setpoints for said constant current source, said current shunt switch, said thermal compensator, and said laser diode temperature controller.

A laser diode controller comprising:

• a constant current source wherein said constant current source supplies current to a laser diode;
• a current shunt switch which directs current to either said laser diode or to a bypass circuit;
• and
• a thermal compensator which alters a level of said constant current source as a function of on-time of said laser diode to compensate for changes in optical power conversion efficiency due to temperature changes in said laser diode.