Thermoelectric cooler driver utilizing unipolar pulse width modulated synchronous rectifiers

A fiber optic device for converting electrical signals to optical signals, and for transmitting the optical signals, which include information, within a communication system, the fiber optic device comprising:

• an input for receiving electrical signals;
• a fiber optic laser for transmitting the optical signals;
• and
• a temperature regulator for regulating temperature within the fiber optic device, the temperature regulator comprising:
• detecting means for detecting a temperature;
• a comparator coupled to the detecting means for comparing the temperature to a temperature reference, wherein the comparator provides an output voltage signal;
• a controller coupled to the comparator for receiving the output voltage signal, and for providing a first ratio signal dependent upon the output voltage signal at a first output port of the controller;
• a first synchronous rectifier coupled to the first output port of the controller for receiving the first ratio signal, and for providing an output signal in accordance with the first ratio signal;
• and
• means for regulating temperature on a control surface, wherein the temperature regulating means receives the output signal from the first synchronous rectifier and regulates the temperature in accordance with the output signal.

A temperature regulator for regulating temperature, comprising:

• detecting means for detecting a temperature;
• a comparator coupled to the detecting means for comparing the temperature to a temperature reference, wherein the temperature reference is indicative of a desired temperature, and wherein the comparator provides an output voltage signal;
• a controller coupled to the comparator for receiving the output voltage signal, and for providing a first ratio signal to a first output port, and for providing a second ratio signal to a second output port, wherein the controller adjusts voltage levels of the first and second ratio signals depending upon the output voltage signal provided by the comparator;
• a first synchronous rectifier coupled to the first output port of the controller for receiving the first ratio signal, and for providing an output signal in accordance with the first ratio signal;
• a second synchronous rectifier coupled to the second output port of the controller for receiving the second ratio signal, and for providing an output signal in accordance with the second ratio signal;
• a current monitor for measuring the output signals provided by each of the first synchronous rectifier and the second synchronous rectifier to generate a current monitor signal, wherein the controller additionally receives the current monitor signal and provides the first ratio signal and the second ratio signal in accordance therewith;
• and
• means for regulating temperature on a control surface, wherein the temperature regulating means receives the output signal from each of the first synchronous rectifier and the second synchronous rectifier and regulates the temperature in accordance with the output signal,
• wherein the first synchronous rectifier provides the output signal to the temperature regulating means and thereby decreases the temperature across the temperature regulating means in accordance with the output signal, and wherein the second synchronous rectifier provides the output signal to the temperature regulating means and thereby increases the temperature across the temperature regulating means in accordance with the output signal.