Automatic forward sense calibration for writing systems

A method of performing forward sense calibration of write laser power in an optical disc drive, comprising:

• generating encoded run-length data;
• generating write strategy data based on the encoded run-length data, the write strategy data including a write strategy segment corresponding to a logic level represented in the encoded run-length data;
• generating a synchronous sampling signal that includes a sampling point based on a last clock cycle associated with the write strategy segment and one or more predetermined delays;
• sampling a feedback signal based on the synchronous sampling signal to produce sampled feedback signal values;
• and
• updating a laser driver power level based on the sampled feedback signal values.

A method of generating a synchronous sampling signal, comprising:

• determining a last clock cycle associated with a generated write strategy signal segment;
• and
• setting a sample point in the sampling signal based on the last clock cycle and a predetermined delay,
• wherein the predetermined delay is selected from a data store of predetermined delays based in part on the generated write strategy signal segment.