1Overview
The PIM-Mini-200 is a compact and lightweight pulsed current source designed to drive laser diodes, bars, arrays, or any low-impedance load. Its key specifications are output current from 25 A to 200 A, rise and fall times below 10 µs at 200 A, pulse widths from 25 µs to 250 µs, forward voltage from 0 V to 48 V, and pulse repetition rate from single shot to 200 Hz.
At roughly 11.3 cm by 12.65 cm by 5.4 cm and 0.5 kg, the unit fits inside a host system where bench instruments will not. Directed Energy, Inc. is now a division of Berkeley Nucleonics, and the PIM-Mini-200 ships from the same San Rafael, California build with one support path.
2How It Works
The PIM-Mini-200 output current is set with an internal potentiometer or with an analog voltage. Pulse width is controlled by the input trigger signal, so the host system sets the cadence and length of each pulse directly.
The system requires two DC voltages for operation: 12 V for housekeeping, and a compliance voltage equal to 12 V above the laser diode's forward voltage. This keeps the current source in regulation across the full forward-voltage range of the load.
Output cable
The laser or load is connected to the PIM-Mini-200 with 22 AWG twisted-pair cable, included, with a length of 15 cm (6 inches) or less. Keeping the output lead short and low in inductance is important for clean high-current pulses into a diode load.
3Specifications
The PIM-Mini-200 current source meets or exceeds these specifications. All specifications are measured with 10 cm of 22 AWG twisted-pair wire connecting the unit to a low-impedance, low-inductance load (HPL-2400-1.00 and HPL-2400-0.063).
Pulse amplitude
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Output current range | 25 A to 200 A |
| Setpoint accuracy | ± 1% of full scale current |
| Current overshoot | < 0.1% |
| Polarity | Positive |
| Forward voltage | 0 V to 48 V |
Current rise / fall time (by setpoint)
| Current setpoint | Rise / fall time |
|---|---|
| 2 A to 5 A | ≤ 300 µs |
| 5 A to 10 A | ≤ 100 µs |
| 10 A to 15 A | ≤ 55 µs |
| 15 A to 20 A | ≤ 45 µs |
| 20 A to 40 A | ≤ 40 µs |
| 40 A to 60 A | ≤ 30 µs |
| 60 A to 80 A | ≤ 20 µs |
| 80 A to 140 A | ≤ 16 µs |
| > 140 A | ≤ 10 µs |
Trigger (J1 pin 6)
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | ≤ 200 Hz (see SOA graphs) |
| Input voltage levels | 0 V: output off; 5 V: output on |
| Termination impedance | 50 Ω |
| Trigger pulse width | 25 µs to 250 µs |
| Delay (external to output) | ≤ 1 µs typical |
Current setpoint control (J1 pin 4)
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Input voltage levels | 5 V or open: internal potentiometer control; 0 V: external control |
| Termination impedance | 9,000 Ω |
| Response time on change | ≤ 0.5 µs |
Analog current setpoint (J1 pin 5)
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Input voltage levels | 0 V to 2.048 V (0.000 V = 0 A output; 2.000 V = 200 A output) |
| Termination impedance | 90,000 Ω |
| Response time on change | ≤ 0.5 µs |
Current monitor
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Current monitor | 0 V to 0.500 V (200 A output = 0.500 V typical) |
| Current monitor termination | 50 Ω |
| Current monitor connector | SMB |
Power and general
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| 12 V power (J1 pin 1) | 12 VDC ± 5%, 0.100 A |
| DC input (J2) | Forward voltage + 12 VDC ± 5%1; range 12 VDC to 60 VDC; 5.0 A |
| Size (H x W x D) | 11.3 cm x 12.65 cm x 5.4 cm (4.425" x 4.975" x 2.125") |
| Weight | 0.5 kg (16 oz) |
| Mounting hole diameter | 4.5 mm (0.180") |
| Mounting hole placement | 3.49 cm x 11.6 cm (1.375" x 4.575") |
| Operating temperature | 10 °C to 40 °C |
| Cooling | Convection air cooled |
4Output Protection & Safety
The PIM-Mini-200 must be operated within its safe operating area. The maximum duty cycle, pulse width, and frequency all decrease as output current rises, so the safe operating point depends on the chosen current. The product manual provides duty-cycle, pulse-width, and frequency curves versus output current.
Because output current reaches 200 A, keep the included 22 AWG twisted-pair output cable short, 15 cm or less, to control inductance and preserve fast, clean current pulses.
5Control & Interfaces
All control and power route through three connectors. The host system supplies the trigger, the setpoint, and both DC voltages.
Control signal connector (J1) — Molex 70553-0110
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| Pin 1 | 12 VDC |
| Pin 2 | 12 V return |
| Pin 3 | 12 V return |
| Pin 4 | Current setpoint control |
| Pin 5 | Analog current setpoint |
| Pin 6 | Trigger |
Output connector (J6) — Molex 22-12-2024
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| Pin 1 | Out + |
| Pin 2 | Out − |
DC input connector (J2) — Molex 22-12-2024
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| Pin 1 | DC + |
| Pin 2 | DC − |
6Applications
The PIM-Mini-200 suits embedded and OEM systems that need controlled high-current pulses in a small package. Typical uses include:
- Laser diodes, bars, and arrays. 25 A to 200 A drive into low-impedance optical loads.
- Embedded pulsed sources. A compact 0.5 kg module for integration where a bench source will not fit.
- Any low-impedance load. Controlled current pulses from 25 µs to 250 µs at up to 200 Hz.
- Analog current shaping. Output current that tracks an external analog setpoint for arbitrary current profiles.
7Ordering Information
| Part number | Description |
|---|---|
| PIM-Mini-200 | Compact pulsed current source, 25 A to 200 A |
Contact
For a quote, configuration help, or application support, reach the Berkeley Nucleonics team.
Email: info@berkeleynucleonics.com
Phone: 800-234-7858