Raster output scanner exposure control for bias and run levels in a multiple diode system

摘要

The present invention is a method and apparatus for digitally controlling the output of multiple laser diodes in a system that forms a plurality of scan lines in a Raster Output Scanning (ROS) system. Output of the laser diodes is digitally controlled by monitoring and controlling the bias and run level power for each of the laser diodes. The system employs predetermined, controllable biasing currents to increase the resolution of the exposure current and thereby accurately control the output power of each of the multiple laser diodes, and to provide a fixed exposure level that is detectable by a low-cost start-of-scan detector.