Drive circuit for semiconductor laser of opto-electric recording/playback apparatus

摘要

A drive circuit for a semiconductor laser in an apparatus for recording/playback of data utilizing an optical recording medium includes circuit elements for establishing recording and playback operating conditions respectively in which output light levels from the laser are set to suitable values for recording and playback, and for controlling the laser output light levels during recording and playback operation at fixed values, and moreover for modulating the laser output light in accordance with a recording signal during recording operation. A changeover control signal which executes changeover between the recording and playback conditions is derived such as to begin in coincidence with the start of a leading pulse of a series of recording signal pulses, and to end immediately following the final recording signal pulse, to thereby avoid excessive laser drive current levels following changeover between playback and recording operating conditions.