The EL6216 is a high-performance three channel laser driver that provides controlled current to a grounded laser diode. Write channels 2 and 3 should be used as the write channels, with switching speeds of approximately one nanosecond rise/fall time. All three channels are summed together at the IOUT output, allowing the user to create multilevel waveforms in order to optimize laser diode performance. The level of the output current is set by an analog voltage applied to an external resistor which converts the voltage into a current at the IIN pin (virtually ground). The current seen at this pin is then amplified to become a current source at pin IOUT. An on-chip 500MHz oscillator is provided to allow output current modulation when in any mode. This is turned on when the OSCEN pin is held high. Complete control of amplitude and frequency is set by two external resistors connected to ground at pins RFREQ and RAMP (see graphs in this data sheet for further explanation).