TRANSIENT SUPPRESSION CIRCUIT

A transient suppression circuit is provided for starting up or turning off a light emitting diode, such as a diode laser. The circuit minimizes the possibility of turn-on or turn-off transients or overshoot, employing a time delayed voltage. A diode circuit is used which generates an output voltage equal to the higher of two voltages at its two inputs, one input being the time delayed voltage and the second being derived from photodetector which detects electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light emitting diode. The circuit also utilizes a three terminal voltage regulator which maintains a constant voltage between its sense terminal (output from the diode circuit) and its output terminal.