Driving laser diodes with immunity to temperature changes, aging, and other effects

Various systems and methods are provided to achieve laser power control. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a counter that holds a digital value. An digital-to-analog converter is employed to convert the digital value to an analog current. A data threshold current is generated by a laser driver based upon the analog current. The data threshold current is employed to represent a data value in a data signal employed to drive a laser diode. Also, circuitry is employed to adjust the digital value based upon a comparison between a target threshold current and a feedback current generated from a laser output of the laser diode.