An apparatus for and a method of performing running optimum power control (OPC)
of a laser diode writing power in an optical drive. The apparatus and method obtain
an optimum writing characteristic where the writing environment of the optical
drive changes. A first normalized write signal having a first linear characteristic
with respect to writing power is detected using predetermined condition values
to set a first normalized write signal as a reference signal. A second normalized
write signal having a second linear characteristic with respect to writing power
is detected using the predetermined condition values, while writing data to a user
area on the optical medium. The writing power of the laser diode is controlled
based on determining whether the second normalized write signal is approximate
to the first normalized write signal.
