Kits accelerate fibre-optic module design

A new range of reference design kits aims to simplify the implementation of 1-4Gbit/s SFP fibre optic modules for Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel and Sonet/SDH applications.

Phyworks has launched a new range of reference design kits to simplify the implementation of 1-4Gbit/s SFP fibre optic modules for Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel and Sonet/SDH applications.

The Phyworks totalSFP range of reference design kits are complete module electrical subassembly designs which support SFF-8472 digital diagnostic monitoring (DDM) and which take advantage of Phyworks high level of integration to provide an extremely cost effective SFP (small form-factor pluggable) solution.

They are based on the PHY1070 and PHY1075 integrated driver/receiver ICs.

The totalSFP reference design kits fully support DDM calibration and alarm generation, using a low-cost external microcontroller with embedded nonvolatile memory.

Phyworks supplies verified firmware for this application, including C-source code.

This software solution enables the customer to provide custom features or to support additions to the digital diagnostics standards for less cost than a hard-wired ASIC.

The range includes two kits: the PHY1070-SFP-4G, an 850nm VCSEL reference design for applications from 1.06 to 4.25Gbit/s; and the PHY1075-SFP-2.7G, a 1310/1550nm edge-emitting design for 155Mbit/s to 2.7Gbit/s applications.

The PHY1070-SFP-4G is provided with LC-TOSA in a differential drive configuration from all the major VCSEL manufacturers.

Transmit performance typically exceeds 45% mask margin at 4.25Gbit/s, with optical rise and fall times of approximately 82ps, depending on the optics used.

The PHY1075-SFP-2.7G can be supplied with a 1310nm DFB LC-TOSA from any of the major laser manufacturers, with a performance which exceeds the Sonet/SDH specifications.

According to Phyworks, the 1-4Gbit/s optical module is predicted to reach 17 million units by 2008, with the majority of these being SFP footprint.

Commenting on the new kits, Phyworks CEO, Stephen King said: "The SFP market is extremely competitive".

"Our reference design allows customers to address this key challenge not only by reducing their bill-of-materials cost for an SFP module, but also by using a common platform from 155Mbit/s to 4.25Gbit/s".

Both reference designs are supplied with Phyworks PHY107x GUI and SFF-8472 calibration software, which used both for lab evaluation for pilot-production.

Schematics and PCB layouts are provided, along with the source code and executable for the SFF-8472 firmware.

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