Product category:
Communications ICs (Wired)
News Release from: Phyworks | Subject: PHY1078
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 18 March 2005
Driver and amplifier combo cuts opto
module costs
A novel integrated burst mode laser driver and limiting amplifier aims to reduce the cost of optical networking units for the highly competitive fibre to the premises market.
The PHY1078 integrated burst mode laser driver and limiting amplifier from Phyworks has been developed with an unprecedented level of integration, specifically to reduce costs in the design and manufacture of optical networking units for the highly competitive fibre to the premises (FTTP) market The PHY1078 combines both transmit and receive functions onto a single monolithic device; it also contains an internal controller with A/D and D/A conversion, removing the need for an expensive external microcontroller
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 1 Mar 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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This arrangement offers designers the lowest cost per module bill of materials currently available, requiring only a serial EEPROM and transimpedance amplifier (TIA) to provide the complete module chipset.
Phyworks offers the PHY1092 TIA as a companion to the PHY1078 for applications up to 1.25Gbit/s.
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The use of a serial EEPROM and internal controller instead of an external microcontroller not only eliminates the cost of the microcontroller but removes the design effort and cost of code development and testing; this however is not at the expense of features or performance.
The PHY1078 offers both open and closed loop power control modes.
The intelligent open loop mode uses temperature compensation data, stored in the external EEPROM to protect the laser across the operating temperature range.
The closed loop mode uses a digital algorithm to establish the correct bias level from a temperature compensated starting value, thereby avoiding a lengthy startup sequence.
The internal digital programming also aids cost reduction by eliminating manual module calibration.
Instead values for tuning of the bias and modulation currents, monitor diode (MD) coupling coefficient, internal laser matching network, signal detect (SD) threshold and other functions are set using data stored in the serial EEPROM.
The PHY1078 also offers enhanced design flexibility, in comparison to alternative solutions, by providing selectable polarity on all of the device's high-speed interfaces.
This simplifies the routing of the module PCB and allows the designer to select from the widest possible range of bidirectional optical subassembly (BOSA) suppliers.
To ensure designers can simply meet international standards, including TUV, the PHY1078 features internal laser eye safety circuitry with programmable alarm thresholds for bias current and module temperature, together with an external shutdown pin.
According to Brad Weaterton, Product Line Manager for Phyworks: "The PHY1078 leverages our existing relationships with the key FTTP suppliers, mainly in Japan, who helped us specify this device".
"Our key goal was to help them remove the excess cost from the module and help the GE-PON solution be competitive".
"We anticipate that the PHY1078 will enable our customers to achieve a 50% cost saving over existing solutions".
A complete SFF reference design for the PHY1078 is available to all Phyworks development partners.
This includes schematics, PCB layout, fabrication files, performance data and PC-based GUI software.
The PHY1078 will be available from Q2 2005 in a fully RoHS compliant, 32-pin, 5 x 5mm QFN package.
The PHY1078 is priced at under $2 in production volumes, typically enabling a complete IC solution (driver/limiting amplifier, TIA and EEPROM) to be sourced at less than $3.
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