More bandwidth for optical interfaces

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Feb 24, 2003

The SE1052W transimpedance amplifier and the SE1250L limiting amplifier are the latest additions to the LightCharger series of optical interface components from SiGe Semiconductor.

The SE1052W transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and the SE1250L limiting amplifier are the latest additions to the LightCharger series of optical interface components from SiGe Semiconductor.

The high-performance devices are ideal for fibre-optic modules used in next-generation datacomms and telecomms equipment supporting Sonet/SDH, OC-192, STM-64, Fibre Channel and 10 Gigabit Ethernet communications.

The SE1052W TIA can be used directly with SiGe's SE1250L, the highest bandwidth, lowest power 12.5Gbit/s limiting amplifier on the market.

Together, the components address a growing requirement for datacommunications equipment operating at 3.3V.

Manufactured using an efficient silicon germanium process, the devices achieve the performance of GaAs or InP, at a fraction of the cost and power dissipation.

Reducing power dissipation and size increases the number of components that can be used on a single shelf.

"Our silicon germanium ICs offer the best price/performance on the market", said Imran Sherazi, Product Line Manager, SiGe Semiconductor.

"We have achieved industry leading noise performance and stability to optimise operation at the system level.

With these devices, we hope to enable effective equipment design for broadband deployments as the market recovers and service providers proceed with the metro build out".

The SE1052W is a fully integrated 10/12.5Gbit/s TIA offering a wide dynamic range of -22dBm to +1dBm, and 3.7kohm of differential transimpedance.

The device supports a current load of 2.6mA, and optimised input noise density of 10pA/(rt)Hz.

Capable of swinging up to 300mV peak-peak into a 100ohm load, the device provides sufficient drive for a post amplifier or direct input into a serialiser-deserialiser.

The SE1052W has a low power dissipation of 180mW.

The SE1250L is the highest performance, lowest power consumption 10/12.5Gbit/s limiting amplifier on the market.

With 15GHz of bandwidth, the SE1250L has enough margin to prevent TIA bandwidth rolloff and therefore provide excellent electrical eyes.

The device also features a small signal gain of 33dB differential, and a maximum noise figure of 12dB, allowing stable control in telecomms and datacomms applications.

The SE1250L achieves this performance while reducing power dissipation to just 120mW, thereby delivering the best combination of performance and current consumption on the market today.

Both devices operate using a single 3.3V supply, and are configured for fully differential outputs.

The low power consumption and high integration make SiGe's new ICs ideal for small form factor 10Gbit/s optical receivers, and short-reach transponders including those compliant to the recently signed multisource agreement for XPAK and XFP.