23 March 2017

MACOM launches PAM-4 chipset for single-lambda 100G, 200G and 400G data-center optical connectivity

MACOM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes semiconductors, components and subassemblies for analog RF, microwave, millimeter-wave and photonic applications) has launched a complete PAM-4 technology chipset for 100G data rates over a single wavelength, enabling single-fiber and four-lane parallel-fiber connectivity for 100G, 200G and 400G Ethernet applications. The chipset features a new transimpedance amplifier (TIA), transmit & receive clock & data recovery (CDR) devices and linear electro-absorption modulated laser (EML) driver module. 

Increased traffic within and between cloud data centers is driving the need for low-cost 100G and for high-speed and low-power 200G and 400G interconnects. To increase bandwidth density per port, data-center OEMs are adopting faster data rates, starting in 2018, says MACOM. These interconnects will be supported with smaller QSFP, QSFP-DD and OSFP form-factor modules, which require suppliers to deliver lower-power electronic components. MACOM says that its chipset addresses these power and bandwidth density needs by supporting single-wavelength interconnects with EML lasers or silicon photonics, within the power envelope requirements of these smaller-form-factor modules.

“The major data-center operators are currently deploying 100G optics in volume to build their intra-data-center switching fabrics,” comments Ian Redpath, practice leader, Components, Transport and Routing at market research firm Ovum. “The data-center intra-connect market is driven by the advances in Ethernet switch ASICs [application-specific integrated circuits]. As 400G switches enter the market, optical transceivers will need to keep pace and rapidly transition to 400G,” he adds. Ovum projects that the 100G-equivalent data-center intra-connect market will increase at a compound annual grow rate (CAGR) of 56% by 2021, driving the need for low-cost 100G over single-lambda solutions. “At the same time the industry will start adoption of higher-speed 400G links also utilizing single-lambda technology. We expect MACOM’s PAM-4, TIA, CDR and laser driver chipset will help drive these deployments,” adds Redpath.

“In 2016, MACOM’s silicon solutions enabled over 1 million 100G modules for data-center and enterprise applications, positioning us as the market leader in this space,” claims Marek Tlalka, director of product marketing, High-Performance Analog, at MACOM. “Our new chipset delivers the requisite analog and photonic components required by OEMs to accelerate their transition to single-lambda 100G and beyond.”

MACOM’s PAM-4 technology chipset for single-lambda 100G, 200G and 400G includes the following new products:

• MATA-005817: a single-channel 53GBaud PAM-4 linear TIA for 100Gbps over a single-lambda;
• MAOM-005311: a single-channel 53GBaud PAM-4, 1.8Vpp single-ended linear driver for single-lambda 100Gbps EML transmitters;
• MATA-03819: a four-channel 53GBaud PAM-4 linear TIA for 200 and 400Gbps parallel-fiber applications with PIN photodetectors;
• MATA-03919: a four-channel 53GBaud PAM-4 linear TIA for 200 and 400Gbps multi-wavelength single-fiber applications with APD photodetectors;
• MAOM-005411: a four-channel 53GBaud PAM-4, 1.8Vpp single-ended linear driver for 100Gbps-per-lambda EML-based parallel and multi-wavelength transmitters;
• MAOM-38051: a four-channel 28GBaud PAM-4 (56Gbps) transmit CDR with integrated 2.5V differential pre-driver and adaptive equalizer for EML applications;
• MAOM-38053: a four-channel 28GBaud PAM-4 (56Gbps) transmit CDR with integrated 2.5V differential driver and adaptive equalizer for silicon photonics applications; and
• MASC-38040: a four-channel 28GBaud PAM-4 (56Gbps) receive analog CDR with integrated limiting amplifier for applications as a companion to the TIA.

MACOM is demonstrating 53GBaud PAM-4 technology in booth #1736 at the Optical Fiber Communications conference & exhibition (OFC 2017) in Los Angeles (21-23 March). The demonstration of 100G transmission over a single lambda includes MACOM’s PAM-4 PHY technology along with the firm’s 53GBaud linear driver and TIA capable of driving up to 2km of single-mode fiber using an EML laser.

Tags: M/A-COM

Visit: www.ofcconference.org

Visit: www.macom.com/opto