21 March 2017

MACOM launches integrated laser drivers for 28G SFP28 optical modules

At the Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) conference & exhibition in Los Angeles (21-23 March), 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 the MALD-37030 and MALD-37031, which are claimed to be the industry’s most integrated laser driver solutions.

With the growing demand for data, wireless, enterprise and data-center OEMs are continually looking for ways to drive lower power, smaller size and lower costs, notes MACOM. The firm says that its integrated laser driver minimizes power consumption and reduces the need for external components, providing design flexibility and board space savings suitable for SFP28 long-reach (LR) optical module designs in next-generation 5G wireless, enterprise and storage networks applications.

The devices have an integrated direct modulated laser (DML) driver, limiting amplifier, dual CDRs (clock & data recovery chips), power management functionality, and digital diagnostics monitoring. Specifically designed for SFP28 optical modules, the MALD-37030 is intended for wireless 24G CPRI and 25G Ethernet data communication applications, while the MALD-37031 is suited to 28Gbps Fiber Channel storage networks.

“The new laser drivers offer the industry’s most integrated features and functionalities for small-form-factor optical module designs,” claims Angus Lai, MACOM’s director of High-Performance Analog product marketing. “Sampling today, these highly integrated devices minimize power consumption and external components, providing design flexibility that enables our customers to develop the best-in-class SFP28 optical module solutions,” he adds.

The transmit channel includes a CTLE with adaptive/programmable equalization and a flexible output driver to directly drive DML lasers in TO-cans or in hybrid packages. An internal buck-boost converter tracks the laser forward voltage and automatically generates laser anode voltages to optimize power dissipation and maintain eye quality. The integrated DML driver offers what is claimed to be the first 28G dual closed loop (DCL) operation. This operating mode only requires calibration at room temperature then the extinction ratio (ER) and average optical power are automatically controlled across operating temperatures.

The receive channel includes a high-sensitivity limiting amplifier with programmable slice level adjustment and an output driver with programmable output swing. The CDRs in the transmit and receive channels are reference-free and can be programmed to support half rate as well as bypassed to support legacy or non-standard data rates. The devices have an integrated PRBS generator and checker and bi-directional loop back for system diagnostics.

Paired with the MACOM’s M03002 low-power single-channel TIA and 131D-25G-LT5TC high-performance 25G DFB laser in TO-56 package, the firm provides what is claimed to be the most integrated SFP28 LR chipset solution available.

The MALD-37030/31 products are available in a cost-effective 5mm x 6mm LGA (land grid array) package and support industrial temperature operation. At OFC in booth #1736, MACOM is demonstrating the SFP28 LR chipset, including the 28Gbps DML driver, TIA packaged in ROSA and DFB laser packaged in TOSA.

Tags: M/A-COM

Visit: www.ofcconference.org

Visit: www.macom.com