SiFotonics Technologies Co. Ltd., a supplier of optical communications components based on the Silicon Photonics technology platform, introduces the TP1501 CMOS-based integrated optical receiver for optical communication applications.
Representing another industry first for SiFotonics, the 10Gbps receiver consists of a Germanium photodetector (PD) monolithically integrated with a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA).
"We are pleased to see that our leading edge technologies in Transimpedance Amplifiers, Ge/Si Photo Detectors, and advanced process engineering have made the milestone of the world's first 10G CMOS based monolithic receiver chip possible," says Dr. Dong Pan, CEO of SiFotonics. "Furthermore, with this successful integration, our plan is to further integrate more system logic in a single chip in future product generations."
TP1501 covers three key optical wavelengths: 850nm, 1310nm, and 1550nm, with the measured sensitivity at the 1310nm wavelength comparable to commercially available III-V systems. The devices are being evaluated using the ROSA (Receive Optical SubAssembly) format and are currently undergoing reliability testing.
TP1501 is designed to eliminate several issues related to the traditional non-integrated PD/TIA approach. It provides PD-to-TIA wire bonds, which in turn reduces wire bonding related issues at high frequencies, as well as simplified ROSA packaging process, reduced packaging variations, and improved yields. There is no need to qualify a properly matched TIA for the PIN, which shortens development time, and ultimately, time to market.
The TP1501 is expected to provide a cost-effective solution and become a key component in optical transceivers for data center communications, and Fiber channel for storage networks.
