MAY 26, 2010 -- Maxim Integrated Products introduces a 1.0625 Gbps to 11.3 Gbps transmit/receive system composed of the MAX3946 laser driver with impedance-mismatch tolerance and the MAX3945 dual-path limiting amplifier.
This 10GBASE-SR/LR SFP+ transmit/receive chipset enables < 1W SFP+ optical modules, while reducing overall module cost. The combined power consumption of the MAX3946 and MAX3945 is 355mW, leaving margin for the optical subsystem and control. Both ICs include a 3-wire digital control interface with integrated control DACs to reduce external component count. Outstanding jitter performance eases design tolerances and improves manufacturing yield in SFP+ optical transceivers. The chipset is optimized for Ethernet and Fibre Channel transmission systems at data rates up to 11.3 Gbps, says a representative.
The MAX3946 is a 3.3V, multirate laser diode driver optimized to drive a differential transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with a 25-ohm flex circuit up to 100-mA modulation current and up to 80mA bias current. The design of the output stage enables the use of unmatched TOSAs to reduce headroom limitations and lower module power consumption by 100 mW, with only 5-psp-p deterministic jitter.
The MAX3945 is a 3.3-V, multirate, high-sensitivity limiting amplifier that limits the signal generated by a transimpedance amplifier into a CML-level differential output signal. The dual-path limiting amplifier's programmable filter optimizes sensitivity for different data rates and suppresses relaxation oscillations that could occur in legacy optical systems.
The MAX3946 is packaged in a 4mm x 4mm, 24-pin TQFN, and the MAX3945 is offered in a 3mm x 3mm, 16-pin TQFN.