Rain Tree Photonics silicon photonics engine leverages MaxLinear DSP for 400G DR optical transceiver designs
Singapore-based silicon photonics chip maker Rain Tree Photonics Pte. Ltd. (RTP) says it now offers the RTP1908 silicon photonics engine that, paired with MaxLinear’s Telluride MxL93542 PAM4 DSP, is targeted toward 400GBASE-DR4 optical transceiver designs.
The RTP1908 integrates multiple photonic devices to enable full four-channel support. Each channel leverages RTP’s energy-efficient modulator, which is directly driven by the MxL93542’s integrated EA-EML driver (see "MaxLinear offers 400-Gbps Telluride MxL935XX PAM4 DSP SoC family"). RTP asserts the photonic circuit is optimized for low optical insertion loss and features large mode-field-diameter fiber couplers to enable high yield with standard packaging lines. The photonic engine, as well as the RTP1808 single-lane version, also includes integrated photodetectors, low speed phase-shifters, and “various low-loss optical components,” RTP states. Both versions are available in bare die and COC form.
RTP spun out of IME, A*STAR in 2017. RTP leverages a fabless ecosystem that includes what it calls a “fabless++ approach.” The company sees significant potential in pairing the RTP1908 with MaxLinear’s Telluride MxL93542 DSP. “MaxLinear’s MxL93542 PAM4 DSP with integrated quad-channel EML drivers provides outstanding cost benefits for 400G-DR4 optical module customers. Driver integration also simplifies the module design, which together with RTP’s fabless++ approach, improves NPI cycle-time for customer adoption,” said Dr. Huang Ying, co-founder of RTP. “The MxL93542’s integrated drivers also work well with the high-efficiency, low-drive silicon photonic modulators in the RTP1908, achieving excellent TDECQ and OMA performance.”
“We are pleased with the successful pairing of the MxL93542 with Rain Tree Photonics’ RTP1908 silicon photonics engine to provide a compelling integrated solution for 400G-DR4 modules,” added Will Torgerson, vice president and general manager of MaxLinear’s High-Speed Interconnect Group. “The highly integrated Telluride DSPs offer superior link-margin performance and industry-leading power consumption.”
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About the Author
Stephen Hardy
Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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