TriQuint expands SMT optical modulator driver line for 100-200 Gbps applications

TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TQNT) used the European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) in London this week to introduce a range of new modulator drivers based on the company’s surface mount technology (SMT). The drivers, aimed at current 100-Gbps requirements as well as future demand for 200 Gbps and 400 Gbps, offer smaller size and reduced system cost compared with competitive devices, the company asserts.

The new devices include:

• The TGA4894-SL, a new lead-less SMT dual-channel linear driver that TriQuint says reduces part counts by 50% compared to single-channel devices while meeting the 16-QAM requirements for 200G/400G systems. The device exhibits high gain, low total harmonic distortion (THD), and high channel-to-channel isolation, the company adds. The TGA4894-SL’s 33-dB is a key benefit, in TriQuint’s view. When paired with low-power DACs, it provides sufficient gain to deliver more than 7 Vpp to industry-standard modulators. The low THD (<3%) is a key requirement for 200G/400G systems, TriQuint says.
• The TGA4957-SM is designed for 40/100G long-haul and regional markets as well as ultra-long haul (1000-4000+ km) systems that use DP-BPSK modulation. It reduces the device footprint by 50% compared to prior generations.
• The TGA4840-SM offers a power dissipation that does not exceed 165 mW for 32G baud rates in a miniaturized form factor, TriQuint says. It expands the company’s addressable market to include short-reach/access network applications including those connecting smartphones and tablets. TriQuint also sees the TGA4840-SM as attractive for CFP2/CFP4 optical transceivers
• The TGA2565-SM SMT wideband clock driver covers three frequencies: 11.3, 14.5, and 16.5 GHz. It integrates analog gain control (AGC) to eliminate an off-chip component and uses industry-standard plastic encapsulated SMT packaging.
  

With Infonetics Research forecasting continued growth for 100G networks and components, particularly for lower cost formats such as CFP2, TriQuint expects significant demand for these new offerings.

“Operators no longer view 100G as an exotic technology and the market is entering a new stage of growth where lower equipment cost is a critical catalyst to wider adoption. Lower cost 100G networks will accelerate adoption of the technology into higher volume parts of the market, such as the metro. High-performance, surface-mount solutions like TriQuint’s continue to play key roles in the transition to 100G systems and beyond,” said Infonetics’ Andrew Schmitt, principal analyst, optical.

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