< Back to previous page

Publication

70 Gb/s low-power DC-coupled NRZ differential electro-absorption modulator driver in 55 nm SiGe BiCMOS

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

We present a 70 Gb/s capable optical transmitter consisting of a 50 mu m long GeSi electro-absorption modulator (integrated in silicon photonics) and a fully differential driver designed in a 55 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology. By properly unbalancing the output stage, the driver can be dc-coupled to the modulator thus avoiding the use of on-chip or external bias-Ts. At a wavelength of 1560 nm, open eye diagrams for 70 Gb/s after transmission over 2 km standard single-mode fiber were demonstrated. The total power consumption is 61 mW, corresponding to 0.87 pJ/b at 70 Gb/s. Bit-error rate measurements at 50 Gb/s and 56 Gb/s (performed both back to back and with up to 2 km standard single-mode fiber) demonstrate large (0.4 UI at a BER of 10(-12)) horizontal eye margins. This optical transmitter is ideally suited for datacenter applications that require densely integrated transceivers with a low power consumption.
Journal: JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
ISSN: 1558-2213
Issue: 5
Volume: 37
Pages: 1504 - 1514
Publication year:2019
BOF-keylabel:yes
IOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:3
CSS-citation score:2
Authors:National
Authors from:Government
Accessibility:Closed