10.7Gbps Linear Transimpedance Amplifier with Output Offset Adjust

The MAX3910 is a 10.7Gbps transimpedance amplifier designed for SONET OC-192/SDH STM-64, DWDM, and 10Gbps systems employing optical amplifiers. Operating from a single +5V or -5.2V supply, it converts a photodiode current into a measurable differential voltage. This product has a linear gain for an input current up to 950µAP-P and a soft-limiting feature that provides an increasing output swing for an input current up to the 3.5mAP-P overload. An offset adjust circuit and out-put- level monitors allow system threshold adjustments. Additional features include back-terminated 50Ω out-puts and an integrated 200Ω filter resistor to bias the photodiode.

The MAX3910 has a small-signal bandwidth of 9.1GHz and a small-signal transimpedance of 1.65kΩ. The part achieves an input sensitivity of 15.5µAP-P for a BER of 10-12, translating to an optical sensitivity of -19.3dBm for a PIN (r = 0.9, re = 6.6) photo detector and -28.8dBm for an APD (M = 8, ñ = 0.9, re = 10) photo detector.

The MAX3910 is fabricated in Maxim's in-house SiGe process and is available in die form.

Applications

* 10Gbps Optical Receivers * 10Gbps Systems Using Optical Amplifiers * DWDM Systems * OC-192/STM-64 Transmission Systems