New 622 Mb/sec Wideband Limiting Amplifier

This single device replaces a three-stage discrete amplifier solution typically needed after trans-impedance amplifiers or PIN-amps in this application. The new amplifier converts data input voltage (Vin, p-p) ranging in amplitude from 30-1000 mV to a constant output voltage (Vout, p-p) of 500 mV.

The amplifier is designed for use with SONET OC-12 as well as European SDH STM-4 standards. Features include a single +5 V supply, 25 dB small signal gain, 50 Ohm output impedance, low pulse width distortion, and limited output swing.

Typical silicon ICs do not offer the wide bandwidth of this new solution (50-622 Mb/sec operation). Also the gallium arsenide amp permits broader dynamic range at the input. Cost savings are expected because of less time spent tuning, matching and designing circuits with this fully integrated device.

In addition to fiber optic trunk lines, the new amps are suitable for other signal processing applications requiring a high dynamic range and wide bandwidth.