10G transceiver packs diagnostic reporting

Phyworks has begun sampling a single-chip transceiver in CMOS that integrates a temperature sensor and diagnostic reporting.

Targeted at 10GBASE-SR and 1G to 8G Fiber Channel SFP+ optical applications, the device, dubbed the PHY3070, can be used with an external junction-temperature monitoring transistor to improve module temperature sensing accuracy and thus reduce measurement variance due to the influence of IC temperature.

The device combines enhanced diagnostics with a 1- to 10.6Gbit/s VCSEL driver and a high performance, limiting amplifier targeting sub 750mW modules.

Reporting of temperature, transmit power, bias current and other functions in the integrated device will be via the chip's two-wire serial interface, with only a low cost 8bit microcontroller now required for SFF-8472 compliant digital diagnostics monitoring and device setup.

The transmitter output stage will drive four-terminal VCSEL TOSAs differentially using AC coupling and provides comprehensive safety shutdown functions.

The driver delivers a maximum peak-to-peak modulation current of 12mA and offers two laser control modes: open loop or digital mean-power, the latter using an integrated automatic power control (APC) loop which further reduces the functions and cost of an external MCU and improves start-up time by removing an external interface and associated delay.

The transceiver comes in a 32-pin 5mm x 5mm QFN package or as bare die, and with an operating temperature range of -40°C to +95°C. It is supported by a reference module, schematics, Gerber files, SFP+ host board with GUI and firmware.

- John Walko
EE Times Europe

For application notes on transceivers click here.