Broadband Circuits for Optical Fiber Communication

This exciting publication makes it easy for readers to enter into and deepen their knowledge of the new and emerging field of broadband circuits for optical fiber communication. The author's selection and organization of material have been developed, tested, and refined from his many industry courses and seminars. Five types of broadband circuits are discussed in detail:

Transimpedance amplifiers

Limiting amplifiers

Automatic gain control (AGC) amplifiers

Lasers drivers

Modulator drivers

Essential background on optical fiber, photodetectors, lasers, modulators, and receiver theory is presented to help readers understand the system environment in which these broadband circuits operate. For each circuit type, the main specifications and their impact on system performance are explained and illustrated with numerical values. Next, the circuit concepts are discussed and illustrated with practical implementations. A broad range of circuits in MESFET, HFET, BJT, HBT, BiCMOS, and CMOS technologies is covered. Emphasis is on circuits for digital, continuous-mode transmission in the 2.5 to 40 Gb/s range, typically used in SONET, SDH, and Gigabit Ethernet applications. Burst-mode circuits for passive optical networks (PON) and analog circuits for hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) cable TV applications also are discussed.

Learning aids are provided throughout the text to help readers grasp and apply difficult concepts and techniques, including:

Chapter summaries that highlight the key points

Problem-and-answer sections to help readers apply their new knowledge

Research directions that point to exciting new technological breakthroughs on the horizon

Product examples that show the performance of actual broadband circuits

Appendices that cover eye diagrams, differential circuits, S parameters, transistors, and technologies

A bibliography that leads readers to more complete and in-depth treatment of specialized topics

This is a superior learning tool for upper-level undergraduates and graduate-level students in circuit design and optical fiber communication. Unlike other texts that concentrate on analog circuits in general or mostly on optics, this text provides balanced coverage of electronic, optic, and system issues. Professionals in the fiber optic industry will find it an excellent reference, incorporating the latest technology and discoveries in the industry.

Writing for both professionals and students familiar with basic analog integrated circuit design, Sackinger draws on his extensive experience in the field and from a series of lectures he has given at various seminars. After background information about optical fiber, photodetectors, lasers, and modulators, he discusses five types of broadband circuits: transimpedance amplifiers, limiting amplifiers, automatic gain control amplifiers, laser drivers, and modulator drives. For each he explains the main specifications and how they relate to system performance, and he illustrates with practical implementations taken from the literature. Also included are problem sets at the end of each chapter, with answers in the appendices, along with a glossary of symbols and acronyms. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

EDUARD SÄCKINGER, PhD, is Principal Engineer for Mixed Signal Designs at Conexant Systems. For more than ten years, Dr. Säckinger worked at Bell Laboratories (AT&T and Lucent Technologies) in Holmdel, New Jersey, on integrated circuit research. He then joined Agere Systems where he was a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff developing broadband circuits for optical fiber communication. He has conducted seminars on broadband circuits for optical fiber communication at Agere Systems, Lucent Technologies, MEAD Microelectronics, and the VLSI Symposium. He also serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits.