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MAX3738
155Mbps to 4.25Gbps SFF/SFP Laser Driver with Extinction Ratio Control
Multirate Laser Driver with Extinction Ratio Control Designed for Multirate Transceiver Modules with Data Rates from 1Gbps to 4.25Gbps
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The MAX3738 is a +3.3V laser driver designed for multirate transceiver modules with data rates from 1Gbps to 4.25Gbps. Lasers can be DC-coupled to the MAX3738 for reduced component count and ease of multirate operation.
Laser extinction ratio control (ERC) combines the features of automatic power control (APC), modulation compensation, and built-in thermal compensation. The APC loop maintains constant average optical power. Modulation compensation increases the modulation current in proportion to the bias current. These control loops, combined with thermal compensation, maintain a constant optical extinction ratio over temperature and lifetime.
The MAX3738 accepts differential data input signals. The wide 5mA to 60mA (up to 85mA AC-coupled) modulation current range and up to 100mA bias current range, make the MAX3738 ideal for driving FP/DFB lasers in fiber optic modules. External resistors set the required laser current levels. The MAX3738 provides transmit disable control (TX_DISABLE), single-point fault tolerance, bias-current monitoring, and photocurrent monitoring. The device also offers a latched failure output (TX_FAULT) to indicate faults, such as when the APC loop is no longer able to maintain the average optical power at the required level. The MAX3738 is compliant with the SFF-8472 transmitter diagnostic and SFP MSA timing requirements.
The MAX3738 is offered in a 4mm x 4mm, 24-pin thin QFN package and operates over the extended -40°C to +85°C temperature range.
Laser extinction ratio control (ERC) combines the features of automatic power control (APC), modulation compensation, and built-in thermal compensation. The APC loop maintains constant average optical power. Modulation compensation increases the modulation current in proportion to the bias current. These control loops, combined with thermal compensation, maintain a constant optical extinction ratio over temperature and lifetime.
The MAX3738 accepts differential data input signals. The wide 5mA to 60mA (up to 85mA AC-coupled) modulation current range and up to 100mA bias current range, make the MAX3738 ideal for driving FP/DFB lasers in fiber optic modules. External resistors set the required laser current levels. The MAX3738 provides transmit disable control (TX_DISABLE), single-point fault tolerance, bias-current monitoring, and photocurrent monitoring. The device also offers a latched failure output (TX_FAULT) to indicate faults, such as when the APC loop is no longer able to maintain the average optical power at the required level. The MAX3738 is compliant with the SFF-8472 transmitter diagnostic and SFP MSA timing requirements.
The MAX3738 is offered in a 4mm x 4mm, 24-pin thin QFN package and operates over the extended -40°C to +85°C temperature range.
Key Features
- Single +3.3V Power Supply
- 47mA Power-Supply Current
- 85mA Modulation Current
- 100mA Bias Current
- Automatic Power Control (APC)
- Modulation Compensation
- On-Chip Temperature Compensation
- Self-Biased Inputs for AC-Coupling
- Ground-Referenced Current Monitors
- Laser Shutdown and Alarm Outputs
- Enable Control and Laser Safety Feature
Applications/Uses
- 1Gbps/2Gbps/4Gbps Fibre Channel SFF/SFP and GBIC Transceivers
- Gigabit Ethernet SFF/SFP and GBIC Transceivers
- Multirate OC-24 to OC-48 FEC Transceivers
Parametric specs for Laser Drivers
| Target Oper. Range (Gbps) | 1 to 4.5 <1 |
| Data Rate (Mbps) (min) | 155 |
| Data Rate (Mbps) (max) | 4250 |
| VSUPPLY (V) | 3.3 |
| ICC (mA) (typ) | 47 |
| I/O Type | CML |
| IMOD (mA) (max) | 85 |
| IBIAS (mA) (max) | 100 |
| Package/Pins | TQFN/24 |
| Budgetary Price (See Notes) | $1.46 @1k |
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Technical Docs
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Description
The MAX3738 evaluation kit (EV kit) is an assembled demonstration board that provides complete optical and electrical evaluation of the MAX3738.
The EV kit is composed of two independent sections, one optical and one electrical, on the PC board. The output of the electrical evaluation section is interfaced to an SMP connector that can be connected to a 50Ω terminated oscilloscope. The output of the optical evaluation section is configured for attachment to a laser/monitor diode.
Features
- Fully Assembled and Tested
- Single +3.3V Power Supply Operation
- AC-Coupling Provided On-Board
- Allows Optical and Electrical Evaluation
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 | SIMULATION MODELS MAX3738ETG IBIS Model | Download |
Support & Training
Search our knowledge base for answers to your technical questions.
Filtered SearchOur dedicated team of Applications Engineers are also available to answer your technical questions. Visit our support portal.
Parameters
Parametric specs for Laser Drivers
| Target Oper. Range (Gbps) | 1 to 4.5 <1 |
| Data Rate (Mbps) (min) | 155 |
| Data Rate (Mbps) (max) | 4250 |
| VSUPPLY (V) | 3.3 |
| ICC (mA) (typ) | 47 |
| I/O Type | CML |
| IMOD (mA) (max) | 85 |
| IBIAS (mA) (max) | 100 |
| Package/Pins | TQFN/24 |
| Budgetary Price (See Notes) | $1.46 @1k |
Key Features
- Single +3.3V Power Supply
- 47mA Power-Supply Current
- 85mA Modulation Current
- 100mA Bias Current
- Automatic Power Control (APC)
- Modulation Compensation
- On-Chip Temperature Compensation
- Self-Biased Inputs for AC-Coupling
- Ground-Referenced Current Monitors
- Laser Shutdown and Alarm Outputs
- Enable Control and Laser Safety Feature
Applications/Uses
- 1Gbps/2Gbps/4Gbps Fibre Channel SFF/SFP and GBIC Transceivers
- Gigabit Ethernet SFF/SFP and GBIC Transceivers
- Multirate OC-24 to OC-48 FEC Transceivers
Description
The MAX3738 is a +3.3V laser driver designed for multirate transceiver modules with data rates from 1Gbps to 4.25Gbps. Lasers can be DC-coupled to the MAX3738 for reduced component count and ease of multirate operation.
Laser extinction ratio control (ERC) combines the features of automatic power control (APC), modulation compensation, and built-in thermal compensation. The APC loop maintains constant average optical power. Modulation compensation increases the modulation current in proportion to the bias current. These control loops, combined with thermal compensation, maintain a constant optical extinction ratio over temperature and lifetime.
The MAX3738 accepts differential data input signals. The wide 5mA to 60mA (up to 85mA AC-coupled) modulation current range and up to 100mA bias current range, make the MAX3738 ideal for driving FP/DFB lasers in fiber optic modules. External resistors set the required laser current levels. The MAX3738 provides transmit disable control (TX_DISABLE), single-point fault tolerance, bias-current monitoring, and photocurrent monitoring. The device also offers a latched failure output (TX_FAULT) to indicate faults, such as when the APC loop is no longer able to maintain the average optical power at the required level. The MAX3738 is compliant with the SFF-8472 transmitter diagnostic and SFP MSA timing requirements.
The MAX3738 is offered in a 4mm x 4mm, 24-pin thin QFN package and operates over the extended -40°C to +85°C temperature range.
Laser extinction ratio control (ERC) combines the features of automatic power control (APC), modulation compensation, and built-in thermal compensation. The APC loop maintains constant average optical power. Modulation compensation increases the modulation current in proportion to the bias current. These control loops, combined with thermal compensation, maintain a constant optical extinction ratio over temperature and lifetime.
The MAX3738 accepts differential data input signals. The wide 5mA to 60mA (up to 85mA AC-coupled) modulation current range and up to 100mA bias current range, make the MAX3738 ideal for driving FP/DFB lasers in fiber optic modules. External resistors set the required laser current levels. The MAX3738 provides transmit disable control (TX_DISABLE), single-point fault tolerance, bias-current monitoring, and photocurrent monitoring. The device also offers a latched failure output (TX_FAULT) to indicate faults, such as when the APC loop is no longer able to maintain the average optical power at the required level. The MAX3738 is compliant with the SFF-8472 transmitter diagnostic and SFP MSA timing requirements.
The MAX3738 is offered in a 4mm x 4mm, 24-pin thin QFN package and operates over the extended -40°C to +85°C temperature range.
Technical Docs
Support & Training
Search our knowledge base for answers to your technical questions.
Filtered SearchOur dedicated team of Applications Engineers are also available to answer your technical questions. Visit our support portal.
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