Drivers/Amplifiers AH series | Anritsu Asia Pacific

Overview

Description
Features

What Is a Driver/Amplifier Module?

OVERVIEW

Driver/amplifier modules amplify high-speed modulation signals to drive optical modulators used in optical communications.
There are two categories of drivers/amplifiers: linear amplifiers, and limiting amplifiers.
Linear amplifiers amplify the input signal at a fixed ratio and the output level is proportional to the input level. Conversely, with a limiting amplifier, when the input level exceeds a certain level, the output level is limited to a fixed level and amplified.

Linear amplifiers faithfully amplify the input signal. Linearity is a fidelity index of amplification. In recent years, multi-level signals such as PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation 4) have been used in optical communications. Using poor-linearity amplifiers for these multi-level signals results in distorted output waveforms, and use of good-linearity amplifiers is necessary for faithful amplification of PAM4 signals. The input/output operation image of a linear amplifier is shown in the figure below.

Linear amplifiers

Limiting amplifiers limit the output to a fixed level and are used when the input level to the latter stage is restricted by a binary signal such as NRZ, or in situations requiring digital processing in the latter stage. A limiting amplifier may also be used for waveform shaping to compress waveform distortions, such as ringing or overshooting of the input signal. The input/output operation of the limiting amplifier is shown in the figure below.

Limiting amplifiers

Driver/Amplifier Lineup
Anritsu’s driver/amplifiers are manufactured using our proprietary InP-based HBT process and feature high speed and high reliability. The product line includes a differential linear amplifier for 56 Gbaud PAM4 signals, which is the mainstream in 400GbE, and a single linear amplifier for 140 Gbaud PAM4 signals, which is being considered for the next-generation 800GbE/1.6TbE communication standard.

Linear amplifiers
These driver amplifiers are suitable for multi-level-signal (PAM) optical modulators, and can also be used as front-end amplifiers for high-speed, multi-level I/F test equipment.

Baud Rate: 120 Gbaud PAM4
Output Voltage: 2 Vpp (single-ended)
Bandwidth: 200 kHz to 105 GHz
Small Signal Gain: 16 dB

Limiting amplifiers
Driver amplifiers are suitable for NRZ-signal optical modulators and can also be used as a front-end amplifier for high-frequency test equipment.

Applications

Drivers/Amplifiers

Signal driver amplifiers for optical modulators (DML, EML, LN, Si-Photonics)
Optical modulators transmit information by converting electrical signals into optical signals through changes in optical intensity and phase in response to applied voltage. The optical modulator converts non-signal CW light output from a semiconductor laser into an optical signal based on the electrical signal from the driver amplifier output. A high-power driver amplifier is necessary to operate the optical modulator, requiring a high-voltage electrical signal.

Block diagram of optical signal transmitter

Built-in for semiconductor testers or measurement instruments with high-speed data I/Fs
400GbE/800GbE/1.6TbE is being adopted increasingly by devices with high-speed 100 to 200 Gbps/lane electrical I/Fs. Driver amplifiers are used as booster amplifiers and preamplifiers in the front end of measuring instruments and semiconductor testers to communicate using 56 to 120 Gbaud PAM4 signals.

Semiconductor tester and measuring instrument front-end configuration

LINEUP

A series of drivers and amplifiers have superior characteristics for high speed pulse response. These models are suitable for driving optical modulators and amplifying digital signals.

Model Number	Name	Features
AH15203A/B NEW	Wideband Linear Amplifier with built-in Bias Tee	Operating baud-rate: 140 Gbaud typ., Linear output level: 2.0 Vp-p typ., -6 dB bandwidth: 200 kHz～125 GHz, Small signal gain: 15.0 dB, Built-in Bias Tee
AH15199B	Wideband Linear Amplifier	Operating baud-rate: 140 Gbaud typ., Linear output level: 2.0 Vp-p typ., -6 dB bandwidth: 200 kHz～ 135 GHz、Small signal gain: 15.5 dB
AH54192A	56Gbaud Differential Linear Amplifier	56Gbaud, Differential Output: 4Vp-p(diff)typ., Wideband: 100 kHz - 40 GHz, I/O interface: Differential

FQA about 140Gbaud Wideband Linear Amplifier >