A GaAs MSI Word Generator Operating at 5 Gbit/s Data Rate

A high-speed GaAs word generator has been designed with computer aids, built, and tested for applications in commerical test instrumentation. This medium-scale-integrated circuit incorporates 600 active devices. It consists of an 8:1 parallel-to-serial data converter, a timing generator, word-length control logic, and ECL interface networks. The circuit generates multiple 8-bit words whose number can be dynamically controlled. By changing the clock frequency, the output data rate can be varied from 1 kbit/s up to 5 Gbit/s.