InP DHBT-based ICs for 100 Gbit/s data transmission

This paper reports state-of-the-art mixed signal ICs, including a distributed amplifier and a multiplexer-core intended for use in 100 Gbit/s optical communication systems (Ethernet). Using a manufacturable InP DHBT technology, exhibiting current gains of >80 and cut-off frequencies (f
_T
and f
_max
) of >300 GHz, the broadband amplifier achieved a gain of 21 dB and a 3-dB bandwidth of 95 GHz (GxBW>1 THz), whereas, the 2:1 multiplexer-core has been tested at data rates up to 138 Gbit/s.