A 5-Gbit/s CMOS optical receiver frontend

An optical receiver frontend achieving a 5-Gb/s bit-rate was realized in a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS process. The preamplifier has a measured gain of 58.7 dB/spl Omega/, an input-referred current noise of 13 pA//spl radic/(Hz), and uses a constant-k filter to extend the bandwidth. The transimpedance amplifier (TIA) is followed by a chain of amplification stages with passive offset control. The receiver operates from a 1.8 V power supply, while dissipating only 47 mW (97 mW with the complete test circuitry and buffers). The circuit is housed in a standard CFP24 package.