OFC 2018: Macom launches 400G chipset for short-reach optical links
Created March 14, 2018
Technologies and Products• Four-channel VCSEL driver (MALD-38435) and TIA (MATA-38434) complement existing quad CDRs
• Analogue solution features high-performance and low power at low cost
• Chipset solution to demo at OFC 2018 with Dust Photonics, Macom on Booth #2613
Macom Technology Solutions has announced the sampling availability of its four channel, 56 Gb/s PAM-4 VCSEL driver (MALD-38435) and companion four channel transimpedance amplifier (MATA-38434) devices for short reach VCSEL-based optical module and active optical cables applications.
These new devices complement previously-announced transmit and receive clock data recovery devices for a complete transmit and receive solution. Macom’s chipset solution operates at up to 56 Gb/s PAM-4 (28GBbaud PAM-4) data rate per channel, enabling short reach (up to 100m) optical modules for 200G QSFP and 400G QSFP-DD and OSFP applications.
Demand for 400G
As demand for 100G connectivity progresses to 200G and on to 400G, optical module suppliers are looking to enable Cloud Data Centers and high-performance computing clusters with optical connectivity solutions delivered in a small form factor and consuming low power at low cost. Macom’s analogue chipset solution, featuring the MALD-38435 driver and MATA-38434 TIA along with the existing MASC-38040 and MAOM-38051/38053 CDR devices, offers users an optimal high-performance, low power and low cost combination. Macom says that by utilizing fully analogue circuitry as opposed to digital signal processing, its solution delivers best-in-class low latency, especially critical for high performance computing applications.
The MALD-38435 driver and MATA-38434 devices are offered as a die-level solution with 250 μm channel spacing, optimal for direct wire-bonding to VCSEL lasers and photodetectors. The devices feature individual channel programmability control via an I2C interface for flexible management by the module’s local microcontroller. They also feature low power and a small die size enabling implementations in QSFP and QSFP-DD modules. Low jitter performance enables a low bit error rate of 1E-15 with an FEC protected link. When combined with Macom’s CDRs, the solution delivers extensive per channel equalization and eye shaping programmable features as well as PRBS generator and checker and eye monitor features.
High-performance analogue
“We are excited to follow our successful 100Gbps chipset for short reach applications with the new generation of devices targeted for 400Gbps QSFP-DD and OSFP modules,” said Marek Tlalka, Senior Director of Marketing, High-Performance Analog, at the company. “By utilizing our analog circuit technology, we are delivering a complete chipset for high-performance, short reach optical interconnect at low power, low cost and low latency critical for cloud computing and HPC applications.”
Macom is this week demonstrating the new chipset solution at OFC 2018 with a QSFP-DD module from Dust Photonics.
“We are pleased to demonstrate the industry’s leading 400G QSFP-DD-SR8 short reach module utilizing MACOM’s chipset,” said Ben Rubovitch, CEO of Dust Photonics. “Macom’s fully interoperable solution and great technical support reduced our time to market. We look forward to expanding our portfolio to additional optical modules and AOC applications.”
Macom is showcasing a complete portfolio of PMDs for optical modules at OFC 2018, Booth #2613, March 13th-15th in San Diego, California.
