Technical Insight
Yokogawa introduces 50 Gbit/s HBT ICs (GaAs News)
Yokogawa Electric Corporation, a manufacturer of instrumentation, process control and automation systems, has developed 50 Gbit/s modulator driver and 2:1 multiplexer ICs based on its own InGaP/ InGaAs HBT process. In partnership with Ando Electric, which became an affiliate of Yokogawa in late February, the new ICs will be used in the design of measurement and test systems for WDM networks operating at 40 Gbit/s. See . The companies are working together to combine Ando s optical expertise in the measurement systems field with Yokogawa s compound semiconductor device technologies. Products and services will address measuring instruments for optical communications (covered mainly by Ando), measuring instruments for radio communications networks and multimedia equipment (covered mainly by Yokogawa) and automatic test equipment for semiconductor testing and device handling, which both companies will cover. Yokogawa has a 4 inch GaAs fabrication line that can process about 500 wafers per year, according to Akira Miura, general manager of the development project center within the corporate R&D center. "The new ICs will be used in measuring equipment within our own company," says Miura. "We will also sell modules for network applications." The module, measuring 28 35 7 mm, is shown in the photo, both with and without its cover. According to Yokogawa, GaAs HBT-based driver ICs feature lower jitter and higher output power than devices based on InP HEMTs or SiGe bipolar transistors. The table compares the different technologies for fabricating 50 Gbit/s modulator drivers. Yokogawa s modulator driver has an output voltage of >2.5 Vpp with a gain of 9 dB. The supply voltage is +7 V, the power consumption is 0.65 W, and the frequency response (3 dB) is 15 kHz to 35 GHz. Very recently, the company achieved 4 Vpp operation for its driver IC. The 2:1 multiplexer is packaged in a 20 50 9 mm module, and has input and output voltages of 0 V and 0.5 V, with a supply voltage of 6 V and 1.2 W power consumption.
