Monolithic GaAs Integrated Optical Receiver For High Speed Interconnect Applications

Abstract

A monolithic GaAs integrated optical receiver for high speed interconnect applications is described. Integrating an MSM detector, low-noise preamplifier, gain stages and output driver, it converts 850 nm lightwave signals to logic voltages for use in electronic systems. The device has a -15 dBm sensitivity and provides ECL output levels at speeds of 2 GBPS. The device provides a single component optical to electronic conversion, and is being used to implement a 16 X 16 fiber optic crossbar switching system.