155Mbps to 4.25Gbps SFF/SFP Laser Driver with Extinction Ratio Control

Active: In Production.

The MAX3738 is a +3.3V laser driver designed for multirate transceiver modules with data rates from 1Gbps to 4.25Gbps. Lasers can be DC-coupled to the MAX3738 for reduced component count and ease of multirate operation.

Laser extinction ratio control (ERC) combines the features of automatic power control (APC), modulation compensation, and built-in thermal compensation. The APC loop maintains constant average optical power. Modulation compensation increases the modulation current in proportion to the bias current. These control loops, combined with thermal compensation, maintain a constant optical extinction ratio over temperature and lifetime.

The MAX3738 accepts differential data input signals. The wide 5mA to 60mA (up to 85mA AC-coupled) modulation current range and up to 100mA bias current range, make the MAX3738 ideal for driving FP/DFB lasers in fiber optic modules. External resistors set the required laser current levels. The MAX3738 provides transmit disable control (TX_DISABLE), single-point fault tolerance, bias-current monitoring, and photocurrent monitoring. The device also offers a latched failure output (TX_FAULT) to indicate faults, such as when the APC loop is no longer able to maintain the average optical power at the required level. The MAX3738 is compliant with the SFF-8472 transmitter diagnostic and SFP MSA timing requirements.

The MAX3738 is offered in a 4mm x 4mm, 24-pin thin QFN package and operates over the extended -40°C to +85°C temperature range.

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