In response to the increasing number of 1300 nm fiber-optic installations in Gigabit speed networks, ANADIGICS, Inc. has introduced the AMT121302T46F integrated photodetector and transimpedance amplifier (TIA) for use in the front end of fiber-optic receivers. Integrating a PIN diode (which converts light into an electrical signal) and a TIA (which amplifies that electrical signal) in the same package, the new device features high sensitivity and impressive overload performance. It also provides the robust characteristics required to support current and emerging high-speed data communication systems, such as Gigabit Ethernet (1.250 Gb/s) and Fiber Channel (1.064 Gb/s).

 High sensitivity allows increased signal transmission distance and improved reliability, and the AMT121302T46F features typical sensitivity of -25dBm, offering performance better than Gigabit Ethernet and Fiber Channel specifications. This GaAs device also handles very high-level optical signals that may result from a short transmitter/receiver path, featuring optical overload protection of better than -3 dBm.

 The AMT121302T46F offers superior performance that will enable engineers to develop exceptional high-speed data communications designs. "We are very pleased with the bandwidth, sensitivity, and responsivity of our new product. This is the kind of performance that will give our customers' products a competitive edge in the communications marketplace", said Phil Wallace, Vice President of Fiber Optic Products.

 While producing a clean eye, this device also delivers gain of better than 2600 Volts/Watt. An automatic gain control circuit gives the AMT121302T46F exceptionally high dynamic range.

 "Using an integrated PIN-TIA allows customers to take advantage of high sensitivity and better performance when designing fiber-optic transceivers," notes Daniel Trępanier, Sales Manager for Fiber Optics Products. "As a leading manufacturer of TIAs for fiber telecommunications and as a leader in high volume analog GaAs ICs, ANADIGICS is well positioned to provide market leading PIN-TIAs for premises network applications"

This is a wonderful niche that Anadigics is carving for itself, taking advantage of their processes in a unique manner. The combination of the detecting photo-diode and the trans-impedance amplifier in the same package virtually eliminates front-end electronics design problems and produces consistent, repeatable results for the system designer. It is not surprising that eliminating all the external connections between the detector and the TIA means that all the performance specifications are higher than would otherwise be expected for a discrete component approach.