InP DHBT-based modulator driver module for 100 Gbit/s Ethernet applications

A modulator driver module for use in 100 Gbit/s optical data communication systems has been developed using an InP DHBT-based distributed amplifier chip and 50 Omega microstrip lines on quartz substrate. The module achieved a gain of 16 dB and a 3 dB bandwidth of 110 GHz. Clearly open 100 and 112 Gbit/s 2(31) - 1 non-return-to-zero pseudorandom bit sequence eye diagrams with an output voltage swing of 2.2 V-pp have been measured.