BURST-MODE COMPATIBLE OPTICAL RECEIVER WITH A LARGE DYNAMIC-RANGE

This paper describes the characteristics and performance of a burst-mode receiver for optical data communication that employs a differential transimpedance amplifier and an auto-threshold-tracking level control circuit in the preamplifier. The differential outputs of the preamplifier are dc coupled to the decision circuit to achieve burst-mode compatibility. The receiver was assembled in a compact dual inline package with an optical connector. The typical sensitivities are around -31.5 and -29.5 dBm/Av at 200 Mb/s (at bit error rate of 10(-9)) for pseudorandom and burst-mode signals, respectively, with dynamic ranges of 27.5 and 25.5 db, respectively. The operating bit rate ranges from dc to 500 Mb/s and the differential outputs are true emitter coupled logic (ECL).