3.2Gbps, Low-Power, Compact,
SFP Laser Driver
MAX736
DIS
V
CC
V
CC
82pF
16kΩ
24kΩ
7.2kΩ
OUT+
OUT-
50Ω
50Ω
IN+
IN-
V
V
CC
CC
BIAS
V
CC
x1
x85
x85
BC_MON
1.2V
1.2V
MAX3736
BIASSET
MODSET
Figure 4. Functional Diagram
Bias Current Monitor
Detailed Description
The MAX3736 features a bias current monitor
(BC_MON). This monitor is realized by mirroring a frac-
tion of the bias current and developing a voltage
across an external resistor connected to ground. For
example, connecting a 100Ω resistor to ground gives
the following relationship:
The MAX3736 laser driver consists of three operational
blocks: a bias current generator, a modulation current
generator, and a high-speed modulation path. The
laser-biasing block includes a monitor output for bias-
sensing purposes. Both the bias and modulation gener-
ating blocks are enabled and disabled by the DIS pin.
The high-speed modulation path provides a 100Ω
differential input resistance.
V
= (I
/ 73) x 100Ω. For compliance, the
BIAS
voltage on BC_MON must be kept below 1.39V.
BC_MON
Modulation Current Generator
The laser’s modulation amplitude can be controlled by
placing a resistor from MODSET to ground. To set the
Bias Current Generator
To maintain constant average optical power, the
MAX3736 is designed to interface to a laser controller
IC. The laser controller IC controls the MAX3736, and
maintains a constant laser power using an automatic
power-control (APC) circuit. A back-facet photodiode,
mounted in the laser package, is used to convert the
optical power into a photocurrent. The laser controller
IC adjusts the laser bias current so the monitor photodi-
ode’s current matches the level programmed by the
user. It does this by adjusting the current sourced by
the MAX3736’s BIASSET pin. The MAX3736 reacts by
increasing or decreasing the laser current at BIAS.
modulation amplitude, see the I
vs. R
MODSET
MOD
graph in the Typical Operating Characteristics. A more
advanced control scheme employs the use of a laser
controller IC to control modulation current to
stabilize the extinction ratio. For more information on
controlling the extinction ratio, refer to Application
Note 1092: HFAN-02.3.1: Maintaining Average Power
and Extinction Ratio, Part 1, Slope Efficiency and
Threshold Current.
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