M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes analog semiconductors, components and subassemblies for analog, RF, microwave and millimeter-wave applications) has been recognized by Lightwave magazine with two Lightwave Innovation Awards. The MAOM-003404 and MAOM-003401 modulator driver ICs were each recognized by a panel of expert judges for outstanding technical achievement.
Launched in September 2013, the MAOM-003404 quad-channel modulator driver IC for 100G metro applications is designed to interface with surface-mount Mach-Zehnder modulators requiring differential drive voltages. It enables the lowest-power and smallest-form-factor transmit solution for coherent CFP2 modules, the firm claims. The MAOM-003404 is the only product entered in the Lightwave Innovations Awards program to receive a perfect 5.0 score, cited as a “superb product that sets a new standard for performance and provides groundbreaking and new technical milestones”.
Launched this March, the MAOM-003401 quad-channel electro-absorption modulator laser (EML) driver IC provides what is claimed to be the lowest-power EML driver solution for 100G Ethernet applications in an ultra-compact 10mm x 10mm surface-mount package. This single device is all that is required to interface between the clock & data recovery (CDR) IC and the EML, and is a key enabler for CFP2 and CFP4 module solutions for client-side telecom and data-center networks, says the firm. With this driver, the M37049 quad-channel transmit CDR, the M03100/1/2 series of quad-channel transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs), and the M37046 quad-channel receive CDR, MACOM provides a complete transmit and receive lineup with what is claimed to be the lowest power for 100GbE transceivers.
“With the accelerating proliferation of high-performance 100G technology for metro and data-center applications, pluggable modules are transitioning from CFP to CFP2 and CFP4 form factors to enable improved system density,” notes optoelectronics product line manager Ray Moroney. “We are honored to be recognized by Lightwave with two Lightwave Innovation Awards for the clear performance, size and power benefits that our advanced optical components provide for designers of 100G-enabled network systems,” he adds.
“The inaugural Lightwave Innovation Awards program was designed to shine a light on the best of the best products from around the optical communications industry,” says Lightwave’s group publisher Ernesto Burden. “Based on the assessment of our panel of independent experts, MACOM’s innovation in this domain merited two product awards and yielded the only Five Diamond score in the award program.”
