MAX3798
1.0625Gbps to 10.32Gbps, Integrated, Low-
Power SFP+ Limiting Amplifier and VCSEL Driver
16
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Dual Path Limiter
The limiting amplifier features a high-gain mode and a
high-bandwidth mode allowing for overall system opti-
mization. Either the MSEL pin or the MODE_SEL bit can
perform the mode selection. For operating up to
4.25Gbps, the high-gain mode (MODE_SEL = 0) is rec-
ommended. For operating above 8.5Gbps, the high-
bandwidth mode (MODE_SEL = 1) is recommended.
For operations at 8.5Gbps, the mode selection is
dependent on the performance of the receiver optical
subassembly. The polarity of ROUT+/ROUT- relative to
RIN+/RIN- is programmed by the RX_POL bit.
Offset Correction Circuitry
The offset correction circuit is enabled to remove pulse-
width distortion caused by intrinsic offset voltages with-
in the differential amplifier stages. An external capacitor
(CAZ) connected between the CAZ1 and CAZ2 pins is
used to set the offset correction loop cutoff frequency.
The offset loop can be disabled using the AZ_EN bit.
The MAX3798 contains a feature that allows the part to
meet a 10μs mode-select switching time. The mode-
select switching time can be adjusted using the GMEN
and CAZX bits.
CML Output Stage with Deemphasis and
Slew-Rate Control
The CML output stage is optimized for differential 100
Ω
loads. The RXDE_EN bit adds analog deemphasis
compensation to the limited differential output signal for
SFP connector losses. The output stage is controlled by
a combination of the RX_EN and SQ_EN bits and the
LOS pin. See Table 1.
Amplitude of the CML output stage is controlled by an
8-bit DAC register (SET_CML). The differential output
amplitude range is from 40mVP-P up to 1200mVP-P with
4.6mVP-P resolution (assuming an ideal 100
Ω differen-
tial load).
The lower bandwidth data path allows for reduction of
output edge speed in order to enhance EMI perfor-
mance. The SLEW_RATE bit controls the slew rate of
the output stage (see Table 2).
Loss-of-Signal (LOS) Circuitry
The input data amplitude is compared to a preset
threshold controlled by the 6-bit DAC register
SET_LOS. The LOS assert level can be programmed
from 14mVP-P up to 77mVP-P with 1.5mVP-P resolution
(assuming an ideal 100
Ω differential source). LOS is
enabled through the LOS_EN bit and the polarity of the
LOS is controlled with the LOS_POL bit.
VCSEL Driver
The VCSEL driver inside the MAX3798 is designed to
operate from 1.0625Gbps to 10.32Gbps. The transmit-
ter contains a differential data path with pulse-width
adjustment, bias current and modulation current DACs,
output driver with programmable deemphasis, power-
on reset circuitry, BIAS monitor, VCSEL current limiter,
and eye safety circuitry. A 3-wire digital interface is
used to control the transmitter functions. The registers
that control the transmitter functionality are TXCTRL,
TXSTAT1, TXSTAT2, SET_IBIAS, SET_IMOD, IMOD-
MAX, IBIASMAX, MODINC, BIASINC, MODECTRL,
SET_PWCTRL, and SET_TXDE.
Differential Data Path
The CML input buffer is optimized for AC-coupled sig-
nals and is internally terminated with a differential 100
Ω.
Differential input data is equalized for high-frequency
losses due to SFP connectors. The TX_POL bit in the
TXCTRL register controls the polarity of TOUT+ and
TOUT- vs. TIN+ and TIN-. The SET_PWCTRL register
RX_EN
SQ_EN
LOS
OPERATION MODE
DESCRIPTION
0
X
CML output disabled.
1
0
X
CML output enabled.
1
0
CML output enabled.
1
CML output disabled.
Table 1. CML Output Stage Operation Mode
MODE_SEL
SLEW_RATE
OPERATION MODE
DESCRIPTION
0
4.25Gbps operation with
reduced output edge speed.
0
1
4.25Gbps operation with full
edge speed; 8.5Gbps
operation with high bandwidth
ROSA.
1
X
8.5Gbps with lower bandwidth
ROSA; 10.32Gbps operation.
Table 2. Slew-Rate Control for CML
Output Stage