200-MB S/CH 100-M OPTICAL SUBSYSTEM INTERCONNECTIONS USING 8-CHANNEL 1.3-MU-M LASER-DIODE ARRAYS AND SINGLE-MODE FIBER ARRAYS/

Synchronous parallel optical-fiber transmission is an attractive metho d for providing increased interconnection throughput and higher densit y in advanced information systems. Skew suppression (reducing transmis sion delay time variation), error-free fully DC-coupled data transmiss ion capability, compactness, and low power consumption of modules are important requirements. In order to meet these requirements, we develo ped optical subsystem interconnections using long-wavelength laser dio de arrays and single-mode fiber arrays. The major design criteria are discussed, especially as they are related to skew due to laser diode t urn-on delay and receiver input optical power variation. The use of lo w-threshold-current laser diode arrays is an important design requirem ent. Based on the design criteria discussed in this work, we demonstra ted 8-channel 200-Mb/s/ch 100-m transmission using compact (0.18 cc/ch /module), low power (total 280 mW/ch), fully integrated transmitter an d receiver modules with an ECL (emitter coupled logic) interface. Thes e modules include our new laser diode arrays with low threshold curren t of 3.2 mA. Performance results showed that these modules are very ef fective as interconnections between synchronously operating subsystems .