MAXIM MAX3966

19-1261; Rev 1; 11/98
L
MANUA
ION KIT HEET
T
A
U
L
EVA
TA S
WS DA
FOLLO
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
The MAX3966 can switch up to 100mA into typical
high-speed light-emitting diodes. As temperature
increases, the device’s modulation current increases
with a tempco that is programmable from 2500ppm/°C
to 12,000ppm/°C. The modulation current is programmed with a single external resistor.
The MAX3966’s LED prebias voltage is programmable
from 400mV to 925mV. The prebias circuit produces
peaking current, which improves the LED switching
speed.
Complementary current outputs help to maintain a constant supply current, reducing EMI and supply noise
generated by the transmitter module. The MAX3966 is
available in die form, or in 16-pin and 24-pin QSOP
packages.
Features
♦ Programmable LED Prebias Voltage
♦ Single +3V to +5.5V Power Supply
♦ Complementary Output Reduces Supply Noise
♦ Adjustable Modulation Current
♦ Adjustable Temperature Compensation
♦ Available in 16-Pin/24-Pin QSOP or Die
Ordering Information
PART
TEMP. RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX3966CEE*
0°C to +70°C
16 QSOP
MAX3966CEG
MAX3966C/D
0°C to +70°C
0°C to +100°C**
24 QSOP
Dice
*Some features are not available in the 16-pin QSOP package.
Contact factory for information and availability.
**Dice are designed to operate over a 0°C to +100°C junction
temperature (Tj) range, but are tested and guaranteed only at
TA = +25°C.
Applications
Typical Operating Circuit
Multimode LED Transmitters
FDDI
FERRITE BEAD
Fast Ethernet
VCC
155Mbps ATMs
0.01µF
ESCON
VCC
266Mbps Fibre Channel
PECL
DATA
VCCOUT M1
IN+
M2
M3
OUT-
LED
INVBB
MAX3966
OUT+
PB1
PB2
PB3
TCMIN TCNOM TC
VEEOUT
VEE
MOD
RMOD
NOTE:
MODULATION CURRENT IS PROGRAMMED BY RMOD. PREBIAS VOLTAGE
IS 0.625V, SET BY PB1, PB2, PB3 PINS. IF DESIRED, MODULATION CAN BE
ADJUSTED FROM -4% TO +3% WITH CONNECTIONS TO M1, M2, AND M3.
Pin Configurations appear at end of data sheet.
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
1
For free samples and the latest literature, visit www.maxim-ic.com or phone 1-800-998-8800.
For small orders, phone 1-800-835-8769.
MAX3966
General Description
The MAX3966 is a programmable LED driver for fiber
optic transmitters operating at data rates up to
266Mbps. The circuit contains a high-speed current
driver with programmable temperature coefficient
(tempco), adjustments for LED prebias voltage, and a
VBB reference voltage generator. The circuit accepts
PECL data inputs, and operates from a single +3V to
+5.5V power supply.
MAX3966
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Supply Voltage at VCC, VCCOUT (VEE = 0V) ...............-0.5V to 7V
Current into OUT+, OUT- ..................................-40mA to 160mA
Differential Output Voltage (VOUT+ to VOUT-) .........-3.3V to 3.3V
Voltage at M1, M2, M3, PB1, PB2, PB3,
IN+, IN-, OUT+, OUT-, VBB ....................-0.5V to (VCC + 0.5V)
Voltage at TCMIN, TCNOM, TC, MOD.......................-0.5V to 2V
Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C)
16-pin QSOP (derate 8.3mW/°C above +70°C)......667mW/°C
24-pin QSOP (derate 10mW/°C above +70°C).......770mW/°C
Operating Junction Temperature Range ...........-50°C to +150°C
Die Attach Temperature...................................................+400°C
Storage Temperature Range .............................-50°C to +150°C
Lead Temperature (soldering, 10sec) .............................+300°C
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(Load as specified in Figure 1; VCC = 3.0V to 5.5V, VEE = 0V, TA = 0°C to +70°C, unless otherwise noted. Temperature coefficients are
referenced to TA = +25°C. Typical values are at TA = +25°C, VCC = 3.3V, unless otherwise noted. Dice are tested at TA = +25°C only.)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
Data Input High Voltage
Referenced to VCC
-1.165
Data Input Low Voltage
Referenced to VCC
-1.810
Supply Current
(Note 1)
Input Current at IN+ or INMaximum Programmable
Modulation Current
TYP
30
-50
(Note 2)
100
Prebias Voltage
(Note 3)
-10
VBB Voltage
Prebias Resistor (RPREBIAS)
V
-1.475
V
35
mA
50
µA
mA
40
mA
10
%
PB1, PB2, PB3 = (open, open, open)
0.380
0.400
0.428
PB1, PB2, PB3 = (VEE, VEE, open)
0.594
0.625
0.663
PB1, PB2, PB3 = (VEE, VEE, VEE)
0.879
0.925
0.981
Maximum tempco (TC open)
Temperature Coefficient of
Modulation Current
UNITS
130
Minimum Programmable
Modulation Current
Modulation-Current Accuracy
MAX
-0.880
12,000
Nominal tempco (TC, TCNOM shorted)
3600
Minimum tempco (TC, TCMIN shorted)
2500
Referenced to VCC
V
ppm/°C
ppm/°C
-1.38
-1.33
-1.26
V
66.3
78
89.7
Ω
Note 1: RMOD = 1kΩ. Excludes IOUT+ and IOUT-.
Note 2: VCC = 3.0V. RMOD = 698Ω, TC connected to TCMIN.
Note 3: VCC = 3.3V, VLED = 1.55V, prebias voltage programmed at 0.625V (nominal), TA = +25°C. RMOD = 1kΩ, and programs
approximately 80mA current. M1 = VCC, M2 = open, M3 = open, TC connected to TCNOM.
2
_______________________________________________________________________________________
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
(Load as specified in Figure 1, unless otherwise noted. VCC = 3.0V to 5.5V, RMOD = 1kΩ, TA = 0°C to +70°C. Input data-edge
speed = 1ns (typ), VPREBIAS = 0.625V. Typical values are at TA = +25°C, VCC = 3.3V, nominal tempco.)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
400
615
1000
ps
Output Current Edge Speed
20% to 80%, input is a 12.5MHz square wave
Output Current Pulse-Width
Correction (PWC)
Input is a 12.5MHz square wave (Note 4)
-210
Output Current Data-Dependent
Jitter
266Mbps (Note 5)
150
155Mbps (Note 6)
215
Random Jitter
RMS
1.1
ps
ps
330
ps
Note 4: PWC = (widthCURRENT ON - widthCURRENT OFF) / 2.
Note 5: Test pattern is a 2 - 1PRBS transmitted at 266Mbps (3.75ns per bit).
Note 6: Test pattern is a 213 - 1PRBS containing 72 consecutive zeros or 72 consecutive ones.
VCC
VCC
+
-
VLED
1.55V
VCC
L1
VPREBIAS
FERRITE
BEAD
OSCILLOSCOPE
0.1µF
OUT-
OUT+
OUT-
OUT+
453Ω
OUT50Ω
5Ω
MAX3966
MAX3966
MAX3966
0.1µF 453Ω
50Ω
SWITCHING DIODE
OUT+
DC ELECTRICAL LOAD
(EXCEPT PREBIAS VOLTAGE)
DC ELECTRICAL LOAD
FOR PREBIAS VOLTAGE
AC ELECTRICAL LOAD
Figure 1. MAX3966 Output Test Loads
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3
MAX3966
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
__________________________________________Typical Operating Characteristics
(MAX3966CEG in Maxim evaluation board. VCC = 3.3V, prebias voltage = 0.625V nominal tempco, RMOD = 1kΩ, TA = +25°C, unless
otherwise noted.)
24-PIN QSOP
MODULATION CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
37
36
35
34
33
32
MINIMUM TEMPCO
100
80
NOMINAL TEMPCO
60
MAXIMUM TEMPCO
40
120
100
MAX3966 TOC3
38
120
MAX3966 TOC2
VCC = 5.5V
39
MODULATION CURRENT (mA)
MAX3966 TOC1
40
DIE MODULATION CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
MODULATION CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
MINIMUM TEMPCO
80
60
MAXIMUM TEMPCO
40
NOMINAL TEMPCO
20
20
31
30
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0
20
40
60
70
80
0
100
20
40
60
80
100
120
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (°C)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (°C)
JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (°C)
MODULATION-CURRENT TEMPCO
vs. RTC
24-PIN QSOP
MODULATION CURRENT vs. RMOD
DIE MODULATION CURRENT
vs. RMOD
NOMINAL TEMPCO
MINIMUM TEMPCO
100
NOMINAL
TEMPCO
MAXIMUM TEMPCO
MAXIMUM TEMPCO
10
1000
1
10
500
100
10
MAX3966 TOC6
MAX3966 TOC5
MINIMUM TEMPCO
100
1000
8000
500
1000
8000
RTC (kΩ)
RMOD (Ω)
RMOD (kΩ)
EYE DIAGRAM (ELECTRICAL)
266Mbps
EYE DIAGRAM (OPTICAL)
155Mbps
EYE DIAGRAM (OPTICAL)
155Mbps
MAX3966 TOC7
MAX3966 TOC9
MAX3966 TOC8
RMOD = 720Ω
10mV/div
4
140
200
MODULATION CURRENT (mA)
10,000
200
MODULATION CURRENT (mA)
MAX3966 TOC 4
0
MODULATION-CURRENT TEMPCO (ppm/°C)
MAX3966
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
7mV/div
5mV/div
500ps/div
644ps/div
VCC = 3.3V, TA = +25°C, PATTERN = 223 - 1 PRBS
117MHz BESSEL FILTER, VCC = 3.0V, TA = +70°C,
PAVE = -18.43dBm, PATTERN = 223 - 1 PRBS
644ps/div
117MHz BESSEL FILTER, VCC = 5.5V, TA = 0°C,
PAVE = -16.86dBm, PATTERN = 223 - 1 PRBS
_______________________________________________________________________________________
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
EYE DIAGRAM (OPTICAL)
155Mbps
RANDOM JITTER
vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX3966 TOC11
7mV/div
5mV/div
2.5
RMS RANDOM JITTER (ps)
MAX3966 TOC10
VCC = 3.0V
MAXIMUM
TEMPCO
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
VCC = 5.0V
MINIMUM
TEMPCO
0.0
644ps/div
644ps/div
117MHz BESSEL FILTER, VCC = 5.5V, TA = +70°C,
PAVE = -18.19dBm, PATTERN = 223 - 1 PRBS
MAX3966 TOC12
EYE DIAGRAM (OPTICAL)
155Mbps
0
117MHz BESSEL FILTER, VCC = 3.0V, TA = 0°C,
PAVE = -17.04, PATTERN = 223 - 1 PRBS
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (°C)
______________________________________________________________Pin Description
PIN NAME
NAME
FUNCTION
24-PIN
16-PIN
1, 2, 24
—
M2, M3, M1
3
2
MOD
A resistor from MOD to VEE programs the LED modulation current.
4, 23
1
VCC
Provides current to the internal amplifiers.
5
3
VBB
Input Reference Voltage PECL Threshold Voltage Output. Connect VBB to IN- for singleended input.
6
4
IN-
Inverting Data Input
7
5
IN+
Noninverting Data Input
8
6
VEE
Ground for Internal Amplifiers
9
7
TCMIN
Shorting TC to TCMIN provides the minimum modulation-current tempco.
10
—
TCNOM
Shorting TC to TCNOM provides a modulation tempco of approximately 3600ppm/°C.
11
8
TC
12, 13, 14
—
PB1, PB2, PB3
15, 16
9, 10
VEEOUT
17, 18
11, 12
OUT+
Current-Output Pins
19, 20
13, 14
OUT-
Complementary Current-Output Pins
21, 22
15, 16
VCCOUT
Pins M1, M2, and M3 provide fine adjustment of the modulation current (Table 2).
A resistor connected between the TC and TCMIN pins sets the tempco of the modulation
current. Leaving TC unconnected provides the maximum tempco.
Programs the voltage prebias at the OUT+ pin (Table 1).
Ground for the Output Current Drivers
Supply Connection for the Output Current Drivers
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5
MAX3966
____________________________Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(MAX3966CEG in Maxim evaluation board. VCC = 3.3V, prebias voltage = 0.625V nominal tempco, RMOD = 1kΩ, TA = +25°C,
unless otherwise noted.)
MAX3966
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
Reference-Voltage Generator and
Temperature Compensation
_______________Detailed Description
The MAX3966 provides a flexible current drive for the
modulation of fiber optic light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
The circuit is designed to be used with +3.3V or +5V
power supplies. The IC provides up to 100mA of modulation current. An adjustable prebias current source
sets the LED prebias voltage. An integrated resistor
provides passive peaking and optical pulse-width
compensation.
Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the MAX3966, which
comprises a reference-voltage generator, modulationcurrent generator, input buffer, prebias current generator, main output driver, complementary output driver,
and LED-compensation network.
VCC
The reference-voltage generator circuit provides the
supply-referenced VBB reference voltage and a reference voltage for the modulation-current generator.
A PECL-compatible VBB generator is provided to simplify operation with a single-ended data input. For single-ended operation, connect the input signal to IN+,
and connect VBB directly to IN-. The VBB circuit is not
designed to drive other external circuitry. The VBB output is implemented with an NPN emitter follower.
The reference-voltage generator circuit provides two
voltage sources that create modulation-current temperature compensation. A positive modulation-current
VEE
VCCOUT
OUT-
VCC
INPUT
BUFFER
IN+
MAX3966
IN-
COMPLEMENTARY
OUTPUT
24X
5Ω
MAIN
OUTPUT
24X
78Ω
VCC
+
-
VBB
MODULATION
CURRENT
GENERATOR
1.32V
OUT+
GAIN 4X
35Ω
REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATOR
12pF
+
-
1.2V
V
+
50Ω
TEMP
TCMIN
TCNOM
TC
M1
M2
M3
PREBIAS CURRENT
GENERATOR
MOD
RMOD
PB1
PB2
PB3
Figure 2. Functional Diagram
6
_______________________________________________________________________________________
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
Input Buffer
The inputs are connected to the PECL-compatible differential input buffer. If left unconnected, IN+ is internally pulled to a PECL low and IN- is pulled to a PECL
high, causing low light output. The input impedance of
IN+ and IN- is approximately 50kΩ.
voltage. The prebias voltage can be adjusted by selectively connecting pins PB1, PB2, and PB3 to V EE .
Table 1 describes the functions of PB1, PB2, and PB3.
Output Current Drivers
The modulation-current reference is switched and
amplified by the output stages, which are implemented
with NPN current mirrors.
LED package lead inductance causes ringing and
overshoot, which can be compensated with an RC filter
network. The MAX3966 includes 35Ω and 12pF of internal compensation. The compensation network can be
optimized by adding additional components between
VCCOUT and OUT+.
The MAX3966 includes a complementary output driver,
which is switched 180° out of phase with the main output. This configuration helps to maintain constant current flow from the voltage supply, reducing noise and
EMI. A large diode and a 5Ω resistor are connected in
series with the negative output (OUT-) to emulate the
LED load at OUT+.
Modulation-Current Generator
The modulation-current generator circuit provides control of the modulation-current amplitude. This amplitude
is determined by the voltage at the MOD pin and external resistor RMOD. Pins M1, M2, and M3 can be selectively connected to the positive supply to provide fine
adjustment of the modulation current. Table 2 describes
the functions of the M1, M2, and M3 pins.
Do not connect bypass capacitors at the MOD pin.
Capacitance at this pin increases high-frequency output noise.
Peaking Current
The prebias resistor provides peaking current to improve the LED switching speed. The peaking magnitude is given by the following equation:
PEAKINGCURRENT ≅
VLED − VPREBIAS
78Ω
The peaking amplitude is equal for rising and falling
data transitions.
Prebias Current Generator
__________________Design Procedure
A prebias voltage (VPREBIAS) can be applied to the
LED to improve switching speed. The prebias current
generator creates a current that flows through the 78Ω
prebias resistor in the output stage, creating a prebias
For best performance, select a high-efficiency, lowinductance LED. LED inductance causes large voltage
swings and ringing.
Table 1. LED Prebias Voltage
Table 2. Modulation-Current Adjustment
PB1
PB2
PB3
PREBIAS (V)
Open
Open
Open
0.400
Select an LED
M1
M2
M3
ADJUSTMENT
(%)
VEE
Open
Open
0.475
Open
Open
Open
-4.0
Open
VEE
Open
0.550
Open
Open
VCC
-3.0
VEE
VEE
Open
0.625
Open
VCC
Open
-2.0
Open
Open
VEE
0.700
Open
VCC
VCC
-1.0
VEE
Open
VEE
0.775
VCC
Open
Open
0
Open
VEE
VEE
0.850
VCC
Open
VCC
1.0
VEE
VEE
VEE
0.925
VCC
VCC
Open
2.0
VCC
VCC
VCC
3.0
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7
MAX3966
temperature coefficient (tempco) is useful to compensate for the temperature characteristics of typical
fiber optic LEDs. The first source has a temperaturestable output. The second source has a temperatureincreasing output with a tempco of approximately
12,000ppm/°C (relative to +25°C). A resistor divider
between the two reference generators programs the
modulation-current tempco. For maximum modulationcurrent tempco, leave the TC pin disconnected. For a
tempco of approximately 3600ppm/°C, connect TC to
TCNOM. To obtain the minimum tempco, connect
TCMIN to TC. Intermediate tempco values can be programmed by connecting an external resistor (R TC )
between TCMIN and TC.
MAX3966
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
Program the Modulation-Current Tempco
Select a modulation-current tempco that provides nearly constant LED output power as temperature varies.
For the minimum tempco, connect TCMIN to the TC
pin. For a tempco of approximately 3600ppm/°C, connect TC to TCNOM and leave TCMIN unconnected. For
the maximum tempco, leave TCMIN, TCNOM, and TC
unconnected.
Refer to the Modulation-Current Temperature Coefficient
vs. RTC Resistor graph in the Typical Operating Characteristics to program a custom tempco. From the graph,
determine the appropriate resistor and connect it
between TCMIN and TC.
For example, if an LED requires a 5000 ppm/°C tempco,
choose RTC of 10Ω.
Applications Information
Input Terminations
MAX3966
PECL
OUTPUT
IN+
50Ω
VCC - 2V
R1
Program Prebias Voltage
Determine the LED prebias voltage that produces an
acceptable trade-off between peaking current and
extinction ratio. Refer to Table 1 for PB1, PB2, and PB3
settings.
MAX3966
RF OR NON-PECL
OUTPUT
Program the Modulation Current
Determine the required modulation current at
TA = +25°C. Then select the appropriate value of RMOD
from the Modulation Current vs. RMOD graph in the
Typical Operating Characteristics, which provides the
required current.
For example, to program 80mA modulation current, the
graph indicates an RMOD value of 750Ω for maximum
tempco (12,000ppm/°C) and 1.1kΩ for nominal tempco
(3600ppm/°C). By interpolation, choose an RMOD of
1.05kΩ for a tempco of 5000ppm/°C.
VCC
IN+
R2
VCC
R1
R2
3.3
83
126
5.0
68
180
SINGLE-ENDED TERMINATION IS SHOWN. IN- SHOULD BE
TERMINATED SIMILARLY OR CONNECTED TO VBB.
Figure 3. Input Terminations
Wire-Bonding Die
The MAX3966 utilizes gold metalization, which provides
high reliability. Make connections to the die with gold
wire only, using ball-bonding techniques. Wedge bonding is not recommended. Pad size is 4mil square
(100µm). Die thickness is typically 15mil (375µm).
Layout Considerations
For optimum performance, total load inductance should
not exceed 10nH. Load inductance includes LED
inductance, LED package lead inductance, and circuitboard traces. Keep the connections between the
MAX3966 OUT pins and the LED as short as possible
to minimize inductance.
Chip-and-wire (hybrid) technology reduces package
inductance significantly, and provides the best possible performance.
Use good high-frequency layout techniques. Use a
multilayer board with an uninterrupted ground plane.
Power supplies should be capacitively bypassed to the
ground plane with surface-mount capacitors located
near the power-supply pins.
8
_______________________________________________________________________________________
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
TOP VIEW
M2 1
24 M1
M3 2
23 VCC
MOD 3
22 VCCOUT
VCC 4
21 VCCOUT
VBB 5
MAX3966CEG
20 OUT-
IN- 6
19 OUT-
IN+ 7
18 OUT+
VEE 8
17 OUT+
TCMIN 9
16 VEEOUT
TCNOM 10
15 VEEOUT
TC 11
14 PB3
PB1 12
13 PB2
VCC 1
16 VCCOUT
MOD 2
15 VCCOUT
VBB 3
IN- 4
14 OUT-
MAX3966CEE
13 OUT-
IN+ 5
12 OUT+
VEE 6
11 OUT+
TCMIN 7
10 VEEOUT
TC 8
9
VEEOUT
QSOP
QSOP
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9
MAX3966
Pin Configurations
MAX3966
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
___________________Chip Topography
TCMIN
VEE
IN+
IN-
VBB
TCNOM
VCC
MOD
TC
M3
PB1
M2
PB2
M1
PB3
VCC
1.829"
(1.829mm)
VCCEE
VCCOUT
VCCEE
VCCOUT
OUT+ OUT+ OUT- OUT1.168"
(1.169mm)
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 304
SUBSTRATE CONNECTED TO VEE
10
______________________________________________________________________________________
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
QSOP.EPS
______________________________________________________________________________________
11
MAX3966
________________________________________________________Package Information
LED Driver with
Programmable Prebias Voltage
MAX3966
NOTES
12
______________________________________________________________________________________