MAXIM MAX3744

19-2927; Rev 1; 8/03
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
Features
♦ Up to 2.7Gbps (NRZ) Data Rates
♦ RSSI Implementation in 4-Pin TO46 Header
(MAX3744)
♦ 10psP-P Deterministic Jitter for <100µAP-P Input
Current
♦ 330nARMS Input-Referred Noise at 2.1GHz
Bandwidth
♦ 28mA Supply Current at +3.3V
♦ 2GHz Small-Signal Bandwidth
♦ 2.0mAP-P AC Overload
♦ Die Size: 30 mils x 50 mils
Applications
Ordering Information
Up to 2.7Gbps SFF/SFP Optical Receivers
PART
Optimized for Small-Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP)
Optical Receivers
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX3744E/D
-40°C to +85°C
Dice**
MAX3745E/D
-40°C to +85°C
Dice**
**Dice are guaranteed to operate from -40°C to +85°C, but are
tested only at TA = +25°C.
*Patent pending
Typical Application Circuit
SFP OPTICAL RECEIVER
400pF
400pF
VCC
VCC
FILTER OUT+
MAX3744
OUT-
IN
0.1µF
OUT+
IN+
0.1µF
MAX3748A
IN-
OUT-
GND
RSSI
4-PIN TO CAN
DISABLE
HOST
BOARD
VCC = 3.3V
4.7kΩ
TO
10kΩ
LOS
3.3kΩ
MOD-DEF1
DS1858/
DS1859
MOD-DEF2
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.
1
MAX3744/MAX3745
General Description
The MAX3744/MAX3745 transimpedance amplifiers provide a compact, low-power solution for communication
up to 2.7Gbps. They feature 330nA input-referred noise
at 2.1GHz bandwidth (BW) with 0.85pF input capacitance. The parts also have >2mAP-P AC input overload.
Both parts operate from a single +3.3V supply and consume 93mW. The MAX3744/MAX3745 are in a compact
30-mil x 50-mil die and require no external compensation capacitor. A space-saving filter connection is provided for positive bias to the photodiode through an
on-chip 580Ω resistor to V CC. These features allow
easy assembly into a low-cost TO-46 or TO-56 header
with a photodiode.
The MAX3744 and MAX3748A receiver chip set provides an RSSI output using a Maxim-proprietary* interface technique. The MAX3744 preamplifier, MAX3748A
postamplifier, and DS1858/DS1859 SFP controller meet
all the SFF-8472 digital diagnostic requirements.
MAX3744/MAX3745
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Power-Supply Voltage (VCC) .................................-0.5V to +6.0V
Continuous CML Output Current
(OUT+, OUT-) ............................................. -25mA to +25mA
Continuous Input Current (IN)...............................-4mA to +4mA
Continuous Input Current (FILTER).......................-8mA to +8mA
Operating Junction Temperature Range (TJ) ....-55°C to +150°C
Storage Ambient Temperature Range (TSTG) ...-55°C to +150°C
Die Attach Temperature...................................................+400°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.
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VCC = +2.97V to +3.63V and TA = -40°C to +85°C. Typical values are at VCC = +3.3V, source capacitance (CIN) = 0.85pF, and TA =
+25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Notes 1, 2)
PARAMETER
Supply Current
SYMBOL
ICC
CONDITIONS
MIN
Including CML output current (IIN = 0)
TYP
MAX
UNITS
28
41
mA
Input Bias Voltage
1.0
Input Overload
Input-Referred Noise
(Note 3)
IN
2
CIN = 0.85pF, BW = 933MHz
206
CIN = 0.85pF, BW = 2.1GHz
330
CIN = 0.85pF, BW = 18GHz
Small-Signal Bandwidth (Note 3)
BW
Low-Frequency Cutoff
Deterministic Jitter
(Notes 3, 5)
206
CIN = 0.6pF, BW = 2.1GHz
300
2.8
-3dB, CIN = 0.6pF
1.8
2
-3dB, CIN = 0.85pF
1.6
1.8
380
3.5
4.5
14
10
2.7Gbps, 231-1 pattern
20
kHz
31
24
2.1Gbps, K28.5 pattern
kΩ
GHz
30
100µAP-P < input ≤ 2.1Gbps, K28.5 pattern
2mAP-P
2.7Gbps, 231-1 pattern
10µAP-P < input ≤
100µAP-P
nARMS
550
Differential output, IIN = 40µAAVE
-3dB, input current = 20µAAVE (Note 3)
DJ
430
620
CIN = 0.85pF, BW = 933MHz
CIN = 0.6pF, BW = 18GHz
Differential Transimpedance
V
mAP-P
16
psP-P
Filter Resistance
510
580
690
Ω
Differential Output Resistance
(OUT+, OUT-)
85
100
115
Ω
220
280
400
mVP-P
Maximum Differential Output
Voltage
2
VOD
Input > 50µAAVE, output termination 50Ω to
VCC (output in limited state)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
(VCC = +2.97V to +3.63V and TA = -40°C to +85°C. Typical values are at VCC = +3.3V, source capacitance (CIN) = 0.85pF, and TA =
+25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Notes 1, 2)
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
Single-Ended Output CommonMode Minimum Level (MAX3744)
PARAMETER
SYMBOL
Relative to VCC, IIN = 1mAAVE
540
490
Output Data Transition Time
Input > 200µAP-P 20% to 80% rise/fall time
(Note 3)
80
Frequency ≤ 1GHz
17
1GHz < frequency ≤ 2GHz
10
Differential Output Return Loss
Power-Supply Noise Rejection
PSNR
IIN = 0
(Note 6)
RSSI Gain (MAX3744)
ARSSI
(Note 7)
RSSI Gain Stability (MAX3744)
f < 1MHz
46
1MHz ≤ f < 10MHz
34
10log(ARSSI/ARSSI-NOM) where ARSSI-NOM =
ARSSI at 3.3V, +25°C (Note 3)
MAX
UNITS
mV
140
ps
dB
dB
21
A/A
0.24
dB
Note 1: Die parameters are production tested at room temperature only, but are guaranteed by design and characterization from
-40°C to +85°C.
Note 2: Source capacitance represents the total capacitance at the IN pad during characterization of the noise and bandwidth parameters.
Note 3: Guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 4: Input-referred noise is:
 RMS output noise 
 Gain at f = 100MHz 


Note 5: Deterministic jitter is the sum of pulse-width distortion (PWD) and pattern-dependent jitter (PDJ).
Note 6: Power-supply noise rejection PSNR = -20log(∆VOUT / ∆VCC), where ∆VOUT is the differential output voltage and ∆VCC is the
noise on VCC.
Note 7:
IOUT _ CM (IIN = 400µA) − IOUT _ CM (IIN = 0µA)
ARSSI =
400µA
IOUT + + IOUT −
where IOUT _ CM =
2
RSSI range is from IIN = 6µA to 500µA
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3
MAX3744/MAX3745
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)
Typical Operating Characteristics
(VCC = +3.3V, CIN = 0.85pF, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
INPUT-REFERRED NOISE
vs. TEMPERATURE
600
CIN = 1.5pF
500
CIN = 0.85pF
400
CIN = 0.5pF
300
BW = 2.1GHz
700
600
70
GAIN (dB)
700
MAX3744 toc02
INPUT-REFERRED NOISE (nARMS)
UNFILTER
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
75
800
INPUT-REFERRED NOISE (nARMS)
MAX3744 toc01
800
500
CIN = 1.5pF
MAX3744 toc03
INPUT-REFERRED NOISE
vs. TEMPERATURE
65
60
400
CIN = 0.85pF
55
300
CIN = 0.5pF
200
50
200
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
-40
0
20
40
80
100
10M
100M
1G
10G
TEMPERATURE (°C)
FREQUENCY (Hz)
DETERMINISTIC JITTER
vs. INPUT AMPLITUDE
SMALL-SIGNAL TRANSIMPEDANCE
vs. TEMPERATURE
EYE DIAGRAM
INPUT = 20µAP-P, DATA RATE = 2.1Gbps
TRANSIMPEDANCE (dB Ω)
2.7Gbp SONET
20
2.1Gbps FIBRE CHANNEL
MAX3744 toc06
75
MAX3744 toc04
40
K28-5 PATTERN
70
5mV/div
65
10
0
60
0.01
0.1
1
10
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
TEMPERATURE (°C)
EYE DIAGRAM
INPUT = 20µAP-P, DATA RATE = 2.7Gbps
EYE DIAGRAM
INPUT = 2mAP-P, DATA RATE = 2.1Gbps
MAX3744 toc07
6mV/div
EYE DIAGRAM
INPUT = 2mAP-P, DATA RATE = 2.7Gbps
MAX3744 toc09
MAX3744 toc08
223-1 PATTERN
K28-5 PATTERN
30mV/div
30mV/div
60ps/div
60ps/div
100
INPUT AMPLITUDE (mAP-P)
223-1 PATTERN
4
60
TEMPERATURE (°C)
50
30
-20
MAX3744 toc05
-40
DETERMINISTIC JITTER (psP-P)
MAX3744/MAX3745
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
60ps/div
_______________________________________________________________________________________
60ps/div
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX3745
50
40
30
20
-25
10
-30
0
0
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
-20
TA = +85°C
400
350
300
0
20
40
60
80
-50
100
-100
-50
0
50
100
TEMPERATURE (°C)
INPUT CURRENT (mAP-P)
BANDWIDTH vs. TEMPERATURE
EYE DIAGRAM
TEMPERATURE = +100°C INPUT = 20µAP-P
DATA RATE = 2.7Gbps
MAX3744 toc15
MAX3744 toc14
4.0
3.5
3dB BANDWIDTH (GHz)
450
0
-200
-40
MAX3744 toc13
MAX3748 RSSI OUTPUT (µA)
500
50
-150
RSSI
MAX3744, MAX3748A
TA = -40°C
100
-100
FREQUENCY (MHz)
550
150
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (mVP-P)
-15
-20
60
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
MAX3744
-10
200
MAX3744 toc11
-5
S22 (dB)
70
MAX3744 toc10
0
DC TRANSFER FUNCTION
(VFILT = 0V)
MAX3744 toc12
DIFFERENTIAL S22 vs. FREQUENCY
223-1 PRBS
3.0
2.5
CIN = 0.6pF
6mV/div
2.0
1.5
250
1.0
200
0.5
0
150
0
500
1000
1500
AVERAGE INPUT CURRENT (µA)
2000
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
60ps/div
TEMPERATURE (°C)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5
MAX3744/MAX3745
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(VCC = +3.3V, CIN = 0.85pF, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
MAX3744/MAX3745
Pin Description
MAX3744/
MAX3745
BOND PAD
NAME
1, 3
VCC
2, 7
N.C.
4
IN
5
FILTER
6, 10
GND
Supply Ground
8
OUT-
Inverting Data Output. Current flowing into IN causes the voltage at OUT- to decrease. For the
MAX3744, the common mode between OUT+ and OUT- is proportional to the average input
current.
9
OUT+
Noninverting Data Output. Current flowing into IN causes the voltage at OUT+ to increase. For
the MAX3744, the common mode between OUT+ and OUT- is proportional to the average input
current.
FUNCTION
Supply Voltage
No Connection
TIA Input. Signal current from photodiode flows into this pin.
Provides bias voltage for the photodiode through a 580Ω resistor to VCC. When grounded, this
pin disables the DC cancellation amplifier to allow a DC path from IN to OUT+ and OUT- for
testing.
VCC
MAX3744
RF
RF
TRANSIMPEDANCE
AMPLIFIER
TRANSIMPEDANCE
AMPLIFIER
OUT+
OUT-
IN
DC CANCELLATION
CIRCUIT
VCC
DC CANCELLATION
CIRCUIT
RSSI
MAX3745
FILTER
FILTER
50Ω
OUT+
OUT-
IN
50Ω
50Ω
VCC
50Ω
Figure 1. Functional Diagram
Detailed Description
The MAX3744/MAX3745 are transimpedance amplifiers
designed for up to 2.7Gbps SFF/SFP transceiver modules. A functional diagram of the MAX3744/MAX3745 is
shown in Figure 1. The MAX3744/MAX3745 comprise a
transimpedance amplifier stage, a voltage amplifier
stage, an output buffer, and a direct-current (DC) feedback cancellation circuit. The MAX3744 also includes a
signal strength indicator (RSSI). To provide this signal in
6
a standard 4-pin TO header, the RSSI level is added to
the common mode of the differential data output pins.
Transimpedance Amplifier Stage
The signal current at the input flows into the summing
node of a high-gain amplifier. Shunt feedback through
the resistor RF converts this current to a voltage. In parallel with the feedback resistor are two back-to-back
Schottky diodes that clamp the output signal for large
input currents, as shown in Figure 2.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
AMPLITUDE
MAX3744/MAX3745
AMPLITUDE
INPUT FROM PHOTODIODE
TIME
TIME
OUTPUT (SMALL SIGNALS)
INPUT AFTER DC CANCELLATION
OUTPUT (LARGE SIGNALS)
Figure 2. MAX3744/MAX3745 Limited Output
Figure 3. DC Cancellation Effect on Input
Voltage Amplifier Stage
The voltage amplifier stage provides gain and converts
the single-ended input to differential outputs.
VCC
100Ω
DC Cancellation Circuit
The DC cancellation circuit uses low-frequency feedback to remove the DC component of the input signal
(Figure 3). This feature centers the input signal within
the transimpedance amplifier’s linear range, thereby
reducing pulse-width distortion caused by large input
signals. The DC cancellation circuit is internally compensated and therefore does not require external
capacitors.
OUT+
OUT-
Output Buffer
The output buffer provides a reverse-terminated voltage
output. The buffer is designed to drive a 100Ω differential
load between OUT+ and OUT-. The MAX3744 must be
DC-coupled to the MAX3748A. See Figures 4 and 5.
For optimum supply-noise rejection, the MAX3745
should be terminated with a matched load. If a singleended output is required, the unused output should be
terminated to a 50Ω resistor to V CC. The MAX3745
does not drive a DC-coupled, 50Ω grounded load;
however, it does drive a compatible 50Ω CML input.
Figure 4. Equivalent Output MAX3744
VCC
50Ω
50Ω
Signal-Strength Indicator
OUT+
The MAX3744 produces a signal proportional to the
average photodiode current. This is added to the common mode of the data outputs OUT+ and OUT-. This
signal is intended for use with the MAX3748A to provide a ground-referenced RSSI voltage.
OUT-
Applications Information
Signal-Strength Indicator
The SFF-8472 digital diagnostic specification requires
monitoring of input receive power. The MAX3748A and
MAX3744 receiver chipset allows for the monitoring of
the average receive power by measuring the average
DC current of the photodiode.
Figure 5. Equivalent Output MAX3745
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7
MAX3744/MAX3745
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
The MAX3744 preamp measures the average photodiode current and provides the information to the output
common mode. The MAX3748A RSSI detect block
senses the common-mode DC level of input signals IN+
and IN- and provides a ground-level-referenced output
signal of the photodiode current. The advantage of this
implementation is that it allows the TIA to be packaged
in a low-cost conventional 4-pin TO-46 header.
The MAX3748A RSSI output is connected to an analog
input channel of the DS1858/DS1859 SFP controller to
convert the analog information into a 16-bit word. The
DS1858/DS1859 provide the received power information to the host board of the optical receiver through a
2-wire interface. The DS1859 allows for internal calibration of the receive power monitor.
The MAX3744 and the MAX3748A have been optimized
to achieve RSSI stability of better than 2.5dB within the
6µA to 500µA range of average input photodiode current. To achieve the best accuracy, Maxim recommends receive power calibration at the low end (6µA)
and the high end (500µA) of the required range.
Optical Power Relations
Many of the MAX3744/MAX3745 specifications relate to
the input signal amplitude. When working with optical
receivers, the input is sometimes expressed in terms of
average optical power and extinction ratio. Figure 6
and Table 1 show relations that are helpful for converting optical power to input signal when designing with
the MAX3744/MAX3745. (Refer to Application Note
HFAN–3.0.0: Accurately Estimating Optical Receiver
Sensitivity.)
Optical Sensitivity Calculation
The input-referred RMS noise current (I N ) of the
MAX3744/MAX3745 generally determines the receiver
sensitivity. To obtain a system bit-error rate (BER) of
1E-12, the signal-to-noise ratio must always exceed
14.1. The input sensitivity, expressed in average power,
can be estimated as:
 14.1 × IN (re + 1)

1000 dBm
Sensitivity = 10log
2ρ(re − 1)


where ρ is the photodiode responsivity in A/W and IN is
RMS current in amps.
Input Optical Overload
The overload is the largest input that the MAX3744/
MAX3745 can accept while meeting deterministic jitter
specifications. The optical overload can be estimated
in terms of average power with the following equation:
 2mARMS (re + 1)

Overload = 10log
1000 dBm
(
r
)
−
2
ρ
1


e
Optical Linear Range
The MAX3744/MAX3745 have high gain, which limits
the output when the input signal exceeds 50µAP-P. The
MAX3744/MAX3745 operate in a linear range (10% linearity) for inputs not exceeding:
 50µARMS (re + 1)

Linear Range = 10log
1000 dBm
(
r
)
−
2
1
ρ


e
Table 1. Optical Power Relations
PARAMETER
Average power
SYMBOL
PAVG
RELATION
PAVG = (P0 + P1) / 2
Extinction ratio
re
r e = P1 / P 0
Optical power of a 1
P1
P1 = 2PAVG(re) / (re + 1)
Optical power of a zero
P0
P0 = 2PAVG / (re + 1)
Signal amplitude
PIN
PIN = P1 - P0; PIN = 2PAVG(re - 1) / (re + 1)
Note: Assuming 50% average duty cycle and mark density.
8
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
Photodiode Filter
Supply voltage noise at the cathode of the photodiode
produces a current I = CPD ∆V/∆t, which reduces the
receiver sensitivity (C PD is the photodiode capacitance.) The filter resistor of the MAX3744/MAX3745,
combined with an external capacitor, can be used to
reduce this noise (see the Typical Application Circuit).
Current generated by supply noise voltage is divided
between CFILTER and CPD. The input noise current due
to supply noise is (assuming the filter capacitor is much
larger than the photodiode capacitance):
INOISE = (VNOISE)(CPD) / (RFILTER)(CFILTER)
If the amount of tolerable noise is known, the filter
capacitor can be easily selected:
CFILTER = (VNOISE)(CPD) / (RFILTER)(INOISE)
For example, with maximum noise voltage = 100mVP-P,
CPD = 0.85pF, RFILTER = 600Ω, and INOISE selected to
be 350nA:
CFILTER = (100mV)(0.85pF) / (600Ω)(350nA) = 405pF
Wire Bonding
For high-current density and reliable operation, the
MAX3744/MAX3745 use gold metalization. Connections
to the die should be made with gold wire only, using ballbonding techniques. Die thickness is typically 14 mils
(0.4mm).
TOP VIEW OF TO-46 HEADER
CASE
GROUND
OPTICAL POWER
PI
400pF TO
1000pF
400pF TO
1000pF
VCC
PHOTODIODE
PAVG
OUT+
OUT-
PO
TIME
MAX3744
MAX3745
Figure 6. Optical Power Relations
Figure 7. Suggested Layout for TO-46 Header
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9
MAX3744/MAX3745
Layout Considerations
Noise performance and bandwidth are adversely affected by capacitance at the IN pad. Minimize capacitance
on this pad and select a low-capacitance photodiode.
Assembling the MAX3744/MAX3745 in die form using
chip and wire technology provides the best possible
performance. Figure 7 shows a suggested layout for a
TO header for the MAX3744/MAX3745. The placement
of the filter cap to minimize the ground loop of the photodiode is required to achieve the specified bandwidth.
The OUT+ and OUT- bond wire lengths should also be
minimized to meet the bandwidth specification. Special
care should be taken to ensure that ESD at IN does not
exceed 500V.
2.7Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
MAX3744/MAX3745
Chip Topography
GND
VCC
1
N.C.
2
VCC
3
IN
4
FILTER
5
MAX3744
MAX3745
10
9
OUT+
0.03in
(0.76mm)
6
7
GND
N.C.
8
OUT-
0.05in
(1.26mm)
Pad Coordinates
Chip Information
PAD
COORDINATES (µm)
X
COORDINATES (µm)
Y
1
1.4
495.6
2
0
336
3
0
224
4
0
112
5
0
0
6
494.2
-1.4
7
865.2
-1.4
8
1005.2
-1.4
9
1005.2
495.6
10
490
495.6
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 301
PROCESS: SiGe Bipolar
SUBSTRATE: ISOLATED
DIE THICKNESS: 0.014in ±0.001in
Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are
implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.
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is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.