Highly linear BiCMOS optical receiver with voltage-controlled sensitivity

An optical receiver with voltage-controlled resistor based variable sensitivity in 0.6 /spl mu/m BiCMOS technology is presented. The bandwidth is independent of the photodiode capacitance. A linearity error smaller than 2.86%, a sensitivity dynamic range of 56 (35 dB), an offset voltage smaller than 0.51 mV, a bandwidth up to 204 MHz, and a power consumption less than 5.7 mW are achieved.