A 1.55 m 40 Gbps EML TOSA Employing a Novel FPC Connection

We have developed a 1.55-μm 40 Gbps electro-absorption modulator laser (EML)-based transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) using a novel flexible printed circuit (FPC). The return loss at the junctions of the printed circuit board and the FPC, and of the FPC and the ceramic feedthrough connection was held better than 20 dB at up to 40 GHz by a newly developed three-layer FPC. The TOSA was fabricated and demonstrated a mask margin of >16% and a path penalty of <;0.63 dB for a 43 Gbps signal after 2.4-km SMF transmission over the entire case temperature range from -5° to 80 °C, demonstrating compliance with ITU-T G.693. These results are comparable to coaxial connector type EML modules. This TOSA is expected to be a strong candidate for 40 Gbps EML modules with excellent operating characteristics, economy, and a small footprint.