Electronic Circuits for High Bit Rate Digital Fiber Optic Communication Systems

This paper describes electronic components for digital fiber optic transmitters and receivers with bit rates from several hundred Mbits/s up into the Gbits/s range. In particular, drivers and multiplexers suitable for direct laser modulation were developed for use in the transmitter units. A laser light output control circuit for independent stabilization of the minimum and peak to peak laser light output levels is described. A demultiplexer and clock regenerator circuit was developed for optical receivers. All high speed components were realized in thin film hybrid integrated technology using silicon bipolar transistors, Schottky diodes and step recovery diodes.