Detailed Description
The MAX3793 transimpedance amplifier is designed for
1Gbps to 4.25Gbps fiber optic applications. The
MAX3793 is comprised of a transimpedance amplifier,
a voltage amplifier, an output buffer, a DC-cancellation
circuit, a photodiode biasing resistor, and a photocur-
rent monitor (see the
Functional Diagram
).
Transimpedance Amplifier
The signal current at the input flows into the summing
node of a high-gain amplifier. Shunt feedback through
resistor R
F
converts this current into a voltage. Schottky
diodes clamp the output signal for large input currents
(Figure 1).
Voltage Amplifier
The voltage amplifier provides additional gain and con-
verts the transimpedance amplifier single-ended output
signal into a differential signal.
Output Buffer
The output buffer is designed to drive a 100
differen-
tial load between OUT+ and OUT-. For optimum supply
noise rejection, the MAX3793 should be terminated with
a matched load. The MAX3793 outputs do not drive a
DC-coupled grounded load. The outputs should always
be AC-coupled. Refer to Application Note HFAN-1.1:
Choosing AC-Coupling Capacitors
for a more detailed
discussion on selecting capacitors. If a single-ended
output is required, both the used and the unused out-
puts should be terminated in a similar manner. See
Figure 6.
DC-Cancellation Circuit
The DC-cancellation circuit uses low-frequency feed-
back to remove the DC component of the input signal
(Figure 2). This feature centers the input signal within
the transimpedance amplifier’s linear range, thereby
reducing pulse-width distortion.
The DC-cancellation circuit is internally compensated
and does not require external capacitors. This circuit
minimizes pulse-width distortion for data sequences
that exhibit a 50% mark density. A mark density signifi-
cantly different from 50% causes the MAX3793 to gen-
erate pulse-width distortion. Grounding the FILT pin
disables the DC-cancellation circuit. For normal opera-
tion, the DC-cancellation circuit must be enabled.
Photocurrent Monitor
The MAX3793 includes an average photocurrent moni-
tor. The current sourced from MON to ground is propor-
tionally equal to the average R
FILT
current (see the
Typical Operating Characteristics
). This R
FILT
is used
to bias the photodiode, see Figure 7.
R
FILT
is an internal 750
resistor between V
CC
and
FILT. This resistor is to be used in conjunction with an
external C
FILT
to bias the photodiode. The current
through this resistor is monitored and creates the pho-
tocurrent monitor output. For test purposes, driving
FILT below 0.5V disables the DC-cancellation circuit.
Design Procedure
Select Photodiode
Noise performance and bandwidth are adversely
affected by capacitance on the TIA input node. Select
a low-capacitance photodiode to minimize the total
input capacitance on this pin. The MAX3793 is opti-
mized for 0.6pF of capacitance on the input.
Select C
FILT
The filter resistor of the MAX3793, combined with an
external capacitor, can be used to reduce noise (see
the
Typical Application Circui
t). Current generated by
supply noise voltage is divided between C
FILT
and C
IN
.
Assuming the filter capacitor is much larger than the
photodiode capacitance, the input noise current due to
supply noise is:
I
NOISE
= (V
NOISE
x C
IN
) / (R
FILT
x C
FILT
)
M
1Gbps to 4.25Gbps Multirate Transimpedance
Amplifier with Photocurrent Monitor
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7
AMPLITUDE
OUTPUT (LARGE SIGNALS)
TIME
OUTPUT (SMALL SIGNALS)
Figure 1. MAX3793 Limited Output
AMPLITUDE
INPUT FROM PHOTODIODE
TIME
INPUT AFTER DC CANCELLATION
Figure 2. DC-Cancellation Effect on Input