MACOM announced three surface-mount 64 GBd linear modulator drivers for next-generation coherent transmission systems.

The MAOM-00641X series has differential inputs and single-ended outputs for use with indium phosphide (InP) and lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) modulators. The drivers have the bandwidth to support 64 GBd and the linearity to support 64-QAM modulation. Power dissipation can be optimized for the specific type of modulator. The drivers are assembled in a 14 mm x 9 mm surface-mount package, which has become the de-facto standard for CFP2-ACO.

Service providers are challenged to maximize bandwidth and increase data throughput per fiber. By maximizing the data rate capacity of a single wavelength, operators can increase transmission capacity and reduce the overall cost-per-bit. Because of shorter reach requirements, metro networks can use higher order modulation, up to 64-QAM at baud rates of 64 GBd, to achieve data rates of 600G using a single wavelength. The next generation CFP2-ACO with 64G/64-QAM, currently being standardized by the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), will enable a capacity of 4.8 Tbps per rack unit — a 3x improvement over current solutions.

Ray Moroney, vice president and business manager for MACOM’s metro and long haul products, said, “MACOM’s drivers are shipping in high volume in the current generation of CFP-DCO and CFP2-ACO, and we are continuing to work closely with our module and system partners developing the next generation of pluggable coherent modules.”

At the OFC 2017 conference, held in Los Angeles March 21-23, MACOM was displaying the MAOM-006417 member of the three-driver series.

For more information on MACOM’s optical and photonic portfolio visit: www.macom.com/opto.