GigOptix Introduces GX3101 Universal Transimpedance Amplifier

February 17, 2010 – GigOptix, Inc., today announced the release of its GX3101, a high performance universal limiting Transimpedance Amplifier (TIA) designed for use in fiber optic communication systems such as Fiber Channel, Ethernet, SONET transceivers and in wireless backhaul. The GX3101 is designed to enable one solution to support a variety of optical reaches, speeds and standards that require a limiting TIA.

The GX3101 key features include:
Bandwidth selection to support operation from 2Gb/s up to 11Gb/s
High sensitivity with 16KOhm differential gain to support up to 80km reaches
AGC and DC cancellation circuitry to ensure high performance over a large range of operating conditions
Large output voltage swing eliminates need for a post amplifier
Low power consumption

The GX3101 helps simplify ROSA manufacturers supply chain by enabling the use of one part to address a wide range of speeds, reaches and standards that have previously been addressed by different TIA solutions from multiple vendors. Furthermore, this universal TIA enables manufacturers to enjoy cost efficiencies by leveraging the combined purchase of the high volume low data rate applications with the smaller but growing segment of the 10Gb/s data rate applications.

“The GX3101 is being very well received by our optical transceiver customers. It was developed in close collaboration with a leading ROSA manufacturer to ensure that it would cover as wide as possible range of applications,” commented Julie Tipton, Vice President Marketing at GigOptix. “It is intended to help simplify our customers supply chain and to bring cost advantages since we are able to offer attractive prices in high volume while not compromising on performance. GigOptix initially developed the device for the Ethernet and Fibre Channel market segments and we are now beginning to see significant demand for the device from 3G/4G wireless backhaul segment operating at 6Gb/s data rate. This segment is moving to higher capacity optical fiber implementations to satisfy consumer’s fast growing demand for mobile audio and video services.”

“We recently reported that the transceiver market showed considerable improvement in the second half of 2009, with purchasing resuming in order to replenish depleted inventories. Datacom applications requiring Fibre Channel and Ethernet appear to be recovering the earliest,” commented Dr. Vladimir Kozlov, Founder and CEO at LightCounting, LLC. In its September 2009 Market Forecast, LightCounting projected that over 1.8M 10G Ethernet and over 11M Fiber Channel transceivers would be shipped in 2010.

The GX3101 is now available for sampling and will be in full production in Q2 2010. For more information visit GigOptix.