Cisco Technology, Inc.

Alexander Christopher Kurylak

Kadaba Lakshmikumar

Sanjay Sunder

Manohar Bhavsar Nagaraju

Romesh Kumar Nandwana

Richard Van Hoesen Booth

Sean P Anderson

Bibhu Prasad Das

Techniques for testing connectivity between a first integrated circuit (IC) and a second IC of an electronics package are described. An example technique involves controlling a switch(es) in the first IC to configure a bias direction of a photodiode of the second IC to forward biased. A connectivity test between the first and second ICs is performed, when the photodiode is forward biased. Another technique involves controlling a switch(es) in the first IC to configure a bias direction of a photodiode in the second IC to reverse biased. A first voltage is measured at an input of a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) in the first IC when the photodiode is reverse biased. The switch(es) are controlled to change the bias direction of the photodiode to forward biased. A second voltage is measured at the input of the TIA when the photodiode is forward biased.

Enhanced direct current (DC) built-in-self-test (BIST) coverage for optical engines and advanced packaging

Techniques for implementing a differential differencing TIA for coherent applications are disclosed. A method includes receiving first and second optical signals from a 90 degree optical hybrid that receives a coherent optical signal, wherein the first and second optical signals each include one pair of sum and difference signals output by the 90 degree optical hybrid, generating, based on the first optical signal and from a first photo diode, a first differential signal, generating, based on the second optical signal and from a second photo diode, a second differential signal, differentially transconducting the first and second differential signals to produce first and second transconducted signals, performing a differencing operation on the first and second differential transconducted signals to produce a combined differential-differencing transconducted signal that is representative of the first optical signal and the second optical signal, and outputting the combined differential transconducted signal as a differential output.

Differential differencing transimpedance amplifier for coherent applications

An integrated circuit includes a transimpedance amplifier and an injection circuit. The injection circuit generates a first electrical test signal and injects the first electrical test signal into the transimpedance amplifier. The first electrical test signal or an output of the transimpedance amplifier generated based on the first electrical test signal is used to determine whether the integrated circuit is faulty.

Fault detection in integrated circuits

An asymmetric signal path approach is used to extract differential signals out of the photodetector (e.g., a photodiode) for amplification by a differential transimpedance amplifier (TIA). This asymmetric-path differential TIA configuration has less low-frequency Inter Symbol Interference (ISI) (also known as Baseline Wander), less high-frequency noise amplification, and higher bandwidth capabilities. There is no power penalty with this design in comparison to a single-ended TIA, can extend the range of the link for a given system power consumption, and can decrease transmitter power for a given range.

Differential transimpedance amplifier employing asymmetric signal paths

In one embodiment, stable and controlled circuit element biasing is provided in a circuit comprising a voltage source operable to output a first voltage, a reference voltage source operable to output a reference voltage, a circuit element biased, during operation, by the first voltage at a first end and by a second voltage at a second end, a voltage controller coupled to the second end of the circuit element, wherein the voltage controller is operable to adjust the second voltage based on a gain output, a gain controller operable to receive the reference voltage as a first input and the second voltage as a second input, wherein the gain controller is operable to generate, at an output of the gain controller, the gain output based on the second voltage and the reference voltage, and a feedback loop that extends from the output of the gain controller, through the voltage controller, and to the second input.

Photodiode cathode biasing

A system includes a transimpedance amplifier, disposed on a chip, having a front-end section and a back-end section; an on-chip linear regulator, on the chip, arranged to power the front-end section; and an off-chip switching regulator, off the chip, arranged to power the back-end section. The arrangement provides low noise power supply for the front-end section, while providing a more power efficient switching regulator to power the back-end section. The output voltage of the on-chip linear regulator and the output voltage of the off-chip switching regulator are controlled to be the same.

Linear transimpedance amplifier dual regulator architecture and tuning

A flip-flop is provided that includes an input latch, configured to receive a data signal and a complement and produce set and reset pulses based on a clock and a difference between the data signal and the complement; and an output latch, configured to store a data value in a first memory and a complement data value in a second memory based on the set and reset pulses and the clock. Various buffers configured to invert and amplify the set and reset pulses before provision to the output latch stages are optionally disposed between the input and output latches. The input latch includes two signal arms, two difference transistors (one gate controlled by the clock and the other by a clock complement) coupled oppositely to one another (by respective drains and sources) to the signal arms, and two regeneration inverters coupled oppositely to one another to the signal arms.

Sense amplifier flip-flop

A driver circuit for a Mach-Zehnder modulator is provided that includes a first driver having an input to receive one of an input data or input data complement, and an output to be coupled to a first application voltage node associated with a first arm of a Mach-Zehnder modulator. The driver circuit includes a second driver having an input to receive the other of the input data complement or input data, and an output to be coupled to a second application voltage node associated with the first arm of the Mach-Zehnder modulator. The first driver and the second driver differentially drive the first and second application voltage nodes associated with the first arm of the Mach-Zehnder modulator to result in a voltage swing associated with a voltage applied to the first arm that is twice the supply voltage.

High swing AC-coupled Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) driver

A circuit includes a front end section configured to receive input current signals; a programmable gain amplifier section coupled to the front end section, the programmable gain amplifier section including a plurality of inverters connected in series without a resistor disposed therebetween; and an output buffer section coupled to the programmable gain amplifier section and configured to output voltage signals.

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Bethlehem, PA, United States of America

Alexander Christopher Kurylak