50 Gbit/s time-division multiplexer in Si-bipolar technology

Abstract
A 2:1 time-division multiplexer is presented which operates up to 50 Gbit/s. This is the highest data rate ever achieved by an integrated circuit in any technology. The output voltage swing is 1 V peak-to-peak at 40 Gbit/s and 0.6 V peak-to-peak at 50 Gbit/s (at 50 Ω on-chip matching). The chips were fabricated in an advanced Si-bipolar technology (fT = 35 GHz) and mounted on a comparatively simple measuring socket.