12 Gbit/s laser diode and optical modulator drivers with InP/InGaAs double HBTs

Abstract
Electronic driver circuits for semiconductor lasers, optical modulators and optical amplifier gates used in fibre optical communication have been realised with InP/InGaAs double heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) with fT = 73 GHz and fmax = 112 GHz. Achievements combine output voltages of 3.5 V and current swings of 140 mA across 25 Ω loads with rise and fall times of 60 ps. The driver ICs operate up to 12 Gbit/s.