The Key Technology for 100G CFP/CFP2 LR4 Optical

Transceiver

The form factors of 100G CFP optical modules can be divided into CFP/CFP2/CFP4,
and they can be divided into 100GBASE-SR10, 100GBASE-LR4, and 100GBASE-ER4
according to the transmission distance. All optical module transmission distance is
decided by the optical output signal OSNR tolerance and chromatic dispersion
tolerance decision. Generally speaking, it is determined by the laser and its drive
performance.

At present, there are two types of optical modulation methods for implementing CFP
100GBASE-LR4 transmission in the mainstream market. One is a Direct Modulation
Laser Modulation (DML) mode, that is, a direct modulation laser. And another one is
an Electlro -Modulation Modulation (EML) mode, that is, modulation laser.

The following post will briefly introduce some key technical points of using the TEC
circuit and EML modulation mode to realize the 100G CFP / CFP2 LR4 optical
transceivers.

1. TEC Circuit

EML lasers need to work at a certain wavelength, the temperature jump will lead to
a temperature drift effect, resulting in wavelength instability, drifting, so the stable
working conditions of the laser is a relatively stable operating temperature (steady
wavelength) This requires that we have to provide a high-precision TEC circuit, that is,
a semiconductor refrigerator. The TEC is actually a PN junction made of two
semiconductors of different materials. When a direct current passes through the PN
junction, electrons and gaps in the two materials The hole produces an endothermic
or exothermic effect during movement across the PN junction, effecting a cooling or
heating laser effect, and TEC heating or cooling can be controlled by changing the
current direction and size.
A high-precision op amp compares the target temperature we set with the
temperature fed back by the thermistor, and the error voltage is amplified by a
high-gain amplifier while compensating for the network's contribution to the hot and
cold ends of the laser The phase delay is compensated to drive the H-bridge output
to control the size and direction of the TEC current. When the temperature drops
below our target temperature, the H-bridge will reduce the TEC current or change
the direction of the TEC current for cooling. Conversely, the final control loop Road
will reach a dynamic equilibrium, the temperature will stabilize. Among them, the
compensation circuit is the most critical part of the TEC temperature control circuit,
that is PID proportional integral differential adjustment compensation network,
which determines the TEC controller response speed and regulation accuracy.

2. EAM Regulation

EML lasers are essentially integrated devices for EAM (Electroabsorption Modulator)
and LD (DFB lasers). The key core is the EML chip, which is the core of an
electro-absorption modulated laser based on the Stark Effect (QCSE) design. The
DML laser modulates the light intensity by directly controlling the laser current,
which always works in an unstable state and is easily influenced by the outside world.
In contrast, the EML laser mainly controls the optical signal by controlling the EAM,
the light source will be more stable, and the transmission Relatively speaking, the
characteristics and transmission effects will be better, especially in high frequency
modulation and long distance.
In application, the LD pin injects a constant current to the laser to make the laser
emit light, and the EAM changes the ratio of the laser light to obtain different
intensity of light. The development of Ethernet technology has gone through a
number of development stages from low speed to high speed.

The rate of development from 1M, 10M, 100M and 1G to 10G and 100G has led to
more demand for it to evolve to a higher rate. I believe there will be new
technologies have emerged to meet the growing demand for optical modules.