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Application Note:
Mach 10 056

Introduction: These Application Notes are specific to the small-form-factor, zero-chirp Mach-10 devices with integrated optical detectors. The footprint of this device has been minimized to fit the tight dimensional constraints of MSA transponders. Its zero-chirp design is ideal for achieving less than 2dB of power penalty at +/-1200ps/nm dispersion. The purpose of this document is to describe the recommended test and operating configuration for these devices. Internal Detector: The internal tap detector is provided for two main purposes; it provides a feedback signal for closed loop bias control of the modulator and a means for monitoring the average optical output power. In order to minimize insertion loss, the tap detector does not capture the fundamental optical mode of the modulator, but rather a radiated mode. As such, the detector exhibits an inverted characteristic curve as compared to the modulators optical output. Thus when the modulator is fully on, the tap detector output will be a minimum, and vice-versa. One implication is that a bias controller which is set to positive-slope quadrature using an external tap and photodiode will produce a negative-slope quadrature when using the internal tap. Similarly, a loop set to achieve a peak output from the internal tap will produce a modulator output which is at null. Knowing this, it is easily compensated for in the design of the bias control loop. Under most conditions, using the internal tap detector to monitor the average optical power will still work fine. As long as the modulator spends equal time going between on and off, the output power indicated by either the internal tap, or an external photodetector will be half that of the peak. Even if that is not true, (for example, when using electrical RZ modulation) any change in the average optical output power due to phenomena such as laser aging will be properly monitored by the internal tap. Operating Bias Point: By default, this device has been bias trimmed such that its zero-volt operating point is near negative-slope quadrature. The implication of operating on the negative slope quadrature point is that the modulator will cause data inversion. If operated with an inverting driver, no net data inversion will occur. However, if operated with a non-inverting driver (such as the Multilink 5525 or 5529), data inversion will occur. If this is undesirable, it can be corrected by using the complementary output of the data source to the driver, be it a pattern generator or MUX. It can also be corrected by applying a bias voltage to achieve operation on the positive slope quadrature point. This is not a preferred solution as the required bias voltage will be quite large. If modulator operation on the positive slope quadrature point is a strict requirement, production devices can be ordered with the specification of bias trimming to the positive-slope quadrature point.

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Related Documents: 1. The Device Data Sheet provided with each device. 2. The Product Specification 3. Final Test Report Application Note 4. Bias Control Application Note.

Device Layout: The modulators optical and electrical interfaces are defined in Fig.1 below.

MSA Transponder-Compliant Mach 10 Internal termination; Separate DC bias electrode; Internal detector Input

GND DC C A

RF in from driver (SMP)

DC bias in from bias controller out (GND = ground) (DC = signal)

Output

Monitor detector out to bias controller (C = cathode) (A = anode)

Fig. 1. Package layout for the Mach 10 056.

10335 Guilford Road Jessup, MD 20794

Recommended Test and Operating Configuration: Possible configurations for testing and operating these devices are given in the following figures. Figure 2 illustrates a test configuration employing an external fiber tap for feedback to the bias controller. Figure 3 illustrates a similar test configuration employing the internal detector for bias control feedback, eliminating the need for an external fiber tap.

Output SMF Modulator

C A Bias Gnd

Input PMF RF in

CW Laser +10dBm

Tap 99% 1% Bias Controller

Data out

Multilink 5525
AM input Data in

HP 70843B Pulse Pattern Generator HP 83480 Digital Communications Analyzer 10.7Gb/s 500mVpp HP 83482A 30GHz Optical Head Data Out Trig.

Trig.

Fig. 2. A possible test configuration using optical feedback for bias control.

10335 Guilford Road Jessup, MD 20794

Output SMF

Input PMF RF in

CW Laser +10dBm

C A Bias Gnd

Data out

Bias Controller

Multilink 5525
AM input Data in

HP 70843B Pulse Pattern Generator Data Out Trig.

HP 83480 Digital Communications Analyzer

HP 83482A 30GHz Optical Head

Trig.

Fig. 3. A possible test configuration using electrical feedback from the internal detector for bias control.