30Gbit/s, 850nm, VCSEL-based optical link

A complete 30Gbit/s VCSEL link is reported. The driver and receiver amplifiers were fabricated in a 0.13m SiGe BiCMOS process and the 850nm VCSELs and photodetectors are commercial 10Gbit/s-class components. Transmitter pre-emphasis applied through the feed-forward equaliser circuit enables the full link to operate at 30Gbit/s at a bit error ratio less than 10-12 with a 9dB link budget. © 2011 The Institution of Engineering and Technology.