Low power wide spectrum optical transmitter using avalanche mode LEDs in SOI CMOS technology

Low power wide spectrum optical transmitter using avalanche mode LEDs in SOI CMOS technology

Agarwal, V. (University of Twente)
Dutta, S. (University of Twente)
Annema, A.J. (University of Twente)
Hueting, R.J.E. (University of Twente)
Steeneken, P.G. (TU Delft Dynamics of Micro and Nano Systems; TU Delft QN/Steeneken Lab)
Nauta, B. (University of Twente)

2017

This paper presents a low power monolithically integrated optical transmitter with avalanche mode light emitting diodes in a 140 nm silicon-on-insulator CMOS technology. Avalanche mode LEDs in silicon exhibit wide-spectrum electroluminescence (400 nm < λ < 850 nm), which has a significant overlap with the responsivity of silicon photodiodes. This enables monolithic CMOS integration of optocouplers, for e.g. smart power applications requiring high data rate communication with a large galvanic isolation. To ensure a certain minimum number of photons per data pulse (or per bit), light emitting diode drivers must be robust against process, operating conditions and temperature variations of the light emitting diode. Combined with the avalanche mode light emitting diode’s steep current-voltage curve at relatively high breakdown voltages, this conventionally results in high power consumption and significant heating. The presented transmitter circuit is intrinsically robust against these issues, thereby enabling low power operation.

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:50389f17-f35c-46f8-a5c8-ebc4ac949ca4

https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.25.016981

1094-4087

Optics Express, 25 (15), 16981-16995

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2017 V. Agarwal, S. Dutta, A.J. Annema, R.J.E. Hueting, P.G. Steeneken, B. Nauta