PAROLI(R)-a parallel optical link with 15 Gbit/s throughput in a 12-channel wide interconnection

Abstract

A parallel optical link, PAROLI(R), with over 15 Gbit/s throughput for both asynchronous and synchronous data transmission is described. The link consists of discrete transmitter and receiver modules and a low skew cable system. The PAROLI(R) system operates with 12 optical channels at data rates of up to 1.25 Gbit/s per channel. The oxide-confined VCSEL array, the pin diode array and the ICs are designed to operate at 3.3 Volts. Methods of system performance evaluation by eye diagram analysis and BER scan techniques are discussed. Improvements of key component features are presented, pointing towards 2.5 Gbit/s transmission per optical channel in the near future.