Data converters for 100 Gbit/s communication links and beyond

Abstract

High speed data converters are key components for high-throughput wired, fiber optical, RF and mm-wave communication systems that apply higher order modulation formats to achieve date rates up to 100 Gbit/s and beyond. We present a 100 GS/s 8 bit 28 nm CMOS four-fold time-interleaved DAC prototype intended for coherent fiber optical links with up to 480 Gbit/s per wavelength carrier and the design of a 25 GS/s 4 bit 130 nm BiCMOS single-core ADC intended for a 100 Gbit/s wireless link.