Maxim intros SFP+ optical module controller for optical video/Phyworks reports 30 millionth chip shipment and strong growth

JUNE 10, 2010 –Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) has introduced the DS1876, an SFP+ video controller with a dual laser diode driver (LDD) interface. The device is designed to control and monitor all transmitter functions for SFP+ MSA optical modules and fully support the SFF-8472 specification.

The DS1876 controls two laser drivers to enable low-cost implementation of modules supporting SDI digital video and other optical video applications. The chip gives customers all necessary control and monitoring functionality in a single device, thus saving the expense of two microcontrollers as well as complex software development, Maxim says.

Automatic power control (APC) and laser modulation are controlled through four temperature-driven look-up tables (LUTs) featuring 10-bit delta-sigma DAC outputs with an independent 72-entry LUT for each output. The DS1876 monitors six analog channels: temperature, Vcc, and transmit power and bias current for each of the two laser drivers. It also provides an I2C-compliant interface to the host system.

The DS1876 is fully specified over the -40 degrees Celsius to +95 degrees Celsius temperature range, says Maxim, and is available in a 5×5-mm 28-pin TQFN package. Pricing begins at $1.75 (1000-up, FOB USA).

MAY 27, 2010 — Phyworks announced shipment of its 30 millionth chip, as well as a predicted revenue growth in 2010 of 90%.  The company cites revenue increases in core PON (passive optical network), mobile backhaul, and equalizer markets as key contributing factors.

Phyworks CEO Stephen King says, “Focus on the global PON market has allowed us to gain additional market share in the last year.  This coupled with overall growth in the market has meant we’re experiencing significant increased shipments of all products into the ONU (optical network unit) sector, most notably in China, Japan, and the USA.”

“We’re also in the final development stage with our next generation of 10GPON technology, making Phyworks well placed to support the next wave of worldwide growth in the PON market.”

King continues, “We’ve also seen exceptional growth in our equalizer and clock and data recovery chips in backplane and active copper cable markets.  These opportunities are particularly interesting and include everything from 3.125G to 14G backplanes to PCI Express and SFP+ and XFP active copper cables.”