Differential trans-impedance amplifier

Abstract

In conventional high data rate receivers, the transmitted optical signal has poor extinction ratio and translates into a small modulated current with a large DC current, which saturates the receiver TIA and amplifiers, and significantly degrades the gain and bandwidth performance. Consequently, cancelling PD DC current in high data rate receivers is desired for proper operation. Differential TIA schemes, i.e. providing separate AC-coupled and DC-coupled paths, in parallel, provide better linearity for large input currents and low gain settings. To AC couple the PD to the TIA using passive AC-coupling circuitry, an AC-coupling capacitor (CC) is positioned between the PD and the TIA to block the DC current, while passing the modulated AC current to the TIA. A DC cancellation circuit may be provided, without a capacitor, to maintain the receiver input bias while suppressing any DC component generated by the PD for the DC-coupled path.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.