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Low power wide spectrum optical transmitter using avalanche mode LEDs in SOI CMOS technology
Optics Express
|August 10, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a novel low-power optical transmitter using avalanche mode light emitting diodes (LEDs) integrated into silicon-on-insulator CMOS technology. The design achieves robust performance and reduced power consumption for optocouplers in smart power applications.
Area of Science:
- Integrated photonics
- Silicon photonics
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Avalanche mode LEDs in silicon produce wide-spectrum light (400-850 nm), compatible with silicon photodiodes.
- This compatibility enables monolithic CMOS integration of optocouplers for applications like smart power.
- Traditional avalanche LED drivers require high power and generate heat due to robustness needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a low-power, monolithically integrated optical transmitter.
- To address the high power consumption and heating issues in avalanche mode LED drivers.
- To enable robust optocoupler integration in CMOS technology.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 140 nm silicon-on-insulator CMOS technology.
- Designed an avalanche mode light emitting diode (LED) transmitter circuit.
- Developed an intrinsically robust driver circuit for avalanche LEDs.
Main Results:
- Achieved low power operation for the optical transmitter.
- Demonstrated robustness against process, operating conditions, and temperature variations.
- Enabled monolithic integration of optocouplers with high data rate and galvanic isolation.
Conclusions:
- The presented transmitter circuit overcomes conventional limitations of avalanche mode LEDs.
- This technology facilitates efficient and low-power optocoupler solutions for smart power systems.
- Monolithic integration of optical transmitters in CMOS is advanced by this robust design.
