M
3.2Gbps SFP Transimpedance
Amplifiers with RSSI
6
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Pin Description
Detailed Description
The MAX3724/MAX3725 are transimpedance amplifiers
designed for up to 3.2Gbps SFF/SFP transceiver mod-
ules. A functional diagram of the MAX3724/MAX3725 is
shown in Figure 1. The MAX3724/MAX3725 comprise a
transimpedance amplifier stage, a voltage amplifier
stage, an output buffer, and a direct-current (DC) feed-
back cancellation circuit. The MAX3724 also includes a
signal strength indicator (RSSI). To provide this signal in
a standard 4-pin TO header, the RSSI level is added to
the common mode of the differential data output pins.
Transimpedance Amplifier Stage
The signal current at the input flows into the summing
node of a high-gain amplifier. Shunt feedback through
the resistor R
F
converts this current to a voltage. In par-
allel with the feedback resistor are two back-to-back
Schottky diodes that clamp the output signal for large
input currents, as shown in Figure 2.
MAX3724/
MAX3725
BOND PAD
NAME
FUNCTION
1, 3
2, 7
4
V
CC
N.C.
IN
Supply Voltage
No Connection
TIA Input. Signal current from photodiode flows into this pin.
5
FILTER
Provides bias voltage for the photodiode through a 580
resistor to V
CC
. When grounded, this
pin disables the DC cancellation amplifier to allow a DC path from IN to OUT+ and OUT- for
testing.
6, 10
GND
Supply Ground
8
OUT-
Inverting Data Output. Current flowing into IN causes the voltage at OUT- to decrease. For the
MAX3724, the common mode between OUT+ and OUT- is proportional to the average input
current.
9
OUT+
Noninverting Data Output. Current flowing into IN causes the voltage at OUT+ to increase. For
the MAX3724, the common mode between OUT+ and OUT- is proportional to the average input
current.
TRANSIMPEDANCE
AMPLIFIER
OUT+
OUT-
50
50
V
CC
FILTER
IN
DC CANCELLATION
CIRCUIT
MAX3724
RSSI
TRANSIMPEDANCE
AMPLIFIER
OUT+
OUT-
50
50
V
CC
FILTER
IN
DC CANCELLATION
CIRCUIT
MAX3725
V
CC
R
F
R
F
Figure 1. Functional Diagram