An optically clocked transistor array (OCTA) for 40-Gb/s, bidirectional serial-to-parallel conversion of asynchronous burst optical packets

Abstract

We have fabricated an optically clocked transistor array (OCTA) in an optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) technology incorporating 0.18-µm gate length high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs). As a result of its dual serial-to-parallel (SP) and parallel-to-serial (PS) conversion (time demux/mux) capability, the OCTA realizes a single-chip, low-power interface between input/output high-speed asynchronous burst optical packets and CMOS electronics, thus enabling a compact, low-power solution for label swapping of optical packets. Single channel measurements indicate an input bandwidth greater than 65Gb/s. An eight-channel array demonstrates SP and PS conversion at 40Gb/s.