MAX3861: Configuring the MAX3861 AGC Amp as an SFP Limiting Amplifier with RSSI

Abstract

As optical transceiver modules decrease in size and increase in required features, demand for a compact limiting amplifier with Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) continues to grow. Limiting amplifiers offer a low jitter data output, while RSSI, given TIA gain and photodiode responsibility, provides a method to monitor the optical input power. Both of these features are required in the Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) multi-source agreement and in other applications. The purpose of this design note is to modify the MAX3861 post amplifier with automatic gain control to act as an SFP limiting amplifier with RSSI. Read full article.