A packaged high-performance decision IC up to 45-Gb/s

A packaged D-type flip-flop (DFF) decision circuit for optical OC-768 systems and testing equipment is reported. The circuit uses 1 /spl mu/m InP SHBT technology featuring f/sub T//f/sub max/=150 GHz and has been operated up to 45 Gb/s with a clock phase margin about 180/spl deg/. Measured output eye diagrams from packaged devices exhibit 9/8 ps rise/fall with only 3ps peak-peak jitter. A single-ended AC-coupled clock input makes the application of this circuit very convenient. The IC dissipates 440 mW from a -4V supply voltage.