MMIC GaAs transimpedance amplifiers for optoelectronic applications

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of MMIC transimpedance amplifiers able to improve the global performances of an optical link in terms of gain, dynamic range and noise, over a typical 1 to 20 GHz frequency range. Two MMICs, a distributed amplifier and a photodiode follower using the Bootstrap technique, provide an active matching between 50 Ohm and both high impedance of a photodiode and low impedance of a laser. After a single foundry run, the on-chip measurements show a good agreement with the simulation and the first measurements in association with optoelectronic devices are successful