56 Gbps PAM4 driver module for mach zehnder modulator

摘要

A PAM4 driver with at least 56 Gbps speed for driving a Mach-Zehnder modulator. The PAM4 driver is configured as 2-bit CMOS digital-to-analog convertor including a drive control module for receiving a pair of incoming differential digital data and generating a first processed reference signal and a second processed reference signal. The PAM4 driver further includes a mirrored buffer circuit to produce two sets of four voltage levels. Furthermore, the PAM4 driver includes a decoder module controlled by a switch bias control module configured to decode each of the two sets of four voltage levels for generating a first output signal and a complementary second out signal with 4 independently adjustable analog levels for driving the Mach-Zehnder modulator with close ended termination resistor.