Mid-board miniature dual channel optical transmitter MTx and transceiver MTRx

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, dual-channel optical transmitter and transceiver designed for detector readout, achieving high data rates with a small form factor and reliable fiber coupling, suitable for particle physics applications.

Contribution

The development of a miniature, dual-channel optical transceiver with high data rates and standard fiber coupling for detector readout systems.

Findings

Achieved 5.12 Gbps per channel transmission rate.

Designed only 6 mm tall for compact integration.

Ensured reliable fiber coupling with standard LC components.

Abstract

We report the development of a mid-board, TOSA and ROSA based miniature dual channel optical transmitter (MTx) and a transceiver (MTRx). The design transmission data rate is 5.12 Gbps per channel and receiving data rate 4.8 Gbps. MTx and MTRx are only 6 mm tall and are electrically and optically pluggable. Although the fiber TOSA/ROSA coupling is through a custom latch, the fiber uses the standard LC ferrule, flange and spring. Light coupling is ensured by the TOSA and ROSA with the LC coupling mechanism. With the dual channel serializer LOCx2 sits under MTx, one achieves high data transmission with a small PCB footprint, and enjoys the reliability of the hermetically packaged TOSA. MTx and MTRx are designed for detector front-end readout of the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeter (LAr) trigger upgrade.