Abstract

Ultrahigh speed multiplexers (MUXs) are critical elements for next-generation lightwave communications systems with data rates of 10 Gbit/s and higher.¹ Several high-speed MUX ICs have been recently reported based on various technologies, with speeds of up to 28 Gbit/s.² For the 2:1 MUXs, the two-level series gating technique is widely used, whereas for the 4:1 MUXs different architectures are applied.^3,4 The 4:1 MUX circuit topology presented here is believed to be most efficient with respect to low power dissipation and device count The 4:1 and 2:1 MUXs reported here operate above 27 Gbit/s. The 2:1 MUX demonstrated a maximum bit rate of 30 Gbit/s, representing the fastest (to our knowledge) MUX IC fabricated in any IC technology.

© 1992 Optical Society of America