Energy Efficiency and Linearity Improvements for Next Generation of Power Amplifiers and Modulator Drivers

High-speed optical links require high-bandwidth and linear amplifiers to drive the optical modulator or a laser. Like power amplifiers, linearity, power efficiency and output voltage swing are the key metrics for an optical driver. Therefore, multiple common design techniques have been employed in the design of power amplifiers and drivers. In this presentation, the basic requirements of optical drivers will be reviewed, next the commonalities and the differences of a driver and power amplifier will be discussed, and latest design techniques for high-speed drivers will be presented.