San Jose, California, March 10, 2014 – Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM) has released the highly integrated MAX3956 10GBASE-LR SFP+ optical transceiver IC, making it possible to achieve high performance and low power simultaneously in optical modules.

Optical module designers typically have to choose between high performance and power consumption in their applications. The MAX3956 SFP+ laser transceiver IC addresses this challenge. It offers over 50% transmission mask margin performance (1k waveform, zero mask hit) and a total SFP+ module power consumption of less than 0.8W. This low power consumption reduces operating expenses (OPEX) in data centers and improves temperature reliability. Additionally, it integrates a high-precision analog monitor for digital diagnostic monitoring (DDM), including temperature, VCC, and RSSI sensors, enabling ultra-compact designs and reducing BOM costs. Because the MAX3956 integrates an analog monitor and a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), it allows the use of low-cost external microcontrollers that provide 'digital functions only'.

The MAX3956 is a highly integrated product that saves on external component costs by integrating programmable transmit input equalization, receive output de-emphasis, DDM, and high-precision analog monitors (including temperature, VCC, and RSSI sensors), and is a low-power product that achieves a total SFP+ module power consumption of less than 0.8W and an IC power consumption of 380mW at 3.3V (typical) through the device's unique DC-coupled laser interface. In addition, the MAX3956 implements 4.6 psp-p deterministic jitter (receiver) and 5 psp-p deterministic jitter (transmitter).

"Optical transceiver designers have always had to trade power for performance," said Stacey McKinney, Strategic Marketing Manager at Maxim Integrated. "The MAX3956 SFP+ transceiver IC combines low power and high performance with an optimal combination."

"Demand for 10GBASE-LR modules is increasing due to the proliferation of large data servers," said Dale Murray, a senior analyst at LightCounting. "As power consumption becomes as important as density, low-power SFP+ optical transceivers are becoming a key element for data center operators."

The MAX3956 is available in a 5mm x 5mm, 32-pin TQFN-EP package, and the device operates over a temperature range of -40°C to +95°C. Reference designs are provided to qualified customers, along with high-resolution images of MAX3956 end applications and block diagrams.