MAY 8, 2008 -- Maxim Integrated Products (search for Maxim) has introduced the MAX3886 multirate clock and data recovery (CDR) serializer/deserializer (SerDes) with data rates up to 2.488 Gbits/sec. By combining the functions of three ICs (CDR, serialization, and deserialization) within a single device, the MAX3886 provides significant cost and power savings to manufacturers of PON equipment, Maxim asserts -- particularly optical network terminals (ONTs) used in FTTH installations such as Verizon FiOS.
To enhance design flexibility, Maxim says its proprietary CDR technology enables the MAX3886 to use either a low-cost, 19.44-MHz, SMD-type crystal resonator or an external LVCMOS source as a frequency reference, while still providing best-in-class jitter tolerance to support forward-error correction. Additionally, the upstream rate can be configured to be equal to the downstream rate (symmetric operation) or as a submultiple of the downstream rate (asymmetric operation).
The MAX3886 operates from a 3.3-V supply and is fully specified over the -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius extended temperature range. It is available in an 8x8-mm, 56-pin TQFN package. Prices start at $9.97 (1,000-up, FOB USA). An evaluation kit is available to speed designs.