Phyworks enhances its reference design for FTTx GEPON modules

Based around either Phyworks’ PHY1078 or PHY2078 burst mode transceiver, this low cost reference design uses a very simple external monitoring circuit in conjunction with new microcontroller firmware, GUI and the transceiver’s internal digital bias control loop to provide real time measurement and display of transmit power.

Supporting the design of SFF-8472 standard compliant GEPON modules, the reference design also provides shutdown protection in the event of a transmission fault. If an alarm is triggered, the monitor circuit completely disables the laser to prevent a faulty optical network module from blocking other users on the network.

By virtue of the transceiver chip’s internal digital bias control loop, the Phyworks solution avoids the need for the costly external sample-and-hold circuit required by other transceiver chips. In addition, the internal digital sampling avoids switched external capacitors and improves power measurement accuracy compared with more complex circuits.

Phyworks is supporting the new reference design with a full complement of schematics, bill of materials, firmware and evaluation boards.