30 Gbit/s, 850 nm, VCSEL-based optical link

A complete 30 Gbit/s VCSEL link is reported. The driver and receiver amplifiers were fabricated in a 0.13 m SiGe BiCMOS process and the 850 nm VCSELs and photodetectors are commercial 10 Gbit/s-class components. Transmitter pre-emphasis applied through the feed-forward equaliser circuit enables the full link to operate at 30 Gbit/s at a bit error ratio less than 10 -12 with a 9 dB link budget.