Inphi Corporation Launches Industry's Best Performing Integrated Linear Transimpedance Amplifiers with Automatic Gain Control.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- New Devices, Key Elements in ROSA and Module Design for New Standard, to Be Demonstrated at OFC/NFOEC March 7th Through 9th In Anaheim, Calif., at Inphi's Booth #3228

Expanding its product portfolio for the high-performance telecommunications and data communications markets, Inphi Corporation (www.inphi-corp.com) today announced the 1348TA and 1349TA Integrated Linear Transimpedance Amplifier with Automatic Gain Control. These TIAs operate at data rates up to 11.3 Gbps and can amplify input currents over the entire dynamic range required by the upcoming IEEE 10GBASE-LRM standard, with extremely low -- less than 5% -- total harmonic distortion (THD). This preserves the input data characteristics and allows an electronic dispersion compensation (EDC) circuit in the receiver to easily recover data from a distorted signal.

These parts are essential for optical receivers used in 1310 nm multi-mode fiber links employing EDC engines that recover signals distorted by multi-path propagation. The primary application is for 10 Gbps Ethernet as defined by the 10GBASE-LRM (long reach over multimode fiber) specification. The 1348TA is intended for TO-can receivers while the 1349TA targets butterfly receivers. The 1348TA and 1349TA are the only linear TIAs available that leverage through-wafer via (TWV) technology. This unique feature simplifies the internal package assembly by eliminating ground bond wires and reducing the number of bypass caps. More importantly, TWVs enhance optical receiver performance by maintaining a flat gain versus frequency profile, increasing the output return loss and decreasing cross talk and jitter.

"Inphi continues to drive the industry's price/performance standards for TIA in the optical market," said Kevin Nary, vice president of engineering at Inphi Corporation. "Our close relationship with customers ensures that devices like the 1348TA and 1349TA meet the challenges they face in design, performance and manufacturability. With Inphi's wide array of complementary building blocks, optical module designers can create better performing solutions at competitive prices and bring them to market quickly."

"LRM-based optical modules are poised to enable mass deployment of 10 Gigabit Ethernet in the enterprise backbone," said Babak Nabili, director of marketing at Scintera Networks, Inc. "Availability of linear TIAs is a key element to enable the implementation of these cost-effective modules."

In AGC mode the 1348TA/1349TA gain is set internally through a peak detector that automatically adjusts gain (200 Ohms to 7K Ohms) keeping the output signal linear over the dynamic range. In external gain control mode, the voltage applied at a control pad determines the gain. Both devices include an integrated feedback circuit that controls the DC offset and maintains 50% eye crossing. In addition, the eye crossing can be externally adjusted through an offset pad, DCA. The 1348TA/1349TA have a small-signal bandwidth greater than 8 GHz as well as an output return loss of greater than 8 dB, up to 12 GHz. The TIA/AGC operates from a single 3.3V power supply with low power consumption -- 200 mW.

Pricing and Availability

Samples are available immediately with volume production to begin in Q2 2006. The parts are expected to cost $19.00 per unit in small volume. Both parts are available in die form.

About Inphi Corporation

Founded in November 2000, Inphi Corporation is a privately held electronic components company based in Westlake Village, Calif. Inphi delivers high-speed precision integrated circuits that optimize power, performance and size, enabling customers to build the highest performance, most cost-competitive telecommunications, data communications and instrumentation systems. Additional information about the company can be found at www.inphi-corp.com.

About Scintera, Inc.

Scintera, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in products that empower multi-gigabit communication and networking systems. Scintera's cutting-edge Gigabit Signal Processor(TM) products are built using the company's Advanced Signal Processing Platform(R) that enables 1 to 12 Gbps processing with ultra low-power dissipation. Applications include enterprise 10 Gigabit Ethernet LRM, metro OC-48 to 10GE/OC-192, storage networks, multi-gigabit backplanes and other high-speed communication systems. For more information and white papers, please visit www.scintera.com.