FPGA burst-mode receiver enables small form-factor 10G PON applications

By Alex Pluemer, contributing writer

Microchip Technology, Inc., via its Microsemi Corp. subsidiary, recently launched the new PolarFire field programmable gate array (FPGA) burst-mode receiver (BMR), which the company boasts is the first FPGA for 10G passive optical network (PON) implementation in small form-factor pluggable (SFP) and 10-Gb SFP (XFP) footprints. The new PolarFire FPGA BMR solution features the fastest lock times (just 10.8 nanoseconds) on the market among mid-range FPGAs for PONs, according to the company.

Current optical line terminal (OLT) implementations in central offices typically feature large port counts in large chassis configurations, which take up space and consume lots of power. The new BMR solution allows developers to assemble OLTs in smaller form-factor modules while consuming the lowest power in extreme thermal environments, said Microchip.

“The PolarFire FPGA BMR solution is a game changer for our clients designing 10G PON applications because it fundamentally changes the way they build, deploy, and maintain systems,” according to Shakeel Peera, vice president of FPGA marketing for Microchip’s Programmable Solutions business unit. “The combination of PolarFire FPGAs and the new BMR technology enables designers to build unique, proprietary solutions that address the key challenges of reducing power consumption and heat dissipation of PON equipment while delivering the small form factor their end customers are demanding to expand remote deployment choices for carriers.” 

The complementary Microchip SY88029L burst amplifier, the first limiting amplifier in the industry to be fully compliant with XGSPON and NGPON2 timing requirements, according to Microchip, delivers a burst-mode signal detect time of less than 7 nanoseconds.

Microchip provides designers with a suite of development tools to streamline the design process including a hardware kit, reference design, and Microchip’s Libero Integrated Design Environment (IDE) software.

The PolarFire FPGA 10G PON BMR solution is currently available and free to subscribers of Microchip’s Libero design suite.