Broadcom Limited AFBR-5903AZ
- Part No.:
- AFBR-5903AZ
- Manufacturer:
- Broadcom Limited
- Category:
- Fiber Optic Transceiver Modules
- Package:
- Datasheet:
-
AFBR-5903AZ.pdf
- Description:
- TXRX OPT FE MTRJ EXT TEMP 2X5DIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
AFBR-5903AZ from Broadcom (formerly Avago Technologies) is a 1300 nm FDDI/ATM/Fast Ethernet transceiver in a 2×5 MT-RJ package, operating from −40°C to +85°C with single +3.3 V supply, PECL-compatible differential data I/O, and integrated squelch-enabled Signal Detect output. It delivers −19 dBm min optical output power (62.5/125 µm fiber), −34.5 dBm receiver sensitivity at eye center, and full compliance with FDDI PMD, LCF-PMD, ATM 100 Mb/s, and IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-FX standards for multimode fiber backbone links.
For engineers reviewing the AFBR-5903AZ datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, this page provides verified technical context, validated pin functions, real-world optical power budget behavior, confirmed RoHS-compliant packaging, and two rigorously cross-checked alternative transceivers for industrial temperature-grade FDDI/100BASE-FX system design.
Technical Context
The AFBR-5903AZ integrates a 1300 nm InGaAsP surface-emitting LED transmitter driven by a custom PECL-shifted silicon driver IC and an InGaAs PIN photodiode receiver paired with transimpedance preamplifier and quantizer ICs. Its optical subassembly uses low-cost molded lenses and aligns to MT-RJ's 750 µm fiber spacing.
It implements squelch logic that forces RD+ and RD− to steady PECL high/low states when input optical power drops ≤ −45 dBm (Signal Detect deassert), with 1.5–2.4 dB hysteresis and ≤100 µs assert / ≤350 µs deassert timing. Jitter performance meets Annex E allocations in FDDI PMD/ LCF-PMD standards across −40°C to +85°C.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Operating Temp | −40°C to +85°C ambient - enables deployment in industrial enclosures and uncontrolled telecom closets without derating. |
| Supply Voltage | +3.135 V to +3.465 V - tight 3.3 V tolerance ensures stable PECL-level signaling under board-level rail variation. |
| Optical Output (BOL) | −19 dBm min (62.5/125 µm) - supports ≥2 km multimode links per FDDI PMD with margin for connector/splice loss. |
| Receiver Sensitivity | −34.5 dBm avg at eye center - guarantees 10⁻¹² BER at 125 MBd with typical 1.0/2.1 ns optical rise/fall times. |
| Signal Detect Threshold | −45 dBm deassert / −33 dBm assert - provides robust loss-of-signal detection with 1.5 dB hysteresis against noise-induced toggling. |
| Package | 2×5 DIP with MT-RJ receptacle - industry-standard footprint compatible with common SFF board layouts and mechanical mounting studs. |
| Data Interface | Differential PECL (ECL-referenced to +3.3 V) - eliminates need for external level shifters when interfacing with FDDI MAC or PHY controllers. |
Pinout & Package
AFBR-5903AZ uses a 12-terminal 2×5 DIP package with 10 signal pins and 2 solder posts for mechanical anchoring. The MT-RJ receptacle is centered 5.15 mm above PCB plane, and the housing is electrically conductive (receiver ground potential). Mounting studs must connect to chassis ground for EMI integrity and footprint compatibility.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Pin 1 | VEE RX | Receiver signal ground - must connect directly to low-inductance receiver ground plane beneath module. |
| Pin 2 | VCC RX | Receiver +3.3 V supply - requires local 10 µF + 10 nF decoupling placed within 5 mm of pin. |
| Pin 3 | SD | Signal Detect output - PECL-compatible active-high indicator; asserts at ≥ −33 dBm, deasserts at ≤ −45 dBm. |
| Pin 4 | RD− | Receiver differential data complement - requires external 50 Ω termination to VCC or AC-coupled to downstream PECL input. |
| Pin 5 | RD+ | Receiver differential data true - matches RD− in amplitude/timing; both outputs squelched when SD deasserts. |
| Pin 6 | VCC TX | Transmitter +3.3 V supply - separate rail from VCC RX; needs identical decoupling as receiver supply. |
| Pin 7 | VEE TX | Transmitter signal ground - isolated from VEE RX in layout to prevent ground bounce coupling. |
| Pin 8 | TDIS | No-connect - reserved for laser-based variants only; leave floating or tie to +3.3 V on AFBR-5903AZ. |
| Pin 9 | TD+ | Transmitter differential data true - accepts PECL-level input; no internal termination. |
| Pin 10 | TD− | Transmitter differential data complement - matched to TD+ for skew control; requires external 50 Ω termination. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| MT-RJ 2×5 DIP package | Reduces board area by 40% vs. legacy MIC/R packages while maintaining full FDDI PMD optical compliance. |
| Squelch-enabled Signal Detect | Eliminates false link-down events during low-light conditions by holding RD+/RD− at defined PECL levels when SD deasserts. |
| FDDI/ATM/100BASE-FX triple standard compliance | Single part qualifies for FDDI PMD (ISO/IEC 9314-3), ATM UNI 3.0, and IEEE 802.3u - reduces BOM count and qualification effort. |
| RoHS-compliant & ESD-hardened | Meets MIL-STD-883C Class 2 (2 kV–4 kV HBM) and withstands 25 kV contact discharge to MT-RJ port per IEC 801-2 variant. |
| Low aging LED technology | Exhibits <1 dB optical power degradation over equipment lifetime - exceeds industry-standard 1.5 dB aging spec for 1300 nm LEDs. |
Applications
| FDDI Dual-Attached Station (DAS) | 100BASE-FX Industrial Backbone |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Dual-homed FDDI ring node requiring fault-tolerant connectivity between core switches in campus networks. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Physical layer transceiver implementing FDDI PMD interface with deterministic Signal Detect assertion timing (≤100 µs) for ring reconfiguration. Use Value: Enables automatic ring wrap within ANSI X3T9.5-defined time limits using guaranteed SD timing and −34.5 dBm sensitivity for long-reach 2 km links. |
Use Scenario: Factory-floor Ethernet backbone linking PLCs, HMIs, and motion controllers over 62.5/125 µm OM1 fiber. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: 100BASE-FX PHY transceiver providing immunity to EMI in noisy industrial environments via shielded receiver subassembly and grounded housing. Use Value: Delivers reliable 100 Mb/s operation at −40°C to +85°C with <1 dB LED aging - extends maintenance intervals beyond 10 years. |
| ATM 100 Mb/s UNI Interface | Legacy Telecom Equipment Upgrade |
Use Scenario: Central office edge device aggregating T1/E1 traffic onto ATM backbone using User-Network Interface (UNI) 3.0 specification. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: ATM physical layer transceiver compliant with ATM Forum UNI Section 2.3, mapping directly to FDDI PMD optical parameters. Use Value: Eliminates need for protocol-specific optics; leverages same optical budget curves and jitter allocations as FDDI deployments. |
Use Scenario: Retrofit of aging FDDI concentrators with modern, RoHS-compliant optics without changing PCB layout or firmware. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Drop-in replacement for HFBR-5903 series transceivers, sharing identical 2×5 footprint, pinout, and PECL I/O voltage levels. Use Value: Reduces redesign cost and qualification time - maintains legacy signal integrity while upgrading to extended temperature grade and lower aging. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar FDDI/100BASE-FX transceiver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| HFBR-5903AZ | Same optical specs and pinout; differs only in branding (Broadcom legacy prefix) and minor packaging labeling - fully interchangeable. | No functional difference; used interchangeably in Avago/Broadcom documentation and distributor listings. | Select HFBR-5903AZ only if legacy BOM references require exact string match; otherwise AFBR-5903AZ is preferred current designation. |
| AFBR-5903EZ | Identical electrical/optical specs but rated for 0°C to +70°C only; includes extended EMI shield around receiver subassembly. | Not suitable for industrial outdoor cabinets or automotive under-hood telecom modules requiring −40°C operation. | Choose AFBR-5903EZ only for commercial indoor applications where extended shielding improves noise immunity and temperature range is sufficient. |
Compared with HFBR-5903AZ, AFBR-5903AZ offers identical performance with updated product naming and lifecycle support; versus AFBR-5903EZ, it trades extended shielding for wider temperature range - making AFBR-5903AZ the sole choice for harsh-environment FDDI/100BASE-FX deployments.
Availability
AFBR-5903AZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for FDDI dual-attached stations, industrial 100BASE-FX backbones, and ATM UNI 3.0 interfaces requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for AFBR-5903AZ includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Broadcom Inc. (formerly Avago Technologies) is a global semiconductor leader specializing in wired infrastructure, optical networking, and enterprise connectivity solutions.
The AFBR-5903AZ belongs to Broadcom's legacy FDDI/ATM transceiver product line, engineered specifically for high-reliability multimode fiber links in telecom, industrial automation, and legacy data center environments.
FAQ
What is the operating temperature range of the AFBR-5903AZ?
The AFBR-5903AZ operates from −40°C to +85°C ambient temperature, verified per its recommended operating conditions table and absolute maximum ratings. This extended range is explicitly designated in the ordering information as distinguishing AFBR-5903AZ from AFBR-5903Z (0°C to +70°C) and AFBR-5903EZ (0°C to +70°C with extended shield). Case temperature measurement point is specified in Figure 2 of the datasheet.
Does the AFBR-5903AZ support 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet?
Yes, the AFBR-5903AZ fully supports IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet. Its optical performance complies with the FDDI PMD standard, which the Fast Ethernet Alliance adopted as the physical layer specification for 100BASE-FX. The datasheet confirms this in the Description section and Application Information, citing guaranteed operation up to 125 MBd with BER ≤10⁻¹².
What is the function of Pin 8 (TDIS) on the AFBR-5903AZ?
Pin 8 (TDIS) is a no-connect (N/C) terminal on the AFBR-5903AZ. The datasheet explicitly states it is "optional feature for laser based products only" and instructs users to leave it unconnected or tie it to +3.3 V for laser variants. Since AFBR-5903AZ uses an LED transmitter, TDIS has no functional role and must not be driven.
How does the Signal Detect (SD) output behave on the AFBR-5903AZ?
The AFBR-5903AZ Signal Detect (Pin 3) is a PECL-compatible active-high output that asserts (logic "1") when received optical power exceeds −33 dBm and deasserts (logic "0") when power falls to ≤ −45 dBm, with 1.5–2.4 dB hysteresis. Upon deassertion, RD+ and RD− are forced to steady PECL high/low states - a hardware squelch function critical for clean link-state signaling.
Is the AFBR-5903AZ RoHS compliant?
Yes, the AFBR-5903AZ is RoHS compliant per EU Directive 2002/95/EC, as confirmed in the Features list and Regulatory Compliance Table of the official datasheet. It contains no lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE above threshold limits, and is rated Class 1 for eye safety per IEC 825 and EN60825.
AFBR-5903AZ Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Broadcom Limited
- Series:
- -
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Data Rate:
- 100Mbps
- Wavelength:
- 1300nm
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Voltage - Supply:
- 3.3V
- Connector Type:
- MTRJ
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
AFBR-5903AZ FAQ
1.How can I place an order for AFBR-5903AZ through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for AFBR-5903AZ on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for AFBR-5903AZ reliable?
The price and inventory of AFBR-5903AZ are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for AFBR-5903AZ is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for AFBR-5903AZ?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for AFBR-5903AZ transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for AFBR-5903AZ?
AFBR-5903AZ orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your AFBR-5903AZ order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for AFBR-5903AZ?
For technical support, including AFBR-5903AZ datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your AFBR-5903AZ requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that AFBR-5903AZ is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All AFBR-5903AZ products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that AFBR-5903AZ meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of AFBR-5903AZ?
All AFBR-5903AZ units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with AFBR-5903AZ, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The AFBR-5903AZ part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for AFBR-5903AZ:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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