Analog Devices Inc. EVAL01-HMC7144LC4

Overview

EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 from Analog Devices (formerly Hittite Microwave) is an evaluation board for the HMC7144LC4 28.3 Gbps EML driver IC with integrated peak detector, supporting 100GbE ER4/LR4 systems, delivering 14 dB gain, ±10 ps group delay variation, 0.25 ps additive jitter, and up to 2.3 V_p-p output swing at 6 V supply.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 datasheet, EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 pinout, EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 application, or EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 equivalent, this board enables rapid characterization of the HMC7144LC4's high-speed modulation performance, amplitude control, peak-detection feedback loop, and power scalability across 3.5–6 V supply and 1.2–2.3 V_p-p output range in CFP/CFP2 optical modules.

Technical Context

The EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 provides full access to all HMC7144LC4 control pins-including V_AMP, V_CROSS, and peak-detector reference inputs-and supports AC-coupled 50 Ω input/output interfaces compliant with 100GbE ER4/LR4 timing masks. It implements on-board bias sequencing and decoupling optimized for 28.3 Gbps operation.

Designed for lab validation of electro-absorption modulated laser (EML) drive conditions, the board integrates calibrated SMA connectors, adjustable termination networks, and test points for real-time monitoring of peak-detected output amplitude and cross-point tuning-enabling precise alignment of optical extinction ratio and eye opening without external RF detectors.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for optical transceiver development, 100GbE module qualification, and high-speed test equipment calibration requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 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

Analog Devices acquired Hittite Microwave in 2014 and maintains its high-frequency RF/microwave product lines, including broadband optical drivers and mmWave components.

The HMC7144LC4 product line targets 100GbE pluggable optical modules, specifically addressing EML drive challenges in CFP/CFP2 form factors through scalable power, integrated diagnostics, and wide supply tolerance.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 evaluation board?

The EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 evaluation board is designed exclusively to characterize and validate the HMC7144LC4 28.3 Gbps EML driver IC. It provides full signal and control access-including V_AMP, V_CROSS, and peak-detector reference inputs-along with SMA I/O, calibrated biasing, and test points for real-time amplitude and eye-diagram analysis. The EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 enables rapid prototyping of 100GbE LR4/ER4 optical transmitter stages.

Does the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 support both 3.5 V and 6 V supply configurations for the HMC7144LC4?

Yes, the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 supports the full 3.5–6 V supply range of the HMC7144LC4 IC. On-board voltage regulation and sequencing circuitry allow stable operation at 3.5 V (0.12 W, 1.5 V_p-p) and 6 V (0.50 W, 2.3 V_p-p). Jumpers and test points enable discrete rail selection and power measurement per configuration. This flexibility is essential for evaluating HMC7144LC4 power-performance trade-offs in CFP2 modules.

How does the integrated peak detector on the HMC7144LC4 manifest on the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 board?

The EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 exposes the HMC7144LC4's peak detector via dedicated test points and a buffered reference input (V_REF). Users can inject a DC reference voltage to set target output amplitude and monitor the detector's analog feedback signal in real time-enabling closed-loop amplitude control without external RF couplers or high-frequency detectors. This functionality is directly accessible and measurable on the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4.

Can the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 be used to adjust cross-point and amplitude independently?

Yes, the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 provides independent access to the HMC7144LC4's V_AMP and V_CROSS control pins via onboard potentiometers and test points. Adjusting V_AMP scales output swing from 1.2 to 2.3 V_p-p; adjusting V_CROSS shifts differential eye crossing point from 45% to 55%. These controls are fully operational on the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 and critical for optimizing optical extinction ratio in EML-based transceivers.

Is the EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 compatible with standard CFP/CFP2 module test fixtures?

The EVAL01-HMC7144LC4 is not a plug-in module but a benchtop evaluation platform with edge-mounted SMA connectors and 50 Ω matched traces. It interfaces directly with bit-error-rate testers (BERTs), sampling oscilloscopes, and optical receivers-making it suitable for subsystem-level validation prior to integration into CFP/CFP2 mechanical carriers. Its layout and signal integrity are optimized to replicate HMC7144LC4 behavior in final module environments.