40 Gbit/s 2/sup 7/-1 PRBS generator IC in SiGe bipolar technology

A pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS) generator with a sequence length of 2/sup 7/-1 is presented. The circuit is based on a linear feedback shift register operating at half the output data rate. It is manufactured in a pre-production SiGe bipolar technology with a cut-off frequency f/sub T/ of 106 GHz. The PRBS generator operates up to a maximum data rate of 40 Gbit/s and consumes 265 mA from a -4.5 V supply.