Energy Efficient Switching Technique for High-Speed Electro-Optical Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

The analysis and performance of an efficient microwave coupler using asymmetrical impedance matching are introduced aiming high-speed electro-optical space switches employing a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Through the reduction of the step matching resistor, its parasitic, and the optimization of the injected electrical switching signals, the proposed coupler was able to significantly reduce the SOA energy consumption while maintaining its ultrafast state transition with reduced transient behavior. Overall, the SOA-based switching action achieved guard times below 500 ps with overshoots close to 0% while operating with low bias currents and short pre-impulses, with a driver power close to 135 mW and energy consumption of 3.4 pJ/bit.