High Speed Lightwave Applications for GaAs ICs

GaAs has begun to emerge as a viable IC technology. Although original projections of explosive growth have still not materialized and digital VLSI is not yet available, certain markets have started to take shape. At AT&T, initial development efforts in GaAs have primarily been focused in two areas. Several SSI-level analog ICs are now in manufacture for use in Gb/s lightwave systems and a number of other such circuits are being developed. In the area of digital ICs, a device structure suitable for VLSI circuit complexity is being developed and several LSI-level digital demonstration ICs will soon be available. New electronic systems continue to demand higher speeds, lower power, wider temperature range, greater radiation tolerance, and higher complexity. These requirements continue to drive IC technology. GaAs will provide some of the solutions.