SG Undersea Cable System: Semiconductor Devices and Passive Components

Traditionally, in high-reliability communication systems such as undersea telephone cables, well-established component and device designs and manufacturing processes are used. But with the development of the SG undersea cable system, this conservative approach has been challenged by the need for devices of higher performance. This requirement resulted, in some cases, in sophisticated device designs that border on "state-of-the-art" concepts. For example, the increase in channel capacity or bandwidth requires high-frequency transistors incorporating design and processing features that are relatively new. Nevertheless, new features were carefully evaluated so that they would meet the system reliability requirements. In general, reliability is the governing criterion for the selection of components and devices for the undersea cable system. This concept and how it applies to passive components and active devices are covered in the following subsections: II, transistors; III, diodes; IV, gas tubes; V, resistors; VI, capacitors; and VII, inductors and transformers. Each subsection is complete for each component or device and covers: (i) choice and requirements, (ii) design and construction, (iii) characterization and screening, and (iv) aging. 2405