The DS1873 controls and monitors all functions for SFF, SFP, and SFP+ modules including all SFF-8472 functionality. The DS1873 provides APC loop, modulation current control, and eye safety functionality. The DS1873 continuously monitors for high output current, high bias current, and low and high transmit power to ensure that laser shutdown for eye safety requirements are met without adding external components.

Six ADC channels monitor V_CC, temperature, and four external monitor inputs (MON1–MON4) that can be used to meet all monitoring requirements. MON3 is differential with support for common mode to V_CC. Two digital-to-analog (DAC) outputs with temperature-indexed lookup tables (LUTs) are available for additional monitoring and control functionality.