NeoPhotonics unveils mode coupling receiver for more efficient FTTH

NeoPhotonics Corp. (NYSE: NPTN) has announced a multiport Mode Coupling Receiver (MCR) optical line terminal (OLT) transceiver. The SFP optical transceiver is designed to enable operators to maximize the split ratios of GPON fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks.

MCR transceivers increase the split ratio individual OLT ports can support. The new GPON MCR transceiver, the first in what is likely to be a family of MCR modules, is a four-port MCR GPON Class B+ OLT in a pluggable SFP form factor that can increase the split ratio in a standard PON from 1:32 to 1:128 while maintaining the original link budget and reach. This ability helps operators minimize costs, particularly when GPON FTTH networks are newly installed and customers are just beginning to be added.

The module features a connector with four fiber outputs. Each fiber corresponds to the output of a conventional GPON OLT SFP compliant with ITU-T 984 standards.

As explained in an article in the September/October 2012 issue of Lightwave, the MCR concept has been around for some time. However, previous versions of this technology, based on bulk optics, were too cumbersome and expensive for commercial deployment. The use of NeoPhotonics’ photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology instead of bulk optics for the transceiver offers a more economically feasible approach compatible with existing OLTs, NeoPhotonics asserts.

British Telecom and NeoPhotonics are scheduled to present a joint paper on the MCR GPON OLT Tuesday of this week at ECOC.

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