Oplink Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPLK), a designer and manufacturer of innovative optical components and integrated optical sub-systems, announced it has been issued two U.S. patents for its proprietary optical switch and optical interleaver.
Patent # 6,215,919 "Mechanical Optical Switching Device," and Patent # 6,215,923 "Optical Interleaver" were issued to Oplink by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Oplink has been issued 18 United States Patents for inventions in the optical industry and has 30 additional Patents Pending.
The optical switch patent features a simplified mechanical design that is insensitive to mechanical drifts, and up to 20 times less sensitive than other mirror-based approaches to optical switch design. It is the smallest form factor, and features extremely low insertion loss (0.3dB typical and 0.5 dB max). This non-sticking optical switch design features high stability and reliability.
The patented a-thermal interleaver design has a more compact package, high stability and low optical insertion loss. This interleaver design is for 10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s systems with low chromatic dispersion, which is particularly important at high bit rates. The interleaver is also designed for use with Oplink's 160 channel DWDM open system platform and may be used in next-generation 1.6 terabit networks.
Oplink has been shipping optical switches based on the invention in quantity to the optical industry.
About Oplink Communications:
Oplink designs, manufactures and markets high performance fiber optic networking components and integrated optical sub-systems that control, expand, amplify, switch, route, monitor, and protect optical signals. For more information, visit www.oplink.com.