2 September 2003 Newton, MA Lightwave -- Waveguide-based integrated DWDM component manufacturer Clarendon Photonics Inc. has announced the development of what it claims is the first single-chip, Wavelength-selectable Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) and the first single-chip, East/West ROADM. Testing of initial optical chips, produced by Micron Technology Inc., will take place during October and evaluation samples are being scheduled for customer delivery in November 2003.
"We continue to demonstrate to customers and investors alike how well our unique combination of fabless semiconductor model, powerful intellectual property and CMOS-based optical platform serves the market," contends Pierre Villeneuve, founder and chief executive officer of Clarendon Photonics. "One of the products we've just announced, for example, will have gone from concept to first silicon in a little over three months. Because we essentially re-wired an existing chip design via a new layout, we've enjoyed low development costs and rapid time-to-market," he adds. "Our engineers focus on extracting more performance and functionality from our DMR Optical Processor technology. And, when these products join the CP-3104 ROADM in commercial production, our customers will benefit from our low silicon cost."
The CP-3404V is a four-channel ROADM specifically designed for metro network elements used in amplified, O-UPSR rings. It features two matched optical express paths allowing signals to be dropped from one path and added to the other. When used in pairs, the result is a complete, fully-protected East/West node that supports in-service upgrades. The CP-3404V also includes four on-chip dynamic Variable Optical Attenuators (VOAs), that provide up to 20 dB of signal launch power control. Two CP-3404Vs replace as many as 28 individual optical components and associated fiber interconnections. The CP-3404V will support a wide variety of 100-GHz channel plans.
The CP-3344D is a four-port ROADM that combines wavelength demultiplexing/drop capabilities with an on-chip optical router, designed for metro network elements requiring "Any Wavelength to Any Port" flexibility. When the CP-3344D is integrated with the element management system, the resulting network solution supports remote selection of the dropped wavelength as well as remote selection of the drop port. Such solutions enable service providers to avoid "stranded wavelengths" as well as tedious network planning exercises typically associated with fixed DWDM solutions. The CP-3344D is compatible with O-UPSR and O-BLSR protection schemes. The CP-3344D replaces as many as 20 individual optical components and will support a wide variety of 100-GHz channel plans.
Clarendon Photonics will be demonstrating its products during NFOEC 2003 at booth # 635 and # 1336.