Blue Sky Research, a privately held developer and manufacturer of high-performance, cost-effective optical network components, announced the preliminary release of its Programmable ITU Laser for DWDM-based Optical Networks. Compared to conventional tunable lasers, Blue Sky Research's Programmable Laser generates high optical output power over a wide tuning range, with fast, non-mechanical tuning and simple control circuitry. The Programmable Laser will be produced in a compact butterfly package design.
Capitalizing on the company's proprietary technology, the Blue Sky Research Programmable ITU Lasers are based on a high-power, compact, external-cavity structure and an inherently temperature-stable micro-etalon wavelength locker. The electrical tuning mechanism is entirely non-mechanical, and provides quicker switching speed and greater temperature stability than conventional tunable lasers. Switching speeds are in the microsecond to nanosecond range, and the wavelength locker more than doubles temperature stability. Compared with conventional tunable laser sources such as distributed bragg reflector (DBR) lasers, Blue Sky Research's Programmable Lasers use standard low-cost Fabry Perot diodes to generate higher optical output power over a wide tuning range, and utilize a simpler control design. Narrow band tuning allows channel spacing as small as 50GHz, and a 25GHz design is in development. The combined elements form a compact, cost- effective laser source offered in two versions: one for high-speed wavelength DWDM network reconfiguration; the second is a preset Programmable Laser for a practical, superior alternative to fixed wavelength laser sources.
Engineering samples of the company's C-band Programmable ITU Laser will be available in Q3 2001, and production units will be available by the end of 2001. A C- and L-Band version is in development and is planned for release in 2002. For specific cost and availability, please contact Blue Sky Research.
Blue Sky Research will be exhibiting in Booth 3622, Exhibit Hall E, at the Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibit (OFC), held at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, March 17-21, 2001.
About Blue Sky Research:
Blue Sky Research, headquartered in San Jose, California, is an optical network components company that develops and manufactures key products essential for the deployment of optical communications networks. For more information, visit www.blueskyresearch.com.