MARCH 25, 2009 -- Proximion Fiber Systems AB (search Lightwave for Proximion), a provider of fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based dispersion compensation modules (DCMs), has launched the residual dispersion slope compensator (DCM-SLC), the newest member of its continuous-band dispersion-compensation product line. The DCM-SLC provides tailored dispersion characteristics over the C-band, with a low loss and a small form factor. Suited for submarine and ultralong-haul applications, the DCM-SLC can be tailored for each network deployment, says Proximion.
As a single device, the DCM-SLC can carry a steep dispersion slope going from positive to negative across the wavelength band. It can eliminate residual dispersion over the entire C-band rather than needing separate compensators for each channel. According to the company, deploying the DCM-SLC also reduces the number of needed amplifiers and required space, resulting in savings for the network supplier.
In ultralong-haul applications such as submarine links, where fiber mixing is the typical method of choice for dispersion management, aggregated dispersion becomes a problem. The aggregated residual dispersion across the C-band for such links may range from largely negative dispersion on the short wavelength side to largely positive for the long wavelength side. The DCM-SLC is therefore, in most cases, physically located at the terminal nodes, where the wavelength-dependent residual dispersion is at its peak and compensates the transmitting and receiving nodes.
"As data rates continue to rise, the accuracy of dispersion compensation also increases," explains Karen Liu of Ovum (search Lightwave for Ovum). "Proximion's fiber Bragg grating technology introduces wavelength-specific time delays, which reduces loss while offering a cost-effective solution."
Proximion will showcase the DCM-SLC at OFC/NFOEC 2009 in San Diego, CA, March 24-26, in Booth #3222.
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