New Products

Band WDM products utilize proprietary thin-film filter technology to achieve wavelength and channel isolation and stability. The 100- and 200-GHz (4 Skip 0) Band WDM products are designed to reduce demultiplexing insertion losses in a number of applications. The products enable network designers to add or drop a series of channel bands, enabling flexible add and drop functions without lost channels.Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Sunnyvale, CAwww.afop.com

The HexAlign (M850) is a compact micropositioning system with six degrees of freedom. The system uses six linear actuators, situated between a bottom and a top platform, to achieve linear submicron, sub-arc-second resolution. The "parallel kinematics" design with a vector-based 6-D hexapod motion controller serves as an alternative to conventional "stacked systems." Polytec PI, Auburn, MAwww.polytecpi.com

CODE V 9.2 Optical Design Software has added several features including a new Gaussian-beam visualization option. Other features include a streamlined procedure for analyzing and optimizing fiberoptic coupling efficiency, and an improved method for determining Gaussian beam propagation parameters. A new input/output interface enables CODE V to exchange data with other software applications for photonics component simulation.Optical Research Associates, Pasadena, CAwww.opticalres.com

Low-cost variable optical attenuator (VOA) modules are designed for all current and future broadband and narrowband VOA applications in amplification, pre-emphasis, and equalization. The modules provide dynamic attenuation for 4, 8, or 16 independent channels. They integrate with the emerging arrayed, per-wavelength photonic products required for new variably attenuated systems, including reconfiguarable OADM(R-VOADM) and variable DWDM multiplexer (V-MUX).MegaSense, Sunnyvale, CAwww.megasense.com

The Free-X 2 x 2 all-optical switch is available in a fast or ultrafast version with integrated VOA and multicast capabilities. Designed for next-generation optical networks, the switch uses Solid Free Space (SFS) technology, based on free-space propagation and polarization encoding of optical signals, for ultrafast, polarization independent, nonblocking switching in a compact package.Civcom, Petach-Tikvah, Israelwww.civcom.com

The IMX-80 is an 80-channel, all-optical switch for long-haul and metro-area data, video, and voice applications. The device has an insertion loss of 1.7 dB for port count up to 256. Its MEMS mirrors are controlled with three ASIC-integrated feedback loops that combine optical and mirror position sensors for switch time <10 ms.Integrated Micromachines, Monrovia, CAwww.micromachines.com

Integrated circuits operating faster than 50 Gbit/s are made using high-electron-mobility transistors based on indium phosphide. The ICs have a frequency maximum of 350 Hz with a 0.1-mm gate length. They can be used for D-type FF, 2:1 selectors, 1:2 demultiplexers, and toggle FF.
NTT Electronics Corp., Tokyo, Japan
www.nel.co.jp

The AutoPrep unit is a bench-top automated fiber preparation unit that strips, cleans, and cleaves optical fibers with 250 to 900 mm coatings with a 9-s cycle time. It uses a patented "Burst Technology" that directs a single high- velocity "burst" directly at the fiber's coating, instantly stripping and cleaning it without damage to the bare glass. The unit is compatible with all commercially available industrial fusion splicers.3SAE Technologies, Woburn, MAwww.3sae.com

The NetLight NLT series of small-form factor (SFF) transceivers is intended for use by developers of SONET/SDH-based optical networking systems. The pin-through-hole transceivers cover transmission speeds from OC-3 (155 Mb/s) to OC-48 (2.5 Gb/s) at distances from two to 80-km. These transceivers are optimized for high-density, high- speed data transport in metropolitan and access networks.
Agere Systems, Allentown, PA
www.agere.com

The OptiLock VR2e is a Raman pump laser in a standard 14-pin butterfly package. With operating power of up to 350 mW, the laser effectively enables the replacement of a two-pump subsystem with a single pump, resulting in lower costs, power consumption and board space requirements. The laser uses a proprietary chip design and unique chip material.
Corning, Corning, NY
www.corning.com

The TransPort system is a portable, expandable, multichannel tester to provide on-site troubleshooting and installation testing of complex optical and electrical networking systems. The unit supports multiple SONET/SDH channels and rates. All channels can be run simultaneously and independently for test flexibility. The portable unit uses the same modules and software as the company's EPX rack-mounted chassis. gnubi communications, Dallas, TXwww.gnubi.com

The id 200 is a photon-counting module for the spectral range of 1100 to 1600 nm. The module works in gated mode, and features a quantum detection efficiency 10% at 1550 nm and subnanosecond jitter. The dark-count probability is 5e-5 per ns. Applications include quantum optics, fiberoptic characterization, spectroscopy and eye-safe lidar.id Quantique, Geneva, Switzerlandwww.idquantique.com

MiniDCol are O.D. 1.0-mm epoxy-free collimators are designed as a smaller alternative to traditional collimators, which typically measure 2.8 mm. The collimators have typical insertion loss of 0.25 dB, working distance of up to 200 mm and a beam waist of 0.35 mm. Applications include WDM, switches, VOAs, and collimator arrays.
Koncent Communications, Fujian, China
www.koncent.com

The WDM Emulator (WDME) produces a stable, accurately spaced WDM comb signal for testing WDM systems and modules. The WDME is designed to replace multiple arrays of lasers and equipment used in typical multiwavelength test beds. The instrument's ITU wavelength reference output enables calibration for optical performance monitors, noise figure and gain flatness measurements, performance tests in DWDM mux and demux, and operational tests for optical cross connects and switches.Micron Optics, Atlanta, GAwww.micronoptics.com

The LC25W and two related 2.5 Gbit/s directly modulated lasers provide up to 360-km reach and cover 80 DWDM channels at 100-GHz spacing across the C- and L-bands. The LC25EW variant incorporates an etalon wavelength locker for increased stability. The LC25ET is a tunable option, also incorporating an integrated wavelength locker.
Nortel Networks Brampton, Canada
www.noirtelnetworks.com

New analog integrated circuits operating at 43 Gbit/s include a modulator driver, an integrated transimpedance amplifier/limiting amplifier (TIA/LA), a stand-alone limiting amplifier, and an automatic gain control amplifier (AGC). These products serve as an IC supply for the company's 40-G transceiver products for OC-768 optical networks.OpNext, Eatontown, NJwww.opnext.com

The CombEBS product line is new series of high power, spectrally sliced erbium broadband sources. The source emulates a DWDM transmission system across the C- or L-band using channels at 50- or 100-GHz ITU grid spacing. Output power is 0 to 3 dBm with low channel-to-channel ripple. It is designed as an alternative to traditional multiple-laser comb sources.
MPB Communications, Quebec City, Canada
www.mpb-technologies.ca

Two erbium-doped fibers for the C-band, EXC Band-001 and Band-002, have gain flatness that is more than 50% greater than standard erbium-doped fibers. The EXL Band-001 for the L-band has very high erbium concentration in the core, allowing bandwidth up to 1611 nm. All are available in the 80-µm reduced-cladding version.Highwave Optical Technologies, Lannion, Francewww.highwave-tech.com

The IntelliGuard is a 160-channel 50-GHz optical channel performance monitor (OCPM) based on patented VPG technology. Simultaneously covering the C- and L-bands, the spectrometer module provides rapid channel identification and noninvasive wavelength, power and OSNR measurements within 25 ms. BaySpec, Fremont, CAwww.bayspec.com

The Model 6120 Fiber Optic Tester combines multiple LASER, VCSEL, or LED sources along with a power meter and a visual fault finder, within a rack-mount/bench-top enclosure. Various laser options are available, including Fabry-Perot, DFB, and CWDM. The instrument may be controlled via standard PC software to perform repetitive measurements.
Cercis, Pennington, NJ
www.cercis.com

An eight-channel CWDM integrated multiplexer/demulti plexer measures 112 x 80 x 10 mm, with low insertion loss and high channel isolation. It is designed for integration into CWDM architectures that employ uncooled lasers with wavelengths separated by 20 nm. The modules operate with single-mode fiber independent of data rate and protocol.Tsunami, Mountain View, CAwww.tsunamioptics.com

The OTA-4400 test system provides BER analysis, SONET framing, and jitter testing for 40-Gbit/s electrical and optical devices. It performs multichannel testing of the optical data plane and protocol performance/conformance testing of the optical control plane. It has a modular design for use of multiple interfaces and field-programmable gate arrays.Spirent Communications, Rockville, MDwww.spirentcom.com

The D-MON channel-power monitor monitors the individual power levels of up to 80 C- or L-band channels with 50-GHz spacing in parallel. It measures 70 $times; 46 × 18 mm and provides power acquisition of <6 ms for all channels simultaneously with power consumption <1 W.Ibsen Photonics A/S, Farum, Denmarkwww.ibsen.dkPhotonic signal processing uses electronics and digital signal processing (DSP) to automatically correct common fiber problems, such as chromatic and polarization-mode dispersion, transmitter and receiver patterning, and self-phase modulation. An electrical/optical interface measures the quality of data and uses DSP-controlled feedback to provide dynamic compensation. The product is designed for 10- and 40-Gbit/s systems.Big Bear Networks, Milpitas, CAwww.bigbearnetworks.com

A series of CMOS 32-channel/dual 16-channel analog multiplexer integrated circuits are designed for high-channel control circuits, such as MEMS-based optical switches. The ADG725/731 has serially controlled three-wire interfaces. The ADG725/732 has parallel interfaces. They can be configured as dual multiplexers switching one of 16 inputs to a common output, or differential multiplexers switching to a differential output.
Analog Devices, Cambridge, MA
www.analog.com

The Model 2200 dynamic gain equalizer for DWDM communication systems is designed for long-haul optical networks. The MEMS-based module balances the channels within ±0.1 dB over a dynamic range of 15 dB. It independently attenuates optical power over multiple spectral regions, enabling carriers to add/drop channels without affecting adjacent-channel power levels, regardless of channel count.Silicon Light Machines, Sunnyvale, CAwww.siliconlight.com

BandSOLVE is a graphical simulation tool for the design and analysis of all photonic crystal (PC) structures, in one to three dimensions. The software automates the process of generating band structures, extracting band gaps and optimizing structures for desired gap properties. Projected band structures allow the calculation of dispersion curves for PC waveguide modes.RSoft Design Group, Ossining, NYwww.rsoftdesign.com

The TL1550 tunable laser comes in two versions that cover either the whole C-band with 5-dBm output power or half the band with 10-dBm power. They have 100-GHz channel spacing and 100-ms tuning speed. Configurations that optimize output power, tuning range, and switching speed are available.
Blue Sky Research, Milpitas, CA
www.blueskyresearch.com

The ML9XX31 electroabsorption-modulated distributed-feedback laser diode can transmit at rates of 10 Gbit/s over distances of 50 km. Combining multiple diodes allows aggregate data rates of up to 460 Gbit/s across the C-band. Typical operating current is 60 mA at 5-mW output power, with typical side-mode suppression ratio of 40 dB, rise and fall times of 30 ps, and extinction ratio of 11 dB.Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA, Cypress, CAwww.mitsubishi-usa.com

Athermal interleavers come in 50-GHz and 100-GHz versions. The 50-GHz version, at -0.5 dB, has a 35-GHz passband. They provide isolation of >27 dB and insertion loss <1.5 dB for DWDM applications. The 100-GHz interleaver is designed for 40-Gbit/s applications. The passive, micro-optics-based devices measure 32 × 32 × 11 mm.
NEXFON Corp., Fremont, CA
www.nexfon.com

The 4330TA, 4332TA, and 5030TA transimpedance amplifiers have transmission speeds of 40, 43, and 50 Gbit/s. They are optimized for use with PIN photodetectors and can amplify input currents ranging from 40 µA to 3 µA peak-to-peak with a bit-error rate of 10^-12. The 5030 is for ultralong-haul applications using super forward error correction.Inphi Corp., Westlake Village, CAwww.inphi-corp.com

The Apollo widely tunable external- cavity laser can support 25-GHz channel density, allowing the use of 200 channels in C- and L-bands. An integrated wavelength locker provides >±1-GHz frequency accuracy across the tuning and operating temperature range. Its output power is >20 mW.Iolon, San Jose, CAwww.iolon.com

The ELT tunable erbium fiber laser offers tenability over the C- and L-bands for optical fiber and component characterization, stress testing, and research. It generates a standard linewidth of >0.2 nm. Models are available with output powers from 100 mW (20 dBm) to 10 W (40 dBm).IPG Photonics, Oxford, MAwww.ipgphotonics.com

The FlatPak mini series of optical isolators has a large, clear aperture to couple lasers to single-mode fibers. It has a wavelength of 1550 nm, with a minimum isolation ≥50 dB, maximum insertion loss ≤0.6 dB, minimum clear aperture of 0.9 to 1.4 mm, bandwidth of ±16 nm, and operating temperature of 0°C to 55°C.Isowave, Dover, NJwww.isowave.com

The KCT-2100 passive-component test system can characterize optical multiplexers and demultiplexers, fiber Bragg gratings, thin-film filters, and other passive optical components in a volume production environment. It uses a swept wavelength tunable-laser source with four or eight channels standard and up to 24 additional channels available through plug-in modules.Katsina Optics, Santa Clara, CAwww.katsinaoptics.com

A compact EDFA has a coolerless pump laser and can amplify one to four channels with 100-GHz spacing on one to eight channels with 50 GHz spacing in the C-band. It can be used as a boost er amplifier to provide power at the transmitter or as a preamplifier before the optical receiver. It measures 40 × 70 × 12 mm. A gain block and amplet to customize the device are optional.Lightwaves2020, Milpitas, CAwww.lightwaves2020.com

Thin-film filters for DWDM come in 50- and 100-GHz versions. The 50-GHz filter has insertion loss <0.45 dB, ripple with passband <0.3 dB, passband wavelength range >0.24 nm, stopband range of<0.6 nm, and PDL <0.1 dB. For the 100-GHz filter insertion loss is <0.3 dB, ripple <0.25 dB, passband range >0.42 nm, stopband range <1.1 nm, and PDL <0.1 dB.Maxell, Tokyo, Japanwww.maxell.com

The ME7750A bit-error-rate test system measures transmission systems and modules operating at 25 to 43.5 Gbit/s. It includes a 12.5-Gbit/s, 4-channel pulse pattern generator; a 12.5-Gbit/s, 4-channel error detector; a 4:1 multiplexer and a 1:4 demultiplexer. It can stimulate and analyze both the serial and parallel side of OC-192 and OC-768 modules.
Anritsu Corp., Richardson, TX
www.us.anritsu.com

A 10-Gbit/s avalanche photodiode for use in OC-192 systems has an end-of-life receiver sensitivity of -26 dBm at a bit-error rate of 10-12. It comes in a module that also contains a transimpedance amplifier and provides gain bandwidth of >100 GHz. The device is available as a separate module and also comes as part of the company's 10-Gbit/s, 80-km transceiver components.
OpNext, Eatontown, NJ
www.opnext.com

A series of chromatic-dispersion compensators uses a fiber Bragg grating to provide delay ripple <±5 ps for DWDM metro systems. They are available in 8- to 32-channel configurations, fixed or expandable, at 100- and 200-GHz spacing. They provide up to 2500 ps/nm/channel adjustment for fine dispersion-slope matching or coarse slope corrections at long-haul and ultralong-haul terminals.TeraXion, Sainte-Foy, Que., Canadawww.teraxion.com

The 4-EDWA-Array consists of four C-band optical amplifiers integrated on a planar waveguide platform, with four optical outputs of 10 dBm each. It uses uncooled diode pumps that operate with <1 W/channel. It includes output optical isolations and PIN diodes for network monitoring via a 16-pin electrical connector.Teem Photonics, Meylan, Francewww.teemphotonics.comThe Series 100 in-line optical power monitor for OEM applications combines a stable optical tap and an InGaAs PIN photodiode in a hermetic package. It has insertion loss <0.05 dB, back-reflection <-70 dB, power of +32 dBm, polarization-dependent loss <0.01 dB, and directivity of >30 dB. It is available with a variety of fiber types.EigenLight Corp., Somersworth, NHwww.eigenlight.com

The Optical Shuffle is a connector that aligns fiber ribbons to waveguides. It is designed for arrayed waveguides and other planar lightwave circuits (PLCs). It uses a compact ribbon design and allows users to reorder and reroute fibers when the channel-to-channel pitch on the PLC is different from the pitch of a fiber ribbon. It is designed for a fiber pitch of 250 and 217 mm, and can also be used for other high-channel devices, such as variable optical attenuators and dynamic gain equalizers.Schott Optovance, Southbridge, MAwww.us.schott.com

New cards for the OTS9100 series of test systems include a wavelength-selectable 10-Gbit/s test system. The series also now has a laser interface card that provides an external laser port that accepts stimulus signals from the device's tunable laser. The port is also compatible with other laser sources. New optics cards add dual-receiver electrical outputs that allow simultaneous bit-error-rate testing, jitter analysis, or physical-layer analysis.
Tektronix, Beaverton, OR
www.tektronix.com

A DWDM transceiver is "hot-pluggable," allowing users to plug it in where it's needed at any wavelength, to reduce inventory costs. The device operates from 155 Mbit/s to 2.7 Gbit/s. It has integrated control of the laser and avalanche photodiode. Its initial reach is 160 km, and it has an optical-power budget of 35 dBm.Agilent Technologies Semiconductor Technologies, Wetzlar, Germanywww.agilent.com

The AQ6317C optical-spectrum analyzer has wavelength accuracy to ±0.1 nm from 600 to 1750 nm and ±0.02 to ±0.04 nm from 1450 to 1620 nm. It has wavelength resolution of 15 pm and a dynamic range of 70 dB (peak ±0.4 nm)/60 dB (peak ±0.2 nm). It performs waveform analysis and has curve-fit and source-spontaneous-emission suppress functions.
Ando Electric Ltd., Kanagawa, Japan
www.ando.co.jp