Dual-channel photonic 2R regenerator delivers 100 Gbps
MARCH 20, 2009 --- CIP Technologies (search Lightwave for CIP Technologies) has released a new 100-Gbps version of its all-optical 2R (reamplification and reshaping) regenerator for optical networking applications.
Based on the company's HyBoard hybrid platform, the device is fabricated from an integrated combination of an array of the high-speed nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA-XN) and planar silica Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). This component combination extends the signal regeneration properties of the hybrid 2R device from 40 Gbps to 100 Gbps and retains multichannel capability.
Measuring 9x3x1 cm, the 100GXN-2R2-ORP may be used for inline 2R regeneration of RZ (return-to-zero) signals in high-speed optical network applications. The device is able to perform additional functions such as wavelength conversion. Optical logic functions can be implemented by the combination of components.
100GXN-2R2-ORP employs a combination of planar silica and indium phosphide (InP) component technologies. The two types of component functions used are planar singlemode waveguides with splitter/combiner elements configured to create a balanced MZI, and a monolithically integrated array of four nonlinear SOA-XNs. Hybrid integration, says CIP Technologies, ensures low intra-device excess losses and high optical gain.
Special interface characteristics on both component types, combined with a precision alignment technique, allow the 2R regenerator devices to be assembled without active alignment.
CIP Technologies says the low-loss assembly technique, coupled with the performance of the SOA-XN, also allows the device to be switched with lower input optical powers than were previously possible, facilitating simpler high-speed experimentation. CIP is able to customize the device, including versions with integrated push-pull time delays and all-optical XOR logic gates.
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