SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 -- Bookham Inc. (search for Bookham) has announced the launch of what it claims is an ultra-compact small form factor amplifier gainblock that measures 70- x 40- x 7.5-mm and represents a 72% volume reduction compared to the MSA standard amplifier gainblock. The MiNi Block µ7040 is being sampled to customers and will be generally available in Q4 2008, confirm company representatives.
The MiNi Block µ7040 amplifier gainblock is primarily targeted at 40-Gbit/sec transport systems in which low-noise optical amplification is required for each channel before the 40-Gbit/sec receiver, and space is at a premium. Due to its low height of 7.5-mm and small footprint, the ultra-compact amplifier can also support 40-Gbit/sec transponder designers looking to integrate optical amplifiers into the standard transponder footprint, note Bookham representatives. The product is enabled by the company's Mini-DIL un-cooled 980-nm pump module.
"We see an increasing market for an amplifier of this extremely small size," reports Booham director of product management Mark Ives. "40-Gbit/sec networks are beginning to see major deployments, and we are confident that the per-channel amplification requirement will create a real need for an ultra-compact optical amplification solution. We have been able to achieve this significant size reduction through our packaging expertise and commitment to developing small in-feed products, such as the Mini-DIL 980nm pump," he contends.
The MiNi Block µ7040 amplifier gainblock offers output power of up to 15 dBm and produces only 1.2-W thermal dissipation. According to Bookham, the product is built using standard components, including telecom-grade 125-micron fiber; features the de facto industry standard 12-way electrical connector; and is available in semi-custom variants to meet specific customer requirements.
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