SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 -- Cube Optics (search for Cube Optics) claims it has successfully manufactured the world's first integrated multi-lambda 40-Gbit/sec Receiver Optical Sub-Assemblies (ROSAs). The ROSA optically demultiplexes four CWDM channels operating at 10 Gbits/sec. The optical signals are converted to electrical information via integrated detectors and further processed by suitable TIAs into a four-lane electrical at output data rates of up to four times 10 Gbits/sec.
In an effort to cope with constantly increasing bandwidth in LAN, SAN, and Metro applications, service providers are demanding higher speed optical interfaces. To meet this need for greater transmission rates, the IEEE 802.3ba Ethernet Task Force is currently in the process of establishing new standards for 40-Gbit/sec fiber-optic transceivers. Current serial transport designs with state-of-the-art electronics and optics, even for relatively short distances, are not cost effective at such high speeds, say Cube Optics representatives. By contrast, the company's lower cost approach optically multiplexes together data rates of 10-Gbit/sec bit streams in order to realize transmission rates at 40 Gbits/sec. The Cube Optics' approach integrates four PIN detectors and four laser diodes along with the associated miniature optical multiplexer. Miniature multi-lambda TOSA and ROSA assemblies will enable the commercial development of the n X 10-Gbit/sec pluggable transceiver markets.
Cube Optics AG says it has now demonstrated the first high-speed ROSA combining the optical demultiplexer with integrated PIN detectors and Trans-Impedance Amplifiers (TIA) for four optical CWDM grid signals, each operating at 10 Gbits/sec. With a miniaturized size of only 12.9 x 10.5 x 7.8 mm and a minimal power consumption of typically 100 mW per channel, the product facilitates the realization of small and pluggable 40-Gbit/sec transceivers. The ROSA features sensitivities of well above -18 dBm. The optical demultiplexer utilizes the 1271-, 1291-, 1311-, and 1331-nm channels of the CWDM ITU grid.
The 40-Gbit/sec CWDM ROSA is available in sample volumes and will be transferred into production by the end of 2008. Cube Optics also reports that it is well on its way to completing the TOSA counterpart as well as advanced 100-Gbit/sec ROSA and TOSA variants.
"The design, fabrication, and assembly of the multi-lambda 40G ROSA was realized under a very tight schedule, and we are very happy that we could show evidence of such outstanding performance so quickly," asserts Ingo Smaglinski, CTO of Cube Optics. "Our 40G ROSA marks the launch of CUBO's new active component product family of high-speed optical transceiver front-ends," he adds.
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