Premier Products

SYSTEMS & SUBSYSTEMS

Optical switchThe 8x8-4 optical switch, featuring the reliability of electromechanical switches and precision of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, offers excellent repeatability and channel uniformity as well as low insertion loss. The switch has eight channels in each of the four planes to serve as input, output, add, and drop channels, and it can be configured as a protection switch or an optical add/drop module (OADM). Switching time is less than 2 msec when used as a protection switch; the 8x8-4 is equivalent to a 16x16 switch when used in an OADM configuration. Because the switch is latched in both the on and off position, switch state can be provided as a feedback signal.Advanced Optical MEMS Inc., Lake Forest, CA FOR FREE DATA, enter NO. 300 at www.onlinecenter.to/lwMultipurpose transponderKOM 200 Optical Modem is a multipurpose transponder for metro, regional, and long-haul networks that the company claims can provide "50% longer spans between electrical regeneration and twice the capacity." As a result, it's possible to deploy systems with fewer electrical regenerators, longer dispersion-limited links, and double-density wavelengths. The compact optical subsystem operates at 10 Gbits/sec for up to 120 km and has an operating temperature of 0°-70°C at specific ITU wavelengths of 50- or 100-GHz channel spacing in PIN (or APD) receiver configurations.Kodeos Communications, South Plainfield, NJ FOR FREE DATA, enter NO. 301 at www.onlinecenter.to/lwCOMPONENTS

Tunable dispersion compensatorThe TH-TDC grating-based tunable dispersion compensator offers accurate dispersion levels, low group-delay ripples (<±5 psec, smoothed), low polarization-mode dispersion (<0.5 psec), low insertion loss (<1 dB), and low power consumption (<5 W) for emerging 40-Gbit/sec systems. The dispersion level provided by the component can be adjusted dynamically to counteract chromatic dispersion fluctuations resulting from climatic variations and component aging. Applications include single-channel dispersion compensation for high-capacity long-haul and ultra-long-haul optical networks, 10-Gbit/sec or higher metro systems, and submarine optical-network systems.TeraXion, Quebec CityFOR FREE DATA, enter NO. 302 at www.onlinecenter.to/lwZero water peak fiber upgradeThe new-generation AllWave fiber, according to the company, achieves less than half the aging loss. Fully standardized as ITU G.652c, the fiber offers the same dispersion as conventional singlemode fiber but with reduced loss and zero water peak in the 1400-nm water peak band, enabling the use of extra bandwidth equivalent to 100 DWDM channels. AllWave is compatible with existing singlemode-fiber systems to mesh seamlessly with existing networks. For metro local and access networks, including cable TV, the fiber allows carriers to use coarse WDM as well.OFS, Norcross, GAFOR FREE DATA, enter NO. 303 at ww.onlinecenter.to/lwTEST EQUIPMENT

Polarization controllerThe EPC electrically operated polarization controller, which provides continuous polarization control without "resetting" the voltages, has four birefringence transducers-each controlled by a simple analog input signal-installed along a fiber at orthogonal orientations. The response speed of each transducer surpasses 100 Hz. Insertion and return losses are near-negligible, and the controller can be operated from 1290- to >1620-nm wavelengths. Applications include polarization controllers for optical networks, polarization-dependent-loss (PDL) control, polarization-mode dispersion compensation modules, and polarization scramblers for PDL measurement systems. Only a ±5-V signal is required to control the unit, and for safety reasons, voltages are not multiplied internally.OZ Optics Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario FOR FREE DATA, enter NO. 307 at www.onlinecenter.to/lwDESIGN & MANUFACTURING

Photonics assembly lineThe fully automated photonics component/packaging assembly line combines the company's automated component assembly and wire-bonding capabilities with the photonic dispensing, optical-fiber alignment and attach, and test and measurement capabilities of Creative Automation, Axsys Technologies, and ILX Lightwave. Comprising magazine loaders, automated inline adhesive dispenser, laser-diode component attach assembly cell, wire bonder, and conveyors, it can accommodate any volume and type of component assembly operation.Palomar Technologies, Vista, CA FOR FREE DATA, enter NO. 305 at ww.onlinecenter.to/lwValidation softwareThe OptSim 3.5 software solution upgrade supports design and performance validation of the transmission level in optical networks, DWDM/optical TDM amplified systems, ultra-long-haul terrestrial and submarine systems, and cable TV/digital/analog systems. New features include automatic MATLAB co-simulation, a toolkit to simplify simulation of commercial lasers in the OptSim environment and allow users to create their own library of lasers, a component library extension to more than 400 component models to meet the design requirements of optical communications technologies, and an extended vendor component library encompassing models of most commonly used commercial components, including lasers, fibers, transmitters, and receivers.ARTIS Software Corp., San Jose, CA FOR FREE DATA, enter NO. 309 at www.onlinecenter.to/lwINSTALLATION

Inspection microscopeThe PriorSpec II compact, portable fiber-optic inspection microscope is designed specifically for field inspection of virtually any optical-fiber connector. Available in 200X and 400X models, the microscope incorporates a precision-adjustable centering mechanism that permits scrolling of the fiber endface as well as the ability to view and analyze multiple fibers. The "folded beam" optical system consists of all-glass optics, and a laser-barrier filter is built-in for safety. An LED system with microprocessor control provides constant illumination for improved light quality and extended battery life. The microscope accepts rechargeable AA batteries.Prior Scientific, Rockland, MA FOR FREE DATA, enter NO. 306 at www.onlinecenter.to/lw