Tunable laser MSA announced by Agility, Alcatel Optronics and Bookham Technology
26 November 2002 -- Agility Communications, Alcatel Optronics and Bookham Technology have announced a multi-source agreement (MSA) for the supply of tunable laser sources.
The agreement defines a small-form-factor plug-in sub-system, including a tunable continuous wave (CW) laser with embedded electronics that allows automatic wavelength setting and locking. Covering the C and L bands, these standardised products are dedicated to core DWDM applications. Each of the MSA's founding companies will separately develop and market fully compatible tunable sources, with the aim of providing greater security of supply while lowering costs.
By standardizing the tunable function through a sub-system, the MSA members claim that it will allow the use of different, mature technologies while guaranteeing the best optical performance at optimized costs. They add that the MSA is a "significant step towards the adoption of the tunable function by the optical telecom industry".
"We strongly believe this MSA will set the standard that moves the industry forward and will catalyse other tunable laser companies to join," said Ron Nelson, president and CEO of Agility Communications.
"As system architecture must be cost-efficient from the first switch-on wavelength, this MSA represents a quick and flexible answer to system manufacturers and their customer-operator requirements," added Philippe Bregi, chief operating officer of Alcatel Optronics.
"This MSA clears the way for widespread deployment of cost disruptive technologies", said Steve Turley, chief commercial officer for Bookham Technology.
The products compliant with the MSA agreement include 10 and 20mW CW tunable lasers able to cover both C- and L-band applications, with 25 and 50GHz wavelength spacing. They have a compact footprint with maximum dimensions of 76.2x50.8x12.7mm3 and a dense 40-pin connector for electrical interface. The standardised tunable sources also support SPI, I2C and UART remote control buses using the same protocol.
The MSA is open to participation from all companies that can meet the standards set forth within the MSA.